Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens for Tasty Pies at Home

It’s amazing the number of times people ask me what’s the best product to complete a task. And what’s the best outdoor pizza oven is one of the more popular questions. But they don’t want me to answer that question.

What they want to know is ‘what’s the best outdoor pizza oven to fit their needs?’ Surprisingly, the answer is often not a pizza oven but a BBQ or an attachment for a BBQ.

There are many questions to answer before I can give advice on what’s the best pizza oven. Knowing your budget is probably the most important factor, there are cheap options and ovens that cost several thousand.

What BBQing equipment to you already own? Your BBQ might already be good enough to make a pizza. And all you need is a pizza stone or another add-on to make great pizza. What other foods do you intend on cooking? This will dictate what size oven (or BBQ) you’ll need to buy.

And by size, I also mean oven height and not just floor space if you intend to bake loaves of bread. Do you plan on taking it camping, picnics or festivals? In which case you’ll be looking for a light portable pizza oven.

These are just some of the most obvious questions you’ll need to answer. You know better than anybody what you need, so it’ll pay off in the long run if you have a good think about what will make the best outdoor pizza oven for your needs before jumping in and making a purchase.

Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens

Homemade pizza can be enjoyable to prepare and tasty to eat, but it can’t quite compare to the pizza served in restaurants, which is cooked in ovens that reach temperatures of more than 900 degrees. An outdoor pizza oven comes in handy in this situation, and below are my current favorites.

Great Outdoor Pizza Ovens

Outdoor pizza ovens are a booming business area with new innovations happening on a yearly bases. So my list of best outdoor pizza ovens changes very often. Instead of just deleting the old selections I have decided to create a new section of “great outdoor pizza ovens” where I will put older models of pizza ovens. These are still amazing pizza ovens and if you can find them at knocked-down prices or second hand they will make a great purchase.

Table Comparing Great WiFi Thermometers

Open	Uuni 3 Portable Pizza Oven	Buy from Ooni
Uuni 3 Portable Pizza Oven Best Portable Pizza Oven Editor’s Note: Unni has had a name change since writing this review. The company is now called Ooni. I have written reviews for their latest products in the “best outdoor pizza oven” section of this article. But I’ve kept this oven in the “great pizza oven section” because you still might find second-hand Unni 3’s on sale and they would still make a great budget oven for first-time buyers. The Uuni 3 portable pizza oven. Built especially for one thing – making great pizzas anywhere you go. This unique-looking, yet stylish pizza oven is remarkably light, weighing just 29.5lb (13.4kg) and is therefore ideal to take camping, to festivals or on picnics. The fuel used is wood pellets and can reach temperatures of 500 degrees Celcius (932 Fahrenheit) in 10 minutes. This fast heating time is mainly due to the new insulated hood that comes with the Uuni 3. Having a big chimney helps with heating a pizza oven, but surely isn’t great for portability. It doesn’t matter how light the unit is if it’s awkward to carry. Well, Uuni has already thought of this and the chimney easily comes off with a simple clip mechanism. Uuni has three legs which makes it more stable on uneven surfaces. Yes, you’ll have to remember your math class for 3 legs being more stable than 4 legs to make sense. Basically, three points can fit any plane, whereas four can’t. Meaning you’ll often have one leg that needs propping up with a bit of folded paper. So getting to the point, three legs is a better option for portable pizza ovens. The Uuni 3 is also the best value for money of all pizza ovens, normally costing less than $300. And because of everything great with the Uuni 3, it was a very close call between it and the Roccbox for the prize of the best outdoor pizza oven. So if money is an issue, or you simply like the unique look of the Uuni 3, then buy this one. With either choice, there will be no disappointment.
Open	Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven	Buy from Amazon
Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven Best Outdoor Gas Pizza Oven for Camping Buy from Amazon Firstly, let me say that I think wood-fired pizza ovens give a much better-tasting pizza and I would try to talk you into getting one of these first. Having said that I know a lot of people are just much more comfortable cooking with gas as you do get much better control of temperatures. So if gas is your thing then have a look at the Camp Chef outdoor gas pizza oven. Weighing in at 47lb it’s almost getting to the weight where it’s no longer portable for most people, but not quite. I’d still class this oven as a portable pizza oven. Like the majority of outdoor gas products, the Camp Chef runs off a 1lb disposable propane tank that’s super easy to attach and gives roughly two hours of cooking time. A close second was the Pizzeria Pronto oven, both great little gas ovens. More details on Camp Chef

Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens Roundup

Normally I’d recommend buying stuff from Amazon (due to the convenience and the fast delivery times), but as many of these pizza ovens are really expensive, I’ve put the shop where I think you can get the best deal – Along with a link to the page of the item.

1. Gozney Roccbox – Buy from amazon.com
2. Ooni Koda 16 – Buy from amazon.com
3. Gozney Dome – Buy from gozney.com
4. Ooni Karu 16 – Buy from amazon.com
5. Blackstone Portable Pizza Oven – Buy from walmart.com
6. Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven – Buy from amazon.com

Remember, this list is based on which pizza ovens best meet several criteria – portability and cost for example. These might not be considerations for you, and therefore your top ten will be different.

All ten of the pizza ovens in this list are excellent quality and you can’t go wrong with whichever one you buy.

Alfa Forno Pizza Oven Range

If outdoor space, money, and portability isn’t an issue for you, then getting an Alfa pizza oven is the way forward.

These ovens will be top of all outdoor cooking enthusiasts wish list. Unfortunately this sort of quality comes with a hefty price tag. If you buy any Alfa Forno pizza oven you’ll be getting a quality bit of kit.

I’ve recommended the Alfa Forno 4 as the best of the bunch and the Alfa Forno 5 Minuti second. The Alfa 4 is a bigger oven, with the vertical space to bake loaves of bread, it’s why I have given this oven the edge over the 5 Minuti.

That luxury comes a premium, so if you’re not planning to bake loaves you might be better off with the 5 Minuti. More details here

Some more great outdoor cooking gear
Best Pizza Peel
Best BBQ Knife
Outdoor Prep Station

How I Tested the Best Pizza Ovens

I used the manual’s assembly, setup, ignition, cooking, and cool-down procedures to test each oven. I also restricted myself to using the peels, utensils, etc. that came with that specific oven in order to achieve the most realistic experience. I also wanted to test each oven’s performance with various dough kinds.

I prepared numerous pizzas for each oven, using the following pizza doughs: homemade, store-bought chilled, store-bought frozen, and dough acquired from a nearby pizza joint that specializes in thin-crust pizza.

In order to maintain simplicity and fairness, I tested each oven by making pepperoni pizzas with just tomato sauce, hand-torn mozzarella, and a few slices of pepperoni.

In addition to how well each oven cooked, I also considered how simple it was to set up, how hot it got inside and out, and how simple it was to regulate the temperature. For models made to use wood, charcoal, or wood pellets, I also considered how simple it was to add fuel.

Additionally, I noted the following standards:

Value for money: Items that didn’t feel like they were priced fairly didn’t make my list of the best outdoor pizza ovens.

Overall construction quality: Because pizza ovens are expensive investments, they should be made to last. Additionally, they must be capable of sustaining the high temperatures needed to cook pizza.

Safety: Because pizzas must be cooked at extremely high temperatures, I sought superior insulation and safety features to make using the pizza oven simple.

Managing and storing: How simple is it to transport ovens that make the claim they are portable? Are ovens safe to handle? How quickly do they cool down?

What to Look for When Buying an Outdoor Pizza Oven

Pizza making in the backyard is no longer the notoriously difficult task that it once was. You can actually compete with eateries that have skilled dough makers and high temp ovens if you have access to your own pizza oven from my list.

A short web search for the best pizza ovens for backyards returns a number of devices in different forms, sizes, and capacities. Two of the most well-known brands with a variety of portable, gas, or wood-fired pizza ovens to choose from are Ooni and Gozney. Pizza ovens are no more dangerous to use when it comes to safety than charcoal barbecues, especially if they are equipped with practical extras like wooden or metal paddles for adding and removing the pizza dough. So what should you consider while choosing one of the top outdoor pizza ovens?

