MELLCOM 20" Outdoor Gas Pizza Oven: Achieve Pizza Perfection with 360° Rotating Stone

Pizza. Just the word itself conjures images of bubbling cheese, a crispy crust, and the aroma of savory toppings. It’s a dish that transcends cultures and generations, a universal comfort food and a culinary canvas for endless creativity. But achieving that perfect, pizzeria-quality pizza outdoors? That’s a challenge that has long tested the skills of even seasoned grill masters.

The Allure of Pizza

From the simplest Margherita to the most elaborate gourmet creations, pizza’s appeal lies in its versatility and satisfying combination of textures and flavors. Whether it’s a casual weeknight dinner, a celebratory feast, or a relaxed gathering with friends, pizza is always a welcome addition to the table. But the true magic of pizza, the element that elevates it from good to extraordinary, lies in the crust.

The Challenge of Outdoor Pizza Making

Replicating the intense heat and even cooking environment of a commercial pizza oven in an outdoor setting has traditionally been a difficult feat. Standard grills often struggle to reach the necessary temperatures, and uneven heat distribution can lead to burnt spots, soggy bottoms, and undercooked toppings. The dream of achieving that perfectly charred, crispy-yet-chewy crust, the hallmark of a truly great pizza, often remained just that – a dream.

Unveiling the Science of Pizza

Before we delve into the innovative features of the MELLCOM 20” Outdoor Gas Pizza Oven, let’s take a moment to appreciate the fascinating science behind this beloved dish.

A Culinary History

Pizza, in its rudimentary forms, dates back centuries. Ancient civilizations, from the Egyptians to the Greeks, enjoyed flatbreads topped with various ingredients. However, the pizza we know and love today originated in Naples, Italy, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Neapolitan pizza, with its simple yet flavorful combination of tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil, quickly gained popularity, becoming a staple of Italian cuisine.

The Thermodynamics of a Perfect Crust

The key to a perfect pizza crust lies in the precise application of heat. High temperatures, typically exceeding 700°F (371°C), are essential for creating the desired texture. This intense heat causes the water in the dough to rapidly evaporate, creating steam that puffs up the crust, resulting in a light and airy interior. Simultaneously, the direct heat from the baking surface creates a crispy, slightly charred exterior. This process, governed by the principles of thermodynamics, involves three key modes of heat transfer:

• Conduction: Direct heat transfer from the hot pizza stone to the dough.
• Convection: Heat transfer through the movement of hot air circulating within the oven.
• Radiation: Heat transfer via infrared waves emitted from the heat source and the oven walls.

Achieving a balance between these three modes of heat transfer is crucial for even cooking and the development of that perfect crust.

Introducing the MELLCOM 20” Outdoor Gas Pizza Oven

The MELLCOM 20” Outdoor Gas Pizza Oven represents a significant leap forward in outdoor cooking technology. It’s designed to overcome the limitations of traditional grills and deliver the performance of a professional pizzeria oven in a portable, user-friendly package.

Revolutionizing Outdoor Cooking: Design and Features

The MELLCOM oven’s innovative design is centered around achieving consistent high temperatures, even heat distribution, and ease of use. Let’s explore its key features:

360° Rotation: The Key to Even Cooking

The heart of the MELLCOM oven is its 360° automatic rotating pizza stone. This ingenious feature, powered by an electric motor, ensures that every part of the pizza receives equal exposure to the heat source. Imagine it as giving your pizza a perfectly even “sun tan,” eliminating the risk of burnt edges or undercooked centers. This eliminates the need for manual rotation, a common source of inconsistency and frustration in traditional pizza ovens.

The stone itself is crafted from cordierite, a mineral renowned for its exceptional thermal shock resistance. This means it can withstand rapid temperature changes without cracking, a crucial property for a pizza oven that heats up quickly and reaches extreme temperatures. Cordierite is also slightly porous, which helps absorb excess moisture from the dough, contributing to that coveted crispy crust.

The Pull-Out Advantage: Monitoring Made Easy

Traditional pizza ovens often require you to open the door frequently to check the pizza’s progress, leading to significant heat loss and inconsistent cooking. The MELLCOM oven’s patented pull-out handle solves this problem elegantly. Simply pull out the drawer, take a quick peek, and slide it back in. This minimizes temperature fluctuations, ensuring a stable cooking environment and consistently perfect results. The included pizza peel makes transferring pizzas to and from the oven effortless and safe.

