When we moved home in 2012, it became a perfect opportunity to install a wood fired oven in the new garden. I had wanted one for a while and even visited River Cottage to learn how to make one from scratch using clay. When it finally came time to build it however, I decided to buy the Valoriani Kit from ‘Wood Fired Ovens – by Jamie Oliver’ and then build the housing to suit my requirements. I chose a Classic 100 as I felt the internal dimensions would give me plenty of cooking space without requiring too large a base that would be overpowering in the garden.
This has to be one of my favourite things, and possibly the best investment in the garden and house. We use it regularly through the summer cooking pizzas, baking bread, and roasting meats. We have cooked a multitude of dishes in it, and have slow cooked meats overnight. The 1000m oven is easily large enough to cook a full sunday meal, or a english breakfast for 6 adults. We no longer use a BBQ just choosing to cook over burning wood embers in the oven. We have also used it during the winter, and have to date, cooked three Christmas meals in it, including Turkey, Goose, and a full Salmon.
