An outdoor pizza oven can transform your backyard into a gourmet pizza kitchen, offering the perfect addition to your outdoor cooking arsenal. From quick weeknight dinners to weekend gatherings, a pizza oven can elevate your culinary game. This article explores the essential considerations when buying an outdoor pizza oven, the pros and cons, and reviews of some of the best models on the market.
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Choosing the Best Outdoor Pizza Oven
When choosing an outdoor pizza oven, several factors should influence your decision:
- Fuel Type: Pizza ovens can be powered by wood, gas, charcoal, or electricity. Each fuel type offers distinct benefits in terms of flavor, convenience, and cooking speed. Wood-fired ovens provide a traditional, smoky flavor that many pizza enthusiasts love, but they require more effort to manage and longer preheating times. Gas ovens, on the other hand, offer consistent heat and are easier to control, making them a popular choice for those who prioritize convenience and quick cooking times. Charcoal ovens combine the smoky flavor of wood with the easier control of gas, although they can be messier and require more clean-up. Lastly, electric ovens are incredibly convenient and easy to use, often featuring precise temperature controls, but they may not reach the high temperatures needed for authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas.
- Size and Capacity: Think about how many pizzas you plan to make at once and the size of those pizzas. Larger ovens are ideal for entertaining and hosting gatherings, as they can accommodate multiple pizzas simultaneously and often feature spacious cooking surfaces. On the other hand, compact models are better suited for smaller spaces or for those who cook for fewer people. They offer the convenience of easy storage and portability without sacrificing the quality of your homemade pizzas.
- Material: It’s essential to look for ovens made from durable, weather-resistant materials like stainless steel or stone. Stainless steel is favored for its resistance to rust and corrosion, ease of cleaning, and sleek, modern appearance. Stone, on the other hand, provides excellent heat retention and distribution, which is crucial for achieving a perfectly cooked pizza with a crispy crust and evenly melted toppings. Both materials can withstand the outdoor elements, ensuring your pizza oven remains in top condition through various weather conditions and over many years of use.
- Portability: If you plan to move your oven around, consider a model with wheels or a lighter, portable design.
- Temperature Control: An outdoor pizza oven must offer efficient heat distribution and the ability to reach high temperatures quickly. This ensures that your pizzas cook evenly, with a perfectly crispy crust and well-melted toppings. A good oven will maintain consistent heat throughout the cooking process, allowing you to produce restaurant-quality pizzas right in your backyard. Additionally, precise temperature control can enhance the oven’s versatility, enabling you to cook a variety of dishes beyond just pizza.
- Ease of Use: Some ovens come with additional features like built-in thermometers, rotating cooking surfaces, and easy-to-clean designs.
Is it Worth Getting a Pizza Oven?
Investing in a pizza oven can be a great decision for pizza lovers and outdoor cooking enthusiasts. Here are some pros and cons to help you decide if it’s worth it.
Pros:
- Superior Taste: Pizza ovens can reach higher temperatures than regular ovens, creating crispy crusts and perfectly melted toppings.
- Versatility: Many pizza ovens can also cook other foods like bread, roasted vegetables, and meats.
- Entertainment: Pizza ovens make outdoor gatherings fun and interactive, allowing guests to create their own pizzas.
- Efficiency: They cook pizzas quickly, often in under two minutes, which is perfect for feeding a crowd.
Cons:
- Cost: High-quality pizza ovens can be expensive.
- Space: They require outdoor space, which might be an issue for those with limited areas.
- Maintenance: Regular cleaning and maintenance are necessary to keep the oven in good working condition.
- Learning Curve: Mastering the art of cooking with a pizza oven can take some practice.
What's the Best Type of Pizza Oven?
The best type of outdoor pizza oven depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here are the main types:
- Wood-Fired Pizza Ovens: Offer an authentic, smoky flavor but require more effort to manage the fire and temperature.
- Gas Pizza Ovens: Provide consistent heat and are easier to control, but lack the traditional wood-fired taste.
- Charcoal Pizza Ovens: Combine the benefits of wood and gas but can be messy and require more clean-up.
- Electric Pizza Ovens: Convenient and easy to use but may not reach the high temperatures of other types.
Where Should an Outdoor Pizza Oven Be Placed?
