Imagine the smell of perfectly cooked pizza, bubbling cheese, and a crispy crust, all enjoyed in your own backyard. Sound like a dream? For many, that dream is closer than they think, thanks to outdoor pizza ovens. But if you’ve ever started looking, you’ve probably realized there are a lot of choices out there. It can be tough to know where to begin. What makes one oven better than another? How much should you spend? These questions can make choosing an outdoor pizza oven feel like a big puzzle.
This is where we come in. We’re here to cut through the confusion and help you find the perfect outdoor pizza oven for your home. By the end of this post, you’ll understand the different types of ovens, what features to look for, and how to choose one that fits your budget and cooking style. We’ll guide you through everything you need to know, so you can start making amazing pizzas right in your own backyard.
Our Top 5 Outdoor Pizza Oven For Home Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Outdoor Pizza Oven For Home Detailed Reviews
1. Ninja Artisan Outdoor Pizza Oven
Rating: 8.8/10
Get ready to become the ultimate backyard chef with the Ninja Artisan Outdoor Pizza Oven! This electric oven lets you make delicious 12-inch pizzas in just 3 minutes. It’s not just for pizza, though. You can also bake, broil, proof dough, and keep food warm. Imagine making restaurant-quality pizzas with perfect crusts and melted cheese right in your own yard. This oven makes outdoor cooking easy and fun for everyone.
What We Like:
- It has 5 cool functions: pizza, bake, broil, warm, and proof.
- You can cook a 12-inch pizza in only 3 minutes!
- It has 5 pizza settings for Neapolitan, thin crust, pan, New York, and custom pizzas.
- You can cook your main dish and sides at the same time.
- It uses electric heat for easy temperature control from 90°F to 700°F.
- The window lets you watch your food cook.
- It’s built tough to handle the outdoors.
- It’s big enough to feed a crowd with a 12″ pizza, a 12″ bake pan, chicken breasts, or a loaf of bread.
- The proofing function helps you make perfect bread and pizza dough.
- It comes with a pizza stone, bake pan, and recipe ideas.
What Could Be Improved:
- It needs an 18-minute preheat time before you can start cooking pizzas.
- While weather-resistant, an extra cover is recommended for long-term protection.
This oven is a fantastic way to enjoy delicious, homemade pizzas and expand your outdoor cooking adventures. It makes entertaining and family meals a breeze.
2. BIG HORN OUTDOORS 12″ Woodfire Pizza Stone Oven
Rating: 8.8/10
Get ready to make amazing pizzas right in your backyard with the BIG HORN OUTDOORS 12″ Woodfire Pizza Stone Oven. This outdoor pizza cooker gets super hot, up to 887°F, and uses wood pellets to give your pizza that perfect crispy crust and smoky flavor. It’s made of strong stainless steel and is easy to move around, making it ideal for parties and outdoor gatherings.
What We Like:
- It cooks Neapolitan-style pizza super fast, in just 90 seconds!
- The oven heats up quickly, ready to cook in about 18 minutes.
- It’s made from sturdy, high-quality stainless steel that holds heat well.
- This pizza oven is very portable; it folds up and only weighs 25 lbs.
- Assembly is a breeze, no tools needed, and it’s easy to clean.
- You can cook more than just pizza, like steaks, fish, and veggies.
What Could Be Improved:
- The instructions mention using “little sauce & minimal toppings” for Neapolitan style, which might limit some creative pizza makers.
- The 18-minute preheat time might feel a bit long if you’re in a hurry for pizza.
This BIG HORN OUTDOORS pizza oven brings the fun of a pizza party to your home. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy delicious, wood-fired pizza anytime you want.
3. Gozney Roccbox Outdoor Pizza Oven
Rating: 8.6/10
Get ready to make amazing pizzas at home with the Gozney Roccbox Outdoor Pizza Oven. This oven is a game-changer! It’s a portable, stone-floor pizza oven that lets you make restaurant-quality pizza anywhere. You can easily make your pizza game even better with this versatile oven.
What We Like:
- It cooks pizza super fast, in just 60 seconds at 950 degrees!
- The oven holds heat really well, so you can cook pizza after pizza.
- It’s great for cooking steaks at high temperatures too.
- The oven has a small, low design that fits anywhere.
- You can take it camping or put it in your backyard.
- Chefs around the world trust this oven because it always performs well.
- It’s easy for anyone to use, even if you’re new to making pizza.
- You can get that awesome wood-fire flavor with the optional wood burner.
What Could Be Improved:
- It can get quite hot, so you need to be careful when using it.
- The price might be a bit high for some people.
