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There’s something so satisfying about cooking your own pizza. But, you might have noticed that the pizzas you make in your home oven lack the crispness and texture that you enjoy when eating at a pizzeria. That’s because home ovens can’t reach the high temperatures needed for a perfectly cooked pizza. To get that desired result, you’ll need a pizza oven.
While there are many pizza ovens available for home use, finding the best oven for your needs can be tricky. That’s why I interviewed pizza experts about the features you need to look for and how to get the most out of your pizza oven. Read on to get advice from the pros, then check out our top picks for the best pizza ovens to help you find the right option for your home.
Before making a purchase, consider your desired fuel type, says James Siciliano, senior product manager at Cuisinart Outdoors: “Propane will be the easiest to use and will hold the most consistent temperatures, while wood, wood pellet or charcoal fueled ovens will impart a natural ‘wood-fired flavor,’ but will require more maintenance during your cook to keep the temperature where you want it.”
Choose a pizza oven with the size and capacity to support your needs, says Fahad Javaid, general manager of operations at Zanduco Canada. “You want the size and capacity to match the volume of pizzas you are making,” he says. “For example, a residential pizza oven is much different from a commercial one in size, cooking capacity and output.” Consider the maximum capacity that you want your oven to be able to support. Think about the space that you have available, too, including space available to store the oven when not in use.
Javaid notes that it’s important to choose a pizza oven that easily reaches temperatures of 450 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and that ideally distributes the heat evenly. “The material and insulation of the oven will affect this the most,” he explains. “Stainless steel, ceramic and brick are all common, and the latter is especially common for pizza ovens.”
A high-quality oven will feature quality insulation to help maximize heat retention while minimizing energy waste, Javaid continues. “A stone baking board is the best heat conductor for wood-fired ovens, and is durable and easy to clean,” he says. “Perlite and vermiculite are both commonly used in pizza oven construction.”
According to Siciliano, it’s also important to consider the learning curve that comes with a new pizza oven. “We noticed multiple brands included a sheet in their box informing the user that there may be a learning curve as they begin using their oven, and that they could ruin a few pizzas in the process,” he says. “While that is not necessarily a bad thing and is often true when trying new cooking methods, it may discourage or intimidate some users who were expecting to make great pizzas right out of the gate.”
Many pizza ovens are capable of achieving very high maximum temperatures – up to 950 degrees Fahrenheit – which creates very short cook times of between 60 and 90 seconds, adds Siciliano. While many users love that capability, it means you have to constantly watch the pizza and turn it every 20 to 30 seconds to prevent burning. Consider what cooking speed and learning curve you’re most comfortable with to ensure you buy an oven that you’ll enjoy using.
Finally, consider the pizza oven’s price and your budget. Don’t forget to factor in additional supplies that you might need, like pellets or propane tanks, as well as any installation costs.
With its ability to reach temperatures of 752 degrees Fahrenheit, this oven can cook pizzas in just 60 seconds, making it ideal for dinner parties, family gatherings and more. It includes plenty of accessories, like a pizza peel and waterproof cover, and features a door peephole so you can easily monitor cooking progress. The oven is portable, thanks to foldable legs and a handle built into the top, and it features a three-year warranty.
This pizza oven is designed to be portable, and it can reach temperatures that cook a pizza in 60 seconds, making it ideal for larger parties and gatherings.
Get it here: Pizzello Forte Outdoor Wood Fired Pizza Oven
Capable of reaching 950 degrees Fahrenheit, this oven can cook pizzas in one minute. The hopper automatically feeds pellets, and the pellets leave behind minimal ash to reduce cleanup. The oven features a five-year warranty, which is one of the best that we’ve seen. It’s also backed by a “great pizza guarantee,” meaning if you can’t make great pizza with it, you have up to 60 days to return it.
This pizza oven reaches high temperatures for efficient cooking, and it’s backed by a five-year warranty and a 60-day return policy if you’re not satisfied with the pizza it makes.
Get it here: Ooni Fyra 12 Wood Pellet Pizza Oven
With its two cooking surfaces, this pizza oven allows you to simultaneously cook a pizza and grill foods like vegetables and meats. Door and chimney vents allow you to adjust the temperatures, and the pizza stone is sized for up to a 12-inch pie. The oven includes a pizza stone, cooking rack, pizza peel and waterproof cover, and it’s portable for versatile use and storage.
This oven features two cooking surfaces, allowing you to simultaneously cook and grill, which is ideal when cooking for a larger family or party.
