December has a funny way of making big backyard ideas suddenly feel urgent. One minute you are planning Christmas lunch, the next you are picturing friends gathered around a wood-fired oven, pizzas sliding out, roasts cooking away, and summer evenings that actually feel special. If a brick oven has been on your wish list for a while, this is the month when it finally makes sense.
The good news is that installing a wood-fired brick oven before Christmas is far more achievable than most people think. With a quality brick oven kit, the hardest parts of the build are already taken care of. The bricks are precut, the design is proven, and the installation can realistically fit into holiday downtime without turning into a never-ending project.
A brick oven is not just a Christmas upgrade, either. It becomes the centre of summer entertaining, weekend cooking, family gatherings, and those casual nights where everyone ends up in the backyard because the oven is still warm. This guide walks you through what is realistically involved in getting a wood-fired brick oven installed in time for Christmas and ready to enjoy all summer long, so you can decide if now is the right time to make it happen.
Is It Possible to Install a Wood Fired Brick Oven Before Christmas?
We get asked this every year, and honestly, the concern is always the same. People assume a brick oven is a long, messy project that takes months and ends up half finished by the time Christmas rolls around.
That assumption usually comes from custom builds.
When every brick is cut by hand, and the design is worked out on the fly, timelines blow out quickly. We have seen it happen plenty of times. What starts as an exciting idea can turn into a slow, stop-start build that drags well past summer.
Brick oven kits are a completely different story.
With a proper kit, the bricks arrive precut, the layout is already planned, and the build follows a clear process from start to finish. From experience, this alone removes the biggest delays. There is far less guesswork, far fewer setbacks, and a lot more momentum once the build begins.
In real-world terms, many of our customers assemble their brick oven over a few focused days, especially if the base or slab is already prepared. Add in curing time and a bit of weather flexibility, and it is still very realistic to have the oven installed and ready to fire up before Christmas.
The biggest factor is not speed; it is preparation.
Ordering your kit with enough lead time, planning delivery, and setting aside uninterrupted build days make everything smoother. We often see people take advantage of pre-Christmas downtime, and that is when these projects come together quickly.
Based on what we see every season, installing a wood-fired brick oven before Christmas is not a gamble. With the right kit and a bit of planning, it is a proven, achievable build that sets you up for Christmas cooking and a long summer of entertaining.
Why a Brick Oven Kit Is the Fastest Way to Get Cooking This Summer
From what we have seen over the years, the biggest difference between a smooth brick oven build and a frustrating one comes down to one thing. Preparation.
Custom builds sound appealing, but they are where time disappears. Every brick needs measuring, cutting, adjusting, and re-adjusting. Even experienced builders can lose days just getting the dome shape right. That is usually where projects stall.
Brick oven kits remove that entire layer of complexity.
With a kit, the bricks are already precut to the correct shape and size. The dome geometry is sorted before anything arrives on site. Instead of figuring things out as you go, you are following a proven system that fits together properly the first time.
We regularly see customers make more progress in a single weekend with a kit than in weeks into a custom build.
Another big advantage is how well kits suit DIY installation. Many people build their ovens during holiday downtime, spreading the work over a few relaxed days rather than rushing through it. Because the hardest technical parts are already handled, the build stays enjoyable instead of stressful.
The result is simple. Less time cutting and correcting, more time actually building, and far less chance of delays that push the project past summer. If your goal is to be cooking sooner rather than later, a brick oven kit is hands down the fastest and most reliable way to get there.
What You Need in Place to Install Before Christmas
A Solid Base or Slab Ready to Go
From experience, this is the biggest factor in keeping a build on schedule. Your base or slab does not need to be fancy, but it does need to be level, stable, and fully prepared before the kit arrives. When this part is done early, the rest of the installation flows far more smoothly.
Allowing Enough Time for Delivery
Delivery timing matters more in December than in any other month. Ordering your brick oven kit with enough lead time avoids last-minute stress, especially as couriers and freight networks get busier closer to Christmas. We always see the smoothest builds come from customers who plan deliveries well in advance.
Setting Aside Realistic Build Time
Most successful builds are spread over a few days rather than rushed into one. Having uninterrupted blocks of time makes the process far more enjoyable and keeps mistakes to a minimum. Holiday downtime often works in your favour here.
Basic Tools and an Extra Set of Hands
You do not need specialist equipment or a trade background, but having basic tools ready makes a noticeable difference. An extra pair of hands also helps, whether it is a partner, family member, or friend. Many people turn the build into a shared project, which adds to the experience.
With these elements in place before you start, installing a brick oven before Christmas feels organised and achievable rather than rushed or stressful.
How Long Does a Brick Oven Kit Take to Install?
This is where expectations really matter, and from experience, this is also where people are usually pleasantly surprised.
A brick oven kit installation is not a single-day sprint. It is a short project with clear stages, each building on the last. When people understand that rhythm, the whole process feels far more manageable.
For most builds, the oven itself is assembled over a few focused days. This is especially true when the base is already prepared, and the kit is ready to go. Because the bricks are precut and the layout is predetermined, progress is steady and predictable rather than stop-start.
After assembly comes curing time. This part cannot be rushed, but it does not require constant work either. The oven needs time for moisture to escape gradually so the structure settles properly. In practical terms, this means small, controlled fires over several days rather than a single, long cooking session.