The Gozney Roccbox truly lets you experience pizza like never before. You can create delicious, restaurant-style pizzas easily, making it a must-have for any pizza lover.
4. Ooni Karu 12 Multi-Fuel Outdoor Pizza Oven – 12 Inch Pizzas in 60 Seconds – Portable Wood and Gas Fired Pizza Oven with Pizza Stone
Rating: 9.2/10
Get ready for amazing pizza nights with the Ooni Karu 12 Multi-Fuel Outdoor Pizza Oven! This oven cooks delicious 12-inch pizzas in just 60 seconds. You can use wood or charcoal to fire it up, or add a gas burner for even more options. It gets super hot, reaching 950°F, so your pizza cooks fast and tastes like it came from a real Italian pizzeria. Plus, it’s light and portable, making it easy to take on camping trips or to a friend’s house.
What We Like:
- Cooks 12-inch pizzas incredibly fast, in just 60 seconds.
- Reaches super high temperatures (950°F) for authentic stone-baked pizza.
- Works with wood, charcoal, or gas (with an attachment), offering great versatility.
- It’s very portable, weighing only 26.4lbs, and has foldable legs.
- The new fuel tray design helps make a powerful flame for quick cooking.
- Ooni’s goal is to make great pizza accessible to everyone.
- You can cook more than just pizza, like steak, fish, and vegetables.
What Could Be Improved:
- The gas burner attachment is sold separately, which is an extra cost.
- While portable, it’s still a pizza oven and requires some setup.
The Ooni Karu 12 is a fantastic choice for anyone who loves pizza and wants to make it at home. It brings the authentic pizza experience right to your backyard.
5. EDOSTORY Outdoor Pizza Oven
Rating: 8.7/10
Transform your backyard into a pizzeria with the EDOSTORY Outdoor Pizza Oven. This wood-fired oven makes it easy to cook delicious pizzas, roast meats, and bake bread right outside. It’s designed for fun gatherings and tasty meals.
What We Like:
- It’s super versatile and can cook more than just pizza, like steaks, fish, and veggies.
- You get a perfect, crispy pizza crust thanks to the 12-inch pizza stone.
- It heats up fast, reaching 550°F in just 10 minutes, and cooks a pizza in about 6-7 minutes.
- The built-in thermometer helps you watch the temperature, and you can control the heat and smoke with the chimney and air outlet.
- Cleaning up is simple with the detachable ash catcher.
- Moving it around is easy with its big wheels and side handle.
- There’s a handy space underneath to store your wood.
- It’s made of strong iron for stability and even heating, with a special shell that keeps the heat inside.
- It comes with a ton of useful accessories like a waterproof cover, pizza peel, and even a pizza cutter wheel – a great value!
What Could Be Improved:
- While it heats up quickly, achieving and maintaining the perfect temperature for different foods might take a little practice.
- The size might be a bit small for very large gatherings or cooking multiple items at once.
This EDOSTORY Outdoor Pizza Oven brings the joy of wood-fired cooking to your patio. It’s a fun and delicious addition for any outdoor cook.
Your Guide to the Best Outdoor Pizza Oven for Home
Imagine the smell of smoky, perfectly cooked pizza wafting from your backyard. That dream can be a reality with an outdoor pizza oven! These amazing appliances bring the authentic taste of wood-fired pizza right to your home. But with so many options, how do you choose the right one? This guide will help you find the perfect pizza oven for your outdoor cooking adventures.
Why an Outdoor Pizza Oven?
Outdoor pizza ovens get incredibly hot, much hotter than your indoor oven. This high heat cooks pizzas quickly, creating a crispy crust and melted cheese that’s hard to beat. They’re also great for more than just pizza! You can roast vegetables, cook fish, and even bake bread.
Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping for an outdoor pizza oven, keep these important features in mind:
1. Heating Method
- Wood-Fired: These ovens use wood to create intense heat and a smoky flavor. They offer the most authentic experience.
- Gas-Fired: Gas ovens are super convenient. They heat up fast and maintain a steady temperature. You get great results with less effort.
- Pellet-Fired: Pellet ovens use compressed wood pellets. They are easy to use and provide good flavor.
- Hybrid: Some ovens let you use both wood and gas, giving you the best of both worlds.
2. Size and Portability
- Countertop Models: These are smaller and sit on an existing outdoor counter or table. They are good for smaller spaces.
- Cart Models: These ovens come with their own stand or cart. They are often larger and easier to move around your yard.
- Built-in Models: If you’re doing a major outdoor kitchen project, a built-in oven is a permanent option.
