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Updated: 8/19/2024
outdoor pizza ovens were as mythical and unobtainable as a golden unicorn. Only the super-wealthy could afford one, let alone have space to actually build one. But now the longing is a thing of the past. The elusive golden horned pizza oven has been transformed into an affordable, compact, beautiful reality.
These new outdoor pizza ovens deliver the goods. There is nothing as delicious as a pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven at extremely hot temperatures. But these ovens do so much more than make delicious pies. They can be used to cook meat, bread, cheese, and veggies too. Basically, it will make anything you would traditionally cook in your standard oven, but it will be so much better. Because anything cooked in a wood-burning stove will contain a element of smoky flavor.
Traditionally, outdoor ovens were made with brick and mortar and took up half an acre. But luckily for us, we live in a world with better options. You can find a miniature replica of the brick and mortar oven or an innovative portable model. Whatever you’re looking for, we’ll help you find the best outdoor pizza oven on the market. Consider your budget before you jump in. Pizza ovens vary in style and features.
Prices range as drastically as your options; you could walk away with spending as little as $200 or as much as $4,000+. It all depends on what your specific requirements are.
When it comes to choosing the right outdoor pizza oven, there are several options regardless of budget. Onni seems to have cornered the market in making ovens that are not over the top amazing but better than most ovens under $1000; which seems to be the sweet spot for people looking to experiment recreationally.
The best affordable oven is, the Ooni Frya 12 which comes in less than $500. If you’re planning on having regular pizza night gathering then our mid-range pick, the Onni Pro, will set you back $1,500, but it gives you the choice of gas, wood, or pellets and it’s capable of reaching the high temps in a reasonable time. Now if you’re looking for a more serious and permanent outdoor oven, choose the Chicago Brick Oven Kit (CB0-500) which makes your outdoor pizza cooking experience very close to a true brick oven pizza. See the rankings and reviews of the most popular ovens on the market today.
| Name | Fuel | Price |
| 1. Ooni Karu 16 | Wood, Gas | See |
| 2. Gozney Roccbox | Electric, Wood, Pellets | See |
| 3. Kettlepizza Pro 22 | Wood | See |
| 4. Ninja Pizza Oven | Wood | See |
| 5. Napoli Bertello | Gas, Wood, Pellet | See |
| 6. Camp Chef Italia | Wood | See |
| 7. Big Horn | Gas | See |
| 8. Mimiuo Portable | Wood | See |
| 9. Black + Decker | Charcoal, Wood, Pellet | See |
| 10. Deco Chef | Gas | See |
| Name | Fuel | Price |
| 1. Ooni Pro | Gas, Wood, Pellet | See |
| 2. Roccbox Portable | Gas, Wood | See |
| 3. Ooni Koda | Gas | See |
| 4. Nonno Peppe | Wood | See |
| 5. Maximus Arena | Wood | See |
| Name | Fuel | Price |
| 1. CBO-500 | Wood | See |
| 2. Forno Venetzia | Wood | See |
| 3. Maestro 60 | LPG | See |
| 4. Bella Portable | Wood | See |
| 5. ALFA Minuti | Wood | See |
Before you splurge on the new oven you saw at Home Depot or Amazon, let’s first consider the key characteristics of a good outdoor oven. As you’ll see below, there are ovens for $500 that perform as good as one that will set you back $1,500. So we’ll breakdown what you should know to select the oven ideal for your needs and style.
FUEL SOURCE
To make outdoor ovens affordable and compact enough for average Joes like us, the fuel sources most commonly used are wood pellets and propane gas.
SIZE OF THE OVEN
The size of the oven will determine how large your pizza can be. All our ovens listed under $500 are only able to handle a single pie.
DESIGN
The design of the oven will be the real test of quality. The best ovens have good insulation and a top vent (appose to side or back).
INSULATION
Quality insulation is the only way you’re able to retain the high temps needed for a quality crust.
WOOD VS GAS: WHICH IS BETTER?
