The 8 Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens for Authentic Backyard Cooking

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Make every day a homemade pizza day! Adding an outdoor pizza oven to your backyard makes parties and weeknight meals a lot more fun. If you find yourself ordering pizza often, it might be worth investing in a pizza oven to save on delivery costs.

Pizza ovens heat up much faster than regular ovens and get much hotter. This high temperature is what gives your pizza that crispy crust and professional look. Plus, a patio pizza oven can cook a variety of other dishes, from roasted vegetables and bread to fish and meat.

We’ve tested over a dozen popular pizza ovens from brands like Ooni, Gozney, and Solo Stove. Our top choices cover different fuel types, sizes, and price ranges. Ready for some delicious pizza?

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall:
  Ooni Koda 16 Pizza Oven at Amazon $599
• Best Budget:
  Ooni Karu 12G Multi-Fuel Outdoor Pizza Oven at Amazon $399
• Best Small:
  Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven at Amazon $403
• Best on Amazon
  Cuisinart 3-in-1 Pizza Oven Plus at Amazon $173
• Best Design:
  Gozney Roccbox Outdoor Pizza Oven at Amazon $500
• Best Compact:
  Gozney Arc Pizza Oven at Amazon $700
• Best New Release:
  Everdure KILN S Series Oven at Amazon $639
• Best Pizza Oven for the Grill:
  KettlePizza Pro Pizza Oven Kit at Amazon $289

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Best Overall

Ooni Koda 16 Pizza Oven

Looking to make restaurant-quality pizza at home? This outdoor pizza oven might be the game-changer you need. It’s perfect for anyone who loves crispy, charred crusts and melty cheese. With its gas-powered design, this oven heats up fast—reaching a blazing 950°F—so your pizza cooks in just 60 seconds! Whether you’re a pizza enthusiast or just want an easy, quick dinner, this oven can handle it. The larger 16-inch cooking area is great for making pizzas big enough to feed the whole family. Plus, it’s designed to make turning and rotating your pizza simple, ensuring an even cook every time.

Benefits:

• Quick, restaurant-quality pizza at home
• Perfect for family-sized meals
• Simple and fast setup
• Consistent results every time

Best Budget

Ooni Karu 12G Multi-Fuel Outdoor Pizza Oven

For anyone seeking versatility in a smaller, more portable pizza oven, this option is a perfect fit. It can run on wood, charcoal, or gas (with an optional burner attachment), giving you more ways to cook your pizza. It’s light enough to take on the go, weighing just over 34 pounds, and features a folding leg design. The built-in temperature gauge, glass door, and cool-touch handle make it easy and safe to use, even for beginners. While you’ll be limited to making 12-inch pizzas, this compact oven heats up to 950°F, letting you achieve that crispy, restaurant-quality crust in no time. You may need to rotate your pizza regularly to avoid burning, but once you get the hang of it, the oven performs beautifully, even with homemade dough.

Benefits:

• Enjoy portable, wood-fired pizza anywhere
• Simple setup and easy to use
• Customize your cooking style with different fuel sources
• Safe and user-friendly design

Best Small

Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven

When you’re craving that perfect pizza crust, this sleek pizza oven gets the job done in style. It offers both wood-fired and dual-fuel options, meaning you can cook with gas or wood for that classic smoky flavor. Its modern design, paired with the signature stainless steel Solo Stove look, makes it an attractive addition to any outdoor space. What really stood out in our tests is how evenly it cooks pizzas, thanks to the convection-style airflow. The large panoramic opening also makes sliding and rotating pies a breeze, giving you full control during cooking. While lighting it can be a bit tricky, once it’s going, the high heat ensures quick, crispy results every time.

Benefits:

• Fast and even cooking for perfect pizza crusts
• Dual-fuel capability for versatility
• Easy cleanup with a reversible baking stone

Best on Amazon

Cuisinart 3-in-1 Pizza Oven Plus

For those new to pizza-making, this handy 3-in-1 appliance makes the process easy and stress-free. It works as a pizza oven, propane grill, and griddle, giving you a lot of versatility in one affordable device. You don’t have to worry about high heat burning your crust too fast, as it only reaches about 700°F, giving you more control over cooking. The small front door lets you peek at your pizza while it cooks, and it’s roomy enough for burgers and veggies on those nights you want to grill. Assembly is simple, and there’s even built-in storage for accessories, making this oven a smart choice for beginners or anyone looking for a multi-functional grill.

Benefits:

• Reduces risk of burning your pizza
• Versatile cooking options with grill and griddle
• Great for weeknight grilling or pizza nights
• Built-in storage keeps accessories organized

Best Design

Gozney Roccbox Outdoor Pizza Oven

When you’re looking for a quick and delicious outdoor pizza experience, this oven really steps up. It gets blazing hot in about 15 minutes, reaching temperatures over 900 degrees Fahrenheit—ideal for Neapolitan-style pizzas. While it uses propane by default, there’s an option to get a wood burner attachment for that authentic smoky flavor. What’s great is that despite the intense heat inside, the silicone-wrapped body stays cool to the touch, so you won’t burn yourself when handling it. However, one downside is the soot that can accumulate on the front, which can be a bit of a chore to clean.

