As a chef with over a decade of experience, I’ve perfected pizzas at my restaurant, Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston. Over the years, I’ve experimented with numerous pizza ovens, and after testing the Bertello Pizza Oven for several months, I’ve gained valuable insights into its performance.
In my review of the Bertello Pizza Oven, I evaluated its quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and conducted a real pizza cooking test to see how long it takes to cook a pizza. For more insights into my testing process and expertise, please refer to my article: “How I Test Pizza Ovens.”
Disclaimer: This review contains affiliate links to the Bertello Pizza Oven. If you choose to purchase through these links, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. That being said, my review is fully based on my real hands-on experience as a professional chef with over ten years in the restaurant industry. The affiliate links have not influenced my opinions or the honest feedback shared here.
How Bertello Pizza Oven Works and How to Use
Assembling the Bertello Pizza Oven is a breeze. It is great for those who dread intricate setups. The simplicity in design does not compromise functionality, as the oven seamlessly combines efficiency with user-friendliness. I was able to set up everything in less than 15 minutes.
The versatility of the Bertello Outdoor Pizza Oven is a true highlight. This outdoor oven is not confined to a single fuel source but rather excels as both a gas-fired and wood-fired marvel.
The oven is designed for wood-fired use, letting users add the signature smoky flavor and char that comes with traditional wood-fired cooking to their pizzas.
A wood-burning tray is included to ensure a seamless transition between the propane burner and wood. This provides a unique opportunity to preheat the oven with gas efficiency and then introduce the aromatic wood flavor for the actual cooking process.
Unboxing Bertello Pizza Oven and First Impression
I was excited when I unboxed my Bertello Outdoor Pizza Oven. The oven was well-packed for safety. Upon checking each part of the oven, I was impressed with its sleek design and robust build. The assembly instructions in the manual were also clear, so it was easy for me to start assembling this pizza oven.
Quality and Materials
The Bertello Pizza Oven exudes quality in every aspect. The construction materials are robust and durable, ensuring longevity and resilience to the rigors of high-temperature cooking.
The attention to detail in the craftsmanship is evident. From the stainless steel exterior to the refractory stone cooking surface, each component contributes to the overall quality of this pizza oven.
Shape
The shape of the Bertello Pizza Oven is a crucial element that elevates its performance. The dome-shaped design facilitates optimal heat distribution, which ensures that every inch of your pizza receives uniform heat for a perfectly cooked crust, gooey cheese, and flavorful toppings.
Temperature Control
The Bertello Pizza Oven boasts an impressive temperature range, reaching over 900°F. The high temperature is facilitated by an exceptionally hot pizza stone, ensuring a quick rise for the crust. Positive airflow within the oven chamber directs flames across the low ceiling, ensuring even and efficient cooking.
The capability to overlap the two fuel types provides flexibility, mainly because the gas burner can be a backup to the wood fire. However, I have observed that the wood tray included with the adaptor has limitations. It can be too shallow to sustain a fire large enough for consistent cooking of a single pizza.
Using Bertello Pizza Oven for the First Time
My first experience with the Bertello Pizza Oven was fantastic. The preheating process was swift, and the oven reached the desired temperature promptly. I was impressed by the even cooking and quick results.
However, I noticed that while the back cap on your gas oven permits air to flow in one direction, there is a significant amount of blowback when you remove it and place wood inside for burning, resulting in flames shooting out from behind.
Power Source
Because the Bertello Pizza Oven is multi-fuel, you can cook with charcoal, wood, or natural gas. Moreover, Bertello is the only portable pizza oven that can cook on wood and propane.
For consistent, controlled temperatures, a gas burner (sold separately) provides the convenience many desire. For those seeking complexity, combining wood and charcoal or wood and gas opens up opportunities to create a unique taste.
Size
The Bertello Outdoor Pizza Oven is designed to accommodate pizzas up to 12 inches in size, offering ample space for your culinary creations.
The oven compromises compactness and functionality, with a 12.5″ x 13.5″ wide cooking surface. The Bertello Outdoor Pizza Oven weighs 34.6 pounds. While it may not be as light as other pizza ovens I have tested, it is still a portable cooking companion suitable for various outdoor settings.
How to Clean Bertello Pizza Oven
The pizza stone must be cleaned, and the ash must be cleared before each cooking session. This is great; however, opening the oven door to retrieve the pellet tray involves sticking your entire arm inside.
After I finish cleaning, my arm is always completely black. You should also clean the oven thoroughly after each use to ensure its longevity and efficiency.
Can I Use The Bertello Pizza Oven Indoors?
Yes, the Bertello Pizza Oven can be used indoors. However, ensuring enough ventilation in the room where the oven will be used is crucial to prevent any safety concerns associated with gas or wood fuel sources.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Pizza in It?
We put the Bertello Pizza Oven to the test in our test by crafting a classic Margherita pizza. Preheating the oven took 10 to 15 minutes. Once ready, the Margherita pizza is cooked to perfection in just 90 seconds.
How Long Does It Take to Warm Up?
The Bertello Pizza Oven proves its efficiency by warming up in just 10 to 15 minutes. It is a good choice for those seeking quick and spontaneous outdoor pizza sessions.
Can I Cook Other Food Besides Pizza?
While the primary focus is on pizza, the Bertello Pizza Oven offers versatility for cooking other foods. I was able to explore the possibilities of using it to cook vegetables and steak.
Downsides
Despite its merits, the Bertello Pizza Oven does come with some downsides. One notable downside observed during testing is the substantial blowback experienced when removing the Bertello Pizza Oven’s cover to place wood inside for burning, often leading to flames shooting out from behind and requiring cautious handling.
Also, cleaning can be challenging, especially when reaching inside to remove the pellet tray. The wood tray included with the adaptor also has limitations, which can hinder its capacity to sustain a fire large enough for the consistent cooking of a single pizza.
Price
The Bertello Pizza Oven’s price reflects its quality craftsmanship, versatility, and unique features. While it may be an investment, its ability to deliver authentic pizza experiences with various fuel options justifies the cost for those who prioritize a versatile and reliable outdoor cooking appliance. Find the updated price on Amazon.
How Does It Compare to Other Outdoor Pizza Ovens?
The Bertello stands out for its versatility compared to other outdoor pizza ovens. Its ability to reach high temperatures quickly, whether using wood or gas, sets it apart in terms of efficiency.
The compact size and the option for indoor use with proper ventilation add to its appeal.
However, users may need to weigh these advantages against considerations like cleaning challenges and potential limitations with the wood tray when making a purchase decision.
What Others Say About Bertrello Pizza Oven
User experiences with the Bertello Pizza Oven vary, highlighting the importance of considering different perspectives.
On Amazon, one user expressed challenges in achieving the advertised high temperatures using wood. Conversely, a Reddit review acknowledged a learning curve but expressed excitement about mastering the oven after a few attempts.
Meanwhile, some pizza enthusiasts on YouTube praised the Bertello Pizza Oven yet suggested exploring other superior pizza oven brands.
My Cooking Tips For Using This Oven
To optimize your experience with the Bertello Pizza Oven, consider these cooking tips:
- Rotate your pizza after 20 seconds to ensure even cooking and a perfectly crispy crust.
- While propane gas provides ease of use, if you’re accustomed to the authentic flavor of wood-fired pizza, you can embrace the challenge and opt for wood as your preferred fuel source.
- Always clean and maintain your oven for a longer lifespan. Cleaning the pizza stone before each use and conducting occasional thorough cleanings will keep your Bertello Pizza Oven performing at its best.
Conclusion
As a chef with over ten years of experience, I find the Bertello Pizza Oven to be a reliable and versatile outdoor cooking companion. Its ability to swiftly reach high temperatures and provide a variety of fuel alternatives adds to its appeal. However, the wood tray’s cleaning challenges and potential limitations should be considered.
While the Bertello Pizza Oven has its strengths, the Gozney Roccbox remains my top recommendation as the best pizza oven. Its exceptional performance, ease of use, and widespread acclaim among chefs and enthusiasts make it a standout choice in outdoor pizza ovens.
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