How Does EVO Hybrid Work and How Do You Use the Oven with Wood?

  Cover Used For? Is It Included?

Yes. The EVO burner cover is included with the oven and is an essential component for wood-fired operation.

Its purpose is to protect the gas burner when heat is generated by burning wood inside the cooking chamber.

In particular, the burner cover:

• Protects the gas system during wood-fired operation.
• Allows the oven to be prepared for its alternative fuel mode.
• Eliminates the need to remove the burner when switching to wood-fired cooking.

The burner cover and wood holder are therefore two different components: the burner cover protects the burner, while the wood holder helps organize and manage the fire.

🔥 Where Should You Light the Wood Fire Inside EVO?

When EVO is used with wood, the fire must be lit on the opposite side of the cooking chamber from the gas burner, which must first be protected with the burner cover.

Wood can be positioned in two ways:

• Directly on the refractory cooking floor: the fire is lit on the cooking surface, on the opposite side from the burner.
• Using the EVO wood holder: the wood is arranged inside the dedicated accessory, which helps define the area occupied by the fire.

In both cases, it is important to keep enough space available for food preparation and to monitor the temperature during use.

Do not position the fire directly against the burner or any components not designed for wood combustion.

🪵 What Is the EVO Wood Holder Used For? Is It Required?

The EVO wood holder is an optional accessory, available separately from the oven.

It is not required for wood-fired operation: the fire can also be lit directly on the refractory cooking floor, provided it is positioned correctly inside the cooking chamber.

However, the wood holder offers several practical advantages:

• Space optimization: helps keep the wood in a defined area, leaving more room available for cooking.
• Improved fire management: makes it easier to organize the firewood.
• Air circulation: promotes airflow around the wood fire.
• Better organization: helps separate the combustion area from the food preparation area.

The wood holder is therefore a useful accessory for anyone planning to use EVO frequently in wood-fired mode.

📌 Important: The wood holder does not replace the burner cover. The burner cover must always be used to protect the gas system during wood-fired operation.

🌡️ What Temperature Can EVO Reach When Using Wood?

EVO can reach a maximum temperature of 500°C, a limit that must also be respected during wood-fired operation.

Unlike gas operation, temperature management with wood depends on combustion and the amount of heat generated by the fire.

The integrated digital thermometer allows you to monitor:

• Cooking chamber temperature: shows the temperature inside the oven.
• Refractory cooking floor temperature: allows you to check the temperature of the surface on which food is placed.
• Food probe temperature: when the probe is used to monitor the internal temperature of food.

These temperature readings help you monitor the oven's thermal performance during wood-fired cooking.

Warning: Never exceed the maximum temperature of 500°C. The EVO user manual specifies that damage caused by exceeding this temperature due to improper use of wood fuel is excluded from the warranty.

⏱️ How Long Does EVO Take to Heat Up with Wood?

The 20–25-minute heating time stated on the EVO product page is a general indication of the oven's heating performance, particularly in reference to gas operation.

For wood-fired operation, the available documentation does not specify a fixed heating time.

The time required depends on the oven's initial condition, combustion and environmental conditions.

To determine when to start cooking, it is therefore important to check the actual cooking chamber and refractory cooking floor temperatures, rather than relying solely on the time elapsed since lighting the fire.

🍕 What Can You Cook with EVO in Wood-Fired Mode?

EVO is designed to provide a versatile outdoor cooking experience.

Its 60 × 40 cm refractory cooking floor allows you to prepare:

• Pizza, up to two 28 cm pizzas or one 40 cm pizza.
• Bread and baked goods.
• Roasts and meat.
• Vegetables.
• Tray-baked dishes and other oven-cooked recipes.

The Hybrid configuration allows you to choose between the convenience of gas and the traditional experience of wood-fired cooking, while retaining the cooking possibilities offered by EVO's cooking chamber.

Temperatures and cooking times should be adjusted according to the recipe and the desired result.

🧹 How Should You Clean EVO After Wood-Fired Cooking?

After a wood-fired cooking session, it is important to keep the cooking chamber clean and pay particular attention to the burner area.

The EVO user manual recommends thoroughly cleaning the burner after using the Hybrid system.

For maintenance:

1. Wait until the oven has completely cooled down.
2. Remove combustion residues from the cooking chamber.
3. Clean the refractory cooking floor according to the instructions in the user manual.
4. Check for any residues around the burner area.
5. Before returning to gas operation, make sure the burner is clean and the burner cover has been removed.

For burner cleaning, the user manual recommends removing residues with a vacuum cleaner and a soft brush, with more thorough cleaning when necessary.

Do not use unsuitable cleaning products or tools that could damage the gas system components.

For complete instructions, refer to the dedicated article about EVO cleaning and maintenance.

⚠️ What Safety Precautions Should Be Followed During Wood-Fired Operation?

When using EVO with wood, several essential precautions must be observed:

• Never use gas and wood simultaneously.
• Always protect the burner with the EVO burner cover.
• Light the fire only on the opposite side of the cooking chamber from the burner.
• Never exceed the maximum temperature of 500°C.
• Do not obstruct the flue or ventilation openings.
• Do not use chemical fuels, flammable liquids or other fuels not intended for the oven.
• Use heat-resistant tools and oven gloves.
• Do not handle internal components while the oven is hot.

The presence of flames and hot embers requires particular care during cooking and subsequent cleaning.

📩 Where Can You Find More Information About the EVO Hybrid System?

To explore all the oven's features and learn more about gas and wood-fired operation:

🔗 Discover EVO on the Alfa Forni website

For more information about gas ignition, temperature monitoring and maintenance, explore the other articles in the EVO OVEN section of the Alfa Forni Help Center.