First, the similarities of the two oven molds. For home use, both oven shapes are recommended, but there are a few small crucial differences.

Optics

Modern baking houses are available from the Italian manufacturer Fontana Forni in stainless steel look. They are shapely cottages that visually enhance any terrace with arched roof, gable roof or pent roof. The optional accessories list is long and the choice has an impact on the appearance such as handles, shelves or thermostats.
Classic dome stoves are also available as modern stainless steel stoves with different colored roof or mosaic, as well as plastered stoves with classic Italian terracotta arch. The choice is wide. Valoriani offers more of the classic design, while Fontana also offers the modern stainless steel look.

Feature

Both forms of oven are classics, each in its own field. Bakehouses existed in the Middle Ages, they are multi-talented with indirect firing, a large cooking chamber and various compartments below the cooking area with fermenting and keeping warm functions. They form all the functions of an original bakehouse in small and thus provide convenience in the preparation and cooking (read our article „More than a pizza oven“).
Classic dome stoves look at least as long tradition. They are fired directly with wood, and therefore have always been a place not only for cooking, but also for warmth and conviviality.

Firing

The baking houses are indirectly fired with wood. A combustion chamber is hidden below the cooking chamber and the hot air flows into the cooking chamber through a patented air circulation system. This creates multiple temperature zones that can be used for simultaneous cooking of different foods.

The classic dome stoves are to be fired either with wood or gas. The gas burner is installed at the factory or can be retrofitted later on some models. It is possible to operate the stoves alternately with wood or gas, the gas burner then simply remains off during the wood firing.

Mobility

Both the baking houses and the classic dome ovens are mobile. Fontana baking houses always have two casters and two hidden carrying handles. The dome ovens come in different versions, either as mobile ovens on Fontana mobile bases, or as table-top pizza ovens to be mounted on a prepared base, for example in the outdoor kitchen. And then there are the kits from the Italian manufacturer Valoriani, which are supplied for do-it-yourself construction and can be built up completely individually, walled in, free-standing, plastered or with mosaic.

Conclusion:

Thus, the differences between baking houses and classic dome ovens, besides the appearance, are the method of firing and the size of the cooking chamber. A baking house offers more space for food and makes a wide range of compartments for the preparation and post-processing of food. Thus, it is suitable as a full-fledged outdoor kitchen. While the classic dome oven, while also multi-talented, and cooks almost all foods, has its focus on direct firing.

Visit us in our showroom near Frankfurt am Main for a personal consultation and look at the different models at your leisure. We will advise you in detail and together we will find the right pizza oven for your garden or terrace. Make an appointment with us!