Nothing beats having a good time with your family in the backyard and enjoying a freshly baked pizza. However, instead of cooking it with your boring indoor kitchen oven, everyone can watch you bake their favorite delicious-smelling pizza on the back patio using an open fire pizza oven! Whether you decide on a built-in oven or a portable one, pizza ovens are a must-have appliance for any serious grill master.
In this guide, we will take a look at what I consider some of the best outdoor pizza ovens in their respected categories. Apart from that, we will also take a deep-dive into pizza ovens as a whole and see how to compare different models based on their type and features.
Outdoor Pizza Ovens Comparison Chart
Product | Fuel Type | Max Pizza Capacity | Maximum Temperature | Our Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ooni Pro 16 | Multi-Fuel | 16 inches | 950° (F) | |
ROCCBOX by Gozney | Gas | 12 Inches | 950° (F) | |
Bertello Pizza Oven | Multi-Fuel | 12 Inches | 930° (F) | |
BakerStone Gas Oven | Gas | 13 Inches | 800° (F) | |
Deco Chef Oven | Charcoal Pellets | 13 Inches | 950° (F) | |
Betty Crocker BC-2958CR | Electricity | 12 Inches | 500° (F) | |
Brevile Pizza Maker | Electricity | 10 Inches | 660° (F) | |
Presto Pizzazz | Electricity | 12 Inches | N/A | |
U-Max Pizza Oven | Wood-fired | 12 Inches | 700° (F) |
Best Overall – Ooni Pro 16 Outdoor Pizza Oven
In the world of pizza ovens, there is one brand that reigns supreme. That brand is Ooni and their Pro 16 Outdoor Pizza Oven is one of (if not the) best options you can possibly get currently. If you ignore its steep price tag for a moment, this truly is a well-built portable outdoor oven that can use multiple fuel types.
No matter the fuel type, though, this oven can reach its peak temperature of 950 degrees (Fahrenheit) in around 20 minutes. This is possible thanks to great interior space design and good thermal insulation. This makes the Ooni Pro 16 a good choice for colder locations and open spaces. Temperatures that high can not only cook your pizza but do it fast. And the faster you cook your pizza, the more you will preserve its ingredients, its nutritional value, and most importantly – its flavor. In terms of its exterior design, the Pro 16 features a steel body that has a large front door and two handles that make carrying it much easier. In the front, you also have a window to check on your pizza as well as a thermometer.
The interior cooking surface is large enough to accommodate 16-inch pizzas, as well as a multitude of other dishes that can be cooked here. These include baked fish, veggie dishes, and more!
With this oven, you can also get some of the accessories that the brand offers. Some of the good ones include a 14″ perforated pizza peel, a cover for the oven, and a gas burner accessory that will convert your oven to one that can use gas for cooking. While these are great, the prices of these options follow the trend of the main oven and aren’t exactly cheap. That is, in fact, one of my biggest issues with this particular model, and is the reason why most people on a budget won’t be able to afford it.
Pros
- Can use multiple fuel types
- Heats up very fast
- Reaches 950 degrees Fahnreheit
- Can cook a pizza in a minute
- Fits 16-inch pizzas
- Fairly portable
- Premium b uild quality
Cons
- Very expensive
- Accessories aren’t included
- To convert to gas you need additional accessories
Best Portable – ROCCBOX by Gozney Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven
With outdoor pizza ovens, portability is often a major factor. You want to be able to quickly set them up and then put them back in storage when not in use. That’s why brands like ROCCBOX have designed their ovens in a way to give you both practicality and functionality. Their Gas Outdoor Pizza Oven is one of the better models on the market. And despite the fact that it comes with a similar price tag to the Ooni oven, it does have a few features that help make it a desirable choice.
Thanks to the premium gas installation, this oven can heat up relatively fast and reach temperatures as high as 950 degrees Fahrenheit. That, combined with the dense stone floor and rolling flame technology, results in a deliciously cooked pizza in around 60 seconds! The overall construction of this oven uses stainless steel like most other models in this price class. What’s unique here, however, is the fact that you can detach the dual gas burners from it and fold the legs. This makes the oven extremely practical and compact, allowing you to store it in tight spaces.
