The ‘Aussie dream’ has long been the belief that owning a home can lead to a better life. And if that home has a backyard, then it truly becomes the ‘Great Australian Dream’. As we all know, that’s not as easy as it once was. You only need to look at the sheer number low-rise high density projects popping up around the suburbs.
What was once the sole domain of barbecues, the modern ample-sized backyard can now incorporate all manner of cooking appliances. Oversized barbecues, fridges, ovens, smokers and grills are all options nowadays.
But what about the balconies and courtyards?
Smaller barbecues have adorned smaller outdoor spaces for decades, and while it’s quintessentially Aussie to cook up some snags, there’s an alternative portable solution for those who can’t get enough of another delicious favourite.
Enter the Roccbox by Gozney: a pocket rocket pizza oven that can hit 500˚C and crank out restaurant-quality pizzas in 60-90 seconds.
It’s a pizza oven, but not as you know it. And it will fit in the smallest of spaces. It comes in at 41cm (w) x 53cm (l) x 47cm (h) and weighs 20kg.
Tom Gozney, the designer and innovator behind Gozney designed a range of high quality, precast stone ovens and set up The Stone Bake Oven Company to bring them to market in 2010. Designed and made in the UK, the ovens inspired a movement in stone cooking at home.
Just like a traditional stove or barbecue, the amount of heat and flame can be regulated with a dial on the side of the Roccbox. Then the waiting game begins. It takes around 15-20 minutes to reach 300˚C which Gozney recommends is the perfect temperature for cooking a pizza.
Roccbox comes with two burners: gas and wood. The gas burner is super convenient and hooks up to a portable gas bottle just as a barbecue does. The ability to adjust the flame is extremely handy and makes for a pleasurable cooking experience.
Alternatively, the wood burner takes the traditional method of cooking pizza and revamps it, while still making the process super easy. Simply add kiln-dried wood and light it, adding more when necessary.
The oven can also be used to cook the likes of steaks, fish, meatballs, chicken wings and whatever else you can fit into a suitably-sized cast iron pan or oven tray.
So if you’re looking to add a pizza oven to your backyard space but don’t have the room for a traditional model, perhaps the Roccbox is the answer.
Just be prepared for unexpected visits from friends and some seriously envious neighbours.
