Discover the Best Pizza Ovens for Perfectly Crispy Crusts

Don’t buy your pizza oven before reading

With a growing interest in homemade pizza, many enthusiasts are exploring high-quality portable pizza ovens designed for home use. Basically, it is a device that replicates the intense heat and cooking dynamics of a professional pizzeria oven, transforming your backyard into a gourmet pizza haven.

With our extensive experience and evaluations of grilling products, we tried to provide insights to help you make an informed purchase decision.

Why listen to us? We’re not just someone who wants to make money by telling you things that aren’t true. We genuinely love grilling. We started noticing plenty of misinformation online, and that’s why we started doing our own research. We’ve tried different products and watched video reviews to make sure we have all the information. We hope to give you our most informed opinions.

Cast-iron pizza oven from Bizzo Bizzo

Table of Contents

Factors to Consider Before Buying

Before you make a decision to invest in a pizza oven, it’s important to thoroughly assess factors that might have a significant influence on the choice of your oven. We recommend considering the different fuel types available, such as wood, propane, or electricity. For example, the wood imparts that distinct wood-fired pizza oven taste that Italian pizzas are famous for. And in our opinion, nothing beats the the smell and cozy fire cracking sound of wood-fired pizza oven. Additionally, take into account the space requirements, heat retention properties, and the level of convenience offered by the oven (such as cleaning).

Don’t forget to pay attention to the construction materials, coating, insulation, and pizza stone, as these elements directly affect not only the oven’s durability and longevity, but also performance. It’s also worth considering if the design of the unit complements your outdoor living space and how frequently you plan to indulge in pizza-making adventures.

For example, the wood imparts that distinct wood-fired pizza oven taste that Italian pizzas are famous for. And in our opinion, nothing beats the the smell and cozy fire cracking sound of wood-fired pizza oven.

Choosing fuel type

When it comes to selecting the fuel type for your pizza oven, it’s a decision that significantly impacts both flavor and convenience. Here are our insights on the different options:

• Wood-fired ovens offer a traditional and rustic flavor profile that many pizza enthusiasts love. They provide an authentic cooking experience and can add that unique smoky taste to your pizzas. If you’re after the pleasure of outdoor grilling, complete with the hands-on experience of managing a real flame, and the advantage of superior-tasting pizza, then a real wood fire is your ideal choice!
• Gas-powered units are known for their consistency and ease of use. They offer precise temperature control and quick heat-up times, making them convenient for regular use. However, cooking with such ovens feels more like using a kitchen gadget.
• Multi-fuel options provide the best of both worlds, combining the functionalities of different fuel types. They offer versatility, allowing you to switch between wood, gas, or other fuel sources based on your preferences but usually there are some compromises made on the operational side of the oven.
• Electric ovens are designed for indoor or limited-space use. They offer precise temperature control and are often more convenient to operate, making them a great option for those who want to enjoy homemade pizza without the need for outdoor space, however may not reach as high temperatures.

It is worth to mention, before your decision, consider the availability and cost of fuels in your area. Can you source a good quality, dry wood locally? Is there a gas station to exchange gas containers not too far away? Can you really feel the imparted taste of wood fire? Is the process of tending fire as enjoyable to you as for us? What pizza style are you after? Choose the fuel type that aligns with your culinary preferences and lifestyle requirements that works best for your taste.

If you’re after the pleasure of outdoor grilling, complete with the hands-on experience of managing a real flame, and the advantage of superior-tasting pizza, then a real wood fire is your ideal choice!

The Best Pizza Ovens Reviewed

Through our thorough examination of the top pizza ovens available, we provide insights into their unique qualities, helping aspiring pizza enthusiasts to achieve professional-level culinary results. From traditional wood-fired ovens that add smoky flavors and create perfectly blistered crusts, to modern electric models known for their precise performance, we carefully evaluate each oven’s heat distribution, usability, and overall quality. Our goal is to find the right balance between practicality and performance, offering detailed insights to help you choose an oven that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of pizza lovers in their quest for pizza perfection.

So, let’s dive in and discover the oven that will take your pizza-making skills to the next level.

