FAQ Becoming a Top Pizzaiolo
Most frequent questions
What is the best pizza oven?
The real question is what is the best oven for YOUR needs? To give you as much detail as possible, we’ve prepared a buyer’s guide that’s available here.
Looking for direct assistance or advice? Don’t hesitate to contact us at 1-888-606-7499, by Messenger, or by email.
Where is Thepizzashop.ca located?
We are an online shop based in Canada with a warehouse located in the Quebec City area. We offer free shipping to almost anywhere in Canada.
What must-have items do I need to start enjoying my oven as soon as I receive it?
- A pizza peel, an essential accessory for placing the pizza in the oven, turning it, and taking it out.
- A quality pizza cutter for easy cutting in one go, without all the mess.
- An infrared thermometer that goes up to 900° F to accurately monitor the temperature of your oven and pizza stone.
- A pizza stone brush, a must-have when it comes to pizza oven maintenance.
- A protective cover to increase the life of your oven.
But we’ve thought of everything you need to perfectly complement your oven in our starter kits!
Which pizza oven model should I choose?
It all depends on YOUR needs. Looking for a pizza oven for all your backyard family pizza parties? Or maybe you need one for camping? To help guide your search, we’ve prepared a buyer’s guide that’s available here.
Looking for direct assistance or advice? Don’t hesitate to contact us at 1-888-606-7499, by Messenger, or by email.
Can I come and see the ovens on site?
You can book an appointment to see our ovens and other items in our Quebec City warehouse showroom or via Zoom/Facetime. To make an appointment, contact us at 1-888-606-7499, by Messenger, or by email.
Are any of your ovens on sale? Do you have any promo codes?
Unfortunately, we do not offer monetary discounts or specials on our ovens and accessories. We have chosen to give you the best service possible with complete transparency and to provide you with high-quality products that we have carefully tested and approved. We work hard to offer the best prices year-round, without hidden fees that would allow us to offer “discounts” like other places.
Product availability and purchase
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept payments through PayPal and credit card.
What’s happening to my order?
All in-stock items in our warehouse are packaged within 24 hours and shipped within 48-72 hours.
We promise that none of our inventory is “hidden” or put on hold.
If your order is not shipped within the usual time frame, it is because that item or one of the items in your order is out of stock and we are waiting for it to arrive before sending your order in one shipment.
How can I track my order?
Assembly time for an online order is 1 business day.
Once your package is ready to be picked up by a carrier, the tracking number will be emailed to you, so you can track the shipment in real time with the selected carrier.
If you don’t see any activity once you have received your tracking number, or if the carrier indicates that there is no data, wait 24 hours. Once the carrier has scanned the box, the information will be recorded and available.
Due to the high volume of orders and the many packages in circulation, once the order is in the hands of the carrier (FedEx, Canpar, Purolator, UPS, and GLS [Dicom]), we unfortunately cannot provide you with a precise delivery time. However, the tracking number allows you to follow your package in real time directly through the carrier’s website.
We usually select the carrier that offers the shortest shipping time. The typical transit time for Quebec and Ontario is usually 1 to 2 days, while Western Canada is usually 3 to 7 days.
What does “pre-order item” mean? ?
A pre-order item is a product that is in the process of being restocked from the manufacturer.
You can order this item now to reserve it. This way you’ll be given priority when it’s back in stock. The item will be shipped within 4 to 6 weeks of purchase.
If your order includes several small items (under $100 before taxes), we will wait until we have all the items in stock before shipping.
Please contact us for more information and we will be happy to answer your questions.
Will my order arrive in one package?
The items may not all fit in one box and therefore may need to be shipped in separate packages.
If the items do not arrive at the same time, please wait at least 3 days before contacting us as they may have been shipped in more than one package! If you have any delivery requests, please contact us.
Can we pick up our order at the Quebec City warehouse?
Yes, you can come pick up your order at our warehouse by appointment. To make an appointment, contact us by phone at 1-888-606-7499, by Messenger, or by email.
