Properly heating the cooking surface is very important when using a brick oven. Simply building a fire in the center of the oven and pushing the embers to the rear of the oven will result in uneven cooking. When heating the oven, start in the front / center and spread the fire around the cooking surface for 60+ minutes. This will heat the entire cooking surface and will bring the oven to the perfect cooking temperature.
Word to the wise - hold off on that pizza party until you have mastered your oven!
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