Our Favourite Newcomer For 2024: Bizzo Bizzo Cast Iron Pizza Oven

• Fuel source: Wood
• Pizza Diameter: 12 inches comfortably (more like 13″ actually)
• Temperature range: 850°F

This year, the Bizzo Bizzo cast iron wood-fired pizza oven truly stole the show in our outdoor culinary adventures. Its unique cast iron construction isn’t just new to the market; it’s a revolutionary approach that combines the charm of a cozy fireplace with the robustness of weather-proof, enameled cast iron. This oven not only looks solid, but it performs with unparalleled efficiency, maintaining perfect temperatures for those ideal NY-style pizzas we crave.

Cooking pizzas in a mere 2-3 minutes and fitting a generous amount of decently sized wood logs, the Bizzo Bizzo outshines its competitors. Its thoughtful three-piece design also makes it surprisingly transportable, despite its weight, and the sizeable opening adds to the ease of use. While the exterior can get hot, and a front door would be a beneficial addition for those longer pizza sessions, these points hardly diminish our appreciation. The Bizzo Bizzo has become the highlight of our year so far, redefining our outdoor pizza-making experience with its innovative cast iron design.

Most Affordable Pizza Oven: Big Horn

• Fuel source: Pellet
• Pizza Diameter: 16 inches
• Temperature range: 800°F

The BIG HORN OUTDOORS Wood Pellet Pizza Oven, while positioned as an affordable entry into the realm of wood-fired pizza making, falls short in delivering a satisfactory experience. Its most critical flaw lies in the pizza stone’s tendency to crack after only a few uses, disrupting the culinary process and leading to additional, unexpected expenses for replacements that are not easily available on the market.

This issue not only hampers the cooking experience but also raises questions about the overall value of the investment.

Compounding these concerns is the oven’s inconsistent temperature control, which challenges even the most enthusiastic pizza cooks. Achieving the perfect bake can feel like a gamble, with outcomes oscillating between undercooked and overly charred crusts. Despite its advantages of portability and ease of setup, the oven’s questionable durability and the likelihood of needing supplementary accessories to reach its full potential significantly diminish its appeal, casting a shadow over its initial allure as a budget-friendly option for wood-fired pizza enthusiasts.

All Time Classics: Ooni Karu 16

• Fuel source: Wood / Gas (Add-on that is sold separately)
• Pizza Diameter: 16 inches
• Temperature range: 950°F

The Ooni Karu 16 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven brings the esteemed legacy of Ooni’s innovation in pizza ovens to the forefront, boasting a host of features designed for the avid pizza maker. Its compatibility with gas, in addition to wood and charcoal, offers flexibility in fuel choice, ensuring convenience without compromising on the authentic pizza experience. The spacious cooking area accommodates larger pizzas and makes it suitable for gatherings, while the glass door and rapid heating capability enhance the cooking experience by allowing for easy monitoring and quick turnaround times.

On the negative side, the potential to overheat the stone when using wood can pose a challenge, requiring careful temperature management. Moreover, the digital thermometer’s limitation to only measure ambient temperature rather than the actual stone temperature can affect cooking precision, highlighting the need for an external thermometer to avoid poor pizza results. Additionally, the necessity to purchase the gas burner separately may be seen as an inconvenience, adding to the overall cost. The oven’s design, while functional, may lack the aesthetic appeal of a traditional outdoor grill, and its considerable weight makes it less portable than desired.

Our Favourite Multi-fuel oven: Bertello Grande

• Fuel source: Wood and Gas can be used at the same time
• Pizza Diameter: 16 inches
• Temperature range: 950°F

The Bertello Grande Pizza Oven offers a unique blend of features that cater to the avid home pizza chef. A standout pro is its ability to burn wood and gas simultaneously, providing the convenience of gas with the authentic flavor of wood-fired pizza. The innovative design includes a burner directly under the stone, ensuring quick heating times and a low turnaround time between pizzas, making it ideal for entertaining.

However, the oven’s aesthetics may not appeal to everyone, with a design that some might find reminiscent of a garage-made project. The efficient under-stone burner, while a significant advantage, also poses the risk of easily overheating the stone if not carefully monitored. This, combined with a steep learning curve to avoid burning the pizza crust, means that getting the perfect bake may require some practice and patience. But once you crack the code – it delivers!

