Wood Fired Pizza is both delicious and fun to make. It is a great activity for a group and will provide a good meal for all, but allow several hours for this activity. It will take up to 2 hours to get the oven ready (hot enough) to cook pizza so don’t leave it to the last minute. Planning ahead is key.

Before you Start

What to Bring / What you need

  1. Wood including paper and kindling to get the fire started. We suggest you buy bags of wood & kindling from a service station or Bunnings.

  2. Pizza ingredients - bases and toppings of your choice

What We Supply

  1. Pizza tools - Pizza peel, cutter, Oven brush, shovel etc.

  2. Instructions! - Ensure you watch the full instruction video on using the Pizza oven

Note: you don’t need pizza trays in a wood fired pizza oven. You cook the pizza directly on the pizza stone (in the oven). Make sure you watch the video in Step 2 to learn how to clean the pizza stone prior to cooking.

Important Things You Need to Know

  1. The Pizza oven is NOT a bonfire

    • If the CFA is called or attend - it will be at your expense

    • If the Pizza oven or any other item is damaged due to excess fire / heat - it will be at your expense

  2. Do not use tea towels around the Pizza oven

  3. Never use fire lighters, wax or any liquid fuel

  4. The pizza oven must be cleaned after use (refer Step 3)

  5. You must view the video on how to use the pizza oven (refer Step 2)

  6. The pizza oven must not be used by children.

Step 1 - Plan and Register the lighting of the Wood Fired Pizza Oven

Lighting of the Pizza oven must be registered with the CFA (Country Fire Authority) via the firepermits website or phone call before the Pizza oven is lit. This is a requirement year round. Depending on the time of year the method to register lighting of the pizza oven is different, as follows:

1 December to 30 April

  • Call 1800 668 511 to register lighting of the pizza oven. Refer to the details below under the heading Register the lighting of the Oven

All Other Times

  • Register online 2 hours before lighting the oven. If you don’t have 2 hours, you must call and register (refer instructions below)

    • If you don’t call it is likely the CFA will attend an unregistered fire - the cost of which will be at your expense.

    • Scan the QR code below or click on the QR code to start the Registration process (but read the instructions first)

Scan or Click QR code to start Registration

Plan ahead

  1. The oven cannot be lit on Total Fire Ban days. Call 1800 668 511 if you are unsure

  2. You MUST register the lighting of the Pizza Oven 2 hours before you light it

  3. Determine when you will start the fire and when you will finish. Note that the oven takes ~1-2 hours to reach cooking temperature and time for the coals to extinguish

If you cannot provide 2 hours notice or the date of lighting is 1 December to 30 April you MUST call and register the lighting of the Pizza Oven with the CFA / Fire Permits Victoria on 1800 668 511

Register the lighting of the Oven

If you are lighting the Pizza oven from 1 December to 30 April or If you cannot provide 2 hours notice you MUST call and register the lighting of the Pizza Oven with the CFA / Fire Permits Victoria on 1800 668 511

  • Provide the details as shown below.

For all other dates (1 May to 30 Nov)

  1. Scan or click the QR code to the left to launch the https://firepermits.vic.gov.au/notify website.

  2. Select the first option called ‘Notify your burn off. 2 hours notice’.

  3. Use the following details to complete the registration form.

  • Address is 35A Reef St Maldon Vic 3463

  • Nearest St corner is Polsue St and Reef St

  • Premises or Property Name is Eaglehawk Hotel

  • Provide Start and Finish date & times

  • What are you burning off? - select ‘Other’ and enter ‘Wood fired Pizza oven’

  • Burn area in square metres is 2

  • Provide your contact details including a phone number that is always available to be answered

Step 2 - Light the oven safely, cook and enjoy your Wood Fired PIzza

This video provides instructions on:

  • Lighting the oven

  • Getting the wood fired oven up to pizza cooking temperature and preparing the cooking surface

  • Cooking your Pizza

Important Safety Instructions

  1. Position the hose (located on Dining Room outside wall) close to the Pizza oven in case of emergency.

  2. Never, ever leave the pizza oven unattended.

Step 3 - Extinguish the fire and Clean Up

The oven must be cleaned after use. Make sure the oven is cold before removing coals.

  • Remove coals and ash using the Pizza Shovel and in the ash bin located under the pizza oven.
    DO NOT THROW ASH AND COALS INTO THE GARDEN

  • Do not throw water or hose out the pizza oven to clean it

  • Sweep out the oven using the broom located next to the oven.

  • Clean the Pizza making tools