Imagine biting into a slice of pizza, the crust perfectly crisp, the cheese bubbling hot, all enjoyed under a clear night sky. Doesn’t that sound amazing? Many of us dream of bringing that authentic pizzeria experience right into our own backyards. But when you start looking at outdoor pizza ovens, the choices can feel overwhelming. Should you go for wood-fired, gas, or maybe even electric? Each one promises that delicious, smoky flavor, but figuring out which one fits your space, budget, and cooking style can be a real puzzle.
You want that perfect oven, but you don’t want to waste time or money on the wrong one. That’s exactly why we created this guide. We will break down the biggest differences between the popular types of outdoor pizza ovens. By the end of this post, you will know exactly what features matter most for your backyard setup. Get ready to stop dreaming and start building that perfect outdoor pizza station!
Top Outdoor Pizza Oven Recommendations
- 【Premium & Safe Stainless Steel】Outdoor pizza oven is constructed with high-quality stainless steel. This sturdy and compact oven is safe for cooking all types of foods
- 【3-in-1 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven】Pellet Pizza Oven for authentic wood-fired flavor, or switch seamlessly to BIG HORN Gas/Electric Burner attachments (sold separately). Ready in 18–20 min, reaches 887°F for perfect pizzas in 60–90 sec, plus steaks, fish, lamb, burgers, vegetables. Portable and suitable for indoor or outdoor use, rain or shine, all year round
- 【Ultra-Portable & Ease of Assembly】 The durable and lightweight pizza oven equipped with folding legs, requires minimal assembly without tools, it can quickly come apart for easy cleaning, storage and it weighs just 25lb, ideal for the backyard or outdoor cooking events
- 【Easy Use & Cook Evenly】Slide in your pizza and turn often for consistent results. Little sauce & minimal toppings work best for Neapolitan-style pizza, and switching to gas or electric (sold separately) is simple
- 【Dimension】The overall dimension of this unit is 21.6''L x 14”W x 28''H. Square Pizza Stone dimension: 12''L x 12''W
- HOT NEW FEATURES – A custom designed fuel tray that maximises airflow and delivers a powerful blast of searing flame allows the Ooni Karu 12 pizza oven to maintain the ultra-high temperatures – load it up with real wood or charcoal, with no excess ash to clean
- 12 INCH PIZZA IN 60 SECONDS – Fire up the Ooni Karu 12 with wood or charcoal straight out the box, or use with the Ooni Gas Burner attachment (sold separately) to cook with gas. The Karu 12 will be ready to cook in 15 minutes reaching a massive 950°F – Cooking authentic stone baked pizza in just 60 seconds! Giving you more time to sit back and relax in your backyard while enjoying great pizzas
- ULTRA PORTABLE – Weighing only 26.4lbs this outdoor pizza oven can be moved around easily but has all the power and heat of a larger wood fired pizza oven. Fold down the legs and remove the chimney and enjoy the freedom to cook amazing pizza on your next outdoor adventure.
- GREAT PIZZA – A motto that Ooni Pizza Ovens live by – We believe that everybody deserves great pizza and our Ooni Karu 12 Multi-fuel pizza oven has been designed with that sole purpose in mind.
- VERSATILE – Level up your pizza game with one of Ooni’s most popular ovens and learn how to become a true pizzaiolo – or discover that you can even use your pizza oven to cook steak, fish or veg in one of our cast iron range of cookware
- 【Premium & Safe Stainless Steel】Outdoor pizza oven is constructed with high-quality stainless steel. High temperature resistant coated stainless steel shell offers optimal heat retention. This sturdy and compact oven is safe for cooking all types of foods
- 【3-in-1 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven】Pellet Pizza Oven for authentic wood-fired flavor, or switch seamlessly to BIG HORN Gas/Electric Burner attachments (sold separately). Ready in 18–20 min, reaches 887°F for perfect pizzas in 60–90 sec, plus steaks, fish, lamb, burgers, vegetables. Portable and suitable for indoor or outdoor use, rain or shine, all year round
- 【Ultra-Portable & Ease of Assembly】 The durable and lightweight pizza oven equipped with folding legs, requires minimal assembly without tools, it can quickly come apart for easy cleaning, storage and it weighs just 25lb, ideal for the backyard or outdoor cooking events
- 【Easy Use & Cook Evenly】Slide in your pizza and turn often for consistent results. Little sauce & minimal toppings work best for Neapolitan-style pizza, and switching to gas or electric (sold separately) is simple
- 【Dimension】The overall dimension of this unit is 21.6''L x 14”W x 28''H. Square Pizza Stone dimension: 12''L x 12''W
- 5-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: The ultimate outdoor sidekick for all your backyard entertainment; pizza, bake, broil, warm & proof.
- 3 MINUTE ARTISAN PIZZA: Restaurant quality 12" pizzas with even leoparding on crusts and gooey cheese ready in 3 minutes* with no turning necessary.
- 5 PIZZA SETTINGS: Choose from 5 different settings to satisfy any craving; Neapolitan, Thin Crust, Pan, New York, and Custom. *cooked at 700°F, excludes 18-minute preheat.
