The Maximus Portable Pizza Oven

All Maximus ovens are covered by a Two Year Manufacturers Warranty. This does not include consumables such as the thermometer and terracotta dish.

**  Before you use your oven please follow these instructions (and important safety advice) to ensure that you get the most of your purchase.  **

1.  CURING YOUR OVEN BEFORE USE
– Failure to cure your oven correctly will invalidate your warranty.

• Install the thermometer and the smoke cowl before lighting the oven.
• Find a suitable/strong/level surface to position your oven outdoors – away from all combustible materials (see safety advice)
• Always bin/recycle packaging carefully as they are potential source of danger to children and pets.
• Please unpack your oven carefully – DO NOT USE A SHARP KNIFE.
• Do NOT move when alight or hot.
• Always lift/move the oven with two people as the oven weight is 55 kilos (about 130 pounds) it should always be moved by two persons even if using the Wood Stand cart or not.
• When the wood fired oven arrives, there may be moisture in the refractory front and bricks, this must be dried with the curing process to slowly to allow the water to evaporate, preventing any cracks.
• When firing the Wood Fired Oven for the first time, make a small fire in the centre of the Wood Fired Oven, building it up slowly over 3 or 4 hours to 200 degrees.
• The front may very occasionally develop a hairline crack, this is nothing to worry about and will in no way effect the long term durability of the product unlike traditional brick, cast or clay ovens.
• Over time it maybe possible the appearance of very fine hair line cracks is expected in the refractory front, this is naturally caused by the expansion and contraction of the wood fired oven during operation, this will not affect the longevity and will not impair performance and effectiveness of the oven.
• Failure to cure your oven correctly will invalidate your warranty.
• The oven is designed to burn dry, seasoned wood (avoid wood that has been treated/painted with chemicals).
• If you want to reach and keep a high temperature for a certain time, we recommend oak, hornbeam or chestnut (hardwoods).
  
  BEFORE LIGHTING THE OVEN ALWAYS CHECK THAT THERE ARE NOT OBJECTS AND/OR INFLAMMABLE MATERIALS NEAR OR INSIDE THE OVEN.

2.  TO LIGHT THE OVEN FOR COOKING

• Use a small amount of kindling to ignite fire to the left or right hand side of oven, between the oven wall and the supplied retaining plate. As the fire gets going, add further small quantities of dry firewood until the fire is established. When the fire is established we recommend using the oven door to control airflow to regulate the fire and bring it up to desired temperature.
• For cooking tips and hints – visit “youtube” woodfired ovens.

3.  SIGNAL WORDS DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION will alert you to important SAFETY information.

DANGER –

DANGER will identify the most serious hazard. Please read all safety information contained in this Owner’s Guide before operating this outdoor oven.

DANGER – Failure to follow the Dangers, Warnings and Cautions contained in this Owner’s Manual may result in serious bodily injury or death, or in a fire or an explosion causing damage to property.

• Do not use indoors! This oven is designed for outdoor use ONLY. If used indoors, toxic fumes will accumulate and cause serious bodily injury or death.
• Only use this oven outdoors in a well-ventilated area.
• Do not use in a garage, building, breezeway or any other enclosed area.
• Do not use this oven under any overhead combustible construction.
• Improper assembly may be dangerous – Please follow the assembly instructions in this manual. Do not use oven unless all parts are in place.
• Do not add starter fluid or charcoal impregnated with lighter fluid to hot or warm oven.
• Do not use gasoline, alcohol or other highly volatile fluids to ignite the oven.
• Do not alter / disassemble or modify this oven in any way, this will invalidate any guarantee and may result in serious bodily injury or death, or in a fire or an explosion causing damage to property.
• You should ALWAYS exercise reasonable care when operating your oven. It will be hot during cooking and should never be left unattended during use.
• Do not leave infants, children or pets unattended near a hot oven. Do not attempt to move a hot oven. Allow the oven to cool before moving.
• Do not use this oven within five feet of any combustible material. Combustible materials include, but are not limited to wood or treated wood decks, patios and porches.
• Do not remove ashes until all is completely burned out and are fully extinguished.
• ALWAYS put ashes in fireproof container and allow to cool.
• Do not wear clothing with loose flowing sleeves while lighting or using the oven.
• Do not use oven in high winds.

WARNING –

• Keep the oven on a secure, strong and level surface at all times, clear of combustible material.
• Never touch the metal components of oven to see if they are hot.
• Do not use water to control flare-ups or to extinguish fire, as it may damage the oven, Close air intake using the doors.
• Oven mitts should always be worn while cooking, adjusting air flow if needed or adding more wood.
• Use proper oven tools, with long, heat-resistant handles.
• Do not place a hot oven door or tools on carpeting or grass.
• Never dump hot ashes where they might be stepped on or be a fire hazard.
• Never dump ashes before they are fully extinguished.
• Do not store oven until ashes are fully extinguished.
• Keep the cooking area clear of flammable vapor and liquids, such as gasoline, alcohol, etc., and combustible material.
• Keep electrical wires and cords away from the hot surfaces of the oven and away from high traffic areas.
• The use of alcohol, prescription or non-prescription drugs may impair the consumer’s ability to properly assemble or safely operate the oven.
• This Maximus oven is not intended to be installed in or on recreational vehicles and/or boats.
• This oven is not intended for and should never be used as a heater.

CAUTION –

• Before cleaning wait for the oven to cool completely.
• Do not use sharp objects or abrasive cleaners to clean the oven or remove ashes as this may damage the finish.
• The oven should be thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis to keep it in good working order
• Do not use chemicals which may be detrimental to health.

FOOD SAFETY TIPS –

• Wash your hands thoroughly with hot, soapy water before starting any meal preparation and after handling fresh meat, fish, and poultry.
• Do not defrost meat, fish, or poultry at room temperature. Defrost in the refrigerator.
• Never place cooked food on the same plate the raw food was on.
• Wash all plates and cooking utensils which have come into contact with raw meats or fish with hot, soapy water and rinse.