Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

If we haven't answered your question with our FAQ below, you can always contact us or call us toll free at +1 877-842-9822.

Warranty Info

We sincerely believe Fontana is the best wood-fired oven on the market. This is why we offer the best-in-class warranty on all of our ovens. There is a two-year warranty against manufacturer defect. There is also a four-year warranty on the dome of the cooking chamber. We stand by the quality & durability of our product, and we will continue to do so after the sale. Should you ever have a problem with your oven within the warranty period, please let us know using our contact page or call us. We will work to resolve any issue(s) that are a result of manufacturing defect.

Unfortunately, because of the fragile nature of the stones, we do not offer a warranty on the stones. However, should your oven arrive with a damaged stone, please contact us immediately.

The warranty does not cover the following items:

• damage as result of shipment or transporting that has not been highlighted in the bill of lading at the time of receiving of the oven
• damage as result of negligent unpacking of the oven 
• damage as result of the oven being improperly assembled or installed
• damage as result of heating the oven beyond its max temperature rating 
• damage as result of using combustible material other than wood to light fires in the oven
• damage or corrosion as result of exposure to the elements and/or chemicals
• damage that results in a broken or stuck chamber thermometer 

Due to the fragile nature of the stones, we do not offer a warranty on the stones. This is standard industry practice. However, should your oven arrive with a broken or cracked stone, please contact us immediately. 

Unfortunately, we cannot replace stones that have small chips in them. Because these stones are handmade, air dried & then kiln dried, it quite often results in imperfections and chipping along the edges. These chips do not alter the performance of the stone or oven, therefore are not considered a defect. If a customer finds chips on the stone bothersome, we recommend rotating the stone when possible to achieve the smoothest surface or touching up the edge with sandpaper.

Purchasing, Setup, & Support

Because we also stock a network of brick and mortar stores across North America, sometimes there is a wait for ovens during seasons of high demand. During these times, we make ovens available for pre-order.You can click here for a list of ETA on out of stock ovens, or give us a call for the latest update on arrivals of out stock ovens.

Pre-ordering an oven reserves the next available unit on the next arriving container(s). This is the quickest way to get an out of stock item. Pre-orders are paid in full, up front. Pre-orders are typically shipped within one to two business days of their arrival at our facility in SC. Lastly, pre-orders are fulfilled in the order in which they are received.

Oven purchases for retail customers living in the contiguous United States ship for a flat rate of only $199. That's an average savings of $150-$200. However, oven purchases totaling under $7,500 made by dealers or contractors, do not qualify for flat rate shipping.

Yes we do! We are proud to partner with Shop Pay Installments.

Rates from 0%-36% APR. Payment options through Shop Pay Installments, are subject to an eligibility check and are provided by these lending partners: affirm.com/lenders. Options depend on your purchase amount, and a down payment may be required. State notices to consumers https://www.affirm.com/licenses.

It's really a matter of preference. Our standard stones have an optimal temperature operating range of 300°F-750°F. The standard stones are also made of a harder material so they will last longer. Whereas the Saputo stones have an extended optimal operating range of 300°F- 900°F.

If you purchase the standard stones, you will receive a single set of stones that is well suited for cooking pizza at 750°F and use with cast iron cook wear. If you purchase the Saputo stones, you will receive both the Standard stones & the Saupto stones effectively giving you a back up set of stones.

Both stones give excellent results! However, the performance of the Saputo stones cannot be replicated. They are handmade from alluvial clay specific to the Campania region of Southern Italy and are known for their ability to cook pizza at higher temperatures (800°F - 900°F) without burning the underside of the pizza. Over 90% of all pizzerias in Naples use these stones. 

If you plan on primarily cooking Neapolitan style pizza, we recommend the Saputo stones because of the gentle way they conduct heat at very high temperatures.

The Saputo Stones are only available with the purchase (or proof of purchase) of a Fontana oven.

