Tandoor ovens allow you to cook outdoors for your family and guests.
From the tantalizing aroma that accompanies the unique cooking process to the true flavor of your food, a tandoor oven will make you wonder what you were doing before with barbecues and grills!
However, even though they’ve been around for nearly 5,000 years, there are still many misconceptions surrounding the tandoor, especially in Western countries (and no, a tandoor is not the name of the recipe).
Let’s clear them up so you can get the most out of your new tandoor oven.
What Is A Tandoor Oven?
Also known as a tandoor, a tandoor oven is a cylindrical cooking vessel made of clay or metal.
Traditionally, it is used in Western, Central, South Asia, and the South Caucasus, but today, tandoor ovens are beginning to appear in Europe and other regions.
How Does A Tandoor Oven Work?
The tandoor oven uses wood or charcoal as fuel and uses convection, radiant heating, and smoking to cook.
This means that the oven reaches a high temperature, which gives a distinctive smoky smell and taste, and the food is cooked much faster than with other methods.
What Is The Difference Between A Tandoor And A Barbecue?
There are many differences between a tandoor and a barbecue, both in the cooking methods and the appliances themselves.
A tandoor cooks food using a combination of methods (convection, high heat, and smoke), while a barbecue involves lower indirect heat and smoke.
Another difference between a tandoor and a barbecue is that the latter is used primarily for cooking meat, while tandoor ovens can cook a much wider range of foods, from bread to vegetables and, of course, meat. They also maintain the desired temperature for several hours without the need for additional fuel, making them a more environmentally friendly and much more practical option for parties and backyard events.
What Are Tandoors Made Of?
Tandoors can be made of clay or metal, such as stainless steel. Clay and ceramic tandoor ovens are obviously more traditional, as this material has been used for thousands of years, while metal is a cheaper and more modern alternative.
Which Is Better: A Metal Tandoor Or A Clay Tandoor?
Between metal and clay, clay is by far the better option for tandoor cookers.
This is because clay retains heat better and these ovens offer superior flavors and aromas. After all, if something has been used for nearly 5,000 years, that’s a pretty good indicator of its effectiveness!
Needless to say, they’re also more aesthetically pleasing: in addition to being a functional choice, handmade clay kilns are a decorative element to any garden, as each one has its own character and patterns.
This material is more resistant to pressure, heat, and chemical attack, resulting in a more reliable and durable cooker that will last you a lifetime.
Metal options are still an improvement over traditional barbecues, however, but we generally recommend them if budget or indoor use rather than superior quality is your primary concern.