One thing that I particularly like about this oven is its heat retention. Not only is that good for cooking pizzas and other dishes, but it is also a great safety feature. Thanks to its silicone outer shell, the outer surface barely gets hot enough to burn your skin, which can be easy to do when using standard metal ovens.
Unfortunately, there are a few downsides here. Apart from the price, this oven isn’t suited to use alternative fuel sources like wood, charcoal, or pellets. That is a major disadvantage for people that do not have the proper gas installation or don’t want to deal with propane tanks. Still, if you’re fine with cooking with gas, this is a highly portable option that will make every gathering a delicious memory!
Pros
- Premium design and build quality
- Easy to move around
- Detachable burners
- Retractable legs
- Reaches high temperatures
- Cooks pizzas fast
Cons
- Expensive
- Cannot use other fuel sources apart from gas
- Cannot hold pizzas bigger than 12 inches
Best Multi-Fuel – Bertello Outdoor Pizza Oven
The Bertello Outdoor Pizza Oven is a practical multi-fuel model that is highly capable and won’t burn a hole through your pocket. Compared to other cookers, it features a simpler design and isn’t as big as some Ooni models but, in my opinion, it is great for families and small gatherings.
This oven is primarily a wood-burning unit, but it can use gas to heat up. Unfortunately, the gas attachment doesn’t come in the box and is sold separately. No matter the fuel, though, it can reach temperatures of around 930 degrees Fahrenheit, which is much higher than your regular house oven. That temperature cooks pizzas extremely fast and depending on your fuel type, gives them an authentic flavor that only built-in ovens typically do. The inside cooking surface of the Bertello oven is 12.5 by 13.5 inches, meaning it can easily accommodate a 12-inch pizza. While that isn’t huge, it still is big enough for small families or gatherings.
With the oven, you also get a wood chip scoop and a pellet tray that will help you if you decide on burning different types of fuels inside. The bottom part of the cooking surface is also cordierite stone which is known for its amazing pizza baking properties. As a whole, there aren’t many multi-fuel ovens in this price range, so this one seems like a no-brainer if you’re looking for something that won’t be handicapped by the lack of firewood or gas installation. On top of that, it is fairly portable and easy to store.
Pros
- Not very expensive
- Great for small families
- Can use multiple fuel types
- Cordierite stone cooking surface
- Heats up relatively fast
- Reaches 930 degrees Fahrenheit
Cons
- Maximum pizza size is 12 inches
- Struggles to reach high temperatures in windy conditions
- Gas attachment isn’t included
Best Gas Pizza Oven – BakerStone Portable Gas Pizza Oven
The BakerStone Portable Gas Pizza Oven proves that gas ovens don’t have to be unnecessarily difficult to use nor they have to be expensive. It is a simple, yet highly portable and capable oven that is perfect for dinner with your family and friends!
This small oven has a 25,000 BTU gas burner unit on the inside that allows it to reach temperatures of up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit. While that temperature isn’t as high as some other gas and wood-burning ovens out there, it still can cook a pizza nicely in under 2-3 minutes. The compact and closed design of the oven also contributes to high heat retention. Moreover, this oven is surprisingly spacious and can fit pizzas up to 13-inches big.
The whole unit is relatively easy to assemble and comes in two parts – a pizza oven box and a firebox that houses the gas burner and the regulators. On top of the stainless steel body, you have a thermometer to show you when the oven has reached the desired temperature. One thing that I do not like is that despite its relatively low peak temperature, it sometimes struggles to maintain it on its highest setting. This makes it a less-than-ideal option for people that want to use it in truly outdoor conditions in their backyard.
What’s unique about this grill is that you can remove the top part and instead add other optional accessories. Those include a half griddle half grill, a full griddle, or even grill grates. This makes the BakerStone oven not only a great gas unit but also a highly practical one that is a good all-in-one choice for families that like to cook multiple types of food.
