How does a wood-fired oven work?

After lighting the oven, the fire reduces to a pile of white-hot glowing embers, and the temperature can reach an excess of 900o. This is where the brick chamber absorbs the heat and releases it slowly over a period of hours (even days). The door is closed to retain heat once the oven reaches the correct temperature, and after the oven cools a bit, some of the embers can be swept to the side to make room for your fare. At this point, the oven is ready for cooking.