Pizza Oven Covers

Buying guide

Pizza ovens live outside, but their insides do not like water. Rain that soaks into a refractory floor or insulation takes a long time to dry, can cause cracking when the oven is next heated and encourages rust on steel parts. A fitted cover helps prevent that. Here is how to find the right one.

Which cover fits my oven?

The trolley covers reach down over the trolley; the countertop covers fit the oven alone. If you are not sure which version you have, check whether the oven came on a wheeled base, or message us with the model.

What they are made of

Fontana covers are heavy-duty PVC with an outer layer of 100% black polyester, a water-repellent treatment and integrated straps that hold them in place in bad weather. The Igneus Classico cover is an all-weather canvas with a reinforced chimney section, a shock cord toggle and an adjustable strap.

Using a cover

• Let it cool. Fit the cover only when the oven is completely cold, including the flue.
• Clear it out. Remove ash and food debris so nothing damp sits inside.
• Fasten it. Use the straps so wind cannot lift the cover.
• Gas off. On gas and dual fuel ovens, turn off and disconnect the cylinder before covering for the season, and store the cylinder upright outdoors.
• Let it breathe. On dry days, lift the cover for a while so any condensation can escape.

Winter care

In winter, keep the oven covered and, if you can, move a trolley oven under shelter. Before the first cook after a long break, light a small, gentle fire or run the gas low for a while so any moisture in the floor and insulation can dry out gradually. Never pour water on a hot floor, and never light a big fire straight away in a cold, damp oven.

Why a fitted cover?

A generic cover that is too big catches the wind, flaps and can blow off; one that is too small leaves the flue or the base exposed. Fontana makes each cover for specific ovens and versions, with straps to hold it down in bad weather, and Igneus reinforces the chimney section on its Classico cover. That is why we list covers by the oven they fit.

Signs that water has got in

• Steam or hissing from the floor when you first light the oven.
• A floor that takes much longer than usual to come up to heat.
• Damp patches, mould or rust inside the oven or on the flue.

If you notice these, dry the oven out with a series of small, gentle fires (or a long, low gas burn on gas and dual fuel ovens) before cooking at full heat, then keep it covered.

Looking after the cover

Brush off leaves and debris, and wipe the cover with a damp cloth and mild soapy water when it needs it. Let it dry before folding it away. Check the straps and fastenings each season.

While you are here

A peel, a turning peel, a brush and heat-resistant gloves make every cook easier. See all pizza oven accessories.