Get it here: Giantex Outdoor Pizza Oven
This indoor pizza oven includes many features that can customize the cook for ideal results. Choose from settings for frozen, pan, New York, thin and crispy and wood-fired pizzas. The stone deck heats evenly, and the oven replicates the conductive, radiant and convective heat produced by brick ovens to ensure the entire pizza is cooked. The oven even features a manual mode that lets you control the deck and top temperatures and choose which heating elements are used, for precise results.
This pizza oven includes many features, like the ability to customize settings and modes for different pizza types, to help you get a quality cook on your pies.
Get it here: Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo Pizza Oven
When you unbox this pizza oven, you just need to open the foldable legs, insert the stone board and connect it to a gas tank – then you’ll be ready to cook. The oven can reach temperatures of 950 degrees Fahrenheit, so it can cook pizza in 60 seconds. It’s also capable of roasting foods like vegetables and steaks, making it a convenient addition to your home.
This oven features a very simple setup and is capable of not only quickly cooking pizzas, but can also be used to roast vegetables and meats.
Get it here: Ooni Koda 12 Gas Powered Pizza Oven
The Pizzello Outdoor Pizza Oven is a highly versatile choice. It can operate as a pizza oven, grill, fire pit or as an oven on your grill top, and you can fuel it with wood, wood pellets or charcoal. It includes accessories that you’ll need to get started, like a carry bag and pizza peel, and its lightweight design makes it easily portable.
This pizza oven is a versatile and portable choice that you can use to make pizza, grill foods and even use as a fire pit at home, while camping and more.
Get it here: Pizzello Outdoor Pizza Oven
With the Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven, you can easily choose temperatures from 350 to 700 degrees Fahrenheit using the adjustable thermostat control. That temperature range works with various pizza styles, and the oven includes a pizza stone and a deep dish pan. An integrated cooking guide also helps you to choose the best settings, and an independent countdown timer keeps you updated on progress.
With the adjustable thermostat control, you can choose temperatures ranging from 350 to 700 F, suitable for many pizza styles.
Get it here: Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven
This pellet-fired pizza oven can reach up to 860 degrees Fahrenheit and can cook pizzas in two minutes. It weighs just 25 pounds, so you can use it on a countertop and then easily move it, thanks to its folding legs. The stainless steel design makes it a durable choice for outdoor use, and it’s also available in a black finish.
This countertop pizza oven is powered by wood pellets and can reach high temperatures to cook pizzas in just two minute
Get it here: Big Horn Outdoors Pizza Oven
With the Star Patio Pizza Oven for Grill, you don’t have to worry about a separate fuel source for your oven. You can place this pizza oven on your existing grill, and it uses the grill heat to cook pizzas. It features a built-in thermometer to help you track the temperature, and it’s also capable of roasting beef and other ingredients, making it perfect for camping or gatherings in your backyard. It is backed by a one-year manufacturer warranty.
This pizza oven pairs with your existing grill and is capable of cooking 12-inch pizzas or grilling meats and other foods.
Get it here: Star Patio Pizza Oven for Grill
This pizza oven can be fired with wood or charcoal, or you can opt to buy the Ooni gas burner attachment to power it with propane. The high temperature capacity means you can cook pizzas in 60 seconds, and this larger oven is capable of accommodating up to 16-inch pizzas. Features like a mounted digital thermometer and hinged glass door allow for more precise cooking. The oven also includes a waterproof cover and pizza peel.
You can power this pizza oven with charcoal, wood or propane (when you buy the gas attachment), and it can cook up to 16-inch pizzas.
Get it here: Ooni Karu 16 Pizza Oven Bundle
This pizza oven gives you the convenience of electric temperature control with the ability to integrate wood pellets for a smoky flavor. It can cook pizzas within three minutes, and features Neapolitan, New York, thin crust, pan and frozen pizza settings for a customized cook. This compact oven is easily portable, and it’s also capable of other cooking functions, like smoker, bake and broil.
This pizza oven features five pizza settings and electric power for precise temperature control, and it’s capable of cooking a pizza in three minutes.
Get it here: Ninja Woodfire Pizza Oven
The Dome Propane Outdoor Pizza Oven gives you the option of cooking with propane or wood. It can reach temperatures of up to 950 degrees Fahrenheit to cook pizzas in just three minutes, or use it to roast, smoke, steam and bake other foods. The spacious mouth gives you easy access to the food, and the ventilation system helps to regulate airflow so you can easily adjust the heat output. A built-in digital thermometer and two probes let you keep a close eye on the temperature.
You can power this pizza oven with propane or wood, and features like a high temperature, built-in digital thermometer and two temperature probes help ensure quality results.
Get it here: Dome Propane Outdoor Pizza Oven
While an actual brick pizza oven costs thousands (and requires way too much space for a home appliance), this oven gives you a similar look and the benefits of clay construction. Its distinctive appearance will complement many backyards. The oven includes four pizza stones, an ember rake and a stand, and while it’s compact, it can accommodate up to a 12-inch pizza.
