Ordering delivery pizza is a convenient comfort for lazy evenings, but you don’t realize you’re selling yourself short. Why spend $20 a week or more for greasy, low-quality restaurant chain food? After our family gatherings and parties, I always regret my choice to eat tasteless, subpar pizza. It’s just a load of carbs, fat, and calories without any real satisfaction.
I prefer rich flavors from varieties of cheeses, savory pizza sauce, and fresh herbs, spices, and vegetables that chains don’t offer. Incorporating different aromas and textures into my meals is a priority for an experