INTRODUCTION
In this article we share tips on how to use your wood-fired oven | FEB 2024
When you have a wood fired oven it’s important that you know all the little tips and tricks to get the most out of it as well as making sure you’re using it properly. Here we’ve created a list of things you need to know about using your wood fired oven. From the basics to getting the most out of your oven; we’ve got it covered.
LOCATION AND SAFETY
Its important to place your wood-fired oven in an area away from flammable materials, overhanging trees, or structures that could be damaged by heat. To be safe the Forno must be placed no less than 1m from flammable surfaces and materials to the sides. The Forno can reach much higher temperatures than conventional electric or gas appliances, so always ensure there is enough space for ventilation and airflow around the oven to prevent overheating and smoke build-up. You should also ensure that it is placed on a flat, non-flammable, horizontal surface. Remember the outside of the oven becomes very hot while lit. Therefore, be sure to take the necessary
care, especially if children and pets are close to the Forno.
MASTERING THE FIRE
Behind every successful fire is a good layer of embers. This can be formed quickly by using Firebuilder under a kilo or two of dry kindling placed in the middle of the oven. Kindling should be stacked like a game of Jenga, and the Firebuilder should be closer to the middle of the wood pile. If needed you can always use the Morsø Ash Scraper, to blow on the embers and give the fire an extra boost.
When the kindling has burnt down, spread it over an area corresponding to central stone, and add more firewood. Gradually add larger pieces of wood to build up the fire, allowing it to burn until the oven reaches the desired temperature. To increase or reduce the oven temperature, simply add or remove wood. Always use dry, clean and untreated timber in the Morsø Forno Multifunctional wood-fired oven.
Information supplied is to assist you in cooking on the Forno. It is not intended to be all the information required to install the fire and does not replace the installation manual which provides more detailed information. In the interest of product development we reserve the right to make changes to the specifications without prior notice.
THE DESIGN
Consistently cooked food requires an even distribution of heat within the oven. The overall design of the Forno helps to ensure that heat across the floor of the oven is uniform, so that food cooks evenly wherever it is placed.
The shape of the Forno also creates a lensing effect which reduces the amount of space above the oven for air circulation so that the oven will be hotter, and food will cook more quickly. A high heat concentration within the oven ensures crispier finishes, without moisture being lost from the food, which is why wood-fired ovens are an excellent way to cook joints of meat and fish – not just pizza!
ESSENTIAL TOOLS & ACCESSORIES
Morsø has a a large selection of exclusive accessories that add extra value to your Morsø outdoor products. Anything from a cover to an outdoor table so you can create your very own outdoor kitchen. As we all know, choosing can be quite difficult. All Morsø products are of the very best quality and they are all made for you. So, what do you have to consider when looking for the perfect product is which one [or few] meets your needs.
PIZZA PREPARATION & COOKING
The Morsø outdoor oven is as made for making delicious pizzas the genuine Italian way. Bake your pizzas in a genuine wood-fired pizza oven. In fact, this is neither difficult nor time-consuming.
You should light up your Morsø Forno about 30 minutes before you are ready to bake your pizzas. Next, you begin to prepare the superb Italian pizza dough – to secure a crisp and delicious pizza base.
A good pizza comprises 3 important elements:
- a good pizza dough
- pizza sauce, using fresh tomatoes
- and the fresh mozzarella. You will need about half a mozzarella for one pizza.
You should resist the temptation to put too much topping on your pizza as this will detract from the crispness of the base. When your oven is ready, you push aside the embers and slide the pizza onto the pizza stone. Only cook for 2½ minutes before turning it around, and then for another 2½ minutes.
ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR HOMEMADE PIZZA
- The Morsø Pizza Peel has been designed to retrieve that perfectly baked pizza. With its thin pliable head that slips easily under the crust you can remove the pizza with ease – without your carefully prepared toppings falling into the embers! Thin and lightweight it has been made from sturdy aluminium with a long oak wood, expertly angled handle, this pizza peel lets you handle hot pizzas with ease and comfort.
- Pizza – and other foods – that are gently infused with smoke in a wood-fired oven taste great, but the smoke can be problematic if an effective ventilation system is not installed. Like all solid fuel appliances, a chimney is essential: as the fire burns, an imbalance in pressure is produced by the difference between the cold air outside and the hot air inside. If a chimney is fitted, the hot air is sucked upwards, drawing the excess smoke out. The Morsø Forno Flue Pipe with it’s futuristic shape has been constructed from stainless steel, and has been painted in black to blend harmoniously into the clearly designed design of the Forno. The Morsø Forno Flue Pipe ensures that smoke can be left out outside the cooking area. For this purpose, the flue simply needs to be attached to the small chimney of the Forno Multifunctional Outdoor Oven.
- The stylish brushed steel pizza cutter from Morsø impresses with a slightly curved edge and a handy oiled oak handle. The large multifunctional knife is in a Nordic minimalist look, with a rocker knife that aids in chopping.