Best Gas Pizza Oven: Gozney Roccbox

• Fuel source: Gas / Wood (Add-on that is sold separately)
• Pizza Diameter: 12 inches
• Temperature range: 950°F

The Gozney Roccbox pizza oven impresses with its stylish appearance and outstanding functionality. Key advantages feature exceptional heat retention and minimal downtime between pizzas, thanks to the extra thick pizza stone.. The safe-to-touch silicone coating makes the outside cool even during operation, while the inclusion of a pizza peel and a convenient carry strap adds to its overall appeal.

On the downside, the Roccbox is more efficient as a gas oven, as the separately sold wood burner struggles to achieve sufficient heat. The oven’s small opening can be a tight fit even for 12-inch pizzas, and a preheat time of at least 30 minutes is required. Additionally, the oven’s incredible insulation leads to it running hotter than anticipated, which poses some challenges in temperature management.

Top Pick For Indoor Use: Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo

• Fuel source: Electric
• Pizza Diameter: 12 inches
• Temperature range: 750°F

The Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo impresses with its sleek design that seamlessly fits into any kitchen setup, complementing other appliances beautifully. It’s a dream for beginners, thanks to its user-friendly presets that take the guesswork out of pizza making, allowing for delicious pizzas in under three minutes. The oven reaches temperatures far beyond what conventional home ovens can, all while being conveniently electric and suitable for indoor use.

But, as usual, it’s not without its drawbacks. The oven’s preheat time can test your patience, and its size might take up more counter space than expected. Cleaning can be a bit of a chore, especially with the small opening limiting access. The 11 3/4 inch stone, slightly smaller than the standard 12 inches for pizzas, may disappoint some, and the oven’s power consumption is something to consider for those mindful of energy use.

Temperature Considerations for Pizza Ovens

Temperature plays a vital role in the pizza success story. Achieving and maintaining the perfect, stable temperature is essential. Different pizza styles require specific temperature ranges to achieve their distinct characteristics. For instance, Neapolitan-style pizzas typically need extremely high temperatures, around 800 to 900°F (420 to 490°C), to achieve that signature charred crust and quick cooking time. On the other hand, New York-style pizzas are best baked at slightly lower temperatures, around 600 to 750°F (310 to 390°C), for a slightly longer cooking duration, while Chicago-style deep Dish Pizza needs a low 375 to 450°F (190 to 230°C).

When it comes to temperature control, thermally insulated construction is key. High-quality pizza ovens often feature a layer of high-temperature-resistant ceramic insulation. This insulation ensures consistent cooking temperatures and enhances energy efficiency during operation.

Easy Cleaning

We probably don’t hate anything more than the day of cleaning our grills. Some are harder to do it and some are a breeze, which really makes all the difference in the world. Having an easy cleaning process is a must-have feature in a high-quality pizza oven. It allows you to spend less time on maintenance and more time enjoying your delicious pizzas.

When it comes to wood-fired ovens, we recommend looking for models that have removable parts, such as grates or trays, that can be easily taken out and cleaned separately. This makes the cleaning process more thorough and convenient.

We have also noticed that ovens with chimneys – no matter gas or wood fired, tend to be much cleaner from soot on the outside. Even gas-powered ovens tend to become black on the front. If this bothers you, it is an aspect worth considering.

Additionally, choosing an oven with smooth surfaces and minimal crevices is beneficial. This ensures that there are no hard-to-reach areas where food particles can get trapped. Especially once the unintentional “Calzone” happens in the oven. Oh, and believe us – it will happen!

By selecting a pizza oven with easy cleaning features, you can always keep your oven in top condition and ready for your next pizza-making session with minimal effort and hassle.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Pizza Ovens

Most indoor pizza ovens these days come as tabletop kitchen gadgets that seamlessly integrate into modern kitchens, offering specialized pizza cooking capabilities while resembling conventional ovens. They provide a convenient option for pizza enthusiasts who want to enjoy homemade pizzas without the need for a dedicated outdoor space or even a backyard. It is not really our kind of cookie, but we have to admit that it gets the job done really well. So, whatever floats your boat, we suppose!

On the other hand! If you have the comfort of outdoors, the portable pizza ovens embrace open-air cooking, providing a more authentic pizza-baking experience. Just don’t forget if you have available space outside before buying. And if you do – you will be well rewarded for it, we promise!

So, if you prioritize convenience of not going outside (we do understand, that it is raining outside sometimes), an indoor pizza oven is a great choice. However, if you value the traditional experience, coziness of fire, and have outdoor space, an outdoor pizza oven may be the ideal option. Or why not both?!