How to Cook the Perfect Wood-Fired Pizza on Your Flare Outdoor Fireplace
Are you tired of burnt pizza bases, sticky dough on pizza stones, or waiting ages for your outdoor pizza to finally cook? You’re not alone! The good news is that with the right setup and a few simple tricks, you can cook the perfect wood-fired pizza every time, and yes, you can do it on your Flare Fireplace.
Cooking pizza on your fire isn’t just about the food. It’s about the atmosphere. Instead of being tucked away alone at a pizza oven, you’re surrounded by friends and family, enjoying the warmth and ambience of the fire while making incredible pizza together.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to turn your Flare Fireplace into a pizza oven, prepare it properly, and master the art of wood-fired pizza.
Step 1: Choose the Right Wood
The secret to perfect pizza starts with your fire. Follow the small, dry, hardwood rule:
-
Small – Use small pieces of wood. Large logs take too long to burn down to embers.
-
Dry – Aim for wood that’s been stored for 6–9 months. It shouldn’t hiss when you put it on the fire.
-
Hardwood – Hardwood embers hold more energy, making them hotter and longer-lasting than softwood.
Important: Never use treated timber, pallets, or building offcuts. These release harmful chemicals into your food. Stick to natural firewood only.
Step 2: Keep Your Fireplace & Pizza Dome Dry
Moisture is the enemy of good pizza. If your fire bricks or ashes are wet from rain, you’ll waste valuable time just burning off the water before you can cook.
-
Clear out old ashes before lighting your fire.
-
Store your pizza dome out of the rain — water can collect inside, making it heavy and harder to heat.
-
Always start with a dry base before you fire up.
Step 3: Preheat Your Flare Fireplace
Just like a traditional masonry pizza oven, your Flare Fireplace needs time to warm up. Allow at least 45 minutes to 1 hour of burn time before you start cooking.
When the front of the fireplace feels hot to the touch, you’re ready to go. This preheat ensures the bricks radiate heat evenly, giving you that perfect golden crust.
Step 4: Set Up Your Pizza Oven Accessories
With the Flare swing frame, you can easily transform your fireplace into a pizza oven. Here’s how:
-
Drop in your grill plate (this helps transfer heat directly into the pizza zone).
-
Place your pizza stone on top.
-
Swing in your insulated pizza dome.
Pro tip: For extra protection against burnt bases, double up your pizza stones. This keeps the top hot while preventing the bottom from overcooking.
Step 5: Find the Sweet Spot Temperature
Wood-fired pizza is all about heat. Aim for:
-
250–300°C (480–570°F) for stress-free cooking.
-
Or, if you’re confident, crank it up to 400°C (750°F+) for a faster, crispier pizza in under 90 seconds.
Just remember, the hotter it is, the faster things happen. Keep your gloves on and stay ready to rotate your pizza.
Step 6: Cook & Enjoy
Use a pizza crisper (non-stick tray) to stop your dough from sticking to the stone. Thin crusts tend to cook more evenly and give you that authentic crunch.
Cooking times will vary, but at 300°C you can expect your pizza to be ready in 90 seconds to 2 minutes. Rotate it halfway through to avoid uneven browning.
Don’t worry if your first pizza isn’t perfect. It often takes a couple of tries to dial in your timing and temperature, but trust us, your family and friends will love being taste-testers along the way.
Final Tips for the Perfect Wood-Fired Pizza
-
Stick to small, dry, hardwood logs.
-
Keep your dome, stones, and fireplace dry.
-
Allow plenty of warm-up time for consistent heat.
-
Use a pizza crisper or double stones to protect your base.
-
Aim for 250–300°C for an easier cook, or push higher if you want restaurant-style speed.
Cooking pizza on a Flare Fire isn’t just about dinner; it’s about creating an experience. Fire, food, friends, and family all gathered together around the warmth of the flames. That’s the magic.
So grab your dough, fire up your Flare, and start perfecting your wood-fired pizza tonight.