There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh, homemade pizza from a pizza oven. The crispy crust, gooey cheese, and perfectly cooked toppings come together to create a meal everyone loves.
But getting top-tier pizza from a regular kitchen oven can be tricky because good pizza needs high temperatures and even heat distribution. That’s why ovens made specifically to cook pizza deliver restaurant-quality results right at home.
Here’s our guide to what to look for in a pizza oven before you add one to your kitchen:
What Is a Pizza Oven?
A pizza oven is a specialized oven that bakes pizzas at high temperatures. Traditional kitchen ovens max out at around 500 degrees F, but pizza ovens can reach temperatures of 700 degrees F or more. This high heat produces the crispy, golden crust, and perfectly melted toppings you’d expect from a pizzeria.
Some benefits of using a pizza oven include:
- Faster Cooking Times: Pizza ovens can bake pizza in just a few minutes due to their intense heat. Some models can cook a thin-crust pizza in as little as 60 seconds.
- Better Crust: The high heat helps create that coveted crispy crust with a chewy inside—not easy to do in a regular oven.
- Versatility: Many pizza ovens aren’t just for pizza. You can also use them to cook bread, roasted vegetables, or meats.
- Enhanced Flavor: A wood-fired pizza oven, for example, imparts a smoky flavor that gives your pizza an authentic restaurant-style taste.
Considerations When Shopping for a Pizza Oven
Choosing the right pizza oven for your home can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options available.
To make the process easier, let’s break down the key factors you should consider when shopping for a pizza oven:
Indoor vs. Outdoor Pizza Ovens
One of the first things to consider is whether you plan to use your pizza oven indoors or outdoors. An electric indoor pizza oven offers convenience since it integrates into your kitchen setup. Meanwhile, an outdoor pizza oven usually provides higher heat and can deliver that wood-fired flavor many people love.
Fuel Source
Do you prefer wood, gas, or electric? Each has its pros and cons. Wood-fired ovens provide smoky flavor but require more effort to manage the fire and fuel.
On the other hand, gas-powered pizza ovens offer convenience—they heat up quickly and are easier to control.
However, if you want something low-maintenance, an electric pizza oven may be your best option, especially for indoor use.
Size & Capacity
Another important factor is size. How many pizzas do you plan on cooking at once? Opt for a larger oven if you’re shooting for family dinners or hosting parties. However, a smaller model will do fine if it’s just for a couple of people or you’re working with limited space.
Heat-Up Time & Temperature
Different ovens have different heat-up times and maximum temperatures. If you’re looking for quick results, you’ll want an oven that heats up fast—some models reach their peak temperature in as little as 15 minutes.
Ease of Use & Maintenance
Finally, consider how easy it is to cook with and clean your pizza oven. Some ovens feature precision controls like built-in thermostats and timers, which make cooking more user-friendly—especially if you’re a beginner. Others are more basic but may require a learning curve.
Accessories
When shopping for a pizza oven, it’s important not to overlook the accessories that enhance your pizza-making experience. Some ovens include accessories, while others may require separate purchases.
Consider the following items:
- Pizza Peel: Essentially a large spatula for safely transferring pizzas in and out of the oven.
- Pizza Stone or Baking Surface: Ensures even heat distribution for a perfectly crispy crust.
- Infrared Thermometer: Helps monitor the oven’s internal temperature for precise cooking.
- Oven Brush: Useful for cleaning residual ash or crumbs from the oven floor.
- Protective Cover: Especially for outdoor ovens, a cover protects your investment from the elements.
- Turning Peel: Allows you to rotate the pizza inside the oven for even cooking on all sides.
Be sure to check which accessories are included with your pizza oven and plan accordingly for any additional items you may need.
Our Indoor Pizza Oven Pick: Cuisinart CPZ-120
If you’re looking for an indoor pizza oven, the Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven (CPZ-120) is a top pick. This sleek, electric pizza oven offers the convenience of making restaurant-quality pizza right in your kitchen.
With its ability to reach temperatures between 350 degrees F and 700 degrees F, this oven promises consistently perfect pizzas every time. Once preheated, the oven can cook a 12-in. Neapolitan pizza in just five minutes or less. While the preheat process can take 30 minutes, the results are worth the wait.
The Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven also has everything you need to start baking. It includes a 12.5-in. pizza stone for crispy crusts, a deep-dish pan, and a pizza peel to help transfer your pizza easily.
As for how it is on the countertop, it’s built with active cooling technology, which helps keep both the electronics and exterior cool during use. And at 35 lbs., it’s sturdy yet manageable. Plus, its stainless steel finish looks great with modern kitchen decor, making it an all-around wonderful addition to any kitchen setup.
2 Fuel Sources to Choose From: Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven
When making pizza outdoors, the Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven gives you options: wood-fired for that authentic smoky flavor or gas-powered for convenience. This dual-fuel pizza oven lets you choose how to fire up your next pizza masterpiece.
The wood option is perfect for those who crave the traditional wood-fired experience, with its rich, smoky notes and crispy crust. Using wood as fuel creates a unique flavor profile. The oven’s thoughtful design helps maintain heat efficiently, so you can spend less time managing the fire and more time enjoying your meal.