What we typically see is this:
- a few days to assemble
- a short curing period
Then the oven is ready for proper use.
When planned properly, that timeline fits comfortably into the lead-up to Christmas. Many customers assemble their ovens first, let curing happen naturally, and then enjoy their first proper cooks right when the entertaining season kicks off.
The key takeaway is this. You do not need weeks of uninterrupted labour. You need a realistic plan, a bit of patience during curing, and a kit that removes unnecessary delays. When those pieces line up, getting your brick oven ready for Christmas and summer is entirely achievable.
What You Can Cook in a Wood-Fired Oven This Christmas and Summer
One of the biggest surprises for new oven owners is just how versatile a wood-fired oven really is. Once it is fired up, it can handle everything from festive feasts to casual summer cooking with ease.
Perfect for Christmas cooking
• Roasted meats like lamb, pork, turkey, and chicken with rich wood-fired flavour
• Trays of vegetables roasted evenly alongside the main meal
• Seafood cooked hot and fast without drying out
• Fresh pizzas and flatbreads for feeding a crowd without stress
Ideal for summer entertaining
• Effortless pizza nights with friends and family
• Slow-cooked meats as the oven temperature naturally drops
• Skewers, baked fish, and vegetables for relaxed outdoor meals
• Fresh bread, focaccia, and even desserts using retained heat
One of the biggest advantages of a brick oven is heat retention. You can fire the oven once and cook across an entire day, starting hot and finishing slow, without constantly adding fuel.
By the time Christmas has passed, most people find their oven has already become the centre of summer entertaining. It is no longer just a special occasion feature. It becomes the place everyone naturally gathers around, all season long.
Why a Brick Oven Is the Ultimate Backyard Upgrade for Summer Entertaining
It Becomes the Natural Gathering Point
A brick oven naturally draws people together. Instead of cooking happening off to the side, it becomes the centre of attention. Guests gather around, conversations flow, and the whole experience feels more social and relaxed.
It Keeps You Out of the Kitchen
One of the biggest perks of a brick oven is that everything happens outdoors. You are not disappearing into the kitchen to prep or cook while everyone else is having fun. Cooking becomes part of the entertainment rather than a distraction from it.
It Works for Any Type of Get-Together
Whether it is a quiet family meal or a full backyard party, a brick oven adapts easily. You can cook for two or twenty without changing your setup. That flexibility is why these ovens get used far more often than people expect.
It Encourages Longer, More Relaxed Evenings
Because brick ovens retain heat and create warmth, people tend to stay outside longer. Meals stretch out, guests linger, and evenings feel unhurried. It turns casual catch-ups into memorable nights.
It Adds Lasting Value to Your Outdoor Space
A well-built brick oven is not a temporary feature. It is a permanent upgrade that enhances the look, function, and appeal of your backyard. Many homeowners see it as both a lifestyle improvement and a long-term investment.
Why The Wood Fired Co Brick Oven Kits Make Christmas Installation Achievable
Precut Bricks Remove the Biggest Time Drain
From experience, cutting and shaping bricks is where most brick oven builders lose momentum. With our kits, the bricks arrive precut and ready to assemble, which removes days of work and a lot of frustration. It allows the build to move forward smoothly rather than stalling early.
A Proven Design That Actually Fits Together
Each kit follows a tried-and-tested design, so you are not guessing as you go. The dome geometry, layout, and materials are already worked out, which means fewer mistakes and a far more predictable build. This is especially important when working to a Christmas deadline.
Clear Instructions That Keep the Build on Track
Good instructions matter. Our kits are designed to be followed step by step, making the process easier for DIY builders without a trade background. When people know what comes next, confidence stays high and progress stays steady.
Built for Heat Retention and Long-Term Use
These ovens are designed to hold heat for extended periods, not just for a single cook. That means once the oven is fired, it keeps working for hours. It is ideal for Christmas cooking and long summer days, where you want flexibility without constantly feeding the fire.
Support When You Need It
Even with a great kit, questions can come up. Having access to guidance and support makes a big difference, especially for first-time builders. We see time and again that this reassurance helps people move forward rather than hesitate.
Together, these elements remove the usual roadblocks that cause delays. That is why so many people can install their brick oven before Christmas and start enjoying it straight away, rather than pushing the project into the new year.
Ordering Your Brick Oven Kit in Time for Christmas
If you want your brick oven ready for Christmas or early summer, timing is everything. Ordering early allows time for delivery, base preparation, and a relaxed build without last-minute pressure.
If you prefer not to install the oven yourself, we can also arrange installation. This is a great option if you want the oven built professionally and ready to use without taking on the build yourself.
Even if Christmas comes quickly, ordering now still puts you perfectly set up for summer entertaining. The next step is choosing the brick oven kit that best suits your space and deciding whether to install it yourself or have it installed for you.
Ready to Get Your Brick Oven Installed Before Christmas?
If you are ready to enjoy wood-fired cooking this Christmas or set yourself up for a full summer of entertaining, now is the time to act. With the right brick oven kit and a bit of planning, getting it installed before Christmas is entirely achievable.
You can choose to install the oven yourself with one of our precut kits, or have it professionally installed by us so it is ready to enjoy without the build.
Explore our range of brick oven kits, check current availability, and take the next step toward a backyard setup that will be used and loved for years to come.