This pizza oven is crafted from clay, so you’ll enjoy the natural flavors created by a clay oven plus a distinctive, beautiful look.
Get it here: Tierra Firme Talavera Clay Freestanding Wood Burning Pizza Oven
The Cuisinart 3-in-1 Pizza Oven Plus is highly versatile and can function as a pizza oven, griddle and grill. It includes a cordierite pizza stone and a cast iron grill and griddle, and the cooking surfaces that you aren’t using can be placed in the storage shelf to keep all of the components together. The oven features a dual-hinged lid to minimize heat loss and maximize efficiency while still giving you easy access to the oven.
This pizza oven also functions as a grill and griddle, and it features a storage shelf for the extra cooking surfaces when they’re not in use.
Get it here: Cuisinart 3-in-1 Pizza Oven Plus
Whether I’m considering the best air fryers, the best microwaves or even the best knife set, I start with advice sourced from interviews with experts. To select the best pizza ovens, I focused on the important features and qualities highlighted by the experts I interviewed. I looked for ovens constructed with quality materials and chose selections that are powered by a variety of fuel types. I considered each oven’s temperature range, as well as cooking speed, preheat time and overall ease of use. I tried to include items available at different price points, so this list includes pizza ovens for all budgets.
The three main types of pizza ovens are wood burning, electric and gas ovens.
According to Javaid, wood-burning pizza ovens may be stainless steel, brick, or crafted with refractory materials, like refractory cement, which is designed to withstand high temperatures. “Stainless steel wood-fired ovens are lighter, more portable and heat up faster than brick or refractory ovens, but may not retain heat as long,” he says. “Wood-fired pizza ovens can be harder to operate. Many people burn a few pies before perfecting the cooking process. However, the flavor and high output is pretty unbeatable.”
Javaid notes that you’ll also find indoor and outdoor gas and electric models made from stainless steel and refractory materials. “A pro of gas and electric-powered models is that there is no smoke, they tend to be more portable and they heat up faster,” he explains.
It’s best to put a pizza oven on a steel or stainless steel surface, according to Siciliano. Javaid recommends ensuring that there is at least 2-2.5 feet of clearance all around a pizza oven to avoid contact with any combustible materials.
Consider your flavor preferences and the efficiency of a pizza oven, says Javaid. “Wood-fired ovens offer a unique flavor and authenticity that can be a significant draw to traditional-style pizzas,” he explains. “The high heat and smoke from the wood contribute to a distinct taste and a crispy crust that is hard to replicate in gas ovens. However, wood ovens require more skill to operate, as maintaining the right temperature can be challenging and requires constant attention.” He notes that wood-fired ovens may also have longer cooking times, and they come with more operational and maintenance challenges, like the need to regularly source and store wood.
In contrast, gas pizza ovens deliver more consistent heat and they’re easier to control, so they’re a convenient option for amateur cooks, according to Javaid. “They heat up faster than wood ovens and require less manual intervention to maintain the desired cooking temperature,” he says. “The result is consistent cooking results and easier operation and cleaning.” While gas ovens require less daily maintenance than wood-fired ovens, you won’t get that true wood-fired pizza taste with a gas pizza oven.
“In addition to having prep tables that have all the ingredients ready to assemble at the time of ordering, restaurants also benefit from having exceptionally efficient equipment,” says Javaid. “During service hours, a pizza place with a brick oven can have the appliance operating at temperatures as high as 600 degrees Fahrenheit, which can cook a pizza evenly in under 3 minutes. Other stainless steel and ceramic commercial ovens can cook pizzas in around 6-10 minutes.”
To speed up the pizza cooking process at home, have your ingredients prepared and your oven preheated, advises Javaid. Plus, don’t forget about cleaning and maintenance. “General appliance upkeep is also important for wood-burning ovens, especially as ash and char can easily build up and affect the flavor,” says Javaid. “Ensure you are sweeping your ash out of the oven after each use.”
Outdoor pizza ovens often make big claims of high temperatures and fast cooking times. “Those things look great on paper but are not always the easiest to use,” warns Siciliano. “Cooking a pizza at 800 degrees Fahrenheit for four minutes can give you the same results as cooking at 950 degrees Fahrenheit for one minute, with less maintenance and opportunity for burning.”
Javaid notes that it’s important to understand the different fuel types and identify which option works best for your needs, advising that you should “speak to an appliance professional and have your home assessed by a contractor if you’re choosing a built in model, before you consider purchasing any parts or an oven.”
Oven For Pizza AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.