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Frequently Asked Questions
What can you cook in a wood-fired outdoor oven?
Lots of things! Pizza, bread, gratins, steaks and slow cooker - basically everything you can do in a regular oven. But Faster Greta is not only a baking oven, the lower part is also a grill. So when the fire has burned down, you simply push in the included grill grate and take care of the embers!
How long does it take a wood-fired oven to reach pizza temperature?
It depends on what to cook, but we usually say about an hour to get up to a good pizza temperature. There are also nice thermometers to buy that you can set in the oven part if you want a detailed check of the heat.
Can I have Faster Greta on a terrace?
Faster Greta is made to stand free outdoors. We have many customers who use it on the terrace, but it is at your own risk. If you place it on the terrace, you should think about laying paving stones or concrete slabs underneath (4 pcs 50x50cm), and always have it well insulated around Faster Greta as it emits radiant heat, on all sides. Common sense and caution should prevail.
Can I use charcoal in Lillhälla?
Yes, it works really well!
Can you cook things other than pizza in a wood-fired pizza oven?
Much more. Faster Greta is really a wood-fired all-round oven. Bread, focaccia, gratins, whole roast chicken, root vegetables, even dessert. Anything that works in a regular oven works here, with the addition of wood smoke flavour.
The key is to use the oven's temperature curve. Pizza first, at the highest heat. Then bread and gratins when the temperature has dropped to 200 to 250 degrees. Finally slow cooking and drying in the residual heat. One firing session can provide food for the whole day.
Does Faster Greta work as a fireplace?
It works great as a fireplace! Start by removing both doors before firing. Sitting around a crackling fire with good friends on a cold autumn evening is magical. With our baking oven Faster Greta, there will simply be more time for outdoor enjoyment in autumn and winter.
Does a corten steel outdoor oven require much maintenance?
No, on the contrary. Because it is made of corten steel, it can withstand being outside all year round, in all kinds of weather. The only thing you basically need to do is empty the stove part from coal and soot a little now and then, and brush the stones in the oven part with a wire brush when they get dirty.
Is it difficult to move Faster Greta?
It is not difficult, but it requires two people. The first thing you do is remove all loose parts - doors, stones, plates, etc. Then you lift it in the round bars that sit on each side. Once the corten steel has gained its patina, it colors easily, so wear clothes that are durable.
Can you grill on Lillhälla?
Yes! Lillhälla comes with a grill grate that sits on top of the fire pit. This makes it perfect for simple outdoor grilling:
- Light the fire and let it burn down to embers before placing the grill grate on top
- You can use both firewood and charcoal – charcoal gives more even heat for grilling
- The grate is made of stainless steel and withstands high temperatures
- Perfect for sausages, burgers, vegetables and other food grilled directly over embers
Clean the grill grate with a wire brush while it is still warm – food residue comes off most easily then. Lillhälla is fundamentally a fire pit, but the grill grate turns it into a practical combination of ambience fire and cooking.
How often do you need to brush Faster Greta with oil if you want the oven to remain black?
About 3-4 times a year. It depends on the climate where you live, so you have to keep an eye on it.
Brush the oven with rapeseed oil or raw linseed oil (raw linseed oil can be a bit stickier than rapeseed oil). When you have oiled it, you heat up the oven so that the oil etches on. Then it will become like a film on the steel.
If you do not use Faster Greta for a longer period, you can wrap the oven in a tarpaulin.
What is the best way to start a fire in Lillhälla?
Starting a fire in Lillhälla is simple, but the right technique gives a better fire experience:
- Lighting: Start with newspaper or firelighters at the bottom, add kindling on top, then smaller pieces of firewood. Light from below
- Firewood: Use dry, split wood for best results. Birch, oak and beech produce fine embers. Avoid softwood if you do not want lots of sparks
- Charcoal: If you want even grilling heat, you can use charcoal instead. Light with firelighters or a charcoal starter
- Wood size: Lillhälla has a diameter of about 45 cm – split the wood into suitable pieces that fit without sticking out over the edge
Do not overfill the fire pit – give the fire room to breathe. A moderate amount of wood that burns well produces more heat and comfort than an overstuffed fire pit that smokes.