For orders under $100, please contact us before placing your order to avoid the $9.99 delivery fees.
My order has not yet arrived ☹️
We are committed to doing everything we can to ship the orders as quickly as possible. We choose to do business with companies that have the fastest delivery times, but once the package has left our warehouse, we no longer have control over the delivery time.
If there is a delay with the carrier, it is unfortunately out of our control.
You are welcome to track your package using the tracking number and to contact the shipping company directly (ex. Canpar, FedEx) for more details on the status of the delivery.
Shipping and delivery
What are your shipping fees?
All the details can be found on our Shipping Policy page. Here is a quick summary:
FREE SHIPPING – Shipping is FREE for all orders over $100 plus tax sent to Quebec and Ontario, excluding some remote areas.
Shipping accessories and ingredients (value less than $100): A standard $9.99 delivery fee applies to all orders of $100 or less before taxes.
What are the delivery times for in stock and pre-order items?
All the details can be found on our Shipping Policy page.
Do you offer the option to pick up the order at your warehouse?
Yes, you can come pick up your order at our Quebec City warehouse by appointment.
To make an appointment, contact us by phone at 1-888-606-7499, by Messenger, or by email.
For orders under $100, please contact us before placing your order to avoid the $9.99 delivery fees.
Returns, warranty and replacement parts
What is the warranty on your ovens and products?
The beauty of buying directly with ThePizzaShop? We’ll be there for you right away if there’s a problem. All our products come with a standard one-year warranty.
Ooni will extend this warranty to three years* (on their pizza ovens exclusively) if you register your oven on the Ooni website within 60 days after receiving your oven. The warranty will cover defects relating to your product’s material or workmanship under normal conditions of use and maintenance during the warranty period, which begins the day you receive the product.
Is my order exchangeable or refundable?
Please read our policy here.
How can I claim the warranty on a product purchased on Thepizzashop.ca?
You must submit a warranty claim to Thepizzashop.ca including:
- Proof of purchase (invoice)
- Your Ooni pizza oven’s serial number (how to find my serial number)
- A short description of the problem
- Photos or videos of all defective parts
How do returns work?
We explain everything in detail on this page dedicated to returns.
Instruction manuals and guides
Where can I find the manufacturer’s manual for my pizza oven?
Everything can be found on our website on the page dedicated to your oven’s brand, including videos that can provide quick assistance.
How to use your pizza oven
At what temperature should I cook the pizza?
For a Neapolitan pizza, the hottest your oven should be is around 900° F for 60-90 seconds. For a more garnished pizza, cook at 500-600° F for 7-8 minutes.
How long does it take to preheat the oven?
Unless otherwise specified, most of our ovens will take 20-25 minutes to preheat.
The preheating time may be longer depending on the outside temperature and the wind. If it is windy, face the oven away from the wind to prevent the flame from being pushed towards the back of the oven.
Combien de temps pour cuire une pizza ?
For a Neapolitan pizza, the hottest should be around 900° F for 60-90 seconds.
For a more garnished pizza, cook at 500-600° F for 7-8 minutes.
What is the best way to use my outdoor oven based on the weather?
If it’s cold outside, you will need more time to preheat the oven.
During the extra cold season (bonjourno to temperatures below 0° C), Christiana suggests storing the baking stone inside the house or carrying it inside before each use to bring it to room temperature. This way you will avoid a thermal shock that could damage the baking stone.
If it’s windy, you’ll have to think about strategically placing the oven in a way that will prevent the air from blowing out the flame. Alex suggests placing the oven against the air current.
How can I maintain my cordierite baking stone?
Warning: never turn on the oven if your baking stone is cold (bring it to room temperature in advance to avoid a thermal shock).
The surface of your stone will blacken (and give your pizzas that smoky taste we love so much!)
Cleaning:
- Let the high temperatures of the oven burn off any excess food.