Larger ovens typically use logs or large chunks of various types of wood as a heat source. Logs burn hot, reaching over 900 degrees, which is perfect for pizza. To make outdoor ovens more affordable and compact for everyday users, wood pellets and propane gas are commonly used. These dual fuel sources require less space but can still reach temperatures similar to their log-fueled counterparts. Many pizza enthusiasts swear by pellet stoves, arguing that you can’t achieve true wood-fired pizza without wood — “wood made it good“. However, gas ovens can reach very high temperatures and retain heat better than wood or pellet ovens. The best choice depends on your needs. If you have a gas grill, a propane oven is more convenient. But if you believe, as many do, that the aroma of burning wood is essential for great pizza, go for a wood pellet oven. For most people it comes down to if they prefer hauling a propane tank or stocking up on pellets and/or wood. Multi fuel pizza ovens offer the best of both worlds.
BIGGER ISN’T ALWAYS BETTER
You need to consider the size of the oven. If you throw pizza parties every Friday night, you need a large home oven, one that can house a 16-inch pizza. If you are cooking just for yourself or your family, a smaller oven might be just right for you.
Bigger typically translates into better insulation but less mobility. So, if you’re someone who plans on taking your oven to your buddy’s place, or moving it various locations in your yard, then smaller is ideal.
The design is crucial for quality. Look for ovens with a vent above the opening to efficiently draw heat and smoke throughout. Since the space within many of these ovens is smaller than traditional pizza ovens you’ll find the cooking process differs a bit from traditional methods. We have an article dedicated to making dough prefect for smaller ovens.
Insulation is king when it comes to pizza ovens. Quality insulation keeps your oven at high temperatures needed for cooking. A poorly insulated oven leads to disappointment with unevenly cooked pizzas. Ensure the hearth and dome are fully insulated to maintain high temps.
There are a few different types of outdoor ovens, we’ll take a closer look at each kind, so you can figure out the right fit for you. There are two main categories of outdoor ovens:
Stationary ovens are big, immovable, and often built into your backyard. Their designs vary widely, as do their prices. You can hire a professional or try your hand at the building one yourself with an affordable brick oven kit like the Chicago Brick Oven Kit (CB0-500). Since a true brick oven is typically too expensive for the average Joe, but we have collaborated some of the best high-end pizza ovens that won’t require a second mortgage but perform well enough to yield an artisan quality pizza.
The best portable outdoor ovens are compact and affordable. In fact, all of our ‘Value Ovens Under $500‘ are all classified as portable. They incorporate features like convection motors and rotating surfaces. Beware of the stand-alone types—some brands are completely inferior (you’ll see some of these models in our reviews below).
Portable oven manufactures are known for advertising insane high temperature and short cook times. They explain their products something like this:
The truth is, the price of these ovens is closely tied to their ability to heat effectively and maintain that heat. Ovens priced under $500 typically take about 45 minutes to reach their maximum temperature, which is often lower than what retailers advertise. Additionally, they struggle to retain heat due to inferior insulation compared to home ovens in the $1,500+ range. Ultimately, there’s nothing wrong with a budget oven if it meets your needs, but don’t expect the manufacturer’s specifications regarding maximum temperature and heating time to align with your hands-on experience.
Side note: When we tested several of these standalone pizza ovens we used the Fireboard 2 Pro to monitor internal temperatures of the oven. We have rated Fireboard 2 Pro the ‘Best Pizza Oven Thermometer‘.
The Ooni Karu 16 priced around $500, stands out from others in this section. It’s versatility, performance, cooking surface size, and lightweight design make it hard to beat.
So, here’s the deal with the Ooni Karu 16: the gas burner isn’t included, which means if you’re a gas cooking fan, you’ll need to shell out a bit more dough. Sure, the optional gas burner makes things super convenient and gives you better temperature control, but igniting it? Well, let’s just say it could use a little finesse.
To fire it up, you’ve got to turn on the gas canister first, then press the button and twist it counter-clockwise until you hear that satisfying click—this little dance can take about three seconds. After that, you’ll need to keep holding the button for another five seconds before you can finally let go.
