Community Wood Fired Oven
Discover the joys of slow food, baking your own bread from start to finish and meeting new people.
The Wood Fired Oven is a place to come together to cook, to share, to learn and to eat. Located in Hovell Tree Park, near Albury Swim Centre, the Oven has an undercover area and a playground - everything you need for a great day out.
The Community Wood Fired Oven was launched in October 2006. It is based on a design by renowned oven maker Alan Scott and is proudly funded and maintained by AlburyCity.
The Oven is fired every second Sunday for free community use. The skills, time and expertise of an Oven Coordinator is on hand to assist you (guidance only, you do the other fun bits).
During daylight savings, October - March, the oven is open for baking from 3pm - 8pm. For the rest of the year, April - September, the oven is open from 11am - 4pm. The free community bake days for 2013 are:
COMMUNITY BAKES 2013
Sundays 13 and 27 January
Sundays 10 and 24 February
Sundays 10, 24 and 31 March (31st March being Easter Sunday)
Sundays 7 and 21 April
Sundays 5, 12 and 19 May (12th being Mothers Day)
Sundays 2, 9, 16 and 30 June (the 9th being the Queens Birthday Long Weekend)
Sundays 14 and 28 July
Sundays 11 and 25 August
Sundays 1, 8 and 22nd September (1st being Fathers Day)
Sundays 6 and 20 October (6th being Labour Day Long Weekend)
Sundays 3 and 17 November
Sundays 1 and 15 December
Special Events - Harmony Day Celebrations - 24 March, NAIDOC Week bake - 14 July, Write around the Murray 15 September
How does it work?
The Oven is lit the night before a bake. The Oven Coordinator clears out the ash and prepares the oven ready to take pizzas, bread and any other goodies.
The temperature slowly drops during the day. Pizzas should be cooked early in the bake, then bread and finally roasts, cakes and biscuits.
Here is a temperature guide for your reference;
First Hour | Next 2 Hours | Final 2 Hours |
High Temperature | Mid Temperature | Mid - Low Temperature |
400ēC - 300 ēC | 300 ēC - 250 ēC | 250 ēC - 180 ēC |
What to bake and how to bake it
Anything you bake in your oven at home you can bake in this one. Here are some of things you can bake
- Bread and damper
- Pizzas
- Roast meat and vegetables
- Cakes, scones and biscuits
- Pies and quiches
For your convenience why not ask your local bakery or pizza shop if you can buy dough ready to bake. The Oven Coordinator is available during the bake to offer advice and guidance. Sometimes half the fun is in the surprise that comes out of the oven!
What to bring
It is best if you arrive with your dough or ingredients. You will also need a baking tray if you are baking meat or vegetables. Don't forget your utensils. You will need these for cutting, turning, rolling etc.
Be safe
The Community Wood Fired Oven is like any other oven and there are precautions that need to be taken. Safety information is on site for your reference.
Hold your next event at the oven
Have you got an event or function coming up? Are you looking for a venue that is easily accessible and which can cater for lots of people? Are you looking for something different? Contact AlburyCity's Cultural Services on 02 6023 8212. A fee covers the cost of the Oven Coordinator, who must be present to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the Oven.