Price

For a high-quality, portable pizza oven, budget between $300 to $2,500. A permanent brick and clay, wood-fired pizzeria oven may cost considerably more. There are less expensive models available, but they may not be as durable as they appear.

Watch out for what the pizza oven comes with. All will come with the stone and oven, but you will almost always need to buy fuel separately. Take this into consideration. Frequently, the gas attachment for multi-fuel ovens must be purchased in addition to the oven itself.

A good quality pizza peel and thermometer are sometimes included in pizza oven kits. Even though they are not absolutely necessary it is much more difficult to achieve the proper temperature without a thermometer and extremely difficult to place a pizza in the oven without a peel. A cover is a lovely bonus, to finish. It will imply that you can safeguard your oven outside throughout the winter.

Fuel Supply

The primary consideration when purchasing a pizza oven, aside from the cost, is the fuel source. You can use gas, charcoal, or wood pellets to heat ovens and there are also electric options for indoor models. Choose the ideal heat source for your personal needs before selecting an outdoor pizza oven. In my tests, propane ovens were simpler to use, but pizzas baked in wood, wood pellet, or charcoal ovens had a smokey flavor like that of a quality pizzeria. Additionally, if you intend to take your pizza oven camping or to a tailgate, it is simpler to transport a bag of charcoal or wood pellets than a tank of propane.

When heated, the ceramic pizza stones in the ovens can maintain very high temperatures, giving your pie a lovely bottom char. The heat source and how it influenced the pizza’s top throughout my tests were the primary differentiators; without a high temperature, you won’t get the dotted char known as “leoparding” in the industry. I discovered that the Ooni Koda 16 and the Gozney Roccbox gas ovens with an open flame worked best for creating a good char.

Size

Additionally, you should consider the oven’s size. Most outdoor pizza ovens can produce pies with a diameter of around 12 inches, but others can produce larger pizzas with a diameter of 16 inches, which may be a better choice if you’re trying to feed a crowd. Some are more suited for baking other foods, like bread, because their interiors are taller.

Last but not least, think about whether you have enough room for an outdoor pizza oven before you get one. The majority advise against placing these ovens beneath another enclosure and advise setting them up at a solitary table at least a few feet away from any other structures (a wooden fence, for instance). Make sure you adhere to instructions for using a pizza oven safely.

Max Temperature

Hotter is nearly always preferable when baking pizza. The traditional method for making authentic Neapolitan pizza calls for cooking it in a wood-fired oven at a minimum temperature of 800 degrees for only 60 to 90 seconds to produce a fluffy, crispy, barely-burnt crust and wonderfully melted cheese. You need a specialized pizza oven since it needs to be much hotter than a standard oven to make outstanding pizza. Indoor electric ovens can’t quite match the power of outdoor wood-burning models, which can achieve temperatures of up to 900 degrees. Nevertheless, indoor oven succeeded in reaching 750 degrees, a temperature high enough for decent pizzas.

Many ovens include an insulated or double-layered ceiling to keep heat contained in the oven, which helps to retain heat and achieve those high temperatures but also means the exterior of the oven isn’t as hot to touch. To control the baking of the crust and toppings, some ovens contain twin heating sources on the top and bottom of the oven.

Even with pizzas that just cook for a minute or two, you will probably still need to rotate the pizza once or twice as it bakes to get even cooking, despite the claims of many pizza ovens that heat is spread completely uniformly throughout the oven. Using a pizza peel to move the dough around may take a few tries to get used to, but that’s all part of the craft of making pizza.

Design

Today’s small and medium-sized pizza ovens all have a sleek, modern appearance with a stainless steel finish and an inside baking surface for pizza stones. While some versions are available in black or gray instead of silver, the majority leave the steel untouched.

Smaller pizza ovens frequently have their heat source at the back of the oven. In open-flame ovens, the flame is frequently allowed to cross the oven roof partially in order to heat the pizza more. The vaulted roof of the oven is designed to replicate the heating pattern of conventional brick ovens.

