Just about everyone loves pizza. Whether you enjoy deep-dish, thin-crust, gluten-free, or any other type of pizza, that fresh-from-the-oven taste is like nothing else. While you can make your own pizza at home in your oven, it isn’t quite the same, plus it tends to heat up the entire house. Imagine having your own outdoor pizza oven that would allow you to capture that pizza-parlor flavor without having to place a takeout order. Even better, it will allow you to make the most of your outdoor space and provide a fun way to create delicious meals for your friends and family.
Our Top 3 Picks for 2021 - A Quick Comparison
The Aztec Allure Pizza Oven not only makes a great pizza but it also looks impressive. This is a large outdoor fireplace that can handle pizzas as well as other types of outdoor cooking. It is made of cast iron, which means that once it gets hot, it stays HOT. The fuel used is wood.
The ash will fall into a removal drawer, so it’s easy to keep this pizza oven clean. Also, the grate is stainless steel, so it won’t rust and is easy to keep clean. You’ll be able to bake pizzas up to 14” across in this grill.
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Runner Up #1
The U-MAX Outdoor Pizza Oven is a close runner-up in our list of the best outdoor pizza ovens. This one also burns wood for fuel and will give your pizza that excellent wood-fired flavor. The oven is made of steel and covered with powder coating for the ultimate in durability. It won’t rust or corrode, and it weighs under 50 lbs, making it manageable to get into place and to move if you need to. It has wheels on one side to aid in portability.
This oven will bake a 12-inch pizza and heats evenly if you let it preheat for about 30 minutes. There is an ash chamber to assist in cleaning, and there is a built-in thermometer to help you gauge the temperature.
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Runner Up #2
If you are looking for a high-quality splurge that will give you true Italian flavor, the Forno Venitzia Torino 300 is the outdoor pizza oven you want.This is a good-sized oven that actually sits on a tabletop outdoors. It uses wood and has a ceramic interior for great heat retention and even heating. The quality is evident when you look at the chimney cap and oak handles; these details are part of the authentic Italian design.
The oven will get up to about 800 degrees, and it retains heat incredibly; one reviewer said that 12 hours after use, it was still over 200 degrees inside. The heat is also very even, so your pizza will come out perfectly on all sides, the top, and the bottom.
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Considerations When Buying an Outdoor Pizza Oven
When buying an outdoor pizza oven, it’s important to think about how you plan to use the oven, the amount of space you have, and so on. Here are some of the important considerations you’ll want to keep in mind as you look over all of the options.
- How much experience do you have? If you have never used an outdoor pizza oven before, you will want to choose one that is easy to use. Also, if you find one that has a pizza peel and the other accessories you’ll need, this will make things easier when the time comes for you to bake your first pie!
- How much room do you have? Do you have a tabletop outdoors that is safe to put a pizza oven on? If you have a lot of room and want a stand-up oven, is it in an area that is safe (i.e. not too close to your house, fence, or other structures)? Think about the space you have before deciding which type to purchase.
- What type of fuel will you be using? Some pizza ovens use propane, while others use wood or pellets. Consider the different options available, then you’ll know which types of ovens to look at when you are ready to make a purchase.
Important Safety Information
When using an outdoor pizza oven, there are some safety precautions you need to take. First and foremost, be sure that you are locating your oven in a safe space. This means not too close to the house, fence, shed, or other structures that could be damaged by high heat. You’ll also need to ensure that children and pets won’t be running and playing in the vicinity. Do not, for example, place your oven between the children’s swing set and your back door or in an area where your dog likes to romp.
Make sure you know how to use the fuel properly and that the vents are clear. If you aren’t sure how to use the fuel, you must have a qualified person show you how. Don’t resort to using lighter fluid or other unsafe practices.
Finally, never use an outdoor pizza oven indoors unless it is specifically made to use either indoors or outdoors. This is because the fuel used can create deadly carbon monoxide gas in the house. The same rule applies to garages, sheds, and other enclosed outdoor spaces. Be sure there is plenty of air circulation and that the fumes and smoke aren’t blowing into the house.
Different Types of Outdoor Pizza Ovens
Best Dual-Fuel Pizza Oven
The ROCCBOX by Gonzey offers you the versatility of using either wood or propane as you cook your pizza. If you think you’ll want to use wood, you will need to purchase the wood burner that is sold separately. Otherwise, just hook up your propane tank and get cookin’!
This oven comes ready to go. Just take it out of the box, flip the legs down, and you’re all set. While the body is made of metal, you’ll be happy to note that it doesn’t get very hot to the touch, so this is a good option if you have young children (but supervision is always required!).
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Best Budget Outdoor Pizza Oven
The CHANGE MOORE Outdoor Pizza Oven is friendly to your wallet and could be a great choice if you want to try out a pizza oven without committing to spending many hundreds of dollars. This oven uses wood pellets and will get up to 900 degrees, allowing you to bake a pie in about a minute.
The oven is portable and easy to set up and move. It is made of steel and has a ceramic inside to help with even heating. The included pizza stone is the right temperature to make a perfect crust!
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Best Propane Outdoor Pizza Oven
If you are looking for a pizza oven that uses propane, you’ll want to consider the BIG HORN OUTDOORS Gas Pizza Oven. This one is portable and made from high-quality steel to prevent rusting. It’s also easy to take apart to move it and also to clean it and keep it in good condition.
This oven has a built-in thermometer. It also has non-skid feet to assist in keeping it still on top of a table. Always be sure to be aware of children and pets when using a tabletop oven! Like most other pizza ovens, this one can accommodate burgers, veggie kabobs, and a variety of other foods that you might want to cook outdoors, so it will do if you don’t have a grill and want to have a cookout.
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Best Outdoor Pizza Oven Kit With Accessories
Those who don’t have the accessories needed to make a pizza might want to consider the Bertello Outdoor Pizza Oven because it comes with just about everything you need! This kit includes the pizza peel, a wood tray for the gas burner, a thermometer, and a cover. You can cook with wood, pellets, or gas, and you can even use the wood and gas at the same time for complete versatility.
In addition to cooking pizzas, you can also use this oven to make burgers, hot dogs, fish, and a variety of other items, so invite your friends over and enjoy!
Conclusion
All in all, the outdoor pizza oven that you buy will depend on your particular circumstances, where you will be putting the oven, which fuel you want to use, and other factors. If your oven is portable, you should bring it indoors after each use to protect it from the elements. If it isn’t, be sure to cover it to keep it looking good for a long time. We hope that you’ll find that one of the pizza ovens we’ve featured will be the perfect one for your backyard! We think you’ll find that it’s well worth it to add some extra interest to your yard and to open up a new possibility for preparing meals.