How do I control the temperature in Faster Greta?
The temperature in Faster Greta is controlled by the airflow through the firebox door and the chimney hat:
- Firebox door: The wider you open the door, the more air enters and the hotter the fire burns. Close it almost completely to lower the temperature and save firewood.
- Ashtray: Flip the ashtray upside down if you want even more airflow from below – this creates a more intense burn.
- Chimney hat: Open the chimney hat fully for maximum draught. Close it partially to slow down heat loss through the chimney.
A good tip is to fire up the oven with the door and chimney open, then close them down once you have reached your desired temperature. Use an oven thermometer for precise control.
How do I bake perfect pizza in a wood-fired outdoor oven?
Heat the oven to 300 to 400 degrees. In the Faster Greta it takes roughly 45 to 60 minutes. Flour the pizza stone well. Roll thin bases. They bake in two to four minutes. Rotate the pizza halfway. Have all your ingredients ready before you start, close to the oven. It should go fast once the oven is hot. The wood smoke gives the pizza a flavour no regular oven can match. That is the real difference.
A good pizza starts with the dough. We have a simple base recipe for slow-rise pizza dough that gives really good results, especially in a wood fired oven like Faster Greta.
How do I get a smoky flavour on food in Faster Greta?
Faster Greta has built-in smoke channels on the sides that you can use to infuse your food with a delicious smoky flavour:
- Open the smoke channels (the small hatches on the sides of the oven) so that smoke is directed into the oven chamber
- Partially close the chimney hat to force the smoke to linger longer in the oven space
- The combination of open smoke channels and a half-closed chimney gives the best smoke effect
Keep in mind that smoking works best at lower temperatures – use wood that produces good smoke, such as fruit woods like apple or cherry. Experiment with how much you open the smoke channels to find the flavour you prefer.
Can you bake bread in a wood-fired outdoor oven?
Wood-fired ovens like Faster Greta are excellent for bread. Bake at a lower temperature than pizza, around 200 to 250 degrees. Heat the oven first and let it come down to the right level. Sourdough, focaccia, flatbread, everything gets its own character from the wood smoke. Place a bowl of water inside for steam, it gives a crisp crust. Allow 30 to 45 minutes depending on size.
How do I use the pizza stone in Faster Greta?
The pizza stone is an accessory that sits on top of the built-in stones in the oven section. It protects the stones underneath and provides even heat for a perfect pizza base:
- Oil the pizza stone with cooking oil before first use
- Place the stone in the oven section on top of the existing stones
- Fire up the oven to a high temperature – for pizza you want at least 300–400°C
- For maximum temperature, you can remove the heat shield (the metal plate between the firebox and the oven) – this allows heat to radiate directly up towards the pizza stone
The pizza stone retains heat well, so you can bake several pizzas in a row. Brush the stone with a wire brush after use.
What can you cook on an outdoor fire pit?
More than you might think. Lillhälla works for most things. Grill directly on the grate. Fry in a cast iron pan. Cook in a pot. Roast marshmallows with the kids. Meat, fish, vegetables, it all turns out well. The best tip is to use embers rather than open flame. Embers give more even heat and better control. Patience always pays off over an open fire.
Can I cook on multiple levels in Faster Greta?
Yes! Faster Greta comes with an oven tray that lets you cook on two levels at the same time in the oven section:
- The lower level is the stones – perfect for bread, pizza and gratins that need direct contact heat from below
- The upper level is the oven tray – great for side dishes, desserts or extra portions
- Oil the oven tray with cooking oil before first use so food does not stick
Keep in mind that the lower level is hotter than the upper one, so plan your cooking accordingly. By using both levels you can prepare a full dinner for the group all at once.
How do I deep-clean the heat shield and soot in Faster Greta?
