What Outdoor Pizza Oven is Right For You?

Outdoor pizza ovens have become essential outdoor kitchen appliance over the past few years—and for good reason. Have you ever pulled a homemade pizza from your oven, only to be left in disappointment with a soft crust and overcooked toppings? You’re not alone. The problem isn’t your recipe—it’s that your kitchen oven, maxing out around 500°F, simply can’t create pizzeria magic. What if you could guarantee a perfect crust in 90 seconds, right in your backyard?

The best outdoor pizza ovens deliver restaurant-quality results in minutes, reaching temperatures your indoor oven could never achieve. Whether you're considering portable pizza ovens for a small patio or planning a built-in statement piece for your outdoor kitchen, you may be left wondering what the difference is between the variety of option on the market.

We've been outdoor kitchen experts for more than fifty years and offer premium outdoor kitchen appliances. In this guide, we're breaking down what features make for the best outdoor pizza ovens and factors to consider before you buy. By the end of this guide, you'll have a better idea on which pizza oven is the best for you, helping you choose the perfect option for your space and cooking style.

1. How Do Pizza Ovens Work?

Before diving into specific outdoor pizza ovens, it's important to understand why they make an amazing addition to your outdoor kitchen. The best outdoor pizza ovens have the ability to reach incredibly high temperatures—ranging from 700°F to 1,700°F—and are built for powerful heat retention.

When you add fuel (wood, gas, or wood pellets), it heats the cooking surface and interior dome. The advanced insulation materials in high-quality outdoor pizza ovens maintain scorching temperatures with minimal fuel consumption.

The domed design, specialized cooking surface (pizza stone or ceramic hearth), and ceiling materials all work together to radiate extreme, consistent heat across your pizza, leaving you with crispy, perfectly charred crust in minutes.

2. Determine the Right Size for Your Space

Size is one of the first factors to consider when choosing a pizza oven for you and your needs. You need to evaluate both cooking capacity and the physical space you have to work with.

Cooking Capacity: How many pizzas do you need to cook at once, and how large should they be? A compact counter top model like the Alfa Moderno 2 Pizze Pizza Oven can cook up to 2 pizzas in 90 seconds—perfect for small families. Meanwhile, the Alfresco AXE Built-In Pizza Oven (also available in a countertop version) is 456 square inches of cooking space—allowing you to bake 4 12” pizzas all at once, perfect for hosting larger groups.

• A 12-inch oven is compact enough for a small patio, heats up fast, and is generally easier to manage. This often makes it the best size for beginners who are just learning to cook pizza in an outdoor pizza oven.
• 16-inch models are built for entertainers. They cook larger pizzas and more convenient when feeding a larger group, but they are heavier and require more dedicated space.

Physical Space: It’s also important to consider the size of the space where your outdoor pizza oven will reside. Do you need a compact portable or countertop model which can be easily brought out and put away after use? Or are you looking for a built-in model that will be the stunning focal point of your outdoor kitchen?

• Built-In Models: Permanent installations, like the Alfresco AXE Built-In Pizza Oven, become a focal point in an outdoor kitchen and add to property value. They offer maximum cooking capacity, professional-grade performance, and blend perfectly other outdoor kitchen appliances.
• Portable and Countertop Options: Portable or countertop options provide flexibility for smaller spaces, renters, or those looking to make pizza occasionally without permanent installation. Portable pizza ovens are a great choice if you have limited patio space or want to store your oven when not in use. The Alfa Moderno Portable is a great option that delivers professional results while remaining easy to move and store.
• Cart Options: Some brands like Alfresco, Alfa, and Lynx offer carts (sold separately) for your pizza oven. This will free up counter space and offer the added benefit of mobility.

Future Planning: Think ahead when investing in a pizza oven for your outdoor kitchen. Will your family grow? Will you entertain more? High-quality pizza ovens last decades, so consider future entertaining needs, not just current ones.

*Important Note: While portable pizza ovens are compact enough to move indoors, they're designed exclusively for outdoor use. These pizza ovens reach dangerously high temperatures unsuitable for indoor kitchens, potentially causing fires or damage.

3. Choose Between Wood-Fired, Gas, or Hybrid Fuel Sources

When most people think of outdoor pizza ovens, they automatically think of large wood-fired ovens. But there are other fuel sources to consider that can have an impact your cooking experience.

• Wood-Fired Pizza Ovens: Traditional wood-fired models deliver authentic, smoky flavor, however, they require 45+ minutes to preheat, more work to nurture the flames during cooking , and ash cleanup afterward. If you want an authentic experience and enjoy traditional flavor over convenience, a wood-fired pizza oven may be your ideal choice.
• Gas-Powered Pizza Ovens: Natural gas and propane models represent the best outdoor pizza ovens for convenience. They heat up very quickly, are easier to clean and allow you to focus on cooking rather than fire management.

