Chicago Brick Oven :: Frequently Asked Questions

STEP ONE: Here’s the cure

Although your oven may seem dry once you complete the installation process, there are small amounts of moisture pockets that need to work their way out. more...

We love our Chicago Brick Oven!

“We are thrilled with our CBO oven and fireplace combination unit. Nothing complements a roaring, outdoor fireplace better than a hot pepperoni pizza coming out of the brick oven.” more...

Coming Soon!
The Cordova by Harmony Outdoor Living

We’re certain you’ll be as excited as we are about the new lineup of pizza ovens and outdoor entertainment units coming your way soon from CBO/Harmony Outdoor Living. more...

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What beside pizza can I cook in my wood burning brick oven?
Can the oven be used in all climates?
Can I install my own oven?
I see that CBO ovens come with two doors. Why?
What accessories come with the purchase of a CBO oven?
What else will I need to do to start using my oven?
How soon can I use the oven after installation?
Is the oven safe around children?
What kind of wood should I use for my oven?
How long does it take to heat the oven?
What types of ovens are better — refractory concrete, clay or brick?
What size oven should I purchase?
How much do the ovens weigh?
How do I shut down my oven?
Can you put a gas-assist in a brick oven?
Can I have a CBO oven indoors?
Do I need a chimney on my oven?
How are your ovens shipped?

What beside pizza can I cook in my wood burning brick oven?
Anything you can cook in your home oven, you can cook in your CBO oven — whole turkeys, bread, grinders, chicken, steaks, chops, vegetables, stews, empanadas, desserts and more. See our How it Works and Recipe sections for more details.

Can the oven be used in all climates?
Yes, you can use the oven year round. The structure you build around the oven must keep the elements out and the oven dry.

Can I install my own oven?
Yes, it can be a do-it-yourself project. You’ll need to have some skill in concrete and masonry in order to keep your oven safe from the elements. Check out our Assembly Instructions Manual for more details.

I see that CBO ovens come with two doors. Why?
Most of our competitors have either no doors or just one. We think you should have one decorative door to seal-off the oven and keep the elements out when it’s not in use. We think you should also have an insulated door for when you want to control the internal temperature and hold it for long periods of time, especially when you’re baking.

What accessories come with the purchase of a CBO oven?
Every CBO oven comes with insulation, insulating door, decorative door and pizza peel.

What else will I need to do to start using my oven?
The oven must be installed on a foundation with a covering (dome or shelter) that will give it a finished look and protect it from the elements.

How soon can I use the oven after installation?
You should build a few small fires in your oven before you cook in it. (See our User’s Manual for curing and firing instructions.) These small fires will cure the oven. A large fire in a new oven may cause it to crack. Be patient! This is the reason you bought a wood-fired brick oven in the first place.

Is the oven safe around children?
Any time you have fire there is some danger. The outside of the oven will be hot to touch; just how hot depends on your design and use of insulation. If installed properly, the oven should not pose any more danger than a BBQ grill.

What kind of wood should I use for my oven?
All kinds of wood are suitable when they are clean and dry, except resinous and treated woods, which are not recommended and can be dangerous to your health. Waste wood should not be used because your wood-burning oven is a cooking instrument, not an oven for heating. When buying wood, ask for wood that’s been aged for about two years, or that has less than 25% moisture content. Soft woods are easy to light, but they produce less heat than hardwoods. We also recommend trying different varieties of aromatic, flavored wood to give different foods unique flavors.

How long does it take to heat the oven?
We recommend building a small fire and slowly adding to it to bring up the temperature of the oven. This process can take an hour or more, depending on the size of your oven. Once it’s hot, you can use your oven for hours.

What types of ovens are better — refractory concrete, clay or brick?
We’re partial to refractory and brick ovens because of their look and durability. The first oven I owned was made of clay and in the first harsh Chicago winter, it cracked! Refractory ovens are more dependable, but in most cases the refractory has not been fired like CBO refractory ovens or CBO brick ovens.

What size oven should I purchase?
Bigger is better! We think you should purchase the largest oven you can afford and that will fit into your space.

How much do the ovens weigh?
They are heavy and do require a properly poured foundation. You can read the spec sheets to get the exact weight for each model of CBO oven.

How do I shut down my oven?
Let the flames burn down, then close the oven with the door. The oven will slowly cool down over several hours.

Can you put a gas-assist in a brick oven?
It’s not necessary in a residential brick oven. You’ll find it’s easy to start a fire in a brick oven with very little effort.

Can I have a CBO oven indoors?
Yes. You must check your local building codes to find out all of the particulars, but it will certainly work indoors.

Do I need a chimney on my oven?
Yes. You will need to install a chimney that meets your local building code. The chimney serves as an airflow regulator, which is essential for controlling the temperature and convection. Your chimney should always be at least as tall as the oven is deep.

How are your ovens shipped?
We take extra effort to ensure our ovens are palletized and that a protective crate is built around them.