How to Light EVO and Manage Cooking Temperatures and Heating Times

🔥 How Do You Light the EVO Gas Oven?

To light EVO using gas, follow the procedure described in the user manual.

Before proceeding, make sure the oven has been correctly installed, the gas connection has been checked by qualified personnel and the surrounding area is adequately ventilated.

Lighting procedure:

Open the gas supply, making sure the connection has been correctly installed.
Press the burner control knob and turn it to the ignition symbol.
While holding the knob down, press the PIEZO button located in the center of the digital thermometer panel to generate the ignition spark.
Continue until the pilot flame ignites.
Once the pilot flame is lit, keep the knob pressed for a few seconds to allow the thermocouple to activate correctly.
Release the knob and turn it to adjust the flame intensity.

📌 Important: When lighting the oven for the first time, or after a period of inactivity, ignition may take longer due to air in the gas supply line.

If the burner does not ignite or no spark is generated, turn the knob to OFF, shut off the gas supply and contact Alfa Forni customer support.

🎛️ How Do You Adjust the EVO Burner Flame?

Once the burner has been correctly lit, you can adjust the flame intensity by turning the control knob.

The knob features two main settings:

MAX: operates the burner at maximum power.
MIN: reduces the flame intensity.

Adjusting the flame allows you to adapt the heat to different preparations, from high-temperature pizza baking to longer cooking sessions.

During the initial heating phase, the EVO user manual instructs you to set the burner to maximum power.

⏱️ How Long Does EVO Take to Reach Cooking Temperature?

EVO reaches cooking temperature in approximately 20–25 minutes, depending on operating conditions.

Actual heating times may vary according to several factors:

Outdoor temperature: colder weather may require additional heating time.
Weather conditions: wind and exposure to the elements can affect heating performance.
Initial oven temperature: an already warm oven may behave differently from a completely cold one.
Period of inactivity: after a long period without use, the oven's initial conditions may vary.
Moisture: moisture accumulated in the refractory cooking floor and oven materials may affect heating times.

For preheating, the user manual instructs you to set the burner to maximum power, close the oven door and allow the oven to heat for at least 25 minutes.

The 20–25-minute timeframe is therefore a general indication of heating performance, while the preheating procedure described in the user manual must always be followed.

📌 Tip: Before you start cooking, always check both the cooking chamber temperature and the refractory cooking floor temperature using EVO's digital thermometer.

🌡️ What Is EVO's Maximum Temperature?

EVO can reach a maximum temperature of 500°C.

This makes the oven suitable for baking pizza at high temperatures.

EVO can also operate at lower temperatures, including around 180°C, for dishes requiring more gradual and extended cooking, such as bread, roasts, meat and vegetables.

The maximum temperature of 500°C must not be exceeded.

📱 How Can You Monitor Temperatures During Heating?

EVO features an integrated digital thermometer that allows you to monitor the oven's key temperatures.

The system measures:

Cooking chamber temperature: indicates the temperature inside the oven.
Refractory cooking floor temperature: allows you to monitor the temperature of the surface on which pizzas and other dishes are placed.
Food probe temperature: measures the internal temperature of food when the dedicated probe is used.

Briefly press the MODE button to select which temperature is displayed on the screen.

The cooking chamber temperature and refractory cooking floor temperature are two different measurements. This is why it is important to monitor both, especially when preparing to bake pizzas.

The thermometer also features Bluetooth connectivity and can be used with the ToGrill app to monitor temperatures from your smartphone.

For more information, refer to the dedicated article about EVO's digital thermometer.

🍕 How Do You Manage Temperature When Baking Pizza?

To bake pizza correctly, it is important to consider both the cooking chamber temperature and the refractory cooking floor temperature.

During preparation:

Preheat the oven according to the user manual.
Check the cooking chamber and refractory cooking floor temperatures on the display.
Adjust the flame intensity according to the desired temperature.
When baking multiple pizzas in succession, continue monitoring the refractory cooking floor temperature.

The HeatKeeper™ refractory cooking floor helps absorb and retain the heat required for baking.

Important: Reaching the desired cooking chamber temperature does not necessarily mean that the refractory cooking floor has reached the same temperature.

🥘 Can EVO Be Used for Lower-Temperature Cooking?

Yes. EVO is designed for much more than pizza.

Thanks to its adjustable burner and heat management technologies, the oven can also be used for dishes requiring lower temperatures than those typically used for pizza.

The official EVO product page highlights stable heat management even at temperatures around 180°C.

This expands the oven's cooking possibilities, allowing you to prepare:

Bread and baked goods.
Roasts and meat.
Vegetables.
Tray-baked dishes.
Other outdoor cooking recipes.

For these preparations, you can use EVO's food probe to monitor the internal temperature of the food.

Cooking temperatures and times should be selected according to the recipe, ingredients and desired results.

🚪 How Should You Use the EVO Door During Heating?

During gas preheating, the user manual instructs you to keep the oven door closed with the burner set to maximum power.

The door helps retain heat during this phase.

When opening the door to place food inside or remove it, take particular care because of the high temperatures.

Warning: The oven door, flue and other heat-exposed surfaces can become extremely hot. Never touch them with bare hands. Always use heat-resistant tools and oven gloves.

🔴 How Do You Turn EVO Off Correctly?

After using EVO with gas:

Turn the burner control knob to the OFF position.
Close the gas supply valve.
Allow the oven to cool before carrying out any cleaning or maintenance.

Never disconnect the gas hose or other fittings while the oven is operating.

Do not touch hot surfaces or move the oven during use.

⚠️ What Should You Do If EVO Does Not Light or Malfunctions?

If the burner does not ignite or the ignition system fails to generate a spark:

Turn the control knob to OFF.
Shut off the gas supply.
Contact Alfa Forni customer support.

Do not attempt to modify the burner or any components of the gas system.

If you smell gas, immediately shut off the gas supply, extinguish any open flames, open the oven door and contact a qualified gas technician.

Do not use the oven until the issue has been resolved.

📩 Where Can You Find More Information About Using EVO?

To learn more about the oven's features and access the official documentation:

🔗 Discover EVO on the Alfa Forni website

For more information about wood-fired operation, the digital thermometer and temperature monitoring through the ToGrill app, explore the other articles in the EVO OVEN section of the Alfa Forni Help Center.