Benefits:

• Fast cooking for Neapolitan pizzas
• Safe to handle even when hot
• Precise temperature control for perfect results

Best Compact

Gozney Arc Pizza Oven

If you’re tight on space but still want a high-performing outdoor pizza oven, this compact option is ideal. It runs on gas, which makes it quick and easy to use—perfect for those spontaneous pizza nights. The stone reaches 750°F in under 25 minutes, allowing you to cook pizzas in just about 4 minutes. Its simple gas controls make it a breeze to operate, and the wide mouth allows for easy turning of the pizza while cooking. The results? Crispy toppings, golden crusts on top, and perfectly melted cheese, though the bottom of the crust may not brown as much as you’d like. While it’s compact, weighing almost 48 pounds means it’s not the easiest to move around unless you also have a stand.

Benefits:

• Make restaurant-quality pizza in minutes
• Perfect for small patios or backyards
• Enjoy even, consistent cooking results
• Convenient gas-powered design

Best New Release

Everdure KILN S Series Oven

For those wanting a stylish yet functional pizza oven, the Kiln S Series by Everdure might be your new go-to. This eye-catching oven is ready to use right out of the box and fits large 16-inch pizzas. With its sleek design, it competes well against pricier models like the Gozney Dome. Though the controls are easy to manage, finding the right flame setting takes some practice. The Kiln doesn’t have a built-in thermometer, so we used an infrared one to check temperatures. It can heat up to 932°F, but it took around 3 to 6 minutes to cook pizzas. While the crust was a bit doughy in the middle, the toppings like ricotta and pepperoni turned out nicely. It’s a great option if you’re after a high-quality, modern oven without breaking the bank.

Benefits:

• Enjoy a stylish, efficient pizza oven
• Cook large pizzas quickly
• Achieve well-cooked toppings
• Affordable alternative to more expensive models

Best Pizza Oven for the Grill

KettlePizza Pro Pizza Oven Kit

If you’re a pizza lover with a gas grill but no dedicated pizza oven, the KettlePizza Pro Pizza Oven Kit is a game-changer. This nifty kit turns your grill into a pizza oven, and it’s super easy to use. It comes with a 15-inch pizza stone, a wooden peel, and a sleek stainless steel lid. Setting it up is a breeze, and once it’s in place, it heats up nicely, though you might notice a few hot spots. The lid helps focus the heat, so your pizzas come out evenly cooked, both on top and bottom. For the best results, keep the grill lid closed while baking. It’s a great option if you want to make delicious, crispy pizzas without needing extra kitchen space.

Benefits:

• Convenient way to bake pizzas without extra appliances
• Compact and easy to store when not in use
• Affordable compared to buying a standalone pizza oven

How We Tested the Outdoor Pizza Ovens

When testing outdoor pizza ovens, we aimed to make the process as realistic as possible, just like how you’d use it at home. We paid attention to how simple they were to set up and how quickly they heated up. Cooking time was key, so we checked how fast and evenly each oven baked pizzas, from the crust to the toppings. Both store-bought and homemade dough were used to see how the ovens handled different textures. We also considered how easy each one was to clean and move around. Our testing didn’t stop with just pizza—some models are versatile, so we tried grilling and baking other foods too. The goal was to find ovens that work well for everyone, whether you’re new to pizza making or a seasoned pro.

What to Look for in an Outdoor Pizza Oven

Fuel Type: Outdoor pizza ovens can run on wood, gas, or both. Wood-fired ovens add a smoky flavor but can be a bit tricky to manage. Gas ovens are more straightforward, letting you control the temperature with a knob. Dual-fuel models give you the best of both worlds.

Heat Speed: How fast do you want to start cooking? Some ovens heat up in 15 minutes, while others take closer to 30 minutes. Faster heating means quicker pizzas.

Size and Portability: Think about how much space you have in your yard or on your patio. If you want something that’s easy to store or take on trips, a compact, lightweight option might be best.

Ease of Use: If you’re just getting into outdoor pizza making, go for an oven that’s easy to control. Some come with built-in temperature gauges and other features that simplify the process. Experienced pizza makers might prefer more customizable options.

Cooking Space: Make sure the oven is big enough for the size of pizzas you want to make. Smaller ovens might limit you to 12-inch pies, while others can handle 16-inch pizzas or more.

Clean-Up: After all the fun of cooking, you’ll need to clean the oven. Some models are easier to clean than others, with removable stones or non-stick surfaces.

FAQs

Can I use my outdoor pizza oven in cold weather?
Yes, most outdoor pizza ovens can handle cold weather. However, you might need a little extra time to preheat the oven when it’s colder outside. Just be patient, and your pizza will turn out great.

How do I know when the pizza oven is ready to cook?
Many ovens have a built-in thermometer to let you know when it’s at the right temperature. If yours doesn’t, an infrared thermometer can help you check the stone’s heat. You’re aiming for around 700°F for a crispy crust.

What’s the best way to clean the pizza stone?
Let the stone cool down completely before cleaning it. Then, use a dry brush or scraper to remove any leftover bits. Avoid soap or water, as it can get absorbed into the stone and affect your next pizza.

Do I need to rotate the pizza while it’s cooking?
Yes, rotating the pizza halfway through cooking ensures it cooks evenly. Some ovens have a large opening that makes this easy to do without losing too much heat.

Can I cook other foods in my pizza oven?
Absolutely! Many pizza ovens are versatile and can handle baking bread, roasting vegetables, or even grilling meat. Just be sure to adjust the heat and keep an eye on cooking times.

What accessories do I need for my pizza oven?
You’ll need a good pizza peel to slide your pizza in and out of the oven easily. An infrared thermometer is also handy for checking the stone’s temperature. Some ovens come with accessories, but you can always buy them separately if needed.

By knowing what to look for and how to use your pizza oven, you’ll be on your way to making delicious, homemade pizza in no time!