For gas-powered ovens, the ignition knob, which typically has a dial to regulate the flame output, is used to turn on the pizza oven. Like their grill siblings, wood and charcoal-fired ovens are started with matches and need a starter. Electric pizza ovens frequently contain an indicator light to let you know when the preheating process is complete and are dial-controlled to a certain time or temperature.

Integrated or Portable

Smaller pizza oven models come with foldable legs and removable components so you can cook outside in the park, while camping, or at a friend’s backyard BBQ. The components of portable pizza ovens are typically kept together by a carrying bag, and they are made to be easily assembled and disassembled. Remember that even if the oven you choose is described as portable, it might not necessarily be light. While some ovens only weigh 25 pounds, others top the scales at more than 50 pounds. Larger, stationary ovens are too large to frequently move, and some are built to connect to your home’s gas line, rendering them virtually fixed.

On my list, almost all of the pizza ovens are somewhat portable. Many may be set up on a table (or other heat-resistant surfaces) and then folded up and stored at the end of the season. These are not particularly large (although you will need space to keep them in a shed or garage), and if you want to have a pizza party somewhere else, you can take them camping or to a friend’s house.

There are several fantastic pizza oven stand suggestions so you can make it a focal point in your yard for the warm-weather seasons. One of my choices is perfect for occasional use because it just sits atop a griddle for cooking. Most portable models will sit nicely on an outdoor grilling table.

An integrated pizza oven requires a higher investment. For starters, you need a roomy area to create your pizza oven that is safely free of fencing or trees. Additionally, you need to be rather certain that you’ll use it extensively. However, many will also double as outdoor fireplaces, making a Trattoria-style brick pizza oven an excellent centerpiece for any outdoor dining area.

Care and Upkeep

Since the temperatures inside your wood-fired oven reach such high levels that bacteria cannot survive, you won’t need to worry about cleaning the insides.

It is better to avoid using water, especially while the oven is hot, because even using only water can harm the oven. Any food crumbs or spills will be reduced to ash in any case, which you may vacuum up or brush away. Make sure to do this each time you use it because accumulated ash increases the risk of food burning. It’s also a good idea to clean out the chimney of your oven at least once a year.

Use a brush and a small amount of hot water to remove any leftover stains after gently scraping off any food from the pizza stone. Again, cleaning agents should be avoided in this situation since they could seep into the stone and end up in your food as you cook.

Smudges and fingerprints can be cleaned from stainless steel on the outside of the oven with a damp cloth, and then the surface can be polished with a microfiber cloth to maintain the oven’s best appearance. You should heat a stone or brick oven for a few hours before using it to lessen the possibility of cracks. Finally, it is advised that you spend your money on a pizza oven cover to shield it from the weather and reduce maintenance.

Set Up

When evaluating each of these pizza ovens, I considered how simple they were to set up. While you should keep this in mind when purchasing, I also advise determining the ideal location for your pizza oven. To avoid having to transport pizzas up and down the backyard, it is better to locate your pizza oven where your social spaces are.

They may be a stunning focal point for parties and look beautiful on contemporary outdoor tables. Pizza ovens are most secure on stone or concrete patios, but they should also be completely secure on wooden decks if they are supported by some heat-resistant material. Place your pizza ovens a few meters away from anything that could catch fire, like low-hanging trees and fences. You’re good to proceed as long as there is room above your oven for smoke to escape. Also, take into account a location with sufficient surface area for both building your pizzas and serving them after they are cooked.

Storage

Take into account the available area. The smallest pizza ovens I’ve tested are perfect for storing in a garage, shed, or even inside. Many of the models on my list have simple foldaway legs, so when not in use, they will also take up very little space. Some of the larger versions I’ve tested will have to be kept outside in all types of weather; in this situation, a cover is a necessity.

