Fontana Forni
Fontana Forni makes outdoor pizza ovens in Italy, in wood-fired and hybrid gas-and-wood models, with a gas countertop oven. Fontana Forni USA, its North American distributor, says the ovens are made in Italy.
What Fontana Forni makes
Fontana Forni makes outdoor pizza ovens in Italy. Its North American distributor, Fontana Forni USA, lists wood-fired ovens, hybrid gas-and-wood ovens, and a gas countertop oven, along with a commercial wood-fired oven and smart ovens. The distributor says each oven has an insulated stainless steel cooking chamber, and it sells pizza stones as accessories. The brand sits in the outdoor-kitchen category next to grills and burners, aimed at homeowners who want a dedicated high-heat oven outdoors for pizza nights and for cooking meats, vegetables, and bread.
Built for high-heat baking
The point of an oven like this is reaching and holding the high temperature that pizza needs. Fontana Forni USA says the cooking chamber is domed front to back and side to side to avoid hot spots, and that its wood-fired ovens heat in 20 to 45 minutes. It also says the design draws smoke up into the dome, so a pizza crust has a touch of wood-fired savor without tasting of smoke. Hybrid models let a cook choose between gas and wood.
Fontana Forni lines and categories
Fontana Forni's outdoor pizza ovens, as its North American distributor lists them:
- Wood-fired: the Margherita, Mangiafuoco, and Marinara, and the Gusto dual-chamber oven.
- Hybrid gas and wood: the Napoli, Firenze, and Roma. Fontana Forni USA describes these as primarily gas-powered and easy to convert to wood. They run on propane as supplied, or on natural gas with a conversion kit.
- Gas countertop: the Maestro 60.
- Commercial and smart: the Prometeo commercial wood-fired oven, and the Volta 70 and Volta 90 smart ovens.
Fontana Forni USA says each dome is 2.5 mm 441 stainless steel with a 5 mm Corten steel panel in the cooking chamber, that the exterior is 304 stainless steel, and that 12 cm of insulation surrounds the chamber. It rates the Margherita, Mangiafuoco, Marinara, Napoli, Firenze, Roma, and Prometeo to a maximum of 900°F, and the Gusto to 800°F. For pizza it recommends 700°F to 750°F with its standard stones, and it says its wood-fired ovens heat in 20 to 45 minutes.
Who Fontana Forni suits
A wood-fired model suits a cook who wants to build and tend the fire. A hybrid runs mainly on gas, with the option of wood. The Maestro 60 is the countertop gas model. Fontana Forni USA says the ovens are designed for open sky, so plan the oven's spot before the island. Bring a photo of the site, the fuel you have, and your layout to the Roseville team. A licensed gas fitter runs any gas line, and your local building department sets the rules for outdoor ovens.
Also on our line card
On the DreamHome line card
Fontana Forni's wood-fired and hybrid ovens are available to order from the line card.
Fontana Forni questions
Where are Fontana Forni ovens made?
Fontana Forni builds its ovens in San Lorenzo in Campo, in Italy's Marche region, and its US distributor says they are designed and made in Italy. Fontana Forni USA, based in Florence, South Carolina, describes itself as the North American distributor.
What is the difference between wood-fired, gas, and hybrid Fontana Forni ovens?
Wood-fired models burn wood, and the Maestro 60 runs on gas. Fontana Forni USA describes its hybrids as primarily gas-powered, with a push-button flame, and able to be converted to wood. It says the wood-fired and hybrid ovens share the same build and materials.
Can a Fontana Forni oven go under a covered patio?
Fontana Forni USA says the ovens are designed for open sky and that using one under a roof or patio cover is not recommended. If one sits near an overhang, it suggests at least 3 to 4 feet from the chimney cap for a gas oven and at least 6 feet for a wood-fired oven. Check local building and fire codes.
What warranty does Fontana Forni list?
Fontana Forni USA, the North American distributor, lists a ten-year warranty on the dome of the cooking chamber (not the Maestro 60) and on the stainless steel burner cylinder, and two years on everything else, for the original purchaser. It does not warrant the stones. Ask the Roseville team for the current terms.
Talk through Fontana Forni's outdoor ovens with the Roseville team.