Place your outdoor pizza oven in a safe, convenient location. Here are some tips:
- Level Surface: Ensure the oven is on a stable, level surface to prevent tipping.
- Ventilation: Place it in an open area with good ventilation to prevent smoke buildup.
- Proximity to Cooking Area: Keep it close to your main cooking area for convenience.
- Safety Distance: Maintain a safe distance from flammable materials like wooden fences or trees.
- Weather Protection: Consider placing it under a covered area to protect it from the elements.
Many pizza ovens are designed to withstand outdoor conditions, but it’s still important to protect them. Use a cover when not in use, and consider storing portable models in a garage or shed during extreme weather.
Our Favorites
Best Gas Pizza Oven - Ooni Koda 16
This is a high-performance outdoor oven designed for pizza lovers and outdoor cooking enthusiasts. Its gas-powered design allows it to reach temperatures up to 932°F (500°C) in just 20 minutes, ensuring perfect, restaurant-quality pizzas with a crispy crust and evenly melted toppings in as little as 60 seconds. The Ooni Koda 16 features a spacious 16-inch cooking surface, making it ideal for larger pizzas and a variety of other dishes, from roasted meats to vegetables. Its sleek, compact design and easy-to-use gas ignition system make it a convenient addition to any backyard or patio. Built with durability in mind, the Ooni Koda 16 is crafted from high-quality materials that can withstand outdoor elements. Perfect for both beginners and experienced chefs, it offers the ultimate in outdoor cooking convenience and performance. Ooni Koda 16 Review
Best Multi-Tasker - Ninja 8 in 1
Capable of reaching up to 700°F, it ensures perfect, crispy pizza crusts with evenly cooked toppings. Beyond pizza, this compact oven offers eight cooking functions, including baking, roasting, broiling, dehydrating, and smoking, thanks to its innovative woodfire technology. You get the flavor benefits of a wood-fired oven without the need to stock firewood. User-friendly controls and a sleek design make it a practical addition to any outdoor space. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice cook, the Ninja 8-in-1 Pizza Oven promises to deliver delicious results with ease. Ninja 8 in 1 Review
Best 12-inch Model - Black and Decker Vera Multi-Fuel
This compact yet efficient oven can reach temperatures up to 860°F, ensuring perfectly crispy crusts and evenly melted toppings in just minutes. Its advanced heating technology delivers consistent results, whether you’re baking pizzas, roasting vegetables, or toasting bread. The Vera Pizza Oven features a user-friendly digital interface with precise temperature controls and preset cooking functions, making it easy for both novice and experienced cooks to use. It also has a built in pizza turner. Black and Decker Vera Pizza Oven Review
Best on a Budget - 12 inch Pellet Fueled
This oven reaches temperature quickly, allowing you to cook authentic, wood-fired pizzas with crispy crusts and perfectly melted toppings in minutes. Designed for versatility, it can also handle roasting meats, baking bread, and grilling vegetables, making it a multifunctional addition to any outdoor space. The oven’s wood pellet fuel system ensures a rich, smoky flavor that enhances all your dishes. Its durable stainless steel construction is built to withstand the elements, while the compact size makes it easy to transport and store. This oven also boasts a rotating stone.
What Additional Tools Are Needed to Use a Pizza Oven?
There are several things you can use to make cooking pizzas easier. And don’t forget a cover to protect from weather.
Unless you have an electric oven with temperature controls, you will need an infrared thermometer to know when it is time to bake the pizza. You will need a heat safe table to place your oven on. Make sure it is large enough for your oven dimensions with some space all around.
A rolling pizza cutter is the most common used slicer in indoor kitchens. However, a rocking slicer is much quicker and reduces the risk that you will come into contact with the extremely hot pizza when it comes out of the oven.
Pizza peels come in both wood and metal. Make sure the one you choose is big enough for your pizza and that it will fit into your oven.
Conclusion
Choosing the right outdoor pizza oven involves considering your cooking style, space, and budget. Whether you’re looking for a compact, versatile model like the Pizzello Gusto, a splurge-worthy option like the Blackstone Outdoor Pizza Oven, or a multifunctional appliance like the Cuisinart 3-in-1, there’s an outdoor pizza oven to suit every need. With the right oven, you can enjoy delicious, homemade pizzas and elevate your outdoor cooking experience.