The Saputo stone upgrade is only an available option with the purchase of eitherMargherita Gas,Mangiafuoco Gas,Wood-fired MargheritaWood-fired Mangiafuoco,Wood-fired Marinara

If you can provide proof of purchase of any of the above models, you can contact usto purchase a set of Saputo stones for your Fontana oven. Please include:

• the oven model
• the oven's fuel type
• proof of purchase (a receipt or current photo of the oven)
• your shipping address

The ovens arrive in one piece, with no assembly required. For our Forno Toscano product line of single chamber ovens (Margherita, Mangiafuoco, & Marinara), the oven carts require about fifteen minutes of assembly, and we’ve made some instructional videos to help guide you through the assembling process. Our videos also show you how to secure the oven onto the cart after it’s assembled. For our double chamber ovens, the cart arrives fully assembled; you simply have to place the oven on the cart and attach the roof with screws that we provide.

Your oven will arrive with a manual, which contains all the information you’ll need. We have also made several instructional videos that show you how to assemble your new oven.

But in case you do have a question, feel free to call us anytime at 877 755 1691. We are very friendly and familiar with each model, and we will be glad to answer any questions you may have. We use these ovens regularly and know how to get the most out of them.

Shipping & Delivery

Fontana is glad to offer shipment directly from our warehouse to your address, with a residential liftgate available upon request. If you are lucky enough to live within driving distance of Florence, SC, you arrange to pick your oven up from our warehouse.

Any purchases including an oven ship for a flat rate of only $199, for retail customers living in the contiguous United States. That's an average savings of $150-$200. However, oven purchases totaling under $7,500 made by dealers or contractors, do not qualify for flat rate shipping.

This is available for all US states excluding Hawaii and Alaska. ANY SHIPMENT TO CANADA, HAWAII, ALASKA, or any location not part of the “lower 48,” is NOT eligible for flat rate shipping. All Canadian, Alaskan, or Hawaiian orders require an individual quote prior to shipping. Customers are responsible for any shipping costs, duties or tariffs associated with shipments to any location outside of the “lower 48” states.

Customer is responsible for all duties & tariffs associated with shipments to Mexico. 

NO changes can be made to the address or time of receiving of packages AFTER they are at the shipping terminals. Any change of delivery address will be subject to re-consignment fees.

In stock items usually ship within 2-3 business days of receiving the order. From the time ordered, it typically takes around 5-7 business days for an order to arrive at the customer's residence. Most items are shipped by freight carrier on pallets and can be off-loaded via lift gate.

Out of stock items that are pre-ordered usually ship within 1 to 3 business days of their arrival date. To get an estimated time of arrival on an out of stock product, please call 1.877.842.9822. ETAs are subject to change. The customer will receive a shipping notification once the item has shipped. 

Shipping Specifications:

All large shipments are shipped via freight carrier, and will require a signature upon delivery. If customer authorizes shipper to deliver without a signature we here at Fontana cannot and will not be held responsible for any damages that may occur during said delivery. Once again it is the responsibility of the customer to inform shipper and seller of ANY damage at delivery time of purchase. Fontana is not responsible for delivery to hard to reach areas or inability to deliver in certain locations. For residential deliveries, a liftgate will be provided. For all freight deliveries, shipper will contact the customer 24 hours before delivery to insure that the drop off is validated. Any area that is remote or hard to reach may incur additional charges. Fontana is not responsible for any additional costs incurred due to any additional fees.

If an order is deemed undeliverable because of a wrong address and returned, the customer will be held responsible for shipping charges both ways. If the items are returned because the delivery company is unable to deliver it will be considered a RETURN and treated as such.

Customer Responsibility Upon Delivery

Almost 100% of our units are delivered with no damage, and can be signed off on without a problem. However, in order to insure you are protected we request that you thoroughly inspect your shipped item upon receiving using the following guidelines:

Please note: You have a grand total of 5 business days to call us at 1.877.842.9822 to report any damage. We cannot file a claim with the delivery company after 5 business days.

Freight Delivery

If customer signs off on the bill of lading, they immediately authorize the freight company to leave parcel in “perfect” condition, and any damage found afterward could be considered the customer’s responsibility. Also, if you sign off on the said bill of lading we here at Fontana will not and cannot be held responsible for any damages or missing components. Leaving a note is the same as signing for your products in GOOD condition.

If pallet(s) or piece(s) are missing:

Please note on bill of lading or receipt before signing. Example: “Received 2 of 3 Pieces”

Call us at 1.877.842.9822 immediately to let us know what is happening.