Honestly, this ignition method feels a bit like a scavenger hunt compared to the sleek designs of today’s gadgets. It’s kind of surprising that Ooni hasn’t jazzed up the gas ignitor to make it more user-friendly.
In conclusion, the Ooni Karu 16 is the best-valued pizza. This is based on price point, functionality, and build quality. Read the full review of the Karu 16 oven here.
The Onni Karu 16 has a 16-inch cooking surface. Gas preheat time is in-line with the rest of the ovens in this section. The digital thermometer is more accurate than any of the other ovens we looked at in this section. We are mostly impressed with how light this oven in relation to its overall performance quaility. It’s also worth noting that cleanup is fast and easy.
When it comes to outdoor pizza ovens under $500, the Gozney Roccbox really caught our attention—and for good reason. After getting our hands on it and giving it a thorough try, we’ve got some thoughts to share.
But hey, no product is perfect. We did find the Roccbox to be a bit on the bulky side. If you’re working with limited outdoor space, this might be something to keep in mind. And while we think it’s worth it, the price is a tad higher than other models like the Ooni Karu or Koda. Just something to think about if you’re on a budget.
First off, the design of the Gozney Roccbox is pretty top-notch. It’s built tough and feels like it’s going to last for a long time. One thing we particularly appreciated is the retractable wood-burning attachment. This feature makes it super easy to handle and clean—none of that hassle of digging out ash from inside the oven like you have to do with the Ooni. Then there’s the heat. Once it gets going, this thing keeps the heat consistent, which is key to getting that perfect crispy crust and gooey cheese. We also love that if something like the burner gives out, you can just swap it out instead of buying a whole new oven. See the full recap of our experience with the Roccbox here.
PROS
CONSIn the end, the Gozney Roccbox was pretty impressive. Its solid build, user-friendly design, and stellar performance make it one of our top picks for outdoor pizza ovens under $500.
The Kettlepizza Pro 22 is a kit you insert into your grill, which transforms it from barbecue to pizza oven. Grilling an edible pizza takes skills and practice. Every time you open the lid, you lose tons of heat, which is one of the real struggles people have when trying to bake pizza on a grill. The Kettlepizza Pro 22 solves this problem.
The Kettlepizza Pro 22 solves this problem. But the real star in this show is the pizza stone. Pizza stones collect massive amounts of heat, which is the key to a great pizza crust.
This made in the USA oven kit comes with a solid stainless steel ring that fits perfectly into a standard Weber kettle, but it will also fit several other kettle style grills. The oven has a place to set wood chunks to burn that will create the aroma and flavors of an actual wood burning pizza oven oven.
With only a small opening in the pizza oven, temperatures can reach over 700 degrees, so you can finally grill a perfect pizza.
So here’s the most practical pizza oven if you own a kettle style grill (which many people do). While it’s not the best overall method/oven on the list, it is an affordable option and makes pizza without adding additional clutter to your backyard. See our full writeup on the KettlePizza Pro here.
The problem is, well, not sure the oven kit is really necessary as you can grill a pizza without it —especially, if you have a pizza stone — it just makes the process a little easier.
And, unlike most other pizza ovens, this one isn’t ideal for anything other than pizza. Additionally, you’ll have to find a safe place to store it whenever you’re actually grilling.
PROS CONSPriced around $500, it’s positioned right in the competitive mid-range market where options are plenty, including the likes of the Ooni Koda 12 and the Roccbox Gozney. But how does it stack up?
The Ninja Woodfire promises to be more than just a pizza oven, boasting 8-in-1 functionality that allows you to not only churn out delicious pizzas but also roast, bake, and more. This versatility sets it apart in a crowded field, where many ovens are laser-focused on pizza alone. We’ve put this oven through its paces to see if it lives up to the hype.
Now, onto the less-than-stellar bits. While the Ninja Woodfire is a versatile beast, it does come with its limitations. For one, the build, although robust, lacks the artisanal charm some of its counterparts possess. Also, despite its multifunctionality, it may not specialize as deeply in pizza-making as dedicated pizza ovens like the Ooni Koda 12 or the Roccbox Gozney. There were moments when we found ourselves fiddling with the settings a bit longer than we’d like to achieve that perfect balance, especially when switching between different cooking modes. Check out the full testing session here.
