Our Acunto Oven Journey: From Naples to Birmingham

A Labor of Love and Tradition

When we decided to open Vecchia Pizzeria & Mercato, we knew one thing was certain: we would not compromise on authenticity. True Neapolitan pizza requires more than just the right ingredients—it demands the perfect oven. That’s why we embarked on an incredible journey to bring not one, but three authentic Acunto ovens from Naples, Italy to Hoover, Alabama.

The Gold Standard of Pizza Ovens

For those unfamiliar with Acunto ovens, they represent the pinnacle of traditional Neapolitan pizza-making. Handcrafted by the Acunto family, who have been perfecting their craft since the late 1800s, these ovens are built with hand-pressed bricks and lined with refractory materials made from Mount Vesuvius volcanic ash. This special composition allows them to reach and maintain the crucial 900°F temperature needed for perfect Neapolitan pizza, cooking each pie in just 60-90 seconds.

Deciding to purchase Acunto ovens was a task like no other,” Chef Benard recalls. “We had to track down a time-honored family in Naples who didn’t speak our language. We hired a translator just to discuss the specifications. That’s when we found out they take a two-month vacation every year. We missed the window. They told us we had to wait a year.

The Long Wait

Our journey began with patience—a full year of it. We placed our order and waited as the master craftsmen at Acunto built our three ovens by hand, using techniques passed down through generations. Each brick, each curve of the dome, each detail meticulously crafted to ensure perfect heat distribution and retention.

The Atlantic Crossing

When our ovens were finally ready, they began their journey across the Atlantic in a shipping container. We tracked their progress anxiously, knowing that these three-ton behemoths represented the heart of our future pizzeria.

Moving Mountains (Or At Least Ovens)

The logistics of moving three 3-ton brick ovens into our space at 610 Preserve Parkway required creativity and specialized help. We hired a piano moving company—experts in moving heavy, delicate objects—to tackle the job. It wasn’t easy! We had to remove two door frames just to get them inside, and we needed to reinforce our floors to support their immense weight.

The Sacred Curing Process

Once installed, we couldn’t simply fire them up and start cooking. Traditional brick ovens require a careful curing process to remove all moisture and prevent cracking. For seven days straight, our team took shifts, maintaining small fires that gradually increased in temperature.

This around-the-clock babysitting meant someone was always at the restaurant, slowly nursing the fires as we sweated out all the water from the bricks and mortar. It was a delicate dance of fire management, bringing the temperature up incrementally until we finally reached the full 1000 degrees.

Worth Every Effort

Was it all worth it? Absolutely. When you taste our pizza—with its perfectly charred yet chewy crust, the beautiful leopard spotting that can only come from a wood-fired Acunto oven, and that distinctive flavor that no gas or electric oven can replicate—you’ll understand why we went to such lengths.

Our VPN-certified pizzas (that’s Verace Pizza Napoletana—”True Neapolitan Pizza”) wouldn’t be possible without these ovens. They’re not just cooking equipment; they’re a connection to centuries of tradition and craftsmanship.

Experience the Difference

We invite you to visit Vecchia and taste the difference an authentic Acunto oven makes. From the moment you walk in, you’ll feel the warmth and see the dancing flames through the oven opening. And with that first bite, you’ll understand why we couldn’t settle for anything less than bringing a piece of Naples to Birmingham.

Come experience authentic Neapolitan pizza at Vecchia Pizzeria & Mercato, located at 610 Preserve Pkwy, Suite 100, Hoover, Alabama. Open daily from 11:00am to 9:00pm. For more information, call us at 205.637.3036 or email info@vecchiabirmingham.com.

Our Acunto Oven in Action!

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