3. Cooking Surface Area
- Consider how many pizzas you want to cook at once. Most home ovens can fit one pizza. If you entertain a lot, look for a larger oven.
4. Heat Retention and Insulation
- Good insulation keeps the oven hot for longer. This means you use less fuel and your pizzas cook more evenly. Look for ovens with thick walls and good quality insulation.
5. Included Accessories
- Some ovens come with pizza peels (the tool to slide pizzas in and out), covers, or thermometers. These extras can save you money.
Important Materials
The materials used in an outdoor pizza oven affect its durability, heat retention, and how it cooks.
- Stainless Steel: Many outdoor ovens use stainless steel for their exterior and internal components. It’s strong and resists rust.
- Ceramic or Cordierite Stone: This is the material for the pizza stone inside the oven. It absorbs and distributes heat evenly, giving you a crispy bottom crust. Cordierite is known for being very durable.
- Cast Iron: Some ovens use cast iron for burners or grates. It heats up well and lasts a long time.
- Refractory Cement: High-quality ovens often use refractory cement for their dome. This material can withstand very high temperatures.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things make an oven better or worse.
Quality Boosters:
- Thick Walls and Good Insulation: These help the oven reach and maintain high temperatures.
- Even Heat Distribution: A well-designed oven heats the entire cooking surface evenly. This prevents hot spots and burnt edges.
- Durable Construction: Ovens made with strong, high-quality materials will last longer.
- Easy Temperature Control: Being able to easily adjust the heat is crucial for cooking different foods.
Quality Reducers:
- Thin Materials: Ovens made with thin metal will lose heat quickly.
- Poor Insulation: This makes it hard to get the oven hot enough and wastes fuel.
- Uneven Heating: If some parts of the oven are much hotter than others, your food will cook unevenly.
- Flimsy Parts: Components that feel cheap or weak might break easily.
User Experience and Use Cases
Using an outdoor pizza oven is a fun and rewarding experience!
Ease of Use:
- Gas ovens are generally the easiest to use. You just turn a knob to control the flame.
- Wood-fired ovens require a bit more practice. You need to learn how to manage the fire and keep the temperature steady.
- Pellet ovens are a good middle ground – easy to load and ignite.
What You Can Make:
- Classic Pizzas: From Margherita to pepperoni, cook your favorite pizzas in minutes.
- Flatbreads: Perfect for quick snacks or appetizers.
- Roasted Vegetables: Broccoli, peppers, and onions get a delicious smoky char.
- Steak and Fish: Sear a steak or cook a whole fish with amazing flavor.
- Dessert Pizzas: Get creative with fruit and chocolate toppings.
An outdoor pizza oven can transform your backyard into a culinary hotspot. By understanding these key features, materials, and what makes an oven great, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying delicious, homemade pizzas all year round!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the main difference between a wood-fired and a gas pizza oven?
A: Wood-fired ovens use wood for heat and flavor, giving you an authentic smoky taste. Gas ovens use gas, offering quick heating and easy temperature control without the smoke.
Q: How hot do outdoor pizza ovens get?
A: Outdoor pizza ovens can reach temperatures between 750°F and 1000°F (400°C to 540°C). This high heat cooks pizzas very quickly.
Q: How long does it take to cook a pizza in an outdoor oven?
A: Pizzas usually cook in just 1 to 3 minutes in a hot outdoor pizza oven.
Q: Do I need a special pizza peel for an outdoor oven?
A: Yes, a pizza peel is very helpful. It’s a flat tool that lets you slide the pizza into and out of the hot oven safely.
Q: Can I leave my outdoor pizza oven outside all year?
A: It’s best to cover or store your pizza oven during bad weather, especially rain and snow. This protects it from damage and rust.
Q: What kind of wood should I use in a wood-fired pizza oven?
A: Use dry, seasoned hardwood like oak, maple, or fruitwoods. Avoid treated wood or softwoods like pine, as they can create too much smoke and creosote.
Q: How do I clean an outdoor pizza oven?
A: After the oven cools down, brush out any ash and debris. You can wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth. The pizza stone can be scraped clean.
Q: Are outdoor pizza ovens difficult to assemble?
A: Most countertop and cart models require some assembly, but they usually come with clear instructions. Built-in ovens require professional installation.
Q: Can I use my outdoor pizza oven for things other than pizza?
A: Absolutely! You can roast vegetables, cook fish, bake bread, and even make desserts like fruit tarts.
Q: What is the most important material for a good pizza crust?
A: A good quality pizza stone made of ceramic or cordierite is very important. It absorbs heat and makes the crust crispy.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.