The Ninja Woodfire 8-in-1 offers notable advantages that are worth mentioning. Its preheating time is impressively short, allowing you to get started with your cooking quickly. When it comes to pizza, the oven manages different styles effectively, offering good results whether you prefer an airy Neapolitan crust or a thicker pan pizza. The design is straightforward and user-friendly, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced cooks.
PROS CONSAll things considered, the Ninja Woodfire 8-in-1 Outdoor Oven offers some serious bang for your buck.
So here’s the million-dollar, or rather $500, question: should you buy the Ninja Woodfire 8-in-1 Outdoor Oven over a dedicated pizza oven? Well, if you’re a die-hard pizza aficionado who dreams of the perfect charred crust and bubbly cheese, you might find yourself irresistibly drawn to the specialization of models like the Ooni Koda 12 or Roccbox Gozney.
But if you’re someone who likes to mix things up and doesn’t mind a bit of tinkering, the Ninja Woodfire 8-in-1 is your Swiss Army knife of outdoor cooking. It may not have the same singular focus on pizza, but it excels at offering a wide range of cooking options. Want to roast a chicken? Check. Bake a loaf of bread? Done. Smoke some ribs? You’ve got it.
Bertello has taken the market by storm with their sleek and multifunctional pizza oven. Whether you like cooking with pellets, wood , or gas you’ll have your choice. Boasting temperatures of 900°F (we reached 800°F) you can cook a pie in under 2.5 minutes (see the full review here).
The Bertello comes with a 13.5 x 12.5-inch cordierite pizza stone, which is perfect for 10 to11-inch pizzas. Each oven also includes a tray for pellets, charcoal, or wood chunks, and they offer a gas burner attachment so you can fuel your oven by any means.
A Kickstarter success story, the Bertello Wood Fire and Gas Powered Pizza Oven is a good mid-range product. Solid construction and compact design make this pizza oven versatile. It’s great for Neapolitan style pizza but can also be used to cook fish, veggies and pretty much anything you can put into a cast iron skillet.
The small front opening helps keep temperatures high and consistent, but it also makes placing a pizza in the oven a little tricky. Finesse, and a steady hand are needed to prevent your pizza from crashing and burning.
PROS CONSThe Camp Chef Italia pizza oven tries its best to replicate the authenticity of an Italian wood-fired brick oven. It’s double-walled construction, specialty burners, and ventilation design all work together to raise temperatures to the extreme. It has a manual micro-adjust valve, which allows for precision heat control.
It is portable, versatile, and easy to use. It’s fueled by a one-pound disposable propane bottle and is small enough to travel with you wherever you go. But it also includes an adapter to fit a standard propane canister. Since it is a propane-fueled only oven, your pies will lack the aroma of a wood-fired pizza.
The cordierite stone is 13.25 x 20 inches, wide enough to make two small pizzas side by side. However, you can cook a single larger pizza when wanted. The ceiling of the oven is a little lower than other models, which reduces its versatility some, as other pans or food items won’t.
The oven is easy to assemble and use. The instruction manual is a little tricky to understand, but it’s easy enough you might not need it.
PROS CONSThis unit will indeed reach the target temps over 800 degrees, although not as quickly as the manufacturer suggests. But it gets there, so be aware, rotating at 30 second intervals, and planning a cook time of 1-2 minutes for thin crusts is fairly normal.
The unit has space enough to cook a 12 inch pizza, it takes some practice and skill to maneuver that size pizza in, out, and around. The space contains the heat, so your other learning curve will be timing the brown of the crust and the toppings. The oven door is not hinged, it removes which means you need a temp resistant surface to place it on.
They are serious when they say flame will come out the chimney. Like any flame device, you need to be aware of your surroundings. In this case, watch your vertical clearance for eaves, branches, awnings and such. The flame will die down when you have gotten it to temp, and the pellets have become mostly coal.