Beyond regular cleaning (emptying ash and brushing stones), Faster Greta needs a more thorough clean from time to time – especially if you notice heavy soot build-up:
Remove the heat shield
- The heat shield sits between the firebox and the oven section. It can become stuck due to soot and heat
- Use a wedge and hammer to carefully loosen it if it is stuck
- Lift out the heat shield and brush it clean with a wire brush
Clean behind the heat shield
- With the heat shield removed, you can access and scrape away soot deposits from the inside
- Brush around the smoke channels on the sides
- Check that nothing is blocking the airflow
Clean under the firebox
- Remove the bottom plate under the firebox
- Brush away ash and soot that has collected beneath the grate
- Reassemble everything in reverse order
We recommend this type of thorough cleaning at least once per season, or more often if you use the oven frequently.
What safety rules apply when using Faster Greta?
Faster Greta gets very hot during use. Follow these safety guidelines for safe operation:
- Children: Always supervise children near the oven. All exterior surfaces become hot during firing
- Hot surfaces: Always use oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves when handling doors, trays and grill grates
- Water bucket: Always keep a bucket of water nearby as a safety precaution
- Combustible materials: Maintain at least 1 metre distance to combustible materials around the oven
- Ash disposal: Empty ash into a metal bucket – never into a plastic bucket or waste bin. Ash can remain hot for several days
- Surface: Place the oven on a non-combustible surface such as concrete slabs or paving stones
Use common sense and never leave a burning oven unattended.
Is corten steel safe for cooking?
Yes. The protective rust layer on corten steel is stable and non-toxic. It does not flake and does not transfer harmful substances to food. Unlike painted grills where the coating can chip at high heat, corten steel is completely untreated.
On our products like Faster Greta and Lillhälla, the surfaces in direct contact with food are made from stainless steel or cast iron. The corten steel forms the body, the firebox, the structure. The food never touches the patina.
The first time you light a fire, simply burn off any protective grease by running a proper fire without food. Then you are ready to go.
Outdoor Cooking - A Feast for the Senses
Cooking outdoors has a special quality, and doesn't the food taste a bit better too? Our ancestors cooked everything outdoors, and we carry that heritage with us - there's something extra about cooking outdoors, in a fireplace or over open flame. You can't just throw a dish in the oven and walk away. Outdoor cooking asks for your full attention: you watch the fire, you watch the children playing round the flames, you keep an eye on the food so it doesn't burn. This gives us a different connection to cooking, one we sometimes lose when cooking indoors.
Outdoor cooking can be so much more than sausages and bread. With a fireplace like Faster Greta, you can cook almost anything outdoors - from crispy pizzas to stews and gratins. With the heat from a fire, you can cook outdoors any time of year. And the fireplace becomes a gathering point while the food is prepared, turning cooking into something central rather than something happening on the periphery while the rest of your guests sip champagne.
It Really Does Taste Different
Food cooked outdoors tastes different - that's what we usually say. And there's truth to it. Much of it comes down to food cooking faster and at higher temperatures. It's also that food naturally picks up a smokier flavour when cooked directly over open flame.
Pizza Done Right
Take pizza, for example, which is hard to get perfect in a regular home oven. In a fireplace, cooked on stone, pizza bakes at very high heat for a relatively short time, giving you a crispy crust and toppings cooked to perfection through rapid exposure to intense heat.
Pizza is excellent cooked in a baking oven like Faster Greta, but it's also superb over open flame, for instance in Lillhälla, our combined fireplace and grill. To cook pizza over open flame, you first need a pizza stone on the grate, which you heat to high temperature before laying the pizza on. This stone can also be used for fish and vegetables.
Grilling Over Open Flame
If you want to grill meat, mushrooms and vegetables, open flame is hard to beat. Fish wrapped in foil with herbs and lemon tastes wonderful after a few minutes over open fire. When the flames nearly reach the grate, you develop that slightly charred flavour - that grilled taste that's so hard to describe but can only be achieved cooking outdoors over open flame. Both Lillhälla and Faster Greta come equipped with grill grates, making outdoor grilling both enjoyable and safe.