My Pizza is Burning: How Can I Prevent It?
Is your pizza burning? Learn how to control temperature, rotate properly, and balance ingredients for a perfectly cooked pizza every time!
If your pizza burns during baking, it may be due to excessive heat, overcooking, or improper oven management. Follow these practical tips to prevent burning and achieve a perfectly cooked pizza.
1️⃣ Check the Oven Temperature
✅ Ideal Temperature:
- 370°C to 430°C (700°F to 800°F) for a perfectly baked pizza.
- Higher temperatures can burn the base before the pizza is fully cooked.
- Use an infrared thermometer to measure the temperature of the pizza stone before baking.
🛠 Solution:
- If the temperature is too high, let the oven cool slightly before baking the next pizza.
- For gas ovens, adjust the burner to maintain stable heat.
2️⃣ Positioning the Pizza in the Oven
🔥 Avoid Hotspots:
- In wood-fired ovens, do not place the pizza directly under the flame.
- In gas ovens, ensure the pizza is placed evenly on the baking stone to prevent uneven cooking.
🔄 Rotate the Pizza:
- Use a pizza peel to turn the pizza every 20-30 seconds to ensure even browning.
3️⃣ Pay Attention to Flour and Ingredients
⚠ Avoid Burnt Flour on the Stone:
- Do not overuse flour when stretching the dough—excess flour burns on the stone and gives a bitter taste.
- Avoid semolina or cornmeal, as they burn faster than 00 or 0 flour.
🧀 Balance Your Toppings:
- Do not overload the pizza with too much cheese or oily toppings—excess oil can drip onto the stone, causing smoke and unwanted flavors.
- Spread toppings evenly for uniform baking.
4️⃣ Optimize Cooking Time: Less is More!
⏳ Ideal Cooking Time:
- At 370-430°C, pizza bakes in 60-90 seconds.
- Below 350°C, baking may take longer, but frequent monitoring is needed to prevent burning.
👀 Visual Check:
- If the crust is browning too quickly, move the pizza to a cooler spot or reduce the flame intensity (for gas ovens).
5️⃣ Keep the Baking Stone Clean
🧹 Regular Maintenance:
- After each session, use a brass-bristle brush to remove burnt flour and debris.
- If needed, run a pyrolysis cycle: heat the oven to 400°C for 30 minutes to burn off organic residues.
6️⃣ Check Your Fuel and Ventilation
🔥 Wood-Fired Ovens:
- Use well-seasoned hardwood to avoid temperature fluctuations and excessive smoke.
- Avoid resinous wood like pine or fir, as they burn quickly and leave sticky residues.
⚡ Gas Ovens:
- Adjust the burner flame for a more stable temperature.
- If you notice irregular flames, check the gas pressure and regulator.
7️⃣ Practical Tips for a Perfect Bake
✅ Try Different Techniques:
- If the pizza burns too fast, lower the temperature and extend the cooking time slightly.
- Experiment with different positions in the oven—each Alfa oven has slightly different heat distribution.
🍕 Use a Perforated Baking Tray:
- If baking directly on the stone is challenging, use a perforated tray to evenly distribute heat and prevent burning.