How to slow cook foods in a wood-fired oven.

Slow Cooking Techniques.

Slow cooking over hot embers in an outdoor clay oven must be one of the most satisfying ways any foodie can cook for family and friends. Have a go at your favourite roast, stew, curry, tagine or casserole dish. Why not try some spicy meatballs, slowly cooked in a rich tomato sauce, subtlety flavoured by the wood smoke.

The flavour your slow cooked food will gain from the wood fired oven will not be able to rival any other type of slow cooker. Here’s our considered guide to slow cooking in your wood fired oven:

Step 1. Light up your wood-fired oven.

Follow the instructions on how to light your Fuego wood fired oven and get your oven up to a temperature of around 225-250°C using kiln-dried wood that has a moisture content of less than 20%.

Step 2. Prepare your foods.

Whilst your wood fired oven reaches temperature, you can get your foods ready for slow cooking. Please make sure you use a heat proof casserole dish or tray.

3. Regulate the temperature and slow cook your foods.

Using your metal peel or spade, spread the embers to one side and allow the temperature of your outdoor oven to drop down to 100-150°C ready for slow cooking. The embers shouldn’t have a flame.

The quality of our oven’s fire clay, and the insulation methods used, enables every Fuego wood fired oven to remain hot for many hours without adding any more wood. This makes it ideal if you are wanting to slow cook a stew overnight.

Step 4. Slow cooking in a wood burning oven.

Now your wood fired oven is ready to slow cook, make sure you use a heat resistant casserole dish or tray and place it covered beside the embers.

Close the door and let it slow cook. Cooking times will depend on the type of food you are cooking and its size.

Make sure you keep an eye on it, occasionally turning the dish with the help of your metal hook and peel and making sure you give your food a gentle stir if required.

• Slow Cooking Recipes

Our Favourite Slow Cooking Recipes.