Temperature Gauge

If your oven isn’t hot enough, you’ll never get a delicious pizza. It will take a very long time to cook and have a floppy foundation. Knowing when your oven is at the ideal temperature is helpful because a pizza needs to be cooked at a minimum temperature of 660°F (350°C). The more you use your pizza oven, the better you will get at it because it’s frequently a guessing game. But a built-in temperature gauge is a useful bonus if you want to remove any element of guesswork from the situation. You may always spend money on the best pizza oven accessories and get an additional infrared thermometer if your pizza oven doesn’t come with one.

Accessories

Look at the extras that your preferred pizza oven includes. A pizza peel is necessary in my opinion, however, some brands charge extra if they don’t include one as standard. All pizza ovens should come with a good-quality pizza stone. Other nice accessories to have included are a thermometer, a cleaning brush, and a pizza-cutting wheel.

Warranty

The majority of pizza ovens have a one-year warranty, while some have longer warranties that go up to three years. Your pizza oven should survive for many years, but if you discover that it requires repair after the warranty has passed, several businesses sell new parts, and nearby expert kitchen equipment repair firms are probably able to assist.

Best Alternatives to a Dedicated Pizza Oven

If you’ve read this far you’ll know pizza ovens are great. They come in an array of price ranges, styles and sizes and you can cook many different types of food in them, not just pizza.

But in the same way you don’t have to cook pizza in a pizza oven, you don’t need a pizza oven to cook good quality pizza. There are many different options and below I’ll outline the most popular.

Kamado Grills – Kamado grills are very popular among the “low and slow” backyard pitmasters. But kamados can also reach very high temperatures, making them ideal for making pizza.

So if you have a kamado or are looking for a piece of kit that can cook in more than one style, then a kamado is probably a better option than a pizza oven.

Kamados are the most versatile bit of equipment I’ve ever used. From low and slow to hot and fast and everything in between. If this interests you read our best kamado grill article, all you’ll need other than a Kamado is a good pizza stone.

Traeger Timberline – Fast becoming the number one item on every BBQing enthusiasts wish list is the Traeger Timberline. This is good for smoking, grilling, searing, roasting, braising and of course, baking.

So it’s therefore perfect for cooking pizza, you just need a pizza stone to go along with it.

Weber Kettle – The Weber kettle grill is the number one BBQ you’ll find in people’s backyards across America. It has an entry-level price tag, comes from a brand you can trust and is still a favorite amongst seasoned grill masters.

And yes, you can bake a pizza on it. You can simply make pizza with the kettle and a pizza stone, or you can “pimp” the grill with a kettle pizza attachment kit. This kit gives your standard BBQ the look of a specially made pizza oven.

The kettle option is probably the cheapest of all options (for quality pizza), you can buy the original Weber kettle for around $100 but if you can afford it, I’d recommend getting the Weber Master Touch.

Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven Accessory – If you already own a gas BBQ, you might want to consider getting the Camp Chef oven accessory. You just sit this accessory on top of your burners and you’ve turned a standard gas BBQ into a nice little pizza oven

Wood-Fired Pizza Oven Vs Gas Pizza Oven

Which do you prefer: a wood or gas-fired oven? This question has no clear answer because it is merely a matter of personal preference. The two fuel types do, however, result in significantly distinct cooking and eating experiences. Therefore, it is ultimately up to you to determine what you want from your new pizza oven.

Gas – Since there is no ash to tidy up after use, gas-fired pizza ovens are typically cleaner to operate. Additionally, they heat up more quickly than their wood-fired equivalents. Since gas-fired pizza ovens operate similarly to gas hobs and include a dial to control the flame, you have more control over how the pizza cooks and can use the oven for other things besides only pizza. However, you obviously need to purchase gas, and if you don’t already have a bottle, the initial cost of the bottle can further increase the cost.

Wood-fired – The only option for an authentic flavor is a wood-fired pizza oven. Gas cooking cannot replicate the mouthwatering smoky flavor that the burning wood pellets, charcoal or wood chucks offer. Another benefit of wood-fired pizza ovens is that you don’t need to purchase a gas canister because wood pellets are readily available at supermarkets and online. They can be a little trickier to use when it comes to temperature regulation and wood-fired models do need some skill.