Pros
- Great price
- Can become a gas grill
- Folding legs
- Relatively compact design
- Can fit 13 inch pizzas
- Easy to use and clean
- Built-in thermometer
Cons
- Doesn’t reach very high temperatures
- Takes more time to cook pizzas compared to other ovens
- Additional accessories are sold separately
- Windy conditions prevent it from reaching its peak temperature
Best Charcoal-Fired – Deco Chef Outdoor Pizza Oven
The Deco Chef Outdoor Pizza Oven brings you the quality that most Ooni models do but at a fraction of the cost. On the outside, it does look oddly similar to the most expensive ovens on the market, but on the inside, it has a few major differences. For instance, it isn’t a multi-fuel oven, which restricts its practicality a bit. Still, there are plenty of cool features and additional accessories you get here that more than make up for that.
On the outside, this oven is built from high-grade stainless steel which has great heat retention capabilities. It features a familiar front-chimney design with a large metal handle in the middle. That handle helps the oven to be quite practical and portable. In front of the chimney, right above the oven opening sits a built-in thermometer that gives you an accurate reading of the peak temperature inside. Speaking of the peak temperature, this oven can easily reach 950 degrees (Fahrenheit) in around 20-25 minutes if the conditions are right. What I mean by that is that wind often causes this oven to struggle a bit to reach its maximum temperature which can translate to slower cooking times or even unevenly baked pizzas. Luckily, though, there is a door included in the assembly package which further helps with heat retention and allows for faster heat-up times.
To load the charcoal or wood pellets in the oven, you have to use the removable fuel tray. It is relatively easy to slide in and out and to clean after you’re done cooking. Once the fuel is burning and the oven reaches its desired temperatures, it can cook pizzas in around one minute. As to the internal capacity, it can fit pizzas anywhere up to 14 inches, even though I recommend cooking pizzas no bigger than 12 inches for a more evenly baked pizza!
In the box, you will get a safe handle for the oven door, a removable fuel tray, a stainless steel pizza peel, a pizza baking stone, a stainless steel dough scraper, a steel scoop, and a stainless steel slotted grill with a tray. All those accessories make this oven one of the most versatile on this list and a unique type of product, especially considering the relatively low price tag.
Pros
- Stainless steel construction
- Comes with a ton of accessories
- Easy to maintain
- Portable design
- Heats up to 950 degrees
- Easy to assemble
- Can double as a grill
- Excellent price
Cons
- No gas compatibility
- Burns the crust on some bigger (14-15 inch) pizzas
Best Built-in Model – BrickWood Ovens Outdoor Pizza Oven Kit
Built-in ovens are often much more expensive than portable outdoor ones but are they worth it? Well, if you don’t have to worry about a tight budget and have the space to work with, I would suggest at least considering having a more permanent oven built into your outdoor kitchen. Apart from pizzas, these are great for grilling and cooking all sorts of other foods. They are also larger, easier to use, and have a more authentic feel to them that ultimately translates to the pizza itself.
The BrickWood Ovens Outdoor Pizza Oven Kit is one of my favorite models on the market right now because it comes at a fairly reasonable price (for a built-in oven), looks amazing, and performs even better. Thanks to its 700 square inches of cooking surface, this is by far the biggest oven on this list and can easily accommodate a party of up to 15 people. This is where built-in ovens truly shine and is one of the main reasons people get them.
The oven itself can get as hot as 1200 degrees Fahrenheit which is super hot when compared even to some of the best portable outdoor models. That allows it to fully cook large 16-inch pizzas in literally minutes. The oven itself is a mold that can be finished and decorated in a design of your choice. The main part is a foam structure which is then completed with a layer of heat-resistant bricks and additional thermal insulation. There are detailed instructions included with the materials in the box. On the company’s site, there are countless illustrations, detailed construction steps, and a materials list that can all help you build the oven of your dreams.