- Use a pizza stone brush to remove the stubborn residue directly in the oven
- Wait until the stone has returned to room temperature before cleaning or handling. (Be careful! Handle with extreme caution to avoid breakage.)
- Turn the stone over and cook on the other side. (Recommended option)
- If needed: wipe with a dry cloth to remove any dirt. (No water or soap!)
- Never let your stone soak in water or put it in the dishwasher.
Becoming a TOP pizzaiolo – Pizza tips
Do you have a good pizza dough recipe?
Yes! Use our famous dough calculator as a guide.
What ingredients do I need to start using my pizza oven?
We recommend Caputo’s Classic Blue Tipo 00 flour because it has the fastest proofing time.
San Marzano tomatoes because they give your pizza a TRUE taste of Italy (Christiana recommends Zia Rosa or La Carmela 420g.)
Olive oil, whether spicy or not, is a must for any self-respecting pizza!
I need help with my oven
Why won’t my oven reach 900?
You need to preheat it well in advance: about 20 minutes and longer in cold weather.
Another question to ask yourself is: Where am I taking the temperature? When using a thermometer, aim for a baking stone that’s at about 700°F.
For a charcoal/pellet/wood-fired oven, you need to constantly feed it. Our little trick: throw a handful of pellets in just before you throw in the pizzas to get an even more intense heat.
Can I leave my oven door open when baking my pizza?
For charcoal/pellet/wood-fired ovens, you need the door when preheating in order to reach the right temperature. For optimal results, it’s better if the door also remains closed while the pizza is baking.
Why won’t my pizza cook evenly?
You need to preheat the oven enough time in advance, around 20 minutes. It’s also important that you leave the pizza in the oven around 20-30 seconds before turning it every 15-20 seconds. This is not the time to go refill your wine glass and take your eyes off your pizza!
You need to quickly remove the pizza from the oven, turn it 90/180 degrees and then place it back in the oven once more. A turning peel could be a vital ally here, allowing you to turn the pizza without removing it from the oven.
Also, be careful not to layer on too many toppings or add too much sauce, especially at the center of the pizza!
Everything on pizza ovens
Which pizza ovens are the best?
The real question is what is the best oven for YOUR needs? To give you as much detail as possible, we’ve prepared a buyer’s guide that’s available here.
Looking for direct assistance or advice? Don’t hesitate to contact us by telephone at 1-888-606-7499, by Messenger, or by email.
What pizza oven dimensions are available?
12, 16, 25 inches.
How do I know if I need a 12”, 16”, or larger oven?
We’ve got the answer you seek in our buyer’s guide and comparison chart.
Can I use my oven year-round?
Yes, it is possible to use the oven year-round! That said, you should keep your eye on the weather. We have provided you with a few tips in the How to Use Your Pizza Oven section.
Can I use my oven indoors?
This is not recommended. (Unless you want to turn your home into smokehouse…) But did you know that we also sell indoor pizza ovens?
What pizza oven model should I choose?
It all depends on YOUR wildest Italian dreams! Looking for a pizza oven for all your backyard family pizza parties? Or maybe a pizza oven to bring on your camping trips?
To help guide your search, we’ve prepared a buyer’s guide that’s available here.
Looking for direct assistance or advice? Don’t hesitate to contact us by telephone at 1-888-606-7499, by Messenger, or by email.
What’s the best time of year to use/buy a pizza oven?
All our ovens can be used year-round, so it’s always the momento perfetto!
That said, the arrival of spring means that it’s high season!
If you’re looking for a specific model, we strongly advise you to do your shopping in advance to avoid any surprises! That way you’ll be sure to get your oven at the right time so you can enjoy it when it really counts!
Can I use my oven in the winter? If yes, what are the counterarguments?
You’re going to need more time to preheat the oven. During the extra cold season (bonjourno to temperatures below 0° C), Christiana suggests storing the baking stone inside the house or carrying it inside before each use to bring it to room temperature. This way you will avoid a thermal shock that could damage the baking stone.
