How to Use the Dome Gen 2 Neapolitan Arch for Better Baking

By Gozney | Published: 2026-10-20

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to install and use the Dome Gen 2 Neapolitan Arch to boost heat retention and bake perfect leopard-spotted Neapolitan pizzas at home.

Quick answer

Install the Neapolitan Arch on your Dome Gen 2 to narrow the oven mouth, trap more heat, and reach the high temperatures needed for authentic Neapolitan pizza in 45–60 seconds.

Why the arch matters for high-heat baking

The Neapolitan Arch reduces the opening size of your Dome Gen 2, which keeps more heat inside the oven. This lets the air temperature climb higher and stay stable, creating the ideal environment for fast, high-heat cooking. Without the arch, the oven still works well for many dishes, but it may not hold enough heat for the signature leopard-spotted crust that Neapolitan pizza requires.

When to skip the arch

If you plan to roast vegetables, bake bread, or cook low-and-slow dishes, leave the arch off. The full opening gives you more flexibility to monitor food, slide larger pans in, and maintain moderate temperatures. The arch is a specialty tool for Neapolitan-style pizza only.

Step-by-step guide

1. Preheat your Dome Gen 2 fully: Fire up your oven and let it reach full heat saturation. This usually takes 30–45 minutes. The stone and dome must be hot before you add the arch. A cold oven will not benefit from the arch — preheat thoroughly first.
2. Install the Neapolitan Arch: Once the oven is hot, carefully place the arch into the front opening. It should sit snugly against the oven mouth, narrowing the opening. Use heat-resistant gloves — the arch will get hot fast. Make sure the arch is fully seated and stable before proceeding.
3. Let the temperature recover: After installing the arch, wait 5–10 minutes for the internal air temperature to climb. The trapped heat will push the temperature toward 450°C (845°F). Use an infrared thermometer to check. Do not launch your pizza immediately — the oven needs time to stabilize at the higher temperature.
4. Launch and bake your pizza: Slide your Neapolitan-style pizza onto the stone. With the arch in place, the bake should take 45–60 seconds. Rotate the pizza once or twice for even cooking. Watch closely — the higher heat can char the crust faster than you expect.
5. Remove the arch after baking: Once your pizzas are done, carefully lift the arch out using heat-resistant gloves. Let it cool on a heat-safe surface before cleaning or storing. Leaving the arch in place during low-heat cooking may cause overheating or uneven results.

Product spotlight

Dome (Gen 2) Neapolitan Arch: The arch narrows the aperture of the oven mouth to enhance heat retention and allows the air temperature to reach a much higher temperature to cook the perfect Neapolitan pizza. This means you can consistently achieve the 450°C (845°F) needed for a 45–60 second bake, giving you that puffy, charred crust at home.
Dome (Gen 2) Neapolitan Arch