Making pizza at home can be a fun and delicious activity, especially when you have a garden pizza oven. These ovens are designed specifically to reach high temperatures.
Which helps create that perfect crispy crust and melty toppings. Unlike your kitchen oven, garden pizza ovens can add a smoky flavor to your pizza, taking it to the next level.
Garden pizza ovens come in various styles and sizes, so it’s important to consider a few key factors before purchasing one.
- The type of fuel the oven uses—wood, gas, or electric—is a big deciding factor.
- Wood-fired ovens can provide an authentic taste, while gas ovens offer more convenience and control.
- Size also matters, as a larger oven can cook multiple pizzas at once, but it will take up more space in your garden.
- Lastly, the material is crucial for both performance and durability. Brick and stone ovens retain heat well but are heavy and may require a permanent spot. Stainless steel ovens are durable and easier to move around.
We spent countless hours researching and testing garden pizza ovens to help you find the best one for your backyard setup.
Best Garden Pizza Ovens
We’ve found some of the best garden pizza ovens. Let’s see which ones make outdoor cooking easy.
1. BIG HORN OUTDOORS Pizza Oven
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Heats up quickly to 1112℉ | It came with a significant dent for some users |
| Easy to assemble and use | Large sizes might not fit small spaces |
| Even cooking with less smoke | Some reported damaged parts on delivery |
This pizza oven is a fantastic choice for outdoor pizza-making enthusiasts due to its high performance and easy setup.
We found the BIG HORN OUTDOORS Pizza Oven heats up super fast. In just 15 minutes, it reaches a sizzling 600℃, cooking our pizzas in just 60-90 seconds. This is perfect for impatient, hungry pizza lovers.
Setting up this oven was a breeze. It comes with a 16-inch pizza stone, and the setup is simple, making it great for family gatherings. With its built-in thermometer and glass window, we can easily monitor the temperature of the pizza.
On the flip side, some noticed the oven arrived with a few dents or damage. Also, its size can be an issue for those with smaller backyard spaces.
2. Amopatio Pizza Oven Outdoor
The Amopatio Pizza Oven is perfect for anyone who loves making pizzas at home.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Heats up fast | It can get too hot if not monitored |
| Portable design | Some parts may arrive damaged |
| Easy to assemble | Thermometer readability issues |
This Amopatio Pizza Oven has become our go-to for backyard pizza parties. It heats up quickly, reaching temperatures of 600-700F in just 20 minutes. The included pizza stone and peel make cooking delicious, crispy pizzas easy at home.
We find its portability a big plus. Its large wheels make it easy to move around the yard or even take along on a camping trip. Thanks to the clear instructions provided, setting it up was pretty straightforward.
On the downside, you must monitor the temperature to avoid burning your food closely. Also, a few users have mentioned receiving damaged parts, but the customer service team seems very responsive. The built-in thermometer could be a bit clearer.
3. Ooni Karu 12 Pizza Oven
This Ooni Karu 12 Pizza Oven is an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy delicious, homemade pizza in their backyard.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Heats up quickly | Requires frequent cleaning |
| Versatile fuel options | It can be tricky to maintain high temperatures |
| Portable and lightweight | Gas attachment sold separately |
Our Ooni Karu 12 has been a game-changer for our pizza-making nights. It heats up to 950°F in just 15 minutes, allowing us to cook a perfect, stone-baked pizza in only 60 seconds.
This rapid cooking time means we spend less time waiting and more time enjoying great pizza with our friends and family.
Switching between wood, charcoal, and gas fuels gives us flexibility. We often start with wood for that authentic smoky flavor. The gas burner (sold separately) is a time-saver on busier nights.
The fuel tray’s design maximizes airflow and provides a powerful blast of heat, which is crucial for achieving that perfect crust.
Weighing just 26.4 pounds, moving around the yard, or taking along on outdoor adventures is easy. Thanks to the foldable legs and removable chimney, the setup is straightforward. It’s refreshing to have a portable oven that packs the power and heat of larger models.
On the downside, keeping the oven clean can be a bit of a chore since ash builds up quickly. We also noticed that maintaining high temperatures consistently can be challenging, especially when using wood or charcoal.
Despite these minor hiccups, our overall experience has been fantastic. Whether we’re baking pizza, cooking steak, or roasting vegetables, the Ooni Karu 12 never fails to impress.
4. Gozney Roccbox Pizza Oven
The Gozney Roccbox Pizza Oven is a solid choice for pizza lovers who want restaurant-quality results at home.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Perfectly cooks pizza quickly | Requires a learning curve to avoid burning |
| Easy to use with gas or wood | It can be heavy to carry |
| Portable and compact design | It needs time to heat up |
After using the Gozney Roccbox Pizza Oven, we were amazed by how fast it can cook a pizza. In just 60 seconds, our homemade pizza came out with a crispy crust and bubbling cheese. It’s perfect for those who love to entertain and impress guests.
