Most modern masonry ovens are found in restaurants that make pizzas and artisan breads.
A masonry oven is an oven made from a fireproof material such as concrete, stone, brick, or clay. These ovens are used in restaurants and homes to cook food using the heat from the fire inside the oven. Also known as stone or brick ovens, masonry ovens are commonly used to cook meat, pizza, and baked goods.
Although these ovens existed in ancient Rome, masonry ovens became popular in the 19th century. In medieval Europe, masonry ovens were built to serve entire communities and were generally owned by the government. Masonry ovens spread across the Americas during colonial times and are used throughout the world today.
When they were first created, these ovens were powered by charcoal or wood. However, a modern masonry oven generally uses electricity or natural gas. In the past, masonry ovens were used for almost any baking task, but most modern masonry ovens exist in restaurants that serve pizza or artisan breads.
A masonry oven cooks food using three types of heat: radiant heat, convection, and conduction. Radiant heat is heat that emanates from a direct source. In the case of a brick kiln, the radiant heat comes directly from the fire in the kiln and also from heat stored in the sill and walls of the structure. Radiant heat cooks food from all directions.
Convection occurs when warm air circulates within a structure. In a masonry oven, fresh air enters through the oven access hole, heats up, and then circulates throughout the oven. As the heat passes over the food, it helps it cook more evenly.
Conduction occurs when a hotter object comes into contact with a cooler object, causing heat transfer. The typical masonry oven features a heated surface where food rests during cooking. Heat is transferred from the surface to the food by conduction. Conduction dries meats and improves flavor.
Masonry ovens can be used indoors or outdoors and can vary in size. A modern masonry oven can be made of brick, stone, or stucco and is available in residential and commercial sizes. Masonry ovens also vary in appearance, from small corner ovens to large stand-alone structures. Individuals or businesses can buy masonry ovens from specialty retailers or can build their own.