How to Cook with a Tandoor Oven

Tandoor ovens have been used in some way, shape, or form around the world for hundreds of years. Although they offer a unique way to cook that originated in Asian and Indian countries, many of today’s top restaurants have adapted them and installed modern tandoor ovens in their kitchens.
Tandoori cooking is quite unique from other, more traditional cuisines, and tandoor ovens boast some different features than the average cooktop or gas range. That’s why Zanduco Restaurant Equipment and Supplies has collected some insightful information for you here.

How Are Tandoor Ovens Different from Traditional Ones?

Before getting into some delicious cooking tips, you’re probably wondering precisely how tandoor ovens are different from traditional gas ovens and wood-fired ovens. Essentially, no matter what size tandoor oven you have, they all operate upon the same basic principle and are fashioned out of clay, which acts as an insulator, keeping heat inside and helping to maintain extremely hot temperatures. These days, although the inspiration for modern tandoor ovens has remained the same as in historic days, don’t be surprised if you find them constructed with more modern materials like concrete and stainless steel.

Tandoor ovens boast a circular design that helps concentrate the heat in the oven to a central point in the middle. To cook with them, a fire is built in the bottom of the oven (or gas is often burned in today’s kitchens). In no time, due to their design, these ovens can heat up to 900 degrees. However, the fire is left to die down to coals to create the most consistent cooking temperature possible.

One of the advantages of tandoor ovens is that they’re easily transported from place to place.

The Most Common Dishes Made with a Tandoor Oven

You might be wondering what to cook in your tandoor oven. Thankfully, there is no shortage of dishes when it comes to tandoori cooking. You can even use your tandoor oven to simply cook fresh bread and roasted meat for traditional dishes for your restaurant, or create Asian fusion menu items that look and taste great. But there are some common things chefs around the world use tandoor ovens to cook, one of the most popular being flatbread like naan or pita bread, which is actually placed along the side of the oven rather than over the coals themselves.

Meat is another common ingredient that chefs cook with tandoor ovens around the world. Cuts of chicken, pork, beef, and lamb are skewered and installed in the tandoor oven, reaching right down into the center where all of the heat is concentrated. Meat is also often slow-cooked over the mouth of the oven, simply using the heat coming from the lip of the oven itself.

Another reason why cooking with tandoor ovens is so popular is because once properly heated to their optimal temperature, they can maintain that temperature for many hours without the need for additional fuel. This not only makes them much easier to use than traditional ovens but also more efficient and economical.

If you’re considering adding some tandoori dishes to your restaurant’s menu, some of the most popular are:

• Tandoori Chicken
• Samosas
• Flatbreads (naan, lachcha parathas)
• Peshwari Seekh
• Kalmi Kababs
• Alochi Aloo
• Tandoori Shrimp
• Grilled Chicken Tikka
• & More!

Tandoori Cooking Safety Tips

When cooking with your tandoor oven, there are some important safety issues to keep in mind. First, once your tandoor oven has been heated, it’s important to avoid spilling any liquids inside or on its exterior as this can cause damage to its clay, as well as create splashes that can cause burning. Additionally, for those using traditional, wood-fired tandoor ovens when cooking outdoors, the wind will cause the flames to shoot out of the oven so it’s important to exercise extreme caution while cooking.

Since tandoor ovens can get so hot, using protective gloves or mitts while cooking is often recommended. Lastly, but certainly not least, if cooking outdoors with a tandoor oven during winter, you’ll need to gradually heat up the oven. You can do so by adding wood or increasing the gas slowly over time. Doing so too quickly could cause cracks in its exterior or interior that are costly to repair.

Zanduco Restaurant Equipment & Supplies Carries Tandoor Ovens!

All of the tandoor ovens carried by Zanduco Restaurant Equipment & Supplies come equipped with a Tawa or hot plate, gaddi, clay balls for added heat, and a repair kit to help you keep them well-maintained. You can cook your favorite tandoori dishes with these efficient and durable gas-powered ovens. As mentioned above, they don’t need to be mounted and rest on the ground, meaning they can be easily installed in your kitchen and moved when necessary. 

32" x 32" Stainless Steel Tandoor Clay Oven – Natural Gas

In addition to coming equipped with cooking skewers and a repair kit made with seasoning and additional clay, this efficient oven also boasts:

• Stainless steel casing and front panel thermometer
• 48,000 BTU/hour cooking capability
• Free shipping

24” x 24” Stainless Steel Tandoor Clay Oven – Natural Gas

For those with smaller kitchens or that frequently cook on the go, this 24”x 24” stainless steel tandoor oven is perfect due to its small size. It comes equipped with:

• Tawa (hot plate) that can be used as an alternative to the oven
• Internal handcrafted clay pot and durable stainless steel exterior
• Front panel display thermometer
• Four casters for full mobility
  

34” x 34” Stainless Steel Tandoor Clay Oven – Natural Gas

As Zanduco Restaurant Equipment & Supplies’ largest tandoor oven, the 34” x 34” stainless steel model comes outfitted with a range of great features. Not only does it come with 10 cooking skewers and a cloth pad and cover to keep it protected while not in use, but it also has fitted wheels for easy transportation.

Additional features include:

• Dimensions: 34" x 34" x 36"
• Internal pot is handcrafted out of clay
• Outer box constructed of stainless steel
• Clay pot height & thickness: 29" x 1 1/2" ; Lid size: 23”

It’s important to note that for all of the tandoor ovens carried by Zanduco Restaurant Equipment & Supplies, the handcrafted clay pot is expected to last for approximately five years before needing replacement.

Contact us to order your very own tandoor oven today!

If you want to find the perfect tandoor oven for your kitchen, our team of cooking equipment experts can make it happen. In addition to our ovens, we also carry an extensive variety of cooking equipment and accessories, such as storage equipment, restaurant furniture, commercial refrigeration equipment, cooking equipment, menu holders, and much more.

Request a FREE quote online or contact us by calling 1 (855) ZANDUCO.