Tandoori Oven

Tandoori Oven

A tandoor can be thought of as being little more than a very large clay pot in terms of its dimensions and shape. Traditional tandoors are made of clay. Tandoors are often constructed by excavating a hole deep in the ground or constructing a structure around the pit. The ceramic is used to build a raised platform, and a hole is drilled in the centre to accommodate the oven. In this case, the tandoor's opening is at the very top.

How does a Tandoori Oven work?

A bed of charcoal or a bed of wood fire is lit at the bottom of the tandoori oven and the clay absorbs the heat. The temperature inside the home tandoor may reach up to 500°C. The tandoori oven is fired for longer periods of time than most other ovens to maintain constant high cooking temperatures.

The true mystery lies in the fact that the heat inside can only be released through the top of this clay pot. The ceramic sides of its clay body reflect the fire's direct heat, increasing the heat's intensity that may reach high temperatures of even up to 500 degrees Celsius. It is buried or enclosed so that the heat may be retained and no one can come into contact with the area of the clay oven that is exposed to the environment.