If after inspection you notice any exterior damage to the boxes or products:

Open box and inspect for concealed damage to the product before signing BOL (Bill of Lading) or receipt. If any damage whatsoever is noticed and delivery personnel will not allow you to inspect the contents for damage and/or sign as “DAMAGED,” please call us immediately at 1.877.842.9822!! (If we are unreachable at that time, please refuse the shipment). Note any damages that the packaging or product has received and specifically sign BOL or receipt as “DAMAGED”.

*** NOTE ***

If a BOL or receipt is signed as received without noting any damages, the receiver is held completely responsible for any damages found afterward.

If no significant damage is found, please sign BOL or Receipt as accepted.

Please inspect contents of packaging for concealed damage once driver has left premises and call us within 5 business days if any damage is found.

We are the distributor for North America. If you are located outside the US, Canada, or Mexico - you will need to contact Fontana Forni Italy about how to best purchase in your country.

Returns, Replacements, Cancelations, and Refunds

Our customer's satisfaction is our number one priority. If your oven arrived damaged due to shipping or you discover a defect, we want to make it right.

If this is the case with your order, please contact us immediately for return authorization. To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer a refund or exchange on any items 30 days after the purchase date.

Customers returning non-defective items will be charged a 15% restocking fee and freight charges roundtrip. Please contact us for return authorization. Items returned without authorization will not be accepted nor will they be considered eligible for refund.

Once you've received return authorization, return items should be shipped to:

Fontana Forni USA
1305 E Palmetto St.
Suite B 
Florence, SC 29506

Customers are responsible for paying for shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer a refund or exchange on any items 30 days after the purchase date. Refunds for non-defective returned items and order cancelations will be charged a 15% restocking fee and charges for freight roundtrip.

Refunds for returned items are issued within 3 business days of  the item's arrival at Fontana Forni USA. Once the returned items pass inspection for damage and use, the refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment. You will receive an email notifying that the refund has been issued. Refunds can take up to 7-10 business days to post in your account.

If you haven't received a refund that is due after 10 business days, first double check your bank account again. Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted. Next contact your bank. If you've done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us. Items purchased at sales price will be refunded at that same price.

Our customer's satisfaction is our number one priority. If your oven arrived damaged due to shipping or you discover a defect, we want to make it right.

If this is the case with your order, please contact us immediately for return authorization.  It is imperative that you contact us within 5 business days upon receipt of the oven. Unfortunately, once this period of time has passed we will be unable to assist with damage due to delivery negligence. However, we will still gladly assist with any sort of manufacturer defects within the warranty period. 

After you've received return authorization, return items should be shipped to:

Fontana Forni USA
1305 E Palmetto St.
Suite B 
Florence, SC 29506

Customers are responsible for paying for shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable.

Due to the fragile nature of stones, we cannot offer any warranty on them. This is standard industry practice. If a stone was broken or cracked due to delivery negligence, please contact us immediately. 

Unfortunately, we cannot replace stones that have small chips in them. Because the manufacturing process quite often results in imperfections and chipping along the edges. These chips do not alter the performance of the stone or oven, therefore are not considered a defect. If a customer finds chips on the stone bothersome, we recommend rotating the stone when possible to achieve the smoothest surface or touching up the edge with sandpaper.

In the rare circumstance that you need to cancel your order, we will cancel your order. All cancelations will be charged a 15% restocking fee. If your order has not already shipped, please contact us immediately so that we can cancel your order before shipment takes place.

If the order has already shipped, the customer will be charged for roundtrip freight charges in addition to the 15% restocking fee. Refunds issued for cancelations will be the total order value minus a 15% restocking fee and all freight charges associated with the order.

Oven Operation & Cooking

If you know how to build a fire and put food in the oven, then you already know how to use a Fontana oven. If you don’t, there are several short videos on our website that will guide you through the process. You can go from novice to pizza chef within a few days after receiving your Fontana oven. There is a bit of a learning curve, but it's not too hard for most folks.

Rosso and Gusto units must go through a seasoning process before being used for the first time, or you’ll risk damaging the powder coat paint on the oven. To do this, simply build a small fire and slowly add larger pieces of wood to bring the oven to at least 500 degrees. Don’t exceed 600 degrees and let the fire burn for about two hours before cooling completely. Also keep in mind that wood-fired ovens require more attention than gas-fueled alternatives. 

