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Authentic Pizza Ovens has built its reputation around selling quality, Portuguese-made pizza ovens that provide exceptional value for the money. And, the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Prime is one of their most popular in a long line of choices.
Giving you 8.7 square feet of cooking surface area to not only cook up to four 12-inch pizzas but also an array of bread and other dishes, the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Prime is a true hand-built pizza oven that’s set up for anyone and everyone to reap the mouthwatering results of cooking perfection.
But, with its surprisingly good price point, it’s reasonable to wonder if Authentic Pizza Ovens is actually any good. So, in this Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Prime review, we’ve put our experience, the specs, and other customer reviews together to give you the skinny on this best-selling pizza oven to see if it’s right for you.
1. Features of the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Prime Pizza Oven
2. In-Depth Review of the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Prime Pizza Oven
3. Specs for the Maximus Prime Pizza Oven
4. FAQs About the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Prime Pizza Oven
5. Our Final Thoughts on the Authent Pizza Ovens Maximus Prime Pizza Oven Review
Construction
Ease of Use
Included Extras
When we first saw the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Prime, we were impressed with the size of this affordable pizza oven. The sleek, aluminum shell with its sturdy double wall stainless steel design looks stunning, it’s got an air of Portuguese quality about it with its unique yet thoughtfully engineered barrel style dome, and, it's super easy to assemble; getting you up in cooking in no time upon delivery.
The 1.1-inch thick refractory cement floor tiles are a quality choice for a pizza oven because they’re so efficient at maintaining and distributing the heat thoroughly along the oven floor. Much better than cordierite stone, which is thin and not great at holding heat. And, the slide-on slide-off flue system is perfect for quickly putting the cover on the oven after each use. It's a nice touch, not having to screw and unscrew the chimney pipe whenever you want to use it.
Now if you're looking to buy this oven (or two) for your food truck, there are a couple of things you should know. The first is that the oven face has to be modified/secured in order to handle the suspension of your food truck or cart. It's as simple as drilling a couple of holes and inserting some bolts to do it, so don't be alarmed if you aren’t handy. We're here to provide in-depth instructions from the manufacturer themselves, so just let us know your purchase is for a food truck when you order and we’ll get you taken care of.
In addition to the above, your truck or cart must also have a full suspension (like a commercial car or truck) to help keep the oven from bouncing up and down while driving down the road. If the oven is not properly secured from bouncing around while in transit, then it could damage the oven to an extent it's unusable. This will also void your warranty so make sure to have a well-built truck or cart on a full suspension and ensure the face is secured to ensure your oven will be safe and sound as you head to your final destination.
But, the performance of the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Prime is what’s really impressive. With a temperature range of up to 1,000°F, this oven can sizzle a pizza in under 3 minutes, bake a pile of bread low and slow, sear steaks next to its open flame, grill salmon, and even bake casseroles. The generous 8.7 square foot (four 12" pizzas worth) of cooking space is ideal for entertaining large families or a food truck owner who wants a lighter oven with a large cooking surface area to place in their new rig.
When it comes to cooking space design, this oven is built to be a perfect square. Making it easy to maintain the fire because you have the option to place your wood in any area you choose without compromising the cooking surface area. This can be a bit different when compared to Italian-style pizza ovens that are typically built to be wider and not as deep. Forcing you to build your fire on one side or the other of the oven without the option of placing it in the back. However, in our opinion, you get the exact same outcome whether you chose one or the other, so no benefit here in choosing one over the other.
Surprisingly for a pizza oven in this price range, the Maximus Prime has a lot of space to cook with. It's probably the best value pizza oven we have available given its price to cooking surface area ratio. This makes this oven very desirable for folks that want the biggest oven for their money. Seasoned pizza oven owners know, that larger ovens allow you to cook all your family's dishes at once, so they can all be finished at the same time. Rather than the alternative of staggering pizzas, one at a time, for a party of 7. It makes a big difference!
However, unlike Authentic Pizza Oven's smaller models, you should be prepared to spend more money on wood. The larger the cooking surface area, the more wood a pizza oven will typically need to get it up to temperature and maintain it. It's just physics. However, higher quality ovens with better insulating materials used in their building process can help offset some of those costs due to fuel efficiency. The Maximus Prime is tested and has been proved to use 5-7 lbs of wood per hour. That's a strong case for efficiency when well-known, poorly made stainless steel oven brands 1/3 of that size on the market can eat up just as much wood.
In terms of temperature gauge accuracy, the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Prime is reliable. The built-in thermometer does a good job of reading the temperature within the oven, but relying on any oven's temperature gauge isn't recommended. Always use an infrared thermometer heat gun to know the true temperature of the floor tiles so you know exactly when to cook.
But, what’s extra worthwhile about the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Prime (and all of Authentic Pizza Ovens pizza ovens), is cooking restaurant-quality pizzas in your own backyard. Once you've tasted the extraordinary embodiment of flavor created by cooking with an open flame, you'll never look at takeout pizza the same again. It's truly life-changing.
I should point out, that cooking delicious pizzas are to be expected in all pizza ovens but not every brand delivers on that promise. Authentic Pizza Ovens does just that and its promise to customers shines bright with this amazing oven.