- FULL MEALS OUTDOORS: Cook and warm your sides in your Ninja pizza oven at the same time your main is cooking—Char burgers on your grill while baking a 12” x 12” mac and cheese in your oven.
- NO FLAME, FULL CONTROL: Electric heat unlocks Complete Temperature Control with a wide range of temps from 90-700°F. Expand your horizons and cook more outdoors without the fuss of a live flame.
- 🍕Large 2-Layer Cooking Capacity - Pizzello 16-inch outdoor pizza oven provides more rich cooking space than 12 inches. It features a 2-layer design, allowing you to cook 16" pizza and grill steak, fish, or vegetables simultaneously. In addition, the center cooking rack is removable to accommodate more oversized food items, even a whole turkey!
- 🍕 Wood-Fired Oven & Charcoal Smoker - Our pizza oven allows multi-fuel, charcoal, wood, and pellets, it can add new depths of flavor to your pizzas and smoked dishes. It is recommended to place the pizza stone on the lower level, where the temperature is higher than on the upper level.
- 🍕Delicious Homemade Pizza - We understand the importance of heating, so both the pellet pizza oven front door and the side oven body have vents, which can enrich the air circulation, offering a better cooking experience. You can cook up mouthwatering pizzas that taste like they came straight from your favorite pizzeria.
- 🍕Portable & Humanized Design - Adjustable oven legs are designed for ergonomic purposes, 2 levels of height adjustments can meet different needs. We designed side oven handles, so it's portable to take the wood-fired oven outdoors to your garden, patio, or outside places easily.
- 🍕Buy With Confidence - Super easy to finish the whole assembly. The Pizzello wood-fired pizza oven also comes with 2 x 16" Grill Grates, 1 x Stainless Steel Pizza Peel, 1 x 16” Pizza Stone, 1 x Waterproof Cover. If there are any problems, such as missing parts, or damaged products, please feel free to contact us, and we will help to solve your problem ASAP!
- MULTI-FUEL – Fire up with wood or charcoal right out of the box for a subtle wood-fired taste, or use gas with the Ooni Karu 16 & Karu 2 Pro Gas Burner – sold separately – for maximum flexibility in cooking experiences.
- 16 INCH PIZZAS IN 60 SECONDS – Ooni Karu 2 Pro reaches 950 °F / 500 °C in 15 minutes, for fresh flame-cooked pizza in just 60 seconds. Cooking pizza at this high heat is the only way to create authentic Neapolitan-style pizza.
- SPACIOUS - This spacious oven offers exceptional versatility with a 17ʺ-wide cooking surface and an internal height of 5.4ʺ
- INNOVATIVE - The Digital Temperature Hub tracks the internal oven temperatures on the front-mounted display or sends it straight to your phone via Bluetooth using the Ooni Connect App
- OONI 5 YEAR WARRANTY - At Ooni, we stand by our products. All Ooni products come with a voluntary manufacturer’s warranty for 1 year as standard. We’ll extend the warranty by 5 years when you register the product with us within 60 days of purchase.
- Perfect Baking: Our 12" pellet fire oven features a built-in thermometer displaying up to 1000℉, allowing you to control fire heat accurately. The high thermal conductivity iron spray surface ensures fast, even baking for perfect pizzas every time
- Dual-Layer Design: This outdoor pizza oven has a two-layer design: the upper baking chamber and the lower charcoal compartment. It includes an ash drawer and large charcoal tray, making cleanup easy and heat distribution efficient
- Labor-saving Wheels & Handle: Equipped with sturdy double wheels and a side handle, this pizza maker oven is easy to move to any outdoor location—from backyard to campsite—and stores conveniently when not in use
- Complete Accessories: Includes a heat-retaining pizza stone for crispy crusts, two rust-proof stainless steel baking trays, and two durable iron charcoal grills—everything needed for your outdoor pizza oven cooking adventures
- Wide Application: Ideal for backyard, camping, parks, and tailgating, this pellet pizza oven delivers authentic wood-fired flavor and memorable cooking experiences anywhere you go
- 【Multi-functional Outdoor Pizza Oven】 Our outdoor oven is much more than a pizza oven, as well as roasting meat, steaks, fish, bread and vegetable dishes and so much more. With the 12" pizza stone, you’ll get that perfect crispy crust on the bottom and around the edges of the pizza.
- 【Temperature Control】 Our outdoor pizza oven is ready to cook in 10 minutes. It reaches temperatures up to 550°F (287°C), cooking delicious pizza in 6-7 minutes. The built-in thermometer lets you keep an eye on the temperature while cooking. Our pizza oven has an adjustable chimney and air outlet which can easily control the firepower and the smoke.
- 【Practical Design】There is a detachable storage space for carbon ash, which is convenient for you to remove carbon ash. Easy to move with 2 large wheels and a side handle. An open shelf under the oven where you can store wood.
- 【PREMIUM QUALITY】 The outdoor pizza oven is made of high-quality iron which improves overall stability and ensures even heat transfer inside. The powder-coated carbon steel shell offers optimal heat retention.