SMOKING
Smoking meat, cheese, fish, fruit, condiments, olives, nuts even ice-cream or cocktails [if you have never tried an Old Fashioned or Bloody Mary with the benefit of smoke, you have to give it a go], is easy to do with the Morsø Forno Multifunctional Oven.
Before you get started with the smoking in the grill, you must choose which type smoke wood you will use. You can use these tree species: Cherry, apple, oak, hickory or maple trees. Avoid using spruce, pine or other coniferous types – they contain some resin that can add a nasty taste to the food.
Examples on tree species for meat:
- Light meat (fish and poultry): e.g. wood from fruit trees
- Beef or something similar: e.g. oak or another heavy smoke chips
Generally, good smoke wood is always dry, without bark and completely clean – i.e. without paints and chemicals.
Now fire up the Forno normally i.e. Firebuilder. The Forno must be heated, but avoid big flames, so you wont get a puff of smoke. Slide the embers back into the oven, so they creates a half circle. You can use the Ash Scarper from Morsø. This way you will avoid too much heat. Place the Tuscan Grill or Tuscan Plancha insert with the food on it and then sprinkle a handful of smoke crumbs on the nearest embers.
Immediately place the lid on the Forno so you will keep the smoke inside, and then place the Smokeeeper on the chimney. Now you just have to wait for the food to get the right temperature. [If smoking meat always let it rest before cutting it to keep the juice in the meat].
ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR SMOKING
- The Morsø Forno Door converts your Morsø Forno outdoor oven into a high-functioning smoke oven for even more cooking options, such as slow roasting, and baking. With the door, you can now smoke foods such as meat, fish, cheese, tomatoes, nuts, even olives, as the Forno Door helps retain the heat in your Forno at a constant level.
- The Morsø Smokeeper lives up to its name, as it keeps the smoke inside the oven helping to transform the Forno into a smoker in no time. The Smokeeper acts like a lid and is placed at the top of the flue, to optimise the process of smoking your food.
- Foods that are gently infused with smoke in a wood-fired oven taste great, but the smoke can be problematic if an effective ventilation system is not installed. Like all solid fuel appliances, a chimney is essential: as the fire burns, an imbalance in pressure is produced by the difference between the cold air outside and the hot air inside. If a chimney is fitted, the hot air is sucked upwards, drawing the excess smoke out. The Morsø Forno Flue Pipe with it’s futuristic shape has been constructed from stainless steel, and has been painted in black to blend harmoniously into the clearly designed design of the Forno. The Morsø Forno Flue Pipe ensures that smoke can be left out outside the cooking area. For this purpose, the flue simply needs to be attached to the small chimney of the Forno Multifunctional Outdoor Oven.
- The Morsø Tuscan Grill is particularly suitable for Grilling and Smoking. The slanted outer edge ensures that meat, fish and vegetables do not fall off the barbecue plate when preparing and can be prepared in the middle over the flame.
GRILLING & SLOW ROASTING
Now you can experience for yourself how easily delicious food can be produced – from juicy Steaks to smoked salmon, slow cooked casseroles, succulent fish, delicious lamb steaks, and a range of vegetables, to name only a few items.
To cook meat and vegetables alike you need to evenly distribute the embers in a semi-circle around the Forno. You need to give about 30 minutes to get the Forno to optimal heat. This is the perfect time to prepare your meat or vegetables. [for roasting take the meat from the fridge for an hour before roasting. Removing all packaging and patting down with kitchen paper to remove any moisture, and season to your liking].
Before going in the Forno, we recommend browning any meat first. You can use a roasting dish, the skillet lid of our Morso Multicocotte, or the Tuscan Grill. For slow roasting, you then place the meat into the Multicocotte or equivalent heat proof dish with a lid.
There is no straight answer for time spent in the Forno, and all cuts have different timings. We don’t recommend just shoving the beef joint in the oven and assuming it’ll be cooked to perfection without giving it a little attention. We recommend checking in and basting a few times during the cooking process [do this quickly in order to retain the heat in the oven].
During this roasting process you can add vegetables and potatoes to cook as you usually would, just make sure not to overload the dish as it can make the joint go from roasting to stewing. You want to maintain a nice bed of coals rather than a flame to ensure the cut cooks slowly. If you need to slow it down simply use the Ash Scraper, to scrape the coals to the side of the Forno.
Once your meat is done, we recommend leaving it to rest for around half an hour in a warm place [next to the Forno would be perfect].
For grilling make sure the Forno is nice and hot .30 min-1 hour should be enough time. Now push the embers in a half circle for even heat and you’re ready to go. To Grill place the Tuscan Grill over the embers and either place your food directly on the grill or place the Roasting Dish or the Griddle Lid from the MultiCocotte on top of the grill [this will ensure no fat drops into the embers stopping it from sparking any flames which could overcook your food].
