Your new oven has arrived and you want to make pizza tonight. We understand the excitement. If your oven has brick, clay, or refractory parts, taking it slow for the first few fires is the one step that protects your investment, so it is worth getting right before that first 900-degree pizza.
Why curing matters
New masonry and refractory materials hold moisture left over from manufacturing. If you rush a fresh oven straight to full heat, that trapped water turns to steam too quickly and can crack the very surfaces you want to protect. Curing means running a series of small, gradually hotter fires that let the moisture escape slowly and safely.
Does every oven need curing?
Mostly the masonry ones. Brick, clay, and refractory ovens benefit most from a careful break-in. Many metal ovens need little or no curing. Always check the guide that came with your specific model, since the maker knows their materials best. The steps below are a general approach, your oven's instructions take priority.
A simple curing schedule
The idea is to climb in gentle steps over several sessions, letting the oven cool fully between each one.
| Fire | Target heat | Hold for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Small, low fire (around 300 F) | About 1 hour, then cool fully |
| 2 | A little hotter (around 400 F) | About 1 hour, then cool fully |
| 3 | Medium (around 500 F) | About 1 hour, then cool fully |
| 4 | Hotter (around 650 F) | About 1 hour, then cool fully |
| 5 | Up toward full pizza heat | You are ready to cook |
Keep early fires small and central, add fuel slowly, and never force the pace. Look for the dome to clear from dark to light as moisture burns off, a good sign the oven is drying properly.
After curing
Once you have stepped up to full heat without rushing, your oven is ready for that first real pizza. From here, normal use keeps it healthy, and a good cover protects it between sessions.
One last thing
If anything in your oven's break-in guide differs from this, follow the maker's version. And if you are ever unsure, ask us. We would rather walk you through it than see a new oven rushed. More common questions live on our FAQ.