Why size matters for Armenian cooking
A tonir does more than bake one kind of bread. Lavash is pressed onto the hot clay wall in large, thin sheets. Khorovats is lowered on long skewers over the coals. Families cook for a crowd. All of that needs room: a wide mouth to work through and a big clay wall to bake on. That is why our tonirs come in large sizes - even for home.
- 36″ Charcoal Tonir - 17″ mouth. Our largest charcoal tonir.
- 34″ Charcoal Tonir - 16″ mouth. For openings narrower than 36″.
- Commercial gas tonirs - for bakeries, restaurants and banquet halls.
Is a GULATI tonir really clay inside?
Yes. Every GULATI tonir is a real clay pot - you bake on the clay wall, not on metal. Only the outer case is stainless steel. The steel protects the clay pot, keeps the outside easy to clean and carries the wheels.
What size tonir is best for lavash?
Bigger is better. A wide mouth makes it easier to reach in and press large sheets of dough onto the wall, and a tall clay wall gives the dough room. The 36″ tonir has a 17″ mouth and the 34″ a 16″ mouth; the 34″ suits gates or doorways narrower than 36″.
Charcoal or gas?
Charcoal gives the traditional fire and flavor many families want for khorovats. Gas is convenient and quick to light. Our 34″ and 36″ home tonirs cook on charcoal and can be fitted with a gas burner for $300, so you can have both. Commercial tonirs run on a 100,000 BTU gas burner.
Can I use a commercial tonir at home?
Our home tonirs are built on the same NSF/ANSI 4 certified body as our restaurant models, so you get commercial-grade construction in the backyard. Commercial gas tonirs are made for professional kitchens and are installed under an exhaust hood following local code.
How is a tonir delivered?
Tonirs ship by freight from New Jersey or Los Angeles, usually within 1 business day, and arrive in 3-5 business days. Freight is a flat $300 per tonir in the continental US. For Alaska and Hawaii, please call.
Do I need to prepare a new tonir before the first bake?
Yes. A new clay tonir is cured with a few gentle fires before you bake on the wall. Follow the curing steps in our preparation guide, and call us if you have any questions.
Preparation guide: how to prepare a GULATI clay oven for use. Still deciding? Send us a message or call (908) 208-3582.