Preparing for baking: How to choose a garden or balcony oven

Shavuot is approaching. It's a complete celebration of cheeses and fresh foods from nature. During this holiday, we all turn into bakers, even if we're amateurs. Many of us also look for ways to enrich our cooking and hosting experience, so there’s nothing like an oven to create baked goods with unique flavors and make family and social gatherings unforgettable.

If you plan to prepare fresh pizzas, pastries, or special dishes for Shavuot, choosing the right oven is the first step to culinary success, allowing you to enjoy professional and convenient outdoor cooking all year round. Before purchasing an oven, it’s important to understand what to look for to ensure it meets your needs and serves you well for many years.

Tips for Choosing an Oven, Courtesy of Nine Consumer Products, Importer, and Marketer of Ooni in Israel

The uniqueness of an oven lies in cooking at very high heat in a relatively small space with an open flame—creating unique flavors and high baking speed. Thanks to home ovens, what was once available only in restaurants can now be prepared in your yard or on your balcony. These advantages have made it a highly sought-after household product by Israelis in recent years.

Types of Ovens

Wood-Fired Oven: The classic oven operates on wood. It is usually large and professional, requiring preparation time and effort for heating and maintenance. It provides an authentic, smoky taste but demands more effort to operate and maintain the fire.

Gas Oven: Easy to operate and cleaner. Heats up quickly and allows easy temperature control. It is the most popular household oven worldwide and in Israel.

Electric Oven: Some electric ovens are suitable for indoor use or places where gas usage is not possible or desired. Electric ovens are usually easy to operate, but it’s important to check that they reach high temperatures.

Additional Tips

Which size to buy? First, define your needs and check the available space to ensure the oven fits comfortably without overcrowding the area. Remember to consider the necessary clearance around the device for safety and ventilation. If you want an oven for camping or picnicking in nature, it’s recommended to buy a portable oven with foldable legs, in sizes of 12 or 16 inches. However, note that not all 16-inch ovens are portable, so check carefully before purchasing. A wide opening will make it easier to insert and remove food from the oven. The baking stone size in most home ovens ranges from 12 to 16 inches. A 16-inch oven allows you to prepare larger pizzas and provides flexibility in preparing additional dishes and inserting cast iron utensils into the oven.

Ensure the oven is made of high-quality and durable materials. The materials from which the oven is made affect its performance, durability over time, and safety. Ovens reach high temperatures, so you’ll need the right tools to use them safely and ensure the oven is out of children’s reach. Look for ovens made of durable materials—quality burners, rust-resistant stainless steel, and especially materials that insulate heat efficiently.

Budget: Price is, of course, a significant parameter in choosing an oven. Set a budget in advance and focus on ovens within your budget. Remember, it’s sometimes worth investing a bit more in a quality oven that will serve you for many years and give you better results.

Reviews and Opinions: Before buying, it’s important to read reviews and opinions from other users. Ask friends or family who have ovens and try to get recommendations from experts in the field.

Ensure the oven you purchase reaches at least 450 degrees in a reasonable time (up to about 20-25 minutes).

Ensure you buy an oven from a company that offers good customer service and comprehensive warranty. If you need repairs or spare parts, it’s important to have access to professional support.

Remember, gas connections should only be made by certified professionals, such as gas technicians.