Pros
- Decent price for such a large oven
- 700 square inches cooking surface
- Large front opening
- 1200 degrees peak temperature
- Can cook multiple dishes and pizzas at once
- Can be finished to your liking
- Tons of illustrations and building steps on the company’s site
Cons
- Expensive compared to some portable outdoor ovens
- Requires a lot of space
- Takes time to be built properly
Best Compact Countertop – Betty Crocker BC-2958CR Pizza Maker
Moving on to some more unorthodox pizza ovens in the face of the Betty Crocker BC-2958CR Pizza Maker. This model strays a bit far from what an actual pizza oven is, but it still is a perfect pizza-making tool. It uses a stainless steel cooker that can house a 12-inch pizza and cook it in around 10 minutes.
The evenly distributed heat on the inside cooks your pizzas perfectly by also adding a bit of crispness to your crust. It has a non-stick coating which prevents any type of food you cook in it stick on either the top or bottom surface. Moreover, the cooking surfaces are super easy to clean with just a damp cloth. On top of the pizza maker, there is a self-regulated thermostat that will give you the green light whenever the temperature inside reaches the ideal range. While the maximum temperature here isn’t as high as some gas or wood-fired ovens, it still is enough to cook a pizza in less than 10-15 minutes.
The oval shape of this pizza maker is also ideal for other foods such as frittatas, quesadillas, and more! As a whole, this easy-to-store and to clean multi-cooking device is a budget version for anyone looking for a tool to make delicious pizza without having to invest a ton into a built-in oven or a high-quality portable one.
Pros
- Compact design
- Easy to clean
- Fits 12-inch pizzas
- Good for other foods
- Energy efficient
- Ready-to-bake indicator light
Cons
- Doesn’t add the authentic flavor of a wood-fired oven
- Not great for larger pizzas
- Takes its time to evenly bake a pizza
Best Electric – Brevile Pizza Maker
Jumping from one electric pizza cooker to another electric model, the Brevile Pizza Maker is a premium yet super easy to use cooking tool that can make delicious 11-inch pizzas in no time! It is again a countertop electric model, but this one is a bit heavier and harder to carry around all the time, unlike the much lighter Betty Crocker pizza maker. Also, unlike cheaper models in its category, it uses ceramic plates to heat up and cook your pizza.
The ceramic plates have another advantage as well – they allow for higher temperatures on average. That means that the pizza will be baked faster. Faster cooking times translate to better preserved taste and richer nutritional value out of your pizza. From the moment you turn it on, it takes approximately 5-10 minutes to reach its full temperature, depending on where you place it. The internal cooking surface is 11-inches, although it works best for 10-inch pizzas. It also does an excellent job at uniformly cooking the pizza all-around its topping. On top of that, it also takes care of the crust’s crispiness.
As a whole, if you’re looking for something practical, easy to use, and even easier to clean, this is the perfect cooking product to put on your shortlist. It can fit anywhere, heats up fast, and makes a delicious oven-like pizza in less than 15 minutes!
Pros
- Ceramic plates
- Easy to store
- Very easy to clean
- Heats up fast
- Super easy to use on small pizzas
- Portable
Cons
- Not ideal for larger pizzas
- Needs electricity to run
- Doesn’t heat up to very high temperatures
Best Rotating Oven – Presto 03430 Pizzazz Plus Rotating Oven
Another electric oven that is definitely worth mentioning is the Presto Pizzazz. It is one of the most famous rotating ovens out there and is so unique that it birthed a whole separate niche of pizza makers. Just like other electric pizza makers, it uses a ceramic plate to heat up the pizza and bake it evenly. The unique part here, however, is that it also uses a heater that stays on top of the pizza cooks everything beneath it. The bottom nonstick baking pan rotates throughout the whole process, giving your pizza an even exposure to the extreme heat of the heater on top.
Compared to other electric heaters, this one reaches higher temperatures and is far more energy-efficient. Unfortunately, the company hasn’t disclosed the exact temperature that their top and bottom heaters reach. The good news is that it must be pretty high because it doesn’t take long for a medium-sized pizza to be fully cooked.
