Witt booster burner explained: more bottom heat for perfect Neapolitan pizza
Quick summary: Witt booster burner
The Witt ETNA Rotante Control 16" features two separately controllable gas burners: a main burner for the general oven temperature and a booster burner that directly heats the rotating pizza stone from below. Together, both burners deliver 9.2 kW and reach temperatures of up to 450 °C – the prerequisite for authentic Neapolitan pizza. The booster burner is ignited and controlled via its own rotary knob; an inspection opening allows visual monitoring of the flame. Important: the turntable must always be running while the booster burner is in operation.
What is the booster burner?
The booster burner is the lower of the two gas burners in the Witt ETNA Rotante Control 16". It is located directly beneath the rotating pizza stone and heats it specifically from below – unlike the main burner, which is responsible for the air temperature throughout the entire oven chamber. This dual-burner system allows top and bottom heat to be controlled independently: a key advantage over single-burner models, which can either brown the base or the toppings ideally, but not both simultaneously.
The combined heat output of both burners is 9.2 kW. This allows the ETNA Rotante Control to reach baking temperatures that come very close to those of a professional wood-fired pizzeria oven.
Main burner and booster burner working together
Each burner has its own rotary knob on the oven's control panel. The left knob controls the main burner, the right knob controls the booster burner. In normal use, the oven is first preheated to the desired baking temperature using the main burner. Once reached, the booster burner can be activated to further heat the pizza stone from below and intensify the bottom heat.
The LCD display shows both temperatures separately: AMBIENT for the air temperature in the oven chamber and STONE for the surface temperature of the pizza stone. A dedicated booster burner symbol on the display indicates when the booster burner is active.
The rotating pizza stone and why it is essential
The heart of the ETNA Rotante Control is the motorised turntable: the pizza stone rotates continuously at 2.5 revolutions per minute, ensuring the pizza is baked evenly on all sides – with no need to manually turn it with a peel. In combination with the booster burner, this rotation is not just a convenience feature but a technical necessity.
If the pizza stone were stationary while the booster burner is running, a small, concentrated area of the stone would be subjected to extreme localised heat. This can damage the stone or even cause it to crack. The turntable must therefore always be running whenever the booster burner is switched on.
Which pizza styles require the booster burner?
Depending on the desired baking result, Witt recommends different temperature profiles that directly determine whether and how intensively the booster burner is used:
- Neapolitan (420–450 °C): The classic original from Naples – thin, airy dough, slightly charred crust (cornicione), very short baking time of 60–90 seconds. These temperatures are only achievable with the booster burner actively engaged.
- Roman (300–350 °C): Thin, crispy base, minimal crust. The booster burner can be used here but is not strictly necessary.
- New York style (260–290 °C): Larger pizza with a thin, foldable base. The main burner alone is generally sufficient for optimal results.
- Manual: No preset temperature level – the pizza maker controls the main and booster burners entirely at their own discretion.
Igniting the booster burner: step by step
The booster burner is started via electronic ignition, just like the main burner. It is operated using the right rotary knob on the control panel:
- Switch on the turntable: Make sure the rotating pizza stone is running before igniting the booster burner.
- Press and turn the knob: Press in the right rotary knob and turn it slowly counter-clockwise until the electronic ignition (clicking) is triggered.
- Allow gas to flow: Hold the knob in the pressed position for approximately 8 to 10 seconds to allow sufficient gas to reach the burner.
- Confirm ignition: After the ignition click, continue holding the knob pressed for a further 10 seconds until the flame burns steadily.
- Check the flame: The booster burner flame can be visually inspected through the inspection opening on the side of the oven. A stable, blue flame confirms that the booster burner has ignited correctly.
The inspection opening
The inspection opening is a small viewing port on the side of the oven housing. It allows you to check at any time whether the booster burner is actually alight – particularly useful immediately after ignition or if there is reason to suspect the flame has gone out. A blue flame indicates that the burner is operating correctly.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do I always need to use the booster burner?
No. The booster burner is an optional feature for particularly high baking temperatures. For New York style or Roman pizza, the main burner is generally more than sufficient. The booster burner is primarily used when genuine Neapolitan temperatures between 420 and 450 °C are required.
Can the booster burner damage the pizza stone?
Only if the turntable is not running. If the pizza stone is stationary while the booster burner is on, the localised overheating can damage the stone. The turntable must therefore always be running while the booster burner is in operation.
What does the LCD display show when the booster burner is running?
The display shows a dedicated booster burner symbol as soon as it is active. In addition, the AMBIENT (oven air) and STONE (pizza stone) temperatures are shown separately, so the current preheating progress can be read at any time.
How can I tell whether the booster burner has actually ignited?
The booster burner flame is directly visible through the inspection opening on the side of the oven. A stable, blue flame confirms that the burner has ignited and is operating correctly.
How long should the oven preheat before I activate the booster burner?
Witt recommends first bringing the oven to operating temperature with the main burner for approximately 15 to 20 minutes before activating the booster burner. This ensures the oven chamber is already sufficiently warm when the booster burner raises the stone temperature further.
In summary:
The booster burner in the Witt ETNA Rotante Control 16" is the key component for genuine high-temperature pizza. Together with the main burner and the rotating pizza stone, it forms a perfectly coordinated system capable of reaching Neapolitan oven temperatures of up to 450 °C. The turntable must always be running – it protects the pizza stone and ensures even heat distribution. The simple operation via the right rotary knob and monitoring via the inspection opening make it easy and safe to use. At Leuchtenland.com, you will find the Witt ETNA Rotante Control 16" along with matching Witt accessories.