If you are looking for the best outdoor pizza oven, the most important factors to consider are its fuel type, size, and heating capabilities, among many others. Below, I have handpicked my favorite products based on these features. Read on to learn more about why they might be important to you!
I’ve tried baking homemade pizza over the years. Not only can it make my kitchen really hot, but even though my kitchen gets hot, a regular kitchen oven actually can’t get hot enough to make a true Neapolitan style pizza!
Fortunately, some affordable outdoor pizza ovens have cropped up over the past few years that have really changed the game and enabled more pizza lovers like me to up their game. With these ovens, you can get a perfectly charred pizza from your backyard or patio while hanging outside with friends and family instead of in your kitchen.
Below, I will round up the best outdoor pizza ovens available today. I will discuss each item in detail and include its pros and cons, so you can easily compare one product to another.
I will also walk you through the factors to consider before buying a pizza oven. Hopefully, this section will help you make a wise purchasing decision.
And to wrap things up, I will answer some of your frequently asked questions about baking pizzas at home.
Let us jump right into my top picks!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
---|---|---|
Editor’s Pick |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Best Pellet Stove |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Best Propane Stove |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Most Versatile |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review | |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review | |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
7 Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens
These best outdoor pizza ovens can reach high temperatures to achieve perfectly charred pies. Each one either uses natural gas or wood as fuel.
1. ROCCBOX Gozney Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven – Editor’s Pick
Starting off this list of the best outdoor pizza oven is the ROCCBOX Gozney Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven.
It features detachable dual-fuel burners with built-in thermometers. It uses propane gas as standard. However, there is an option to buy a separate wood burner and use pellets as fuel.
Additionally, this stone pizza oven has a maximum temperature of 932° F. It allows you to achieve a thin pizza base and a charred artisan crust in just several minutes.
Furthermore, the ROCCBOX Gozney Pizza Oven comes with an outer silicone skin on top of its metal construction. It can keep the outside temperature at a minimum. Thus, it reduces the risk of skin burns.
Finally, the manufacturer provides a five-year warranty for this outdoor pizza oven. Just make sure to register the product after purchase.
Despite these benefits, it is still best to consider its downsides. First, it is difficult to regulate the temperature. Second, a few users said the oven took too long to heat up, which only wasted propane gas.
But as you can see, the pros outweigh the cons. For this reason, I picked the ROCCBOX Gozney Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven as the best pizza oven.
Pros:
- Detachable dual-fuel burners can either use propane or wooden pellets
- It can reach high temperatures of over 932° F for baking charred pizza crust
- The other silicone skin can prevent the risk of accidental burns
- ROCCBOX provides a five-year warranty
Cons:
- It is difficult to regulate the temperature
- A few users complained that the oven took too long to heat up
2. Ooni Fyra 12 Wood-Fired Outdoor Pizza Oven – Best Pellet Stove
Those who want to cook authentic Neapolitan-style pizza might want to look into the Ooni Fyra 12 Wood-Fired Outdoor Pizza Oven.
This pellet hopper automatically feeds through hardwood pellets to ensure effortless cooking. And similar to modern wood fire ovens, it can reach high temperatures of 950° F (500° C) in just 60 seconds.
Additionally, the fire in the oven chamber produces smoke from the wood pellets to enhance the flavors of the pizza. At the same time, it offers an authentic way of cooking pizza.
Moreover, the Ooni Fyra 12 features a powder-coated carbon steel shell. It ensures optimal heat retention to minimize energy waste.
Finally, this best outdoor pizza oven is relatively lightweight with foldable legs. These allow you to store and transport the pizza stone with ease.
But before buying this pizza oven, it is essential to look into its downsides. First, it can be difficult to operate compared to gas-fired ovens, especially if you are a beginner. Second, a few customers noticed paint peeling off after a few times of use.
Nevertheless, the Ooni Fyra 12 is still worth considering. It is among the best wood pellet stoves on the market today.
