Direct cooking is a live-fire technique in which heat reaches the food directly through the flame or embers, creating an intense crust, smoky flavours and characteristic char marks. This approach is ideal for those who love immediate results and an authentic outdoor cooking experience.
In direct-cooking ovens, like those in the Fontana range, the combustion chamber and the cooking area coincide: wood or gas generates heat that surrounds the food, delivering powerful flavour and spectacular grilling results. The dome design and optimised heat-distribution systems allow you to reach high temperatures quickly, with reduced fuel consumption.
Fontana ovens designed for direct cooking stand out for their solid, efficient structure, engineered to deliver high performance, quick usability and maximum reliability over time. The models, available as countertop or trolley versions, are made from premium-grade steels, combined with ultra-high-density ceramic-fibre insulation, designed to retain heat and ensure thermal stability even at the high temperatures typical of direct cooking.
noble materials
The use of noble materials and advanced construction solutions optimises oven performance, improves heat retention and ensures consistent reliability over time. The vaults of Fontana ovens are continuously welded by specialised master welders, not spot-welded or bolted: a fundamental technical choice that allows them to withstand thermal stress and ensures long-lasting structural durability.
External structure
The external structure is made of galvanised sheet steel painted with Qualicoat treatment, a finish that ensures high weather resistance and makes the ovens ideal for outdoor use. At the base, beneath the refractory stones, the Skamol insulation further enhances thermal efficiency, reducing heat dispersion.
Gas ovens certified CE, ETL and CSA
Alongside the wood-fired models, the Fontana range dedicated to direct cooking also includes gas ovens certified CE, ETL and CSA, designed in full compliance with European and North American standards. These models guarantee the same high cooking performance as wood-fired ovens, while offering greater convenience and speed in ignition and temperature management. Gas combustion also reduces maintenance: the absence of ash and combustion residues makes cleaning easier with minimal intervention, making the oven ideal for frequent, everyday use.
Regardless of the fuel type, Fontana ovens share the same construction quality, further reinforced by the presence of a 4 mm Corten steel flame deflector, which protects the vault and contributes to the overall robustness of the oven. It is also thanks to these solutions that Fontana Forni can offer a 6-year warranty on the vault, a tangible symbol of quality, tradition and innovation applied to direct cooking.