In 1989 Andrea Mugnaini partnered with Italian manufacturer Refrattari Valoriani to import their pizza ovens into the United States. Today Mugnaini manufactures most components of their ovens in the USA, but still imports the Valoriani core oven, which they believe to be best in class for performance and longevity.

Valoriani ovens, (shown left), have a low vaulted dome with expansion joints to direct the flame evenly across the dome and allow it to expand and contract with less stress. The design of the internal venturi exhaust flue is meant to facilitate active damping of the live fire by using the oven door as a damper to lock down a temperature range without putting the fire out or building up smoke. Mugnaini wraps the Valoriani ovens with an insulated skin then places them on a thick refractory tray to enhance heat characteristics.

Mugnaini’s catalog encompasses a wide variety of residential and commercial ovens as well as related accessories. Andrea Mugnaini is a teacher and pizza oven evangelist who regularly conducts classes to demystify this ancient art at her facility in Headsburg, CA.