Pros:
- It uses hardwood pellets to offer an authentic way to cook pizza
- The wood-fired oven can take less than 15 minutes to bake Neapolitan-style pizzas
- A durable carbon steel shell can ensure optimal heat retention
- A portable design allows easy storage and transport
Cons:
- This wood-fired oven has a steep learning curve
- A few users said that the paint peeled off after a few times of use
3. Ooni Koda 16 Gas Pizza Oven – Best Propane Stove
If you want a pizza oven that is easy to operate, look no further than the Ooni Koda 16 Gas Pizza Oven.
It features instant gas ignition that can reach temperatures up to 950° F (500 °C) in minutes. Simply insert the pizza stone and connect it to a gas tank to start baking pizza.
This propane gas oven can also roast meat, fish, and vegetables. Just invest in one of the Ooni cast iron cooking accessories to transform it into a versatile outdoor grill.
What’s more, the Ooni Koda 16 has a powder-coated carbon steel shell. It offers incredible heat retention to ensure energy efficiency.
There is also no need to assemble this outdoor pizza oven. It already comes installed when it is delivered to your doorstep.
However, all these benefits come at a relatively high price tag. A few users were also disappointed with the limited temperature control.
Overall, though, the Ooni Koda 16 might still be worth considering for its premium and easy-to-use features.
Pros:
- Easy to use pizza oven out of the box
- It can reach temperatures twice that of a normal domestic oven
- It becomes more than a pizza maker when combined with optional cast iron accessories
- The carbon steel oven provides reliable heat retention
Cons:
- It is the most expensive outdoor oven on this list
- The limited temperature control disappointed some customers
4. Ooni Karu 12 Multi-Fuel Outdoor Pizza Oven – Most Versatile
Do you want to ensure efficient cooking and achieve authentic, smoked flavor at the same time? Then, the Ooni Karu 12 Multi-Fuel Outdoor Pizza Oven might be the right product for your needs.
It accepts wood, charcoal, and propane gas as fuel to heat up the oven. However, if you want to use gas, prepare to invest in a separate gas burner attachment.
This versatile outdoor pizza oven can reach a massive 950° F in just 60 seconds. Thus, it can cook authentic pizza with a smoky hint from the wood or charcoal.
Furthermore, the Ooni Karu 12 features a custom-designed fuel tray. It maximizes airflow and helps maintain ultra-high baking temperatures.
Finally, this best pizza oven weighs only 26 pounds. The light load allows you to easily move and transport the oven when you see fit.
However, it is best to check the downsides of this product before finalizing your purchasing decision. First, some users said that the oven tends to burn the top of the pizza. Second, a few customers had difficulty achieving a crispy pizza crust.
With that said, the Ooni Karu 12 still deserves a place in this article of the best outdoor pizza ovens due to its versatility and reliable heat retention.
Pros:
- A multi-fuel pizza oven can use wood or charcoal straight out of the box
- It allows you to cook with gas using the Ooni Gas Burner attachment
- The custom-designed fuel tray maximizes airflow
- It produces a powerful blast of searing flame that can reach a massive 950° F
- This lightweight pizza oven is easy to move and transport when needed
Cons:
- Some users said that the oven tends to burn the top of the pizza
- It is difficult to achieve crispy pizza crust
5. Green Mountain Grill Wood-Fired Pizza Oven – Best Budget
Those who are on a tight budget might want to consider the Green Mountain Grill Wood-Fired Pizza Oven.
This wood-fired pizza oven accepts wooden pellets as fuel. It can quickly reach high temperatures to help you cook restaurant-quality pizza in no time.
Additionally, it is compatible with other larger and more capable pizza ovens. These include the Green Mountain Grill Jim Bowie, Peak, and Daniel Boone.
Moreover, it already includes a pizza stone for convenient cooking.
Finally, the manufacturer provides a one-year warranty. Feel free to ask for a return or refund if the product does not meet your expectations.
However, there are still a few downsides to this pizza oven. First, some users said that the included pizza stone easily cracked after a few times of use. Second, a few customers found it difficult to set the right baking temperature.
But after considering its price, the Green Mountain Grill Wood-Fired Pizza Oven is hard to beat. It is my top recommended pizza oven if you are on a limited budget.