Its compact design makes it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. We loved taking it on camping trips; it fit perfectly in our backyard.
The oven heats up evenly thanks to its intense heat retention, making each pizza consistent and delicious.
Though it takes some practice to get the hang of it, the results are outstanding once you do. We also found it slightly heavy, but its sturdiness adds to its reliability. Warming up takes around 20 minutes, so it’s good to plan.
5. Ooni Koda 16 Gas Pizza Oven
This pizza oven offers a top-notch cooking experience for any garden pizza lover.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cooks pizza in just 60 seconds | Requires practice to master pizza placement |
| Portable and easy to set up | Initial lighting may need multiple attempts |
| Reaches high temperatures of up to 950°F | High-temperature cooking requires extra caution |
Using the Ooni Koda 16 gas pizza oven, we were impressed by how quickly it heats up. Within 20 minutes, it reaches a scorching 950°F, making it possible to bake a perfect pizza in just 60 seconds. This was a game-changer for our pizza nights.
Setting up the oven is a breeze. It’s portable and easily connected to a gas tank, making it ideal for any outdoor setting. We loved that it was ready to go straight out of the box—legs unfolded, pizza stone inserted, and the gas tank connected, and we were ready to cook!
One thing to watch out for is the initial lighting. It can sometimes take multiple presses to ignite. Also, mastering the art of pizza placement takes a bit of practice. We found that carefully watching the flame and rotating the pizza was vital to avoiding burnt spots.
Using the oven felt efficient and straightforward. Its powder-coated carbon steel shell retains heat well, ensuring every pizza is stone-baked. The optional cast iron accessories make it versatile for roasting meats or veggies.
6. Ooni Karu 16 Multi-Fuel Outdoor Pizza Oven
A quick and enjoyable way to make authentic pizzas at home with excellent temperature control.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Heats up to 950°F in just 15 minutes | The steep learning curve for beginners |
| Flexible fuel options (wood, charcoal, or gas) | Requires regular maintenance for best results |
| Innovative design with a glass door for easy viewing | It can be heavy and bulky to move around |
We recently tested the Ooni Karu 16 Multi-Fuel Outdoor Pizza Oven, and it’s been a fantastic addition to our backyard setup. This oven heats up incredibly fast, reaching 950°F in just 15 minutes.
So that we can cook delicious pizzas in only 60 seconds, this speed is great for parties or family gatherings when everyone is eager to dig in.
One thing we love about the Karu 16 is its flexibility in fuel options. We can use wood or charcoal for that classic, smoky flavor or switch to gas for a quicker and more convenient cooking experience.
This versatility makes it suitable for different tastes and occasions. The innovative glass door lets us watch our pizzas without losing heat, thanks to the improved insulation.
However, this oven can be tricky for beginners due to its learning curve. It took us a couple of tries to get the hang of it, but the results were terrific once we did.
Another point to consider is the regular upkeep required to maintain optimal performance. Keeping the oven clean and in good condition ensures consistent quality.
Lastly, the oven is quite heavy and bulky. Moving it around the yard isn’t the most straightforward task, so finding a good spot and keeping it there is best.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the Ooni Karu 16 is an excellent choice for anyone serious about making high-quality homemade pizzas. The ease of use and the fantastic results make it a worthwhile investment for pizza lovers.
Buying Guide
When looking for a garden pizza oven, we must consider several factors to make the best choice.
Size
- Dimensions: Measure the space where we plan to place the oven.
- Cooking Area: Think about how many pizzas we want to cook simultaneously.
Material
- Brick and Stone: Retains heat well and looks great.
- Stainless Steel: Heats up quickly and is easier to move.
Fuel Type
- Wood-Fired: Gives a traditional flavor but requires more time to heat up.
- Gas-Fired: Quicker and more accessible to control but lacks the smoky flavor.
Features
- Thermometer: Helps us keep track of the temperature.
- Chimney: Improves airflow for better heat distribution.
- Door: Keeps the heat inside and cooks the pizza evenly.
Portability
- Fixed: Ideal for a more permanent setup.
- Portable: Perfect if we want to move it around.
Price Range
Before starting our search, we should decide on our budget. Here’s a simple range:
| Price Range | Features to Expect |
|---|---|
| $100 – $300 | Basic models, often portable |
| $300 – $700 | Better materials, some extra features |
| $700 and up | Larger ovens, high-quality materials |
Jesmin Bithi, the co-founder of FoodBears.com, is a culinary maestro who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the platform. Jesmin’s journey in the food world started in her home kitchen, experimenting with different recipes and flavors. Her passion for cooking soon transcended the boundaries of her kitchen, leading her to become a professional chef.