The Morso Forno Multifunctional Oven is so versatile and their range of accessories to go with it make it easy to cook all your favourite dishes outside while entertaining with your friends and family. This is just a small sample of what this amazing product can do. You can find further recipes [anything from starters to desserts] at https://morsoe.com/en/recipes
ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR GRILLING & SLOW ROASTING
- The Morsø Tuscan Grill is particularly suitable for Grilling and Smoking. The slanted outer edge ensures that meat, fish and vegetables do not fall off the barbecue plate when preparing and can be prepared in the middle over the flame.
- The Morso Cocotte (Dutch Oven) can be used to braise, bake, stew, fry, sauté, and even boil. It can be used in the oven and on all types of cookers. Cast iron is exceptionally good for use on induction hobs. The cocotte retains the juice and vitality of your ingredients, enabling you to conjure up the most beautiful and sumptuous dinners.
- Multifunctional the Morsø Roasting Plate has a simple clean classic look, made from cast-iron, this roasting plate works well with the Forno Stove or any conventional oven. Whether you’re roasting meat, vegetables, or fish, or trying to catch the succulent juices, our Morsø Roasting Plate has you covered. Also available is the optional Stainless steel handle which ensures you wont burn your fingers on the cast Iron plates. This handle can be used for the Roasting Plate as well as the Tuscan Grill.
- The Morsø Forno Door is not only suitable when smoking, but it is perfect for when you want to stop the heat from escaping the Forno, to bring the temperature up.
- Foods that are gently infused with smoke in a wood-fired oven taste great, but the smoke can be problematic if an effective ventilation system is not installed. Like all solid fuel appliances, a chimney is essential: as the fire burns, an imbalance in pressure is produced by the difference between the cold air outside and the hot air inside. If a chimney is fitted, the hot air is sucked upwards, drawing the excess smoke out. The Morsø Forno Flue Pipe with it’s futuristic shape has been constructed from stainless steel, and has been painted in black to blend harmoniously into the clearly designed design of the Forno. The Morsø Forno Flue Pipe ensures that smoke can be left out outside the cooking area. For this purpose, the flue simply needs to be attached to the small chimney of the Forno Multifunctional Outdoor Oven.
- The Morsø Fire Glove is perfect when it’s time to take the Tuscan grill and its perfectly cooked food out of the Forno or the Grill Forno, or when you want to top up the wood. The heat resistant Morsø oven glove offers protection both from high temperatures and direct exposure to fire.
- Grilling over an open fire is not only about cooking delicious dishes in a cosy setting, but also about safety and convenience. This is why Morsø have developed the Morsø easy-use fire tongs, made of robust steel.
- The Morsø Ash Scraper and Pipe Blower is a versatile tool you will likely use every time you cook. Suitable for blowing into an open fire to kindle the flames, moving burning wood and scraping the ash away to allow you to cook directly on the stone, or when you are cleaning up.
- This Stainless Steel Divider/Heat Deflector is a convenient accessory with multiple uses. You can use it to assist you in holding your firewood in place during storage, or to hold your fire to one side of you pizza oven while cooking or use it as a heat deflector for smoking.
tools listed above are only a sample of the Morsø Outdoor Range of accessories, all tools are optional, and you should determine whether products are suitable for your use.
USING THE RESIDUAL HEAT
To really get the most out of each firing up of your wood fired oven, always make use of the residual heat. A really great way to utilise this leftover heat is to bake your favourite dessert or a couple of loaves of bread, as they don’t need particularly high temperatures to cook.
Use the top of the Forno to cook on as well. It’s a great source of heat and a good place to balance a pan and cook something there as well as in the oven. Flatbread [Naan Bread] can be kept warm or in a pot you can slow cook tomatoes with herbs, while a roast is sizzling away inside the Forno. Even warm up a sauce. Yes, all of this can be done on top of the Forno.
Another super easy way to use the leftover heat in your oven is to kiln dry your own wood. Simply clear out all the embers after you have finished cooking, place in your seasoned wood and put the door in place. The longer you leave the wood in there the dryer it will be, but remember to never leave the wood unattended. There you have it; a fantastic kiln dried wood alternative ready for your next cooking session. Don’t forget to store it in a dry place!!
CLEANING YOUR FORNO
For everyday cleaning, the cast-iron surfaces can be wiped with a damp cloth or washed with a mild solution of soft soap when the stove is cold. Preferable use demineralised water, as ordinary water can leave limescale.
IMPORTANT: MAINTENANCE: At regular use and exposure to wind and weather, wear and tear as well as patina will always occur on outdoor products. This is absolutely normal and, thus, also applies to Morsø Outdoor products. Thus, scratches and the formation of corrosion will occur but may, however, easily be repaired by way of the maintenance kit. Using the maintenance kit, you will be in a position to touch up your Morsø Forno and, practically, make it appear as new.
We always recommend the use of a Morsø Forno Cover for the protection of your grill when it is not being used. Important! – Before covering up you grill, always ensure that it is completely cooled off and dry.
To preserve your Morsø Outdoor products, we recommend storing them in a dry place [indoors] over the winter period. After a long winter, it’s a good idea to refresh and treat all your other Morsø Outdoor products.
