How to Choose an Outdoor Pizza Oven

The art of pizza-making at home has never been more popular thanks to the outdoor pizza oven. We will delve into the essential factors to consider when selecting the best outdoor pizza oven for your culinary adventures. From understanding the different types of pizza ovens to navigating through fuel options, you will be equipped with the knowledge to transform your outdoor space into a pizzeria haven.

Whether you’re a seasoned pizza aficionado or a beginner who’s eager to improve your pizza making skills, get ready to discover the key features that will guide you in choosing the best outdoor pizza oven for your outside space.

The tradition of using an outdoor pizza cooker dates back thousands of years, but pizza as we know it today has its origins in Naples, Italy.See Disclosure ¹ With its freshly baked crust, robust tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese and various tasty toppings, pizza quickly gained popularity and so did the ways to cook it.

Outdoor wood-fired ovens have been used for centuries and then came outdoor brick pizza ovens. Now, many enthusiasts still utilize the ways of old with ovens that run on grilling charcoal, pellets and chips while others have embraced propane outdoor pizza ovens. Cooking pizza outside offers several other advantages, including:

• Traditional flavor and texture. Outdoor pizza ovens, particularly wood-fired pizza ovens, mimic traditional Neapolitan pizza by reaching high temperatures quickly, resulting in a crispier crust and unique smoky flavor.
• Versatility. Not limited to just pizza, outdoor pizza ovens can also be used to cook various other dishes, such as bread, roasted vegetables and meats.
• Energy efficiency. Outdoor pizza ovens, especially outdoor wood-burning pizza ovens, can be more energy-efficient than indoor ovens because the high temperatures and insulation allow for quick and efficient cooking.
• Social experience. Using a backyard pizza oven can help friends and family unite. It’s not just about the pizza, it’s also about making and enjoying something together.

If you’ve ever looked into all of the different types of grills, you should know that there are various heating methods. Outdoor pizza ovens also use different fuel sources to generate heat. However, the wood-fired pizza oven was the first and it is still a popular choice among culinary enthusiasts today.

Although cooking outdoor wood-fired pizza in a brick oven aligns more with tradition, the stainless steel wood-fired pizza ovens of today still pack a punch of old world flavor. Most outdoor wood-fired pizza ovens generate heat by burning wood pellets or chips, but there are also some gas-powered pizza ovens with settings that replicate the distinct wood-fired cooking style.

Gas pizza ovens provide a convenient and efficient solution if you’re seeking a quick and reliable way to enjoy delicious homemade pizzas. Typically made up of stainless steel or other metals like a modern wood-fired pizza oven, gas-powered models eliminate the need to light and maintain a wood fire. With the simple turn of a knob, both natural gas and propane pizza ovens can rapidly reach and maintain high temperatures, allowing for fast and consistent cooking.

Somewhat similar to a wood pellet pizza oven, charcoal pizza ovens offer a unique and flavorful approach to homemade pizza making. While a pizza oven that is fueled exclusively by coal is rare, many outdoor pizza ovens offer multi-fuel options, including coal. These ovens typically feature a dome or chamber that is designed to retain and distribute heat efficiently. Charcoal, known for its ability to reach high temperatures, infuses the pizza with a distinct smokiness, providing a flavor that many enthusiasts appreciate.

Outdoor electric pizza ovens offer a convenient and user-friendly alternative to traditional wood or charcoal-fired models, bringing the joy of pizza making to any outdoor space. Not needing open flames or fuel management, electric pizza ovens are designed to plug into an electrical outlet. If you’re trying to create the outdoor oasis of your dreams, the absence of smoke makes electric pizza ovens suitable for more confined or populated outdoor areas. Moreso, their compact design allows for easy placement on patios or decks.

Hopefully you now have a better idea of what the best pizza oven for you and your backyard setup is. If you’re just getting into the outdoor pizza game and want to keep things simple, gas or electric pizza ovens might be the best choice. But, if you are a purist who craves the aromatic infusion of wood smoke and authentic Neapolitan taste, then a wood-fired pizza oven might be just what you need.

So, stock up on outdoor pizza oven accessories and redefine backyard cookouts with an outdoor pizza oven. Happy pizza-making!