During your stay at the Catskill River Cottage, you’re welcome to cook al fresco in the wood-fired oven. Set just outside the cottage in its private garden overlooking the Catskill Creek, it’s the perfect spot to dine surrounded by tall trees, fragrant herbs, blooming flowers, and the soothing sound of the rushing river.
Get inspired – and hungry!
We highly recommend watching The Wood Fired Oven Chef on Youtube for important know-how – and inspiration!
How to use the oven
The wood fired pizza oven has specific guidelines, posted below, in the physical House Manual and inside the oven itself. Be sure to follow them, for your own safety as well as for the longevity of the oven.
Wood
To make pizza, the oven needs to be fired for about 3 – 4 hours to reach the optimal heat of 800F– start early. Use only designated hard wood (such as oak, locust and maple) from the marked shed behind the cottage. Use of any other wood (particularly pine or pine cones which contains resins) will permanently damage the oven and cause a claim with Airbnb. You may chop wood in the designated area.
Cooking
The only foods that may be cooked directly on the stone inside the oven are pizza and bread. All other foods must be placed in cast iron skillets (please find in cottage kitchen).
Ash disposal
We provide a clean oven. When you use the oven, ashes will accumulate. If you need to clean it out, please only move ashes when they are 100% cold (to minimize the risk of property catching fire). Put cold ashes in the ash bin under the pizza oven. There is no need to remove ashes at the end of your stay.
Risk acceptance
Use of the oven and chopping wood is at your own risk. The Modern Victorian LLC accept no liability for personal injury. It is very hot, up to 900F, so please use caution.