Gusto, Rosso, & INC models should not exceed 800°F. Heating these models above 800°F will damage the electronic circuitry for the convection and light.

Margherita, Mangiafuoco, Marinara, Margherita Gas, Mangiafuoco Gas, Vulcano, and Prometeo models should not exceed 900°F. 

Our ovens cook pizza best around 750°F when equipped with the Standard stones. When an oven is equipped with the Neapolitan Saputo stone upgrade, pizza will cook best around 850°F. 

Check out ourLighting the Wood-Fired Oven video. This video will show you the quickest and easiest way to get your oven up to temperature for cooking pizza! If you follow these steps, you'll have no problem getting the oven preheated for pizza.

We do not recommend operating any of our ovens under a roof or covering as there is the potential for discoloration from the smoke on your ceiling surface.

We've had customers who have installed a custom length chimney through a roof with great success. Unfortunately, we no longer offer chimney extensions or elbow joints. These parts will have to be sourced locally by the customer. If your oven was purchased prior to May 2020, it has a 14cm diameter chimney pipe. If your oven was after May 2020, it has 15cm diameter chimney pipe. As far as the oven's functionality any extra chimney exhaust pipe added above the damper control doesn't affect the oven's performance. In fact, this one of the ways they test units indoors at the Fontana Forni factory in Italy.

The one other thing we'd strongly recommend is to check with your local building and fire codes for this sort of thing as these regulations vary from one location to another.

The wood fired ovens made by Fontana Forni are designed to burn hot and bright with a minimal amount of smoke. Because our ovens use about one-fifth as much wood as a traditional wood-burning oven, they also produce much less smoke. Our ovens also heat up much faster than most other wood-fired ovens (15 minutes for a pizza oven, 45 minutes for a large oven, compared to 2-3 hours for other wood ovens on the market), reducing the oven’s burning time and further minimizing its smoke output. This minimal wood usage and smoke output makes a Fontana oven an environmentally responsible choice. 

As for how smoke affects the taste of your food, the Fontana brothers took care of that long ago. Their ingenious design draws the smoke up into the dome of the oven, where it assists with the forced convection process, keeping far from the surface of your food. Your pizza crust will have a touch of that wood-fired savor, but you won’t taste smoke in your food.

This is a question our customers ask us from time to time. It’s worth noting the distinction that both our wood fired & gas ovens share the same great construction methods, materials, and build quality that Fontana is known for. Each style of oven comes with its own unique benefits to consider. 

To our customers who are in search of a Neapolitan pizza baking experience, we recommend our wood fired ovens. True Neapolitan pizza is baked in an oven that utilizes a wood fire in the cooking chamber heated to a specific floor temperature. The wood firedMargherita,Mangiafuoco, &Marinara are our best offerings to help you recreate a Neapolitan pizza baking experience in your own backyard. Our wood fired ovens are also available at a lower price point than our gas ovens which every consumer can appreciate. However, a wood fire will occupy about 6"- 8" of the oven's interior width so you do sacrifice some cooking surface area for the wood fired baking experience. 

To our customers who are willing to consider a more modern approach to making their pizza, we suggest our product line of gas ovens. TheMargherita GasandMangiafuoco Gasshare the same robust construction as their woodfired counterparts. They heat up equally as fast and retain their temperature equally as well. What is sacrificed in the wood fired tradition is gained with the modern convenience of gas. Because the gas burner in these ovens occupies about 4” of the interior depth, these ovens have the added benefit of more cooking surface area than their wood fired counterparts. Temperature control is more instantaneous with the gas oven’s regulator. Our gas ovens can be fueled using either propane (stock) or natural (with a provided conversion kit). Additionally, there is no ash clean up that is required with the wood fired oven. However, the gas ovens do cost a little more than the wood fired ovens. 

Great tasting Italian style pizza, meats, veggies, & breads can be made in both ovens. It’s just a matter of your preference.

Our gas-fired ovens are ETL and CSA certified for propane and natural gas fuel only.  We do not recommend building a wood fire inside of your gas-fire Fontana oven as there is the possibility of ash from a wood fire clogging the burner on the gas unit.

Still have questions?

You can always contact us or call us toll free at +1 877-842-9822.