When fully preheated this unit knocks out the pizzas. Even with regular rotating, you’ll get the proper rustic markings, maybe a slight char, and good dark pebbling on the bottom crust.
PROS CONSThis unit comes with a 13 inch stone, so it does allow for a good size pizza, and the wide front opening makes it pretty close to ‘edge to edge’ for easy loading. It heats up pretty quick, and will get over 800 degrees from the pellet fuel.
The instructions are lacking. If you have never used something like this before it will be daunting, and there aren’t many brand specific videos on YouTube. For example, the controllable vent for heat regulation, which should be a plus, makes for a steeper learning curve. It is easy to have a smoky sooty result with the firebox until you get practiced up.
Peripherally, it is a nice package with a peel and a cover, although the cover is pretty lightweight and prone to ripping.
It gets to temp and holds it well with only minor management, and regular refreshing of the pellet fuel source. The stone holds heat decently (some may argue it could be a thicker slab). Clean up is easy, weight is about right for a portable unit.
PROS CONSThis compact machine is easy to set up, heats up quickly, and delivers that crispy crust we all crave. While it’s not a professional-grade oven—some of those marketing claims left us raising an eyebrow—it still churns out a respectable pizza for its price. Its performance is solid but not flawless, making it a good choice for casual pizza nights for the entry level price.
Some reviewers mentioned uneven heating, and sure enough, we noticed that pizzas needed a mid-cook rotation to avoid overly browned edges. It’s almost like the Vera wants you to practice your pizza-spinning skills. We also found that while it excels with standard-sized pizzas, anything bigger and the results were a bit hit and miss – think of it as teaching you portion control. Plus, some of the bells and whistles advertised didn’t completely hold up under scrutiny — see more here.
First off, the setup was a breeze. The compact design fits nicely on our countertop, and we had it up and running in no time. When it comes to actually cooking pizzas, the Vera does a respectable job. The oven heats up quickly, and in our tests, it took around 15 minutes to reach the right pizza-cooking temperature. The pizza stone gets nice and hot, giving our crusts that delightful, crispy texture everyone raves about in the forums.
PROS CONSThis one is perhaps a better concept than execution. It comes close, but that may be all it is capable of doing, even in terms of portability, coming in heavy at 40 pounds compared to some other choices. This one is more suitable for static placement like an outdoor kitchen area.
We use a stone to hold heat and keep it against the crust to get that crispness we seek. The problem is this stone takes a long time to get hot, just 500 is a challenge. Yes, the thermometer will read 900 for the chamber, but it will still take over 30 minutes to get the stone heated.
The size is deceptive because you can actually put a 14 inch pizza inside. Good luck trying to rotate the pizza, which you must do, or moving it in general. So, you are left at the norm of a comfortable twelve inch limit on your pizza size.
The size does allow for good air circulation, evening out the cooking, although you still have to turn the pie. But when the right size, rotating the pie is easy, as is in and out handling. The package includes some nice accessories like the slotted pan and drip tray for roasting non pizza items, pellet scoop, heat resistant glove, and a couple more. The burn box can actually accommodate charcoal which may help reduce the number of times you need to stoke the unit. It also has a good handles on both the front and the burn box
PROS CONSSearching for the perfect outdoor pizza oven within a $500 to $1,500 budget? This price range hits the sweet spot, offering affordable pizza oven options that perform well. Unlike the ‘Under $500’ category, ovens in this range are big enough for loading and turning of pizza (some even large enough for two small pies) while remaining lightweight and portable. Here are our top picks based on quality, durability, and features.
The Onni Pro is versatile with multiple fuel options; wood, pellets, charcoal, or gas (burner sold as upgrade). It is capable of reaching high temps with out being big and bulky. Since it comes in a tidy package, there is some assembly required – but not more than most – total assembly was about 20 minutes.
Impressive high-temperature range, capable of reaching between 600°F and 750°F (we never got close to the 928°F mark advertised). At under 100 lbs., it’s portable enough to move. The oven is big enough for a single medium/large pizza.