When cooking, the Pizzazz’s heaters can be both turned on simultaneously or turned on individually depending on what you want to cook or pre-heat. You also have another knob that lets you select the length of cooking time. Typically, a medium-sized pizza is done within 10 minutes but thanks to the open design of this rotating oven, you can watch your pizza and see when it is ready. As a whole, for this price, there are few ovens out there that can get the job done so fast and so efficiently. While it does rely on electricity, it is far more practical and easy to maintain compared to more expensive wood-fired ovens.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Compact design
- Dual heaters
- Can bake 12-inch pizzas
- Heats up rather fast
- Unique rotational cooking method
- Can be used for other foods
Cons
- Lacks the authentic oven-baked flavor
- Takes more time to cook a pizza than a traditional oven
- Doesn’t fit large pizzas
Best Budget – U-Max Outdoor Pizza Oven
Last on this list is a traditional wood-fired pizza oven that is also one of your cheapest options if you are on a tight budget. The U-Max Outdoor Pizza is really a down-to-the-basics model that does everything just right. It has a portable and also multi-functional design that allows you to not only cook pizzas but also plenty of other foods for a large group of people.
Thanks to its wood-fired mechanism and high-grade steel shell, this oven can reach temperatures of up to around 700 degrees Fahrenheit. This will be more than enough to cook a medium-sized pizza for less than 5 minutes. Unfortunately, a medium-sized pizza is also all that it would fit since the cooking surface is just 12 inches. That is one of its biggest drawbacks as far as I am concerned. Everything else here is really well-thought-out. There is an option to open and close your chimney, which will help you reach the desired temperature faster. On top of the oven, you also get a thermometer that shows the inside temperature in Fahrenheit and Celsius. Also, thanks to its two big wheels at the bottom, you can move it around your patio fairly easily.
Even with its budget price tag, this oven manages to sneak a ton of accessories into the package. With it, you get a waterproof cover, a metal pizza peel, and a pizza stone. The cover is great in case you don’t want to move the oven too much. All in all, for the price you’re paying here, you get plenty of accessories and a highly-functional wood-fired pizza oven that is great for families and small gatherings!
Pros
- Excellent price
- Quite a few included accessories
- Reaches its temperature fast
- Double thermometer
- Has a chimney that can be closed shut
- Easy to move around thanks to wheels
Cons
- Small cooking surface
- Doesn’t have the option to work with pellets or on gas
- Not as portable as other outdoor ovens
- Doesn’t reach a very high peak temperature
Outdoor Pizza Ovens Buyer’s Guide
When shopping for a pizza oven, there will be countless things to consider. From the type of oven, through all the individual features, all the way to actually learning how to make a homemade pizza, everything might seem confusing at first. However, I promise you that by the time you are done reading this section of the guide, you will be an expert in outdoor pizza ovens and will know exactly what to look for in one! Let’s first start with the individual types of ovens you can buy nowadays…
Types of Outdoor Pizza Ovens
There are a few ways in which we can categorize outdoor pizza ovens. Most commonly, they are identified based on their fuel:
- Gas pizza ovens
- Wood pizza ovens
- Charcoal pizza ovens
- Multi-fuel pizza ovens
- Grill inserts
Gas pizza ovens
Gas ovens are among the easiest and cleanest to use. The reason for that is because the gas inflow is easily controllable and the oven reaches its temperature rather quickly, especially when compared to wood and charcoal ovens. Furthermore, there is no ash you have to clean after every cookout. These ovens work with either natural gas or propane tanks.
Wood pizza ovens
Next up are some of the oldest and most common pizza ovens. These wood-burning ovens give some of the most authentic and flavor-rich tastes to pizzas. The reason for that is the smoky flavor that burning wood gives the pizza crust. They are, however, hard to start, and even harder to maintain at the right temperature. After you’re done using them, they are also harder to clean in general.