But, what’s extra worthwhile about the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Prime (and all of Authentic Pizza Ovens pizza ovens), is cooking restaurant-quality pizzas in your own backyard. Once you've tasted the extraordinary embodiment of flavor created by cooking with an open flame, you'll never look at takeout pizza the same again. It's truly life-changing.
I should point out, that cooking delicious pizzas are to be expected in all pizza ovens but not every brand delivers on that promise. Authentic Pizza Ovens does just that and its promise to customers shines bright with this amazing oven.
Because extras are always appreciated, it’s worth mentioning that the Maximus Prime comes with a lot of great items not typically included in quality pizza ovens like this. It's a great perk to choose this oven over similar models in different brands.
Slide on slide off venting system with stainless steel chimney pipe and cap
10-inch wood handle pizza peel for easily cooking pizzas, bread, and other delicious meals
Stainless steel wood/ash holder for helping to promote quicker heating times and keeping the cooking area clean
Ceramic Portuguese style baking dish for cooking, baking, and roasting mouthwatering meals at very high heat
Once you’re done cooking and the fire has been exhausted, the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Prime is very easy to clean. The only tools you need to keep the oven looking its best are a brass bristle brush, an ash shovel, and a bucket.
Given you're cooking with wood, you'll have ash accumulated in the area of the oven the fire was located. To clean it, remove the wood holder from the oven and grab your brass bristle brush. Use the brush to sweep all the ash to the center of the oven. Once it's neatly piled up, use the ash shovel to shovel the ash from your oven into the bucket. It's that simple.
Pizza oven type: Countertop
Pizza oven material:Aluminum exterior with double wall stainless steel interior
Floor material: 1.1-inch thick refractory cement floor tiles
Cooking surface dimensions:35.4" (W) x 35.4" (D)
Pizza capacity: Four 12" pizzas
Heat up time: 30 minutes
Max temperature: 1,000° F
Fuel type: Wood only
Price guide: $$
Models: PRIMER (red) & PRIMEB (black)
Exterior dimensions:39″(W) x 39″(D) x 45″(H)
Weight:300 lbs
Warranty: 3 years to be free from major defects in materials and craftsmanship on the structural components of the oven
According to the manufacturer, Authentic Pizza Ovens states that the Maximus Prime must be placed on a non-combustible surface to prevent it from being a fire hazard. The oven must also be at least 8 inches from the wall or other appliances.
According to the manufacturer, Authentic Pizza Ovens states that the Maximus Prime must be placed on a non-combustible surface, so granite and other stone countertops are okay to place it on. One thing to consider with granite, prolonged exposure to heat may discolor it over time.
It's also worth noting that the oven must be at least 8 inches from the wall or other appliances when installed.
The Maximus Prime Pizza Oven will be shipped via freight delivery. When it gets to a freight terminal nearest you, the freight company will give you a call to set up a delivery appointment. They will not deliver the oven without you setting the appointment.
When they come to your home, your oven will most likely be in a box truck with a liftgate on the back. They will then lower the oven down to the ground and set it either in your driveway or next to your driveway, and you'll be responsible for moving it from there.
The oven will be sitting on a wooden pallet, so if you have access to a forklift, small tractor, or pallet jack, that'll be the easiest way to move it. You can also remove all the bricks within the oven (drops the overall weight by about 100 lbs), and you and some very strong friends could move it from there.
Just remember, safety first!
The Maximus Prime Pizza Oven comes with a 10-inch wood handle pizza peel and stainless steel wood/ash holder.
This oven does not come with a cover. The cover will need to be purchased separately and can be found on the product page in the "Frequently Bought Together" section.
The Maximus Prime can fit up to four 12-inch pizzas inside it at a time, or one 18-inch pizza.
According to Authentic Pizza Ovens, the recommended non-combustible clearance is a minimum of 3 feet below the roof.
It's also important to ensure you position the Maximus Prime so it's at least 8-inches away from the nearest wall or appliance.
No. The Maximus Prime cannot be converted to gas burning or to have a gas burner installed separately. This will void your oven's warranty immediately and could cause serious safety concerns for you and your family.
No, the Maximus Prime is not designed for use with charcoal. It's best to use hardwoods like apple, cherry, and oak wood in wood-fired pizza ovens to achieve the best results.
Authentic Pizza Ovens has helped to make quality, European-made pizza ovens affordable. And, there’s no denying, that the Maximus Prime pizza oven is simply a great value for the money.
A truly Portuguese-made pizza oven with a blistering 1,000°F temperature range, solid fuel efficiency for the size, and the ability to cook up to four 12" pizzas at a time, it almost makes this oven a no-brainer! And, with a 3-year warranty covering major defects in materials and craftsmanship on the structural components of the oven, you can’t go too wrong with this choice.
Ideal for anyone who’s looking for a pizza oven with a large cooking surface area that won't break the bank and weighs in at a comfortable 300 lbs, the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Prime is a solid oven you won't regret.
Still looking for a wood-burning pizza oven or want to upgrade your existing one but don't know where to start? I'd recommend reading our in-depth Wood Fired Pizza Oven Buying Guide to know exactly what to consider before purchasing one. It'll save you a ton of time and potentially wasted money.