Multi-fuel – Choose a multi-fuel model if you can’t decide or if you enjoy the sound of what both fuel kinds have to offer. Although you can’t cook with gas and wood at the same time, we think the two fuels are best for various scenarios. When entertaining and need to produce a large quantity of consistently delicious pizzas, use a gas stove. Use wood and take your time for relaxing evenings with your loved ones.

How Pizza Ovens Work

How pizza ovens work isn’t rocket science, you simply need a heat that’s hot enough to bake the pizza base. But working with such high temperatures can be tricky and that’s where having a better-designed pizza oven will greatly improve the taste.

A well-designed oven will maximize the use of three different heat sources – radiant, convection, and conduction.

Radiant Heat – A heat from a direct heat source. This will be the heat given off by wood, gas or coals that are often at the back of the pizza oven.

Convection Heat – The heated air that circulates the oven. This is necessary for great pizza as you need the top of the pizza cooked as much as you need the bottom cooked. This is why most pizza ovens are made in a dome-like shape and have a chimney or other means for hot air to escape allowing cooler air to be sucked in via the oven opening – creating convection heat.

Conduction Heat – When heat passes from one object to another. For great pizza making, this will be when heat passes from the oven’s base ( the hearth) to the bottom of the pizza base. This is also why it’s important to get a good pizza stone if cooking pizza with a BBQ.

Pizza Oven Fuel Sources

The majority of pizza ovens, and the type I’d recommend, are wood-fired pizza ovens. And for good reason. The obvious reason is woods ability to achieve high temperatures that will give a fast pizza with a crisp, slightly charred crust. But the main reason is wood passes on a nice smokey flavor to the pizza.

Adding hardwoods such as oak, maple, birch, ash, cherry or apple give a deep smokey flavor. And being hardwood, they also have a nice long burn time. Softwoods such as pine or cedar can be used to give you a slightly less smokey flavor. They are also great for smaller ovens.

Gas ovens are also popular. The reason some people prefer gas is because it’s a lot easier to cook with. You can change temperature, either up or down, relatively quickly. And once you have the desired temp, you can leave the oven to look after itself. You’ll not get any great fluctuations and the heat will hold nice and steady.

If you’re using a BBQ to make pizza you’ll normally have the same options as you’d use to grill your food. You can use charcoal or pellets as well as wood or gas like most dedicated pizza ovens.

Outdoor Pizza Oven Kit

Another option for having a quality outdoor pizza oven is to make one yourself. And for this, there are several pizza oven kit suppliers to give you a helping hand.

I’ve personally never gone down this road as I’m more than happy with the ready-made options available, so can only recommend companies I’ve heard good things about (not ones I’ve experience with). Such as Forno Bravo and Brick Wood Ovens

Outdoor Pizza Oven Tools

Just for completeness, I’ll add all pizza tools you’ll need for the entire journey of your pizza, from raw ingredients to hungry guests plates. These aren’t solely pizza oven tools, but a list of pizza making tools.

Pizza Peel – The most important of all the pizza making tools. You don’t want to risk burning yourself putting your hands in a baking hot oven, so a pizza peel is a must. And I’d say get the best one you can get.

The amount of pizza I’ve seen wasted due to having a poorly made pizza peel is crazy. Seeing a grown man with the face of a child that’s dropped their ice cream is mildly amusing. But it does mean you’re not going to be eating for a while.

The main problems are the pizza not sliding off the peel into the oven. Or once in the oven the peel not going under the pizza and just pushing it into the flames. Read our best pizza peel article.

Pizza Stone – A must if you are cooking pizza on a BBQ. You will need a good pizza stone to supply the conduction heat that will cook the pizza base.

Infrared Thermometer – The safest way to measure temperatures in an oven without having to come into contact with it is to use an infrared thermometer. Most ovens will have a temperature gauge. But if you want to get pinpoint readings of any hot spots you might have, you’ll need an infrared thermometer.

Ash Shovel – A long handle shovel is used simply to help keep your oven clean. Obviously, if you’re cooking on gas, you’ll not need one of these.