Wood-burning pizza ovens have one obvious advantage over gas and electric ones, though. They don’t require any type of connection to the electric grid or to a propane tank. They can be used for camping and even a remote location in your backyard. In terms of temperatures developed inside, they are on par with gas grills and slightly hotter than most electric ovens. Another advantage is that they are, on average, cheaper than gas grills.
Almost all built-in ovens work by burning wood, pellets, or charcoal.
Charcoal pizza ovens
Charcoal pizza ovens are extremely similar to wood-burning ones. Typically, they have a compartment that you can place the burning charcoals in. Unlike wood-burning ovens and grills, though, these are a bit easier to start up and keep maintained at the right temperature.
Multi-fuel pizza ovens
As their name suggests, these ovens are built to use multiple types of fuel. They are the most versatile but are, unfortunately, also the most expensive out there. Make sure you check if they come with any gas connections, as in most cases the accessories for gas usage are sold separately. If you’re looking for a more permanent solution for your outdoor grilling station, this is it.
Grill inserts
There are also gas oven inserts that can connect to your existing gas grill. That way, they can be put on top and serve as a pizza-making attachment that is easily stored away when not needed.
Additionally, pizza ovens can be divided into stationary and portable ones. The stationary ovens are most often built into your house or built anew around your outdoor kitchen. Portable ones are most commonly made out of steel and feature different designs ranging from traditional grill-like ovens to metal boxes with just enough room for a large pizza on the inside.
Now, let’s go through all the features that you need to pay attention to when buying your first pizza oven…
How to Pick an Outdoor Pizza Oven
One of the most confusing factors when buying an outdoor pizza oven is that there are simply way too many models. They are all different in terms of the fuel they use, their overall design, size, materials, and more. To be able to properly distinguish between all of the models and make an educated choice on your first pizza oven, you need to have the necessary information about each of its features. That’s why we will now go through all of the points of interest of a common oven and see what role they play in the overall functionality and usability of any product in the niche. Here are all those features, not necessarily ranked based on their importance:
- Fuel source
- Size
- Design & Materials
- Insulation
- Portability
- Heating time & Cooking surface
- Installation
- Price & Warranty
Fuel source
While we already discussed the different types of fuel sources for your oven, we didn’t really rank them based on the important factors. In terms of price, gas ovens are often the most expensive ones, along with multi-fuel models. Charcoal and wood-burning are generally cheaper with pellet-burning ovens being slightly more expensive than those, as they require a separate burner. Electric ovens are the cheapest but they are also the least effective when it comes to cooking a delicious oven-baked pizza.
Based on how quickly they heat up, gas and electric ovens definitely take the lead. Gas ovens do heat up to higher temperatures, though, which is often good for pizza baking. Wood, charcoal, and pellet-burning ovens take more time to heat up but do reach the same high temperatures as gas models.
Lastly, based on how easy it is to maintain and clean, gas and electric ovens again take the lead. Any type of oven or grill that uses wood, pellets, or charcoal, tends to be quite difficult to keep clean. Moreover, these types of ovens require you to clean up the ash every time you use them.
Size
With size, there is one very important thing to remember – a bigger oven isn’t always the better choice. The reason for that is because bigger ovens take much more time to heat and often distribute the heat unevenly. Small ovens, on the other hand, are fast to heat up and can cook a medium-sized pizza much quicker and much more evenly.
As a whole, there are plenty of small ovens that are good for a small-sized pizza. They don’t lack the quality of a big professional oven, however, and are an excellent bang for your buck. That is especially so if you’re limited by space and can only afford to get a countertop or portable oven. Small ovens also have the great advantage of being super energy-efficient, fast to heat up, and are incredibly easy to store away when you don’t need them.
