Fontana Forni has expanded its range with the Maestro. This compact gas pizza oven is portable and aimed at anyone who wants to prepare pizza and other oven dishes outdoors quickly and easily.
Overview: what the Maestro offers according to the manufacturer
• Gas-powered and portable design for balconies, terraces and on the go
• Heats up above 400 °C (manufacturer's information)
• Baking with the door closed; two pizzas side by side possible (depending on dough size and topping)
• During extended use the temperature reportedly stabilises between approx. 340 and 400 °C (manufacturer's information)
• Adjustable gas flame to suit different dishes
Construction and materials
The oven features ceramic‑fibre insulation and a painted steel casing (manufacturer's information). The baking floor consists of roughly 2 cm thick fireclay bricks, which the manufacturer says are made in Italy and food‑safe. The fireclay stores heat and releases it evenly into the dough — producing a crisp pizza base.
Brief hands-on impression from the team
For our videos and an initial impression we used the larger model. During a lunch break we fired up the Maestro and baked pizza:
• Warm‑up: After about 35 minutes our oven thermometer showed roughly 350 °C at the stone.
• Pizza: The high heat produced a nice crust; the base baked evenly and stayed crisp.
• Baking flow: Over several pizzas the oven maintained the necessary temperature steadily.
This short test is not a substitute for long‑term use, but it gives a good impression of handling and performance.
Baking: pizza and more
Pizza in focus
At high temperatures the Maestro delivers short bake times. In a well‑preheated state our test bakes were around two and a half minutes per pizza. When baking several pizzas in a row, a brisk workflow helps keep the stone temperature high.
Other dishes
The gas regulator allows the heat to be reduced, so you can also do gratins, antipasti, vegetables or desserts. For ambitious, regular bread‑baking we would recommend an oven type specifically designed for breads.
Operation and temperature management
The gas flame is set via a rotary control. According to the manufacturer the outside of the unit reaches roughly 60 °C when the internal temperature is around 400 °C. Regardless of that: always wear gloves and use appropriate tools when working at a hot oven, and choose a secure surface.
Sizes and applications
The Maestro is available in two sizes: 40 × 60 cm and 60 × 60 cm baking area (manufacturer's information). The larger version offers more reserve when baking pizzas in succession. Thanks to its compact design the oven is a useful outdoor complement to the home oven — for example when you prefer cooking smells to stay outside — or for mobile use.
Tip: rotate for even heat when baking
Work in rotation: place the first pizza on the right, turn it after a short time and place the second pizza on the left when you open the oven. The third pizza goes on the right again, and so on. This helps keep the stone's heat distribution more balanced, because each time the door is opened a little cool air enters.
Conclusion and advice
The Fontana Maestro is a compact gas pizza oven for those who value high temperatures and flexible outdoor use. If you bake a lot of bread regularly, consider specialist bread ovens as well. For advice you can reach us on 06051 67777. By appointment the Maestro can be viewed in our showroom.