Pros:
- This wood-fired pizza oven can help you bake authentic pizza with a smoky flavor
- It quickly reaches high temperatures
- It already comes with a pizza stone for your convenience
- The manufacturer provides a one-year warranty
Cons:
- The included pizza stone cracked into two pieces after a few times of use
- A few customers said that it is relatively difficult to set the right temperature
6. Pizzacraft Pizzeria Pronto Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven – Best Portable
The Pizzacraft Pizzeria Pronto Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven is another high-quality baking oven to consider for your backyard.
It features a lightweight and portable body made with steel. This oven is perfect for camping, tailgating, or your traditional family pizza night. Meanwhile, the steel body is coated with black enamel to ensure durability.
Additionally, the Pizzacraft Outdoor Oven comes with cordierite pizza stones. These accept propane gas as fuel to reach cooking temperatures of over 700° F. It can quickly cook American-style and Neopolitan-style pizzas.
Furthermore, this best pizza oven has a heat-containing visor and stainless steel reflection plate. Both items can offer reliable heat retention.
Finally, the package includes a standard regulator for Type I fitting. It allows you to connect the oven to a liquid propane tank.
Despite these benefits, this outdoor pizza oven has a few cons you need to be aware of. First, some users said it cooked their pies unevenly. Second, a few customers had difficulty placing the pizza on the baking stone due to its small opening.
Nevertheless, the Pizzacraft Pizzeria Pronto Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven is among the best outdoor ovens available today.
Pros:
- A lightweight and portable pizza oven is ideal for camping, tailgating, or your regular family pizza night
- It features an enamel-coated steel body to ensure durability
- The heat-containing visor and stainless steel reflection plate offer reliable heat retention
- The package includes a standard regulator for liquid propane tank
Cons:
- It has a relatively steep learning curve to get consistent baking results
- The small opening makes it difficult to place the pizza on the stone
7. BakerStone Portable Gas Pizza Oven – Honorable Mention
The last item on this list of the best outdoor pizza ovens is the BakerStone Portable Gas Pizza Oven.
It features a powerful 25,000 BTU burner system. It can reach baking temperatures of over 800˚ F (426˚ C) to cook pizzas in no time.
Additionally, this portable pizza oven accepts propane gas as fuel. It already comes with a firebox and regulator for your convenience.
Furthermore, it has a removable design. It allows easy cleaning and transport when you need it.
Finally, the BakerStone Gas Oven is compatible with various accessories to expand its functionality. These include full griddle and grill grates.
However, it is essential to check the downsides of this product. First, some users reported that they did not receive the firebox with a regulator. Second, a few customers said that the legs were unstable.
Overall, though, the BakerStone Portable Gas Pizza Oven is still worth considering for its powerful burner and portable design.
Pros:
- A powerful 25,000 BTU burner system
- It can cook pizzas in a few minutes
- It has a removable compartment to ensure easy cleaning and transport
- This outdoor pizza oven is compatible with other accessories to expand its functionality
Cons:
- Some customers did not receive the included firebox with a regulator
- A few users said that the legs could be unstable
How to Pick the Best Outdoor Pizza Oven for Home
If you are still unsure which outdoor pizza oven to buy, do not worry.
Below, I will walk you through the factors to look into when buying a pizza oven. Make sure to consider each one carefully to ensure that you will be getting your money’s worth.
Fuel Type
One of the first factors to consider when buying an outdoor pizza oven is its fuel type. Each one can offer different cooking results and requires varying levels of attention when baking. It is up to you to choose which one best suits your needs and personal preferences.
For instance, a wood-fired pizza oven needs you to get more involved in the cooking process. It requires you to constantly tend the flames and turn the pizza for even cooking. Doing all these tasks can be pretty challenging, especially if you are a beginner. On the upside, a wood-burning oven produces a smoky flavor that enhances the pizza experience.
On the other hand, a gas pizza offers a more consistent source of heat. It allows all sides of the pizza to cook evenly. Hence, it eliminates the need to flip the pizza inside the oven. However, a propane gas oven lacks the smokey flavor that pellet-burning pizza ovens offer.