Pizza oven fuels
What is the best fuel?
Alexandre will rapido presto demystify the main advantages and disadvantages of the various portable pizza oven fuels.
Portable outdoor pellet-fired pizza oven:
Advantages: an economical purchase, explosive heat, no propane tank or cord needed, you can experiment with different wood pellet flavors.
Disadvantage: more expensive with each use and difficult to cook other dishes as this fuel burns faster and less consistently.
Portable outdoor propane pizza oven:
Advantages: allows for simple, fast and no fuss baking with a perfect crust every time: crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Enough to fool even the pickiest of taste buds!
Disadvantages: a less traditional option. The taste is not *exactly* like the wood-fired oven of a nonna italiana, but it comes pretty close. That said, not only do you have to lug your propane tank around with you on your getaways, but you also don’t get the satisfaction that comes from mastering the fire and heat of a “typical” experience.
Portable outdoor charcoal/wood-fired oven:
Advantages: fueling your oven with wood or charcoal gives you the most authentic feel. Also, you’ll get to enjoy a smokier pizza worthy of the best pizzeria in Naples.
Disadvantages: hard to relax when you must constantly control the heat.
Portable outdoor multi-fuel pizza oven:
Advantages: you can try all the cooking options. This oven is sure to satisfy all your pizzaiolo skills! You’re free to fuel your oven with charcoal/wood on those evenings when you feel like following the “rules,” or if you really just want to relax, you can connect your oven to a propane tank. Have you heard of the Bertello 12? With this oven, you can even use all the fuels at the same time!
Disadvantages: more expensive to buy, the propane adapter is sold separately for some models.
Do I need an adapter with a propane oven?
Each oven comes with everything you need to connect to a 20lb tank. For a 1lb tank, we sell an adapter.
Where can I find pellets/wood/charcoal, and at what price?
We sell wood chunks on our site right here. You can also find pellets at any good hardware store.
What flavor do you recommend when it comes to pellets/wood/charcoal?
Unlike the food in a smoker that would spend several hours soaking up the flavor of the fuel, your pizzas will only stay in the oven for 60-90 seconds. While Alexandre does recommend using cooking fuel, he leaves the flavor up to you. See if you can notice a difference and find the taste you’re looking for! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder…and flavor on the tongue of the taster!
Pizza oven accessories and equipment
What is the best pizza peel? Which one do you recommend?
For the pizzaiolo looking for only ONE peel, we suggest a perforated peel.
For the pizzaiolo who likes to be a little more equipped, we recommend the following combination: a wooden peel (because it sticks less and slides the pizza in the oven better) combined with a turning peel (to easily rotate the pizza directly in the oven).
What accessories are included with the oven?
All the accessories are sold separately, except for a few ovens. All the details can be found in our buyer’s guide.
https://thepizzashop.ca/buying-guide/
For charcoal/pellet/wood-fired ovens, Alexandre strongly recommends using an infrared thermometer to accurately monitor the heat, so you end up with an authentic Neapolitan pizza. For propane ovens, Alexandre recommends using one for better precision.
Maintenance and storage
Maintenance Tips for Your Ooni, WPPO, or Bertello Portable Outdoor Pizza Ovens
Throughout the long periods of non-use or on rainy (or even snowy) days, he recommends placing the oven under a small roof or storing it indoors to protect it from getting damaged. Pizza is precious!
Maintaining the inside of your oven is a little bit different. Your oven is technically self-cleaning because it reaches such high temperatures.
However, it is still best to brush, scrape, or vacuum up any remaining debris, especially for charcoal/pellet/wood-fired ovens, in order to remove the residue that has built up from your last pizza night (and avoid a burnt taste the next time you use it).
Yes, the stone will turn black, but that’s normal. This is what gives your pizzas that smoky, authentic flavor!
Need help with your shopping?
Chat with us to place your order
or get assistance.
Contact us by phone 1-888-606-7499
or email: info@lapizzashop.ca