Brass-bristled Brush – The best practice is to clean your oven floor after use, while the floor is still warm. A brass-bristled brush makes this job so much easier. Look to get a duel-sided brush, with bristles on one side to remove small particles.And a scraper on the reverse side for more stubborn stains.

Turning Peel – Turning pizza is essential in a small oven, due to one side of the pizza being really close to the heat source. So in order to get a nice evenly cooked pizza, you’ll need to rotate it while cooking. This is where a turning pizza peel comes in handy. GI Metal make a nice turning pizza peel.

Dough Cutter – A great tool for portioning your dough. Using a dough cutter makes it easy to cut and scrape dough on your work surface resulting in less waste.

Cleaning Scraper – Used for cleaning, yes. But also good for scraping those bits of food that contain loads of great flavor that stick to your cooking equipment.

Pizza Cutting Wheel – You could use a knife to cut your pizza, but this often makes a bit of a mess. So get perfectly cut pizza every time with a pizza cutting wheel.

Dough Trays – This might not seem very important, but to make great pizza you should learn to make your own dough. This process requires you to let the dough rest and rise. A nice set of dough trays makes this so much easier to manage.

Best Outdoor Pizza Oven Brands

Following the popularity spike and to accommodate the demand, there are numerous outdoor pizza oven brands available. Only the greatest outdoor pizza ovens will be reviewed on my list. But be aware there are lots of low-budget, low-quality brands with great marketing.

Ooni

The first brand on the list is the outdoor pizza oven company Ooni. In recent years, this brand has completely dominated the market. Ooni is a preferred option for backyards due to its modest profile and reasonable cost.

So let’s look at Ooni closely. Pizza ovens powered by gas and wood pellets are available from Ooni. They also provide a multi-fuel type that lets you utilize gas, wood, or charcoal in one single unit!

A computerized temperature control and a glass door on some models are included. It’s crucial to remember that the gas models lack a door. In that case, you’ll lose a lot of heat!

In relation to heat retention some Ooni pizza ovens contain insulation made of ceramic fiber. One such is the Ooni 3. If you select a model devoid of insulation be aware that you will lose heat much more quickly.

Materials-wise, I have nothing to grumble about! Ooni is built entirely out of stainless steel. Steel that has been powder coated for the exterior’s vibrant appearance.

Ooni is a reliable portable outdoor pizza oven maker. The only downside is they don’t come with a pizza peel, but since they are offered separately, you should get a one.

Gozney

Take a quick glance at Gozney’s product lineup and you’ll quickly be aware that what you are witnessing is the most stylish pizza oven company.

There are several outdoor pizza oven variations offered by this brand. The Roccbox and Dome versions of pizza ovens from Gozney are the most widely used.

The more compact, transportable pizza oven is the Roccbox. You can buy it with either gas or a hybrid fuel source. Although it doesn’t appear to be much bigger than a mailbox, This tiny device is nonetheless capable of reaching peak temperatures of 950 degrees.

Insulation is present in the Roccbox, and the exterior is silicone-coated. The remainder of the unit is made of 304 stainless steel.

The Roccbox’s larger, more adaptable sibling is the Gozney Dome. The Dome can be powered entirely by wood or, in a hybrid configuration, by gas. It will attain a similar peak temperature to the Rocbox. however, it has a bigger pizza baking surface and enough hight to bake bread.

Alfa

Alfa is the most genuine option available. Made by hand in Italy, the history and traditions of pizza are really honored by this collection of the top outdoor pizza ovens.

However, Alfa is much more than just genuine. Some of the fastest heat-up times on the market can be found in this brand of pizza ovens. In as little as 20 minutes, you’ll be prepared to bake!

Additionally, given that the pizza baking only took roughly 90 seconds, in no time, you’ll be rewarded with delicious pizza.

There are several solutions available as well. Whether you want to cook 5 pizzas at once or 1 at a time. Alfa also offers a portable pizza oven to suit your requirements.

Although Alfa’s wood-fired oven is their expertise they also sell outdoor gas ovens.