Design & Materials
The design of the oven is essential to its functionality. What I want to say by that is that there are ovens which are simply designed better than others. Pizza ovens are made so that they suck cold air from a front opening. That cold air then gets sucked from the lower pressure around the fire and then gets thrown upwards and towards the front where the pizza is placed. That’s why most chimneys are also at the front. That type of design allows for hot air to circulate through the oven carrying flavors and scents along the way. Built-in ovens are especially good at what I just described and make for the best, most evenly cooked pizzas. Not everyone can afford the money and space for a large built-in oven, though. That’s why most portable outdoor models focus on a similar design but on a much smaller scale.
Another important thing for heat distribution is the materials used in the oven.
Insulation
While portable outdoor pizza ovens won’t necessarily have the best insulation, it is certainly worth mentioning this feature for anyone who’s eyeing a built-in model. Insulation is key in maintaining consistently high temperatures throughout the whole cooking process. If there are cracks in the insulation, you might end up with a partially or unevenly cooked pizza (or any other food for that matter). Most companies will deliver special materials that will insulate the dome and the heart of the oven. These must also be inspected once every few years to make sure they are in good shape and not cracked or damaged.
Portability
Obviously, not everyone thinks of pizza ovens as something portable but whenever space is tight, having one that can be actually moved around and out of the way is amazing. That is why most people that live in apartments and have balconies, prefer getting a smaller but highly portable oven. Not only do these heat up faster and are more efficient but they are also much cheaper as a whole. Portable pizza ovens that burn wood or charcoal are also great for going out hiking in the mountains or on a vacation. They are great for all sorts of other foods too, making them a perfect cooking companion.
Heating time & Cooking surface
With almost any outdoor grill or oven, the heat-up time is very important. When comparing ovens, how fast they heat up to the ideal pizza-baking temperature depends on two things. One is their overall design and the build quality. The other is the oven’s airflow. Good airflow means faster heat-up times and better thermal regulation and distribution. The materials of the oven also play a major role in heat retention which is an important factor in wood and charcoal ovens.
Another important thing with ovens is their cooking surface. We already touched this briefly when we discussed the sizes of different ovens. Still, as a rule of thumb, make sure you get an oven that can cook as big of a pizza that you will need for you, your family, or your friends. Larger ovens could allow you to cook two pizzas at once. Getting a large oven, however, is expensive and you might not end up using it to its full capacity. That can end up costing you a lot of burned fuel for a small-sized pizza.
My opinion is that ovens that can bake a 16-inch pizza are ideal. These pizzas are large enough for a medium-sized family or a gathering of friends. On top of that, the oven itself won’t be too bulky and won’t take up that much space.
Installation
Something people often fail to consider is the installation process of some pizza ovens. While it is most important for built-in models, gas ovens also require certain considerations. For instance, you have to make sure that there is a proper gas installation at the place you want the oven to work. Wood-burning, charcoal, and pellet grills basically don’t have an installation process as you only have to set up their legs and they will be ready to go.
Another thing to keep in mind when installing your pizza oven is the location. Just like grills, these ovens are easily influenced by the weather around them. Consider a spot without too much wind as that can result in temperature fluctuations inside your oven. These fluctuations can ruin a good pizza by not cooking it evenly.
Price & Warranty
The price of pizza ovens varies greatly and there is a good reason for that. On the lower end of the spectrum, you have very cheap electric models that can fit an 8-12 inch pizza. They are typically easy to store, transport, and use. However, as the size goes up, you get introduced to certain gas and wood-burning models. These are typically in the $200-$500 dollar range. Above that are only the premium brands and some built-in models. While the money for a built-in pizza oven might seem like a lot at first, it is a great long-term investment, especially if you love to have lots of outdoor cookouts with friends and family!
Lastly, look at the warranty of the oven. Most cheap pizza ovens come with a limited 1 or 2-year warranty. However, models from well-known brands often come with a warranty of up to 5 years. Some models even have a lifetime warranty on their materials. Additionally, some companies offer free maintenance for their models if something was to go wrong.
To learn some finger-licking homemade pizza recipes, click here!