Most gas pizza ovens can be fueled by both natural gas and propane (LP) connections. Many times gas pizza ovens come with both types of fuel. However, you may need to purchase a specific attachment to convert to your preferred fuel type.

• Hybrid Options: Some outdoor pizza ovens, like the Summerset Hybrid Pizza Oven, work with both gas powered and wood-fired heat. This allows you to enjoy both the classic taste of wood-fired pizza and the convenience of a gas oven.

4. Construction, Materials and Design

Exterior Construction

Stainless steel and brick are both aesthetically pleasing and great insulators. Quality insulation maintains extreme temperatures with minimal fuel while protecting exterior surfaces from excessive heat.

• Stainless Steel Exteriors: Quality outdoor pizza ovens are similar to grills in that their exteriors are often constructed with stainless steel because of its durability, style, heat retaining capabilities, and because it’s so easy to clean.
• Traditional Brick Construction: Some wood-fired pizza ovens are built with heat-resistant brick. This not only offers the appearance of a classic pizzeria but also the ability to withstand and retain heat. You can also achieve this traditional look with built-in gas models by installing the oven into custom brick structures, as shown by theAlfresco AXE Built-in Pizza Oven.

Interior Contruction

Outdoor pizza oven interiors significantly impact cooking performance and have a bit more variation. The cooking surface itself can be a cooking grate, stainless steel surface, ceramic slab hearth, or food safe pizza stones.

• Pizza Stones and Cooking Grates: Many pizza ovens include removable pizza stones placed over cooking grates. This design allows cooking a variety of foods beyond pizza. Remove the stone to grill vegetables, sear steaks, or roast chicken directly on the grate.
• Ceramic Slab Hearths: Thick ceramic slab hearths and ceilings are common in high-quality because of their capacity to evenly maintain and radiate intense heat. A ceramic cooking surface and ceiling are top of the line because they bring authenticity to your pizza bake and offer versatility to create artisan breads, roast meats and make desserts like cobblers.

*Note: You can get gas ovens with ceramic cooking surfaces to bring a traditional brick-oven flavor and bake to your pizza.

Design Benefits

The characteristic dome shape isn't just aesthetic—it's an essential part of the engineering.

Quality pizza ovens will be designed in a domed-shaped interior and often domed exterior. This shape allows for continuous hot air to circulate above, around, and beneath your pizza during cooking.

Both wood-fired and gas pizza ovens incorporate chimney or vent systems for air circulation and moisture release. This airflow, combined with excellent insulation and dome design, is what delivers the crispy, evenly cooked pizzas. Making these superior to indoor alternatives.

Consider Products Made in USA:

While there are budget-friendly options on the market, many of these don't offer the same quality you can expect from American-made products. Although products made in the USA come with a higher price tag, they offer dependable performance and traditional oven functionality.

The Lynx Napoli Oven, made in the USA, features an authentic refractory mortar dome that can reach 700°F using its trident infrared burner.

5. Match Performance Specs to Your Cooking Style

Performance specifications like heat output, heat up time and cooking speed, can help you further narrow down which outdoor pizza oven best fits your needs.

• Maximum Temperature: Quality models reach at least 700°F but some premium models can reach all the way up to 1,700°F. The higher the heat capacity, the faster your pizza will cook and crispier the crust will get.
• Heat-Up Time: Wood-fired pizza ovens typically require 45+ minutes to reach operating temperature, while gas-powered models can reach temperatures of 1000 degrees in a matter of minutes.
• Cooking Speed: Heat-up time directly correlates with cooking speed. The faster your outdoor pizza oven heats, the quicker pizza will cook. Gas models deliver pizza in 2-4 minutes from a cold start, while wood-fired ovens require significant preheating before the first pizza.

6. Budget Considerations and Value

The last consideration to decide which outdoor pizza oven is right for you is to determine what your budget is.

• Entry-Level Options: Budget-friendly like the Blaze 26" Gas Pizza Oven provides a solid performance and an excellent starter model for experimenting with cooking pizza.
• Mid-Range Quality: Brands like Alfa and Summerset offer quality made products at mid-range price points. They deliver authentic performance and longevity that justify paying more initially.
• Premium Investment: Brands like Alfresco, Lynx, and Artisan represent the top-tier options for serious outdoor cooking enthusiasts. Made in the USA with superior materials and advanced engineering, these brands will last decades and elevate your entire outdoor cooking experience.

*Remember: High-quality outdoor kitchen appliances are investments that enhance your lifestyle for years. Consider cost-per-use over the appliance's lifetime rather than just initial price.