The Ooni Pro comes with a higher price tag compared to other pizza ovens, which could be a significant investment for some users. It also requires at least an hour for preheating (not 15 minutes as advertised). The relatively small space introduces a learning curve, as you’ll need to constantly turn the pizza. The wide opening does help to be able to get your peel inside fairly easily. Due to the limited insulation, it takes about 15 minutes to get the temp back up between pizzas. All in all, you won’t be disappointed in the performance of the Ooni Pro, but you can do better for around $800.
Another great option that we enjoyed was the Roccbox portable outdoor pizza oven, which also reaches high temperatures and features durable construction.
The Roccbox can heat up to 932 degrees Fahrenheit, which is great if you want to cook a pizza with artisan crust. It also includes both wood and gas burners depending on your cooking preferences, along with a built-in thermometer. You should be able to enjoy the perfect pizza within a minute after preheating the oven, and it’s also designed with body insulation that helps keep the oven’s exterior cool. With a weight of around 44 pounds, it’s also pretty easy to transport.
One potential problem with this oven is that it can take a bit of trial and error to figure out which settings work best for you. You may need to wait longer than the preheating settings recommend to prevent sticking, for example, and playing around with different temperature settings might be in order.
All in all, the Roccbox is another dependable outdoor pizza oven that can give you some of the best results.
The Onni Koda Gas pizza oven is a great mid-range portable oven. It comes pre-assembled and ready to use, just flip the legs open and set the stone in the oven. It preheats to over 900 degrees in 15 minutes(although we have not yet had a chance to put run this oven through the Artisan Pizza Test Kitchen) so this means you’re able turnaournd several pies in under 15 minutes which is a nice selling point when you’re looking to entertain. The Koda is also good for steak and fish.
The thick cordite stone is 13 inches wide, but 10-inch pizzas bake best in the oven. Pizza larger than 10 inches will be difficult to place and rotate in the oven. Sometimes pizza baked in the rear of the oven can result in an over-baked pie, so keeping the pizza near the front of the oven can prevent burning. Another option is to lower the temperature just before placing the pizza in the oven. But changing the temperature will increase the cooking time.
The overhead flame is hot enough to cook a small piece of meat safely, so no pre-cooking is necessary.
The Koda connects to a regular 20-pound propane tank. If you want to take it camping, an adapter can be purchased from other retailers for the 1 pound tanks.
Set up is a little bit of a bear, it requires some assembly and care. Once you’re all set up, you might need to run through a few pizzas until you have found the perfect process. But the learning curve is worth the effort to have a gas fired pizza oven at your disposal.
PROS CONSThe most expensive on this list, the Nonno Peppe gives you plenty of bang for your buck. Still less expensive than many outdoor pizza ovens on the market, the Nonno Peppe is built to last and give you the results you want with every use while helping you stay within your budget.
The Nonno Peppe uses handmade terracotta bricks that keep the oven properly insulated, with stainless steel construction that resists corrosion even at the highest temperature settings. The oven reaches over 800 degrees Fahrenheit, and it features a built-in F/C thermometer to help you monitor the temperature. One of the things we like most about this oven is its spacious cooking area, with a 24″ x 24″ cooking surface that allows you to cook multiple dishes at once, which makes it great for larger parties and other occasions.
The only real pain point we experienced with the Nonno Peppe had to do with assembly, as the smoke stack’s gasket on the top of the oven took multiple people to lift and install. Otherwise, it’s relatively easy to set up and you should have the oven up and running in no time.
While this oven is on the higher end in terms of cost, the Nonno Peppe is a great value and you’re sure to get plenty of use out of this model.
Last but far from least is the Maximus Arena Apomax countertop wood-fired pizza oven, which is very portable and reliable to leave all of your friends and family impressed.
You can set the Maximus Arena Apomax out on your patio or bring it with you on a camping trip to enjoy authentic pizza anywhere. The combination of steel and aluminum construction makes it one of the most durable models, with a ceramic tiled baking dish that allows for easy cooking of pizza and many other food items, from lasagna and fish to veggies and bread. You get a great wood-fired taste with every use and the fast cooking time and large 23.5″ x 23.5″ internal dimensions can cook about 10 medium-sized pizzas every hour. Just don’t overload it as you’ll drop temps and have trouble turning the pies.