The Benefits of Owning a Pizza Oven
While traditional ways of cooking pizza will produce delicious results, there is no denying that there is something special about an oven-baked pizza. Along with the authenticity of the process, come a ton of other benefits. Some of the main ones include:
- Reduced Cooking Times – Kitchen cooking ovens often heat up faster than charcoal, gas, or wood-fired outdoor ones. They do, however, take a lot more time to properly cook a pizza, often taking more than half an hour to bake it. Outdoor ovens tend to heat up slowly but develop higher temperatures and distribute their heat evenly. All that results in faster cooking times. You can fully cook a pizza in an oven in around 10-15 minutes which is significantly less time needed.
- Improved Pizza/Food Flavors – Apart from the even temperature distribution that mixes the flavors nicely, there is also a smoky flavor added to your pizza when you take it out of the oven. This authentic oven taste is one of the many reasons these baked pizzas taste much better than traditional frozen or kitchen-made ones.
- Nutrient Retention – That same reduced cooking time ovens have contributes to another important factor. It helps food retain its nutritional values as well as its antioxidant properties. This makes pizzas taste better and makes them healthier at the same time.
- Multi-cooking use – Pizza ovens aren’t always used to bake pizzas. In fact, you can check out this article of mine where I go through all the different alternative recipes you can use in order to get the most out of your oven when you aren’t in the mood for a pizza!
- Saving Energy – For people that want to cut their energy costs down, an outdoor grill or oven is a great place to start. Indoor electric ovens and cookers use a ton of energy and aren’t very efficient. While outdoor ovens do burn an alternative fuel, they are much lighter on your energy bill.
Contrary to all that, the only major disadvantage I can think of is the price. These ovens are pricey and can get even more expensive if you decide to go for a built-in one. Moreover, models that aren’t gas-powered or use electricity, will take quite a lot of preparation and time to properly heat up.
If you want to learn more on how to use different brick oven cooking techniques, make sure you read my detailed article on that topic!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much would it cost to build an outdoor pizza oven?
Since pizza ovens are often built separately from any other grill you have, they tend to cost quite a lot of money. A good one will set you back anywhere between $1,000 to $4,000 dollars. The best ones will run between $5,000 and $10,000. You can save a lot of money by doing the work by yourself but even then the materials are still going to bulk up that initial investment, especially if you use high-quality thermal bricks.
Why are brick pizza ovens better?
Brick pizza ovens store more heat than any other type out there. This makes them cook the pizza faster than most ovens. Moreover, the heat trapped in the bricks is going to be released in a more even manner, cooking the pizza well from all sides.
What is the best temperature for a pizza oven?
The best temperature to cook pizza in an oven is around 350 degrees (Fahrenheit). That will cook all the ingredients on the pizza in no time and will also give the crust a crunchy feel. If you’re using a thicker dough, set the temperature around 50 degrees lower.
How much time does a pizza need to be cooked?
The goal of pizza making is to bake the pizza until the crust is brown and the cheese gets a gold color. For ovens that are heated to around 450 degrees, that should happen in no more than 15 minutes. For added taste, you can put a bit more cheese right at the very end and leave the pizza in the oven for a few extra minutes.
Is wood-fired pizza healthy?
As a rule of thumb, the faster you cook something, the more healthy it will be. The reason for that is because the ingredients and spices on top of the pizza are able to retain much of their nutritional value and antioxidants when cooked fast (as opposed to being cooked slowly at high temperatures). That is why wood-fired pizzas not only are healthier but have a much better taste than the ones cooked for longer periods in a traditional electric kitchen oven.
Final Words
When you’re looking for the best outdoor pizza ovens on the market, you will have to take a few things into consideration. The main one is the fuel type of the oven. Gas ovens heat up faster but are also reliant on a gas installation, often require maintenance, and aren’t as safe as charcoal or electric ones. Ovens that use wood, pellets, or charcoals are very easy to operate and give the pizza a much more authentic smoky flavor. Lastly, electric ovens and pizza makers are by far the cheapest and most practical but are no different from baking the pizza inside your kitchen oven and lack the authenticity of wood-burning models.