Making Your Selection:

1. Determine the amount of people and physical space you see yourself cooking for.
   1. If you're cooking for smaller families or groups and lack counter space in your outdoor kitchen, you'll want a more compact pizza oven.
   2. If you have a larger family or like to host larger groups, a larger or built-in model might be the best choice for you.
2. Decide which fuel source you want to use?
   1. If you want a traditional experience, go with a wood-fired pizza oven.
   2. If you're looking for speed and ease during the cooking process, a gas-oven is your best bet.
   3. If you want the option of choosing between wood and gas, a hybrid model is the way to go.
3. Choose your design aesthetic, but consider construction and materials.
   1. Pizza ovens constructed in stainless steel produce the best results and able to withstand the elements.
   2. Ceramic floors and ceilings with provide intense heat, excellent heat retention and even heat distribution.
   3. The classic dome-shape allows for continuous hot air to circulate above, around, and beneath your pizza during cooking.
4. Consider performance specs.
   1. The higher the temperature reaches and the quicker it heats up, the faster and more accurate your pizza will cook.
   2. You'll want a pizza oven that reaches at least 700 degrees to achieve quality pizza.
5. Narrow down a budget.
   1. Lower-end pizza ovens are great for beginners.
   2. Mid-range pizza ovens offer quality and performance.
   3. High-end pizza ovens are an investment that will last you decades.

Our Top 3 Pizza Oven Picks

Halo Versa 16" Outdoor Pizza Oven

1. 1. Budget-friendly option
   2. Reaches up to 950 degrees in 12 minutes and 700 degrees for stone temperature
   3. Compact and Portable

Alfa Classico 4 Pizze Gas Pizza Oven (mid-range)

1. 1. Great for larger families and gatherings
   2. Traditional dome shape and elegant design
   3. Has the ability to reach 1000 degrees F (500 degrees C) in 30 minutes and you can cook 4 pizzas in 90 seconds!

Alfresco AXE Built-In Oven (High-End)

1. 1. The perfect centerpiece to your outdoor kitchen (it also comes in a counter top model)
   2. 3/4" thick high-quality ceramic slab hearth and ceiling for even intense, radiating heat
   3. Ideal for someone who loves to host larger groups

Honorable Mention

Summerset Hybrid Pizza Oven (mid-range)

1. Offers the best of both worlds with wood and gas
2. Compact and portable
3. Traditional dome shape

Ready to Choose Your PerfectPizza Oven?

You now have all the knowledge needed to select from the best outdoor pizza ovens for your outdoor kitchen. Whether you prefer portable pizza ovens for patio flexibility or envision a built-in centerpiece for your dream outdoor kitchen, narrowing down your choice depends on your space, cooking preferences, fuel preference, performance needs and budget.

Every outdoor pizza oven we carry delivers exceptional quality, performance, and longevity. As experts in the industry since 1956, our team is here to help you select the perfect appliance for your space, budget, and cooking style, and answer any additional questions you might have.

Unlike big-box retailers, we provide ongoing support, maintenance advice, and parts, ensuring your investment delivers perfect pizzas for decades.

Ready to start making restaurant quality pizza in your backyard? Explore our complete collection of outdoor pizza ovens, or contact our team of experts at 1-877-983-0451 for personalized recommendations and installation support.

FAQ:

What else can I cook in a pizza oven besides pizza?

Pizza ovens are incredibly versatile! Popular dishes include artisan breads, roasted vegetables, seared steaks and seafood, but the options are endless. Also, explore your creativity and try making different kinds of pizza, like this Breakfast Pizzarecipe.

Which is better, wood-fired or gas?

While one isn't "better"than the other, which is best comes down to your preferences. Choose wood-fired if you value authentic smoky flavor, don't mind tending to the fire, have time for longer preheating, and don't mind ash cleanup. Choose gas if you want convenience, minimal cleanup, and faster heat-up times. Most homeowners choose gas for ease of use, while those more experienced prefer wood for traditional flavor.

What size pizza oven do I need?

You want to consider both cooking capacity and physical space. For 2-4 people, a 12" oven (cooks one 12" pizza at a time) is plenty. For 4-6 people, a 14"-16" oven is ideal for cooking a larger pizza or two small pizzas simultaneously. For entertaining large groups look at built-in models with ample cooking space (450+ square inches), allowing 3-4 pizzas at once. Also consider the size of the pizza oven. The bigger it is, the more counter space it will take up in your outdoor kitchen. However, some brands like Alfresco, Alfa, and Lynx offer carts (sold separately) the offers mobility and frees up counter space.

Do I need special tools for a pizza oven?

While pizza specific accessories aren't required for making pizza, we suggest the following products to help streamline your pizza making.

• A pizza peel makes it simple to launch your pizza into the oven (wood or metal)
• A prep and serve kit (typically includes the basics to get you started)
• A prep table
• Protective cover for outdoor storage

by Tracy Hollander on 7th Aug 2020