- 【INCLUDED】$199 Value Accessory comes with a waterproof cover, 12x12 inches pizza stone, a pizza peel, stainless steel pizza cutter wheel, Pizza Oven Brush, Heat Resistant Oven Glove, Pizza Stands, two baking trays, and two carbon meshes.
Your Guide to Choosing the Perfect Outdoor Pizza Oven
Cooking pizza outside brings a special kind of magic. That smoky flavor and crispy crust are hard to beat. If you want to bring restaurant-quality pizza to your backyard, you need the right oven. This guide helps you pick the best one for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, keep these important features in mind. They make a big difference in how well your oven works and how easy it is to use.
1. Heat Retention and Temperature Range
- High Heat: A great outdoor pizza oven needs to get very hot—ideally over 750°F (400°C). This high heat cooks a pizza in just 60 to 90 seconds, giving you that authentic Neapolitan style.
- Insulation: Good insulation keeps the heat inside the oven. This means you use less fuel and the oven stays hot longer, even when cooking multiple pizzas.
2. Fuel Type
The fuel source heavily affects flavor and convenience.
- Wood-Fired: Wood gives the best, most authentic smoky flavor. However, it requires more effort to manage the fire and temperature.
- Gas (Propane or Natural Gas): Gas ovens heat up quickly and maintain a steady temperature easily. They are very convenient for weeknight cooking.
- Multi-Fuel: Some modern ovens let you use wood, charcoal, or gas. This offers flexibility—use gas for speed and wood for flavor.
3. Portability and Size
Think about where you will keep the oven. Do you need to move it often?
- Countertop Models: These are smaller and sit on an existing outdoor table. They are great for small patios.
- Freestanding Models: These usually come with a cart or legs. They offer more cooking space but take up a permanent spot in your yard.
Important Materials That Matter
The materials used determine how long your oven lasts and how well it cooks.
Oven Dome and Hearth
- Stainless Steel: This is the most common material for the exterior. High-grade stainless steel resists rust and handles high heat well.
- Ceramic or Clay (Refractory Material): The inside cooking stone (hearth) should be made of a dense, heat-retaining material like cordierite or firebrick. This draws moisture out of the dough, making the crust crispy.
Insulation Quality
Look for ovens that use ceramic fiber blankets under the stainless steel exterior. This insulation traps the heat where it belongs—on the pizza.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality isn’t just about the price tag; it’s about design.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Thick Hearth Stone: A thicker stone (1 inch or more) holds more heat, preventing the bottom of the pizza from burning before the top cooks.
- Air Vents/Dampers: Good airflow control lets you fine-tune the temperature, which is crucial for different styles of cooking.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Thin Metal Walls: If the exterior metal is too thin, it loses heat rapidly. You will constantly fight to keep the temperature up.
- Poorly Sealed Doors/Openings: Gaps let precious heat escape, leading to uneven cooking and slow heating times.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the oven should guide your final decision.
For the Casual Weekender:
If you only make pizza once or twice a month, a simple, easy-to-assemble gas oven might be best. They are quick to fire up for a family dinner.
For the Serious Pizzaiolo (Pizza Maker):
If you want to experiment with different doughs and fuel types, choose a multi-fuel or dedicated wood-fired oven. These require more practice but reward you with superior flavor and creative control.
Remember, cleaning is part of the experience. Most high-heat ovens are self-cleaning; the intense heat burns off any food residue. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Outdoor Pizza Ovens
Q: How hot do these ovens need to get?
A: For authentic, fast-cooking pizza, you generally need temperatures between 750°F and 950°F (400°C to 510°C).
Q: Can I use my outdoor pizza oven for things other than pizza?
A: Yes! You can roast vegetables, bake bread, or even cook fish and steaks using cast iron pans inside the hot oven.
Q: Is a wood-fired oven much harder to use than a gas oven?
A: Wood requires more attention. You must feed the fire constantly to keep the temperature stable, whereas gas ovens set and hold the temperature automatically.
Q: How long does it take for a pizza oven to heat up?
A: Gas models often reach high heat in 15 to 20 minutes. Wood-fired ovens usually take longer, sometimes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the wood and insulation.
Q: What is the “hearth”?
A: The hearth is the floor of the oven—the stone or brick surface your pizza sits on. It must be heat-retaining to cook the bottom of the crust properly.
Q: Do I need a special cover for my oven?
A: Absolutely. If your oven stays outside, a high-quality, weather-resistant cover protects the metal parts from rain and rust, making it last much longer.
Q: Are portable pizza ovens as good as large, built-in ones?
A: Modern portable ovens are very capable. They can reach high temperatures, but they might not hold that heat as long as a massive, heavily insulated, built-in brick oven.
Q: What kind of pizza peel should I buy?
A: A metal peel is best for sliding the pizza *into* the hot oven because it is thin. A wooden peel is better for launching the raw pizza because the dough sticks less to the wood.
Q: Do I need to worry about fire safety around these ovens?
A: Yes. Always place the oven on a non-combustible surface (like concrete or stone) and keep flammable materials far away from the opening and chimney.
Q: How often should I clean the inside of my oven?
A: If you cook at very high temperatures (over 700°F), the oven usually cleans itself. You only need to brush out the ash occasionally.