Oven Size
The next thing to consider is the size of the cooking oven before buying it. It must be able to fit your patio or backyard storage space.
You might also want to consider whether or not you plan to bring your pizza oven to camping trips or other places. If so, it is best to buy a compact oven. It is considerably lighter than others. Hence, it can take up less space and is easier to carry around.
Cooking Surface
Besides the oven size, you must also look into its cooking surface size.
Make sure it is large enough to handle between 12 to 14 inches of family-sized pizzas.
You also have to ensure that there is enough space for turning your pizza and removing it from the heat.
If you want to bake larger pies, you might want to consider a permanent outdoor pizza oven structure. Of course, the only downside would be the lack of mobility.
Heating Capability
It is also essential to consider the heating capability of the pizza oven before buying one. The last thing you want is an oven that does not cook your pie completely or evenly.
If you intend to bake thin-crust pizzas, invest in an oven that can produce baking temperatures over 700 degrees. However, for ordinary American-style and pizzeria-style pies, you can buy an oven that goes up to 600 degrees.
Extra Features
Finally, there are a few extra features you might want to consider when shopping for the best outdoor pizza ovens.
One of the most important tools to get is a pizza peel. It refers to a spatula-type tool that can help you transfer the pizza in and out of the oven. Some pizza ovens will include this tool as a free item when you buy from them.
Another feature to look for is a temperature gauge. It lets you know when the pizza oven is already hot enough to use, which prompts you to move the raw dough inside the oven.
If you intend to bring the oven to a camping trip or when traveling, you might want to consider a model with wheels and detachable legs. These ensure convenient storage during travel.
Other handy features to look for include waterproof covers, stands, and built-in thermometers, among many things.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a wood-fired or gas pizza oven better?
When shopping for the best pizza ovens, you will come across two main types—one that uses propane gas and one that accepts wooden pellets. You might be wondering which one is better for cooking pizza. But the answer will depend on your needs and personal preferences.
If you want an oven that does not require much maintenance, go with a gas-fired model. You will also find this oven easier to cook pizza evenly. There is no need to turn the pizza or tend to the flames. However, do not expect this type of oven to give you a smoke-flavored pie.
Those who prefer the authentic way of cooking pizza might like the wood-fired oven better. It produces smoke from the wood that can enhance the flavor of the pie. At the same time, it lets you turn the pizza inside the oven to cook it evenly. Doing so can be pretty difficult for a beginner, though. It can also be challenging to clean after use.
Where should I place my outdoor pizza oven?
Although outdoor pizza ovens have durable construction, they are not water-resistant. They cannot withstand continuous exposure to rain and moisture.
Thus, it is best to place your outdoor pizza oven in a cool and dry place away from the rain. You might also want to consider using a waterproof cover. It can prevent the stone inside the oven from getting wet and cracked.
Are outdoor pizza ovens worth it?
If you already have an oven, you might be wondering if it is still worth it to purchase a separate outdoor pizza oven. However, you are the only one who can answer that. Think about your needs, personal preferences, and reasons to buy a new cooking appliance.
Outdoor pizza ovens can be worth the price tag if you bake pizzas frequently. The purchase is also justifiable if you spend a lot of time outside your patio or yard and are interested in upgrading your homemade pizza game.
There is also no need to be intimidated when shopping for a high-quality outdoor pizza oven. You will come across affordable models that will not break your bank. You are also likely to find small, personal-size pizza ovens that are easier to bring along on trips.
Conclusion
That sums up my top recommendations for the best pizza ovens available today! I highly suggest checking each product for its high-temperature capabilities to help cook pizza evenly.
But if I can only choose one item, it would be the ROCCBOX Gozney Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven. It has dual-fuel burners that allow you to use either propane gas or wood. Additionally, this stone pizza oven can achieve temperatures over 932° F to cook pizzas evenly. There are also built-in thermometers that let you know when the oven is hot enough. Moreover, an outer silicone skin can keep the outside temperature at a minimum to prevent accidental burns. Finally, the manufacturer provides five-year warranty coverage. Feel free to ask for a refund or replacement if the item did not meet your expectations. All these benefits make this model the best outdoor pizza oven available today.