Alfa also doesn’t compromise on quality. Their pizza ovens have 304 stainless steel exteriors that have been double powder coated. This indicates that your wood-fired pizza oven is durable and can handle anything the weather may throw at it.

Alfa uses DoubleDown Ceramic Superwool® as insulation which is more effective than normal insulation made of rock wool or ceramic. High temperatures and excellent recovery between bakes are guaranteed.

Also, may I just say, these ovens have a lovely look that complements almost any backyard. With Alfa, there are countless possibilities for an outdoor kitchen and pizza oven.

Solo Stove

Despite being well-known for their recognizable camp stoves and fire pits, a new player in the field of outdoor pizza ovens is Solo Stove. But don’t be fooled by this new oven, it’s not a novelty item!

The brand-new portable pizza oven from Solo Stove is a great and cost-effective choice for camping trips.

Due to its design, this oven is a terrific topic of conversation. Alternatively, this tiny oven is simple to pack while going somewhere. For your upcoming picnic or tailgating event, you’ll be prepared!

This little pizza oven, cleverly dubbed “Pi,” has a dual fuel source. Whether you like gas or wood, You can do it both ways!

Are you interested in the construction? The Pi pizza oven has a cordierite pizza stone, ceramic insulation, and a stainless steel body.

Peak temperatures are also competitive. The maximum ambient air temperature for wood burning is 850 degrees Fahrenheit. 900 degrees Fahrenheit is considered high heat for gas.

In general, if you’re searching for a versatile, reasonable alternative to the main companies, the Pi pizza oven is a fantastic choice. You can even get a kit that includes everything else you could need, such as a pizza peel.

Types of Outdoor Pizza Oven

Portable pizza ovens – A portable pizza oven would be ideal for you if you have a small backyard and don’t want to make pizza frequently. This market is dominated by companies like Gozney and Ooni and their ranges have some remarkable ovens.

These miniature pizza tools can frequently reach temperatures that rival those of larger ovens, can be kept indoors or in a shed, produce outstanding cooking results, and are quite simple to use.

Freestanding pizza ovens – A bigger pizza oven might be the ideal choice for you if you anticipate preparing pizza frequently and have room in your yard. They don’t have to be built-in for these enormous ovens.

Large, mobile, freestanding pizza ovens that can cook multiple pizzas at once are available for purchase. Although you’ll probably have to pay more for a cover, these typically have protective covers so you can leave them outside all summer.

Hybrid pizza ovens – Some hybrid pizza ovens also function as barbecues, and vice versa. In general, I discovered that equipment made solely for creating pizzas produces the finest cooking outcomes.

Grill and griddle pizza accessories – Buying a barbeque attachment, such as a pizza stone or box that sits on top of your gas or charcoal BBQ, is one inexpensive method to create pizzas at home in your garden. They may also reach amazing temperatures to produce the required flavor and finish of stone baking.

These barbecue-top goods excel at storage, they are not often strictly speaking pizza ovens. I’ve included my favorites in this list to show the variety of DIY pizza tools available for a wide range of costs.

Outdoor Pizza Ovens aren’t Just Pizza Ovens

All these great ovens are marketed as outdoor pizza ovens. And when you first buy one, of course, the first thing you’re going to cook with them is your favorite pizza. But these pizza ovens are ovens and you can, therefore, bake anything you would in a conventional oven.

The general second step once you’re all pizza’d out is to move on to making your own bread. Normally buns or baguettes for your burgers and hot dogs. But you can easily cook fish, pies, chicken, the list goes on and on.

Final Thoughts

The Ooni Koda 16 is incredibly easy to use, has a flawless design that makes it nearly impossible not to produce delicious pizza, and is so portable that no location is off limits for a pizza party (and there is also a 12-inch Koda available if you need even more portability).

The Gozney Dome, an oven I had great expectations for after the significant demand for the oven last year, is on the other end of the spectrum in terms of cost and intricacy. Thankfully, it didn’t let me down; it truly is the pinnacle of top-down, authentic Neapolitan pizza excellence.