Heat Mastery: Temperature Control and Efficiency

Powered by a 14,000 BTU propane burner, the MELLCOM oven can reach a scorching 932°F (500°C). This intense heat is the key to achieving that rapid cooking time – as little as 60 seconds for a perfectly baked pizza! The oven also preheats quickly, in just 10-15 minutes, so you can spend less time waiting and more time enjoying delicious pizza. The gas control knob offers adjustability, although some users, like Parviz L., have noted that they would prefer even finer control over the flame.

Portability and Convenience

The MELLCOM oven is designed for outdoor adventures. Its foldable legs and included waterproof carrying bag make it easy to transport and set up wherever your culinary journey takes you. Whether it’s a backyard barbecue, a camping trip, or a tailgate party, you can enjoy pizzeria-quality pizza anywhere.

Material Science: Built to Last and Perform

The MELLCOM oven’s construction reflects a commitment to both durability and performance. The exterior is crafted from polished stainless steel, known for its corrosion resistance and ability to withstand high temperatures. This ensures that the oven can handle the rigors of outdoor use and maintain its sleek appearance for years to come.

Inside, a layer of ceramic fiber insulation plays a crucial role in heat retention. Ceramic fiber is a lightweight, highly efficient insulator that minimizes heat loss, allowing the oven to reach and maintain those crucial high temperatures while conserving fuel. This combination of stainless steel and ceramic fiber creates a robust and efficient cooking environment.

The MELLCOM in Action: From Backyard to Campsite

Imagine a warm summer evening, the aroma of freshly baked pizza wafting through the air, friends and family gathered around, enjoying laughter and good company. The MELLCOM 20” Outdoor Gas Pizza Oven transforms this idyllic scene into reality.

Creating Culinary Memories

Whether it’s a casual weeknight dinner, a birthday celebration, or a spontaneous get-together, the MELLCOM oven adds a touch of culinary magic to any occasion. It’s more than just a cooking appliance; it’s a centerpiece for creating shared experiences and lasting memories.

Beyond Pizza: Exploring Versatile Cooking

While the MELLCOM oven excels at pizza, its versatility extends far beyond. By simply swapping the pizza stone for a skillet, griddle, or baking pan, you can transform it into a multi-functional outdoor cooking station. Roast vegetables, sear steaks, bake bread, grill fish – the possibilities are endless. This versatility makes it a valuable addition to any outdoor kitchen.

Step by Step Guide to Perfect Pizza

1. Make Dough:
2. Ingredients: Flour, water, yeast, salt, (optional: olive oil, sugar).
3. Mix dry ingredients, gradually add water, knead until smooth and elastic.
4. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
5. Prepare:
6. Preheat MELLCOM oven for 10-15 minutes.
7. Stretch or roll out dough to desired size and thickness.
8. Place dough on a lightly floured pizza peel.
9. Add sauce, cheese, and toppings.
10. Cook
11. Carefully slide pizza onto the rotating stone.
12. Close the drawer.
13. Cook for 60-120 seconds, or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly.
14. Enjoy
15. Remove the Pizza with Peel
16. Let it cool slightly, slice, and serve.

A Comparative Glance

Let’s briefly compare the MELLCOM oven to other options:

MELLCOM vs. Traditional Ovens

Traditional indoor ovens typically struggle to reach the high temperatures required for truly great pizza. They also lack the direct heat from a pizza stone, resulting in a less crispy crust.

MELLCOM vs. Other Portable Pizza Ovens

While brands like Ooni and Gozney offer excellent portable pizza ovens, the MELLCOM stands out with its unique combination of a 360° rotating stone and a pull-out handle, features often found only in higher-priced models. It delivers exceptional value and performance.

Safe and Savvy: Outdoor Cooking Tips

• Ventilation: Always use the MELLCOM oven outdoors in a well-ventilated area.
• Supervision: Never leave the oven unattended while in use.
• Flammable Materials: Keep flammable materials away from the oven.
• Gas Safety: Check for gas leaks before each use. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for connecting and disconnecting the propane tank.
• Cleaning: Allow the oven to cool completely before cleaning. Use a brush and mild detergent to clean the pizza stone and exterior.

Conclusion: Embrace the Outdoor Pizza Revolution

The MELLCOM 20” Outdoor Gas Pizza Oven is more than just a cooking appliance; it’s a gateway to a world of culinary possibilities. It empowers you to create pizzeria-quality pizza, explore new flavors, and share unforgettable moments with friends and family, all in the great outdoors. It’s time to embrace the outdoor pizza revolution and elevate your cooking game.