You can also opt for propane with the Solo Stove Gas Burner (sold separately). This gives you the convenience of modern cooking without sacrificing the performance of a powered pizza oven. Propane brings your oven to cooking temperature quickly—you don’t have to wait for the wood to catch and heat up.
The wide panoramic opening makes it simple to monitor your pizza and gives you the space to slide it in and out effortlessly, especially if you’re cooking multiple smaller pies. The included cordierite pizza stone helps develop that crispy base everyone loves.
Harness the Flavor of Wood Pellets: Ooni Fyra 12 Pizza Oven
Unlike traditional wood or gas options, the Ooni Fyra 12 Wood Pellet Pizza Oven uses hardwood pellets as fuel.
One of the best things about using wood pellets is the balance between traditional wood-fired flavor and modern convenience. Wood pellets provide the rich smokiness of wood while being easier to store and load.
The gravity-fed pellet hopper ensures continuous feeding, so you can focus on cooking instead of constantly adding fuel. This is why this pizza oven is a great option if you prize efficiency and ease of use.
The Ooni Fyra 12 heats up fast. Reaching temperatures of up to 950 degrees F in just 15 minutes, this oven allows you to cook a perfect stone-baked pizza in as little as 60 seconds. The high heat of the pellet-powered oven ensures a delicious, crisp crust and perfectly cooked toppings. And at around 22 lbs., it’s ultra-portable, ideal for outdoor pizza parties or even camping trips.
Big Pizzas, Big Flavor With This Large Pizza Oven: Ooni Koda 2 Max
Another Ooni model, the Ooni Koda 2 Max Gas Powered Pizza Oven, offers a 24-in. cooking area, allowing you to cook two 12-in. pizzas or even three 10-in. pizzas at once. Perfect for hosting gatherings or family pizza nights, the Ooni Koda 2 Max gives you the space and speed to churn out multiple pizzas quickly.
This gas-powered pizza oven heats up to an impressive 950 degrees F, reaching ideal cooking temperatures in 30 minutes. The result? Your pizzas can be ready in as little as 60 seconds. With its high heat and even distribution, you’re guaranteed crispy crust with gooey toppings every time. Plus, the dual-burner system with independently controlled zones lets you experiment with cooking different types of pizzas all at once.
The oven’s sturdy stainless steel construction makes it durable enough to withstand years of outdoor use. With easy-to-use controls, you don’t have to be an expert to make professional-grade pizza with this oven.
Outdoor Cooking With Flair: MODERNO 2 Pizze Outdoor Pizza Oven
If style is just as important as performance for your outdoor pizza oven, the MODERNO 2 Pizze pizza oven by ALFA is a perfect match. This high-design, high-performance oven cooks delicious pizzas while enhancing the look of your backyard or patio. Available in three colors—Antique Red, Ardesia Grey, and Fire Yellow—the MODERNO 2 Pizze adds flair to any outdoor space, making it equal parts functional and fashionable.
Beyond its eye-catching design, this wood and gas pizza oven offers impressive cooking power. Capable of holding two pizzas at once, with a cooking surface large enough for two 10 to 12-in. pies, the oven reaches temperatures of over 900 degrees F. You can cook pizzas for your family or a small gathering in just a few minutes without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Versatility is another key feature of the MODERNO 2 Pizze. It comes ready for propane use but includes parts for converting to natural gas. Plus, with an optional Hybrid Kit, you can add wood as a fuel source for that unbeatable smoky flavor. Whether you’re whipping up pizza or baking bread, this stylish oven can do it all.
Use Your Grill as a Pizza Oven: KettlePizza Gas Pro Deluxe Kit
The KettlePizza Gas Pro Deluxe Pizza Oven Kit transforms your regular grill into a high-performing pizza oven outdoor setup. If you already love grilling, this kit is a great way to dip into pizza-making without buying another appliance.
This kit fits most gas grills with at least three burners. Its innovative design uses a stainless steel enclosure, trapping heat and maintaining high temperatures, ideal for perfectly crispy crusts. The oven kit also comes with a 15-in. round cordierite pizza stone, known to retain heat well, giving your pizza that authentic stone-baked flavor.
Fortunately, using this kit is straightforward:
- Simply ignite your gas grill and heat it up for about 20 minutes.
- Once the chamber reaches cooking temperature, slide your pizza onto the pizza stone using the included peel.
- Keep an eye on the temperature with the mounted thermometer on top of the enclosure.
Weighing just 16 lbs. and featuring an integrated handle, this kit is also portable. You can take it with you for family cookouts or simply store it away when not in use. And since the KettlePizza Gas Pro Deluxe works with propane and natural gas grills, it offers versatility without needing to overhaul your existing setup.
Ready To Make Fresh Pizza at Home?
Investing in a pizza oven is a game-changer for anyone who loves making delicious pizza. So, whether you choose the convenience of a gas-powered pizza oven, the rustic charm of a wood-fired model, or the versatility of a pellet oven, there’s a perfect oven out there for your needs.
With the right setup, you can recreate pizzeria-level perfection from the comfort of your own home—indoors or outdoors. Once you take the plunge, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. So grab some dough, pick your toppings, and fire up that oven today.