The sole issues we found were that the thermometer wasn’t properly attached and you may need to glue it to the oven, and the pizza peel included with the oven is also somewhat flimsy, so you may need to take some care to avoid breaking it.
In the end, this pizza oven was one of our favorites. It’s portable, efficient, and can produce some delicious pies without costing a fortune.
The Chicago Brick Oven® CBO-500 is in a league of its own compared to the other ovens we’ve reviewed. This isn’t just another preassembled contraption that resembles a pizza oven; this is a DIY oven that channels its inner brick oven to deliver a genuine Italian experience right in your backyard.
It delivers consistent performance and retains heat like a champ, ensuring your meals cook evenly. Whether you’re whipping up pizzas, grilling steaks, or baking bread and veggies, this oven handles it all with ease. Plus, it’s made in the USA and built tough with commercial-grade materials.
The obvious downside is its size, lack of mobility, and DIY assembly required. And while it will reach the high temperatures it advertises, there is a little learning curve to manage and maintain them ( not more than you’d have with a traditional brick oven). See the full review of this DIY oven here.
This model is the tabletop version, so if you’re looking for options with a bit more elevation, the Torino 200 and Torino 500 come with stands that have wheels and additional accessories, but you’re getting the same cooking capabilities across all three models.
The Pronto 200 heats up remarkably fast, reaching 760°F at the 25-minute mark. Heat retention and distribution is on par with what you’d expect from ovens in this price range. Having a door is a bit of a game-changer when it comes to maintaining temperature and heat distribution. It strikes a nice balance between creating a hot, steamy environment for the dough to rise and ensuring proper ventilation.
However, it’s not without its quirks. The cooking surface only accommodates two personal-sized pizzas, which may leave you scrambling if you’re hosting a larger group. Additionally, unless you planning on spending the extra cash for the base unit models (Torino 200 & Torino 500), you won’t be moving this 300+ lbs. tabletop model easily. Overall, the Pronto 200 sits comfortably in the mid-range of outdoor pizza ovens, offering decent performance, just wish the cooking surface was a tad bigger or the price was slightly less. See the complete review of the Forno Ventinza Pronto.
Heating to 756°F in 30 minutes this model is among the quickest of the units we looked at. Which is impressive considering it’s lightweight design structure.
The Maestro 60’s size is a nice touch. It fits into snug backyard corners but still pulls off cooking two 12-inch pizzas at once. The included stock stones do the job but can be a bit temperamental, especially under high heat so you’ll want to consider the upgraded Saputo stones. While it heats up quick, there’s a bit of learning curve as the stones get hotter than you’d expect.
The gas line could be longer, at 3 feet it may be a little short to connect to your natural gas line. Wish the Saputo stones came stock, even if they are more fragile. The stock stones really pass too much direct heat through after exceeding the 750°F degree mark. Consider spending an additional $150 for two Saputo stones and you’ll be able to take advantage of the impressive heat produced by this compact outdoor oven. For more, read the full writeup here.
Bella Medio 28” by Forno Bravo is a stainless steel, portable wood-fired oven – gas is not an option here. Manufactured in Colorado Springs, CO. With a spacious cooking surface measuring 28″ x 24″, you can do two medium pizzas while having enough space for fuel. The best thing about the Bella Medio is it’s a portable oven (under 100lbs) that delivers on heat performance.
Unlike traditional brick ovens that take over an hour to reach optimal cooking temperatures, the Bella Medio heats up fairly quickly — about 35 to 40 minutes — not 15 minutes as advertised on the manufacture site. It’s large enough to cook basically anything you want to be wood-fired. The stock model comes with a stand/cart with wheels which is expected at its price-point.
