If there's one kitchen appliance that's the heart of any pizzeria, it's undoubtedly the commercial brick pizza oven. In particular, Marra Forni brick ovens have become a gold standard in the culinary world, recognized for their durability, excellent craftsmanship, and delicious results. However, maintaining these ovens is key to their longevity and performance. Let's review the essentials of keeping your commercial brick oven in peak condition.
Tools and Materials Needed for Cleaning
To effectively clean your brick pizza oven, prepare yourself with the right tools.
- You’ll need an oven brush and scraper to remove debris
- Food-safe cleaning solution (baking soda and water, or water vinegar)
- For wood-fired brick ovens, you will also need an ashtray.
- Personal protective equipment to ensure your safety during the cleaning process.
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Different Types of Ovens
Understanding the various types of decks is crucial to maintaining your commercial brick pizza oven. Each type has unique characteristics that require specific care. Familiarize yourself with these differences to ensure your oven continues to produce exceptional baking results.
Static Deck
To ensure your safety, it's crucial to cool the oven completely before starting the cleaning process. Cleaning in the morning, after the oven was used the previous day, is the best approach.
- Sweep out any ash or food particles using a long-handled bristle brush or broom designed for pizza ovens.
- Push everything towards the oven's front and scoop it out into a metal bucket or pan.
- Scrape off any remaining baked-on residue using a scraper tool, be careful not to damage the brick surface.
- After scraping, use a brass-bristle oven brush to remove any lingering debris on the brick surface.
- Take this opportunity to inspect your oven for any cracks or damages that may affect its heating.
- Finally, wipe down the exterior of the oven using a damp cloth and a food-safe cleaning solution.
Rotating Deck Brick Ovens
The general instruction on how When it comes to maintaining a commercial rotating deck pizza oven, it's important to consider the empty space between the deck and the mantle. While this space is designed to collect food debris, it can also become a breeding ground for bacteria and other contaminants if not cleaned regularly. We recommend cleaning the space underneath the deck every 2-3 weeks.
Instructions for cleaning underneath the Marra Forni rotating deck oven:
Step 1: Make sure your oven is cool enough to perform the deep clean (170°F or below)
Step 2: Remove the front panel by positioning yourself beneath it and extracting the two pins that secure it in place. (Make sure there is a person holding the panel in case it loses balance)
Step 3: Vaccum underneath the deck to remove the debris.
Electric Ovens
To clean an electric commercial pizza oven, start by cooling it down. Use an oven brush or scraper to gently remove any hardened debris or baked-on residues from the oven's interior surfaces. Follow up with a damp cloth to wipe down the surfaces, using a food-safe oven cleaner if needed. Be sure to avoid the heating coils to prevent any damages. The heating elements of the electric brick ovens do not need to be cleaned.
Basic Routine Maintenance
Beyond cleaning, regular checks for cracks and damages, and maintaining the seal of the oven door, are essential to preserving the brick oven in your restaurant. Stick to a routine cleaning schedule to ensure its high performance and longevity.
Handling Common Issues and Repairs
Despite meticulous maintenance, common problems like soot build-up, cracks, and rust may occur. You can prevent further issues by catching these early and employing essential solutions. If problems persist, don’t hesitate to call your local equipment service provider.
If you own a Marra Forni brick oven, it's worth noting that you might still be eligible for a 3-year deck and dome warranty for static ovens and 2-year deck and dome warranty for rotating deck ovens, as well as a 1-year parts and labor warranty. Find out your oven serial number and contact us today!
Proper Usage of the Oven to Minimize Cleaning and Maintenance
Proper usage techniques can also minimize maintenance. Follow correct heating and cooling procedures, employ effective baking techniques to reduce mess, and use the right fuels to minimize soot and ash.
Conclusion
Regular cleaning and maintenance is the secret to keeping your Marra Forni commercial brick oven in top shape. By following these recommended practices, you can continue to rely on this exceptional appliance to produce the best pizzas for years to come.