I know two people who own a Bella, both of them were red when purchased and now after a few years they are a faded pink, so I’d recommend buying a cover if you purchase one of their Bella ovens. Again, you’re dealing with wood here, so there’s a little learning curve. The biggest knock on the Bella series is they’re not cheap. And to a certain extent you’re paying for the Forno Bravo name, and rightfully so as they’re manufactured here in the US and you’re not getting a cheap knockoff. Speaking of which, watch out for all the cheap knockoffs sold on Amazon, you can only buy a Forno Bravo oven from Forno Bravo or authorized resellers.
the Bella series offers a high-end oven that mimics the performance of a traditional brick oven, minus the heat retention benefits. However, the standout feature is its portability; you can easily move this oven around for grilling parties or store it when not in use. The large cooking space ensures even radiant heat in the center, achieving a nice 360-degree cook, which is often lacking in smaller models. The Bella range includes three options, from the 28” Medio to the 40” Ultra, catering to various cooking needs while maintaining that signature Forno Bravo quality. Just be wary of cheap knockoffs, as these ovens can only be purchased through Forno Bravo or authorized resellers.
Alfa 5 Minuti Pizza Oven is a wood-fired oven with quality construction and insulation. The sleek aesthetics are what you’d expect from Italian craftsmanship. However the impressive features does come with a price tag that might have you wondering if you’re just paying extra for the “made in Italy” label. While we never purchased this oven for testing, below is a quick breakdown of what we rounded up about this oven from first-hand consumer reviews;
While it certainly performs exceptionally well, thanks to unique stock stones that outshine the standard Saputo stones at an ideal cooking temperature of about 750°F, it comes with a price tag that might have you questioning whether you’re just shelling out extra for the “made in Italy” badge.
Heat time, on average, came to 700°F in about 45 minutes. That isn’t lightning fast, but considering the 450 square inches of cooking space, it’s a reasonable heat time.
At the pricier end of the spectrum, you might find more bang for your buck with options like the DIY Chicago Brick Oven or the Forno Pronto, both of which deliver impressive performance without breaking the bank. Plus, the hefty build—around 250 lbs. due to double insulation—could make moving it a two-person job. The unique stones that come stock with the Alfa are a bit tricky to get the ideal crust once you exceed 770°F, especially when running anything more than a single pizza.
The absence of a sealing door might raise eyebrows among purists who want to preserve every last ember, and although the insulation is robust, heat retention could truly be dialed up a notch if the chimney weren’t nestled right at the top, allowing some heat to escape. But on the flip side, the placement of the chimney is more conducive to infusing your food with the wood flavors, than say if the chimney was positioned in the back or side.
An outdoor pizza oven can be a great addition to any backyard or patio. There are a few key benefits to consider when deciding whether an outdoor pizza oven is worth it for you:
Speed: Outdoor pizza ovens can cook pizzas much faster than a traditional oven, often in as little as 5-10 minutes.
Flavor: The high heat of an outdoor pizza oven can give pizzas a delicious, crispy crust and a perfectly cooked interior. Ambiance: Cooking pizzas in an outdoor pizza oven can be a fun and social activity, and it can add a cozy and inviting atmosphere to your outdoor space.
Versatility: In addition to pizzas, you can use your outdoor pizza oven to cook a variety of other dishes, such as roasts, vegetables, and even desserts. Overall, an outdoor pizza oven can be a worthwhile investment if you enjoy entertaining, cooking outdoors, and trying new recipes.
There are three types of pizza ovens; wood-fired, gas-fried and electric ovens. The electric ovens are typically for indoor use while gas and wood ovens are typically purchased for backyard outdoor use. If you’re looking for a pizza oven for your outdoor kitchen, I’d recommend a wood-fired oven as you’ll yield a more iconic artisan pizza flavor. However, if you’re after portability then you’ll have endless choices of gas pizza ovens that can be easily placed on a tabletop or or function as an ideal countertop pizza oven. Some of these portable style pizza ovens offer hybrid options of gas and wood. In the end, since pizza ovens range from as little as a few hundred dollars to thousands, the type of pizza oven you choose will likely depend on your budget.
You can get an outdoor oven for as little as $300, but the sky is the limit as we’ve tested several ovens that cost $3,500+. The main factors that effect cost is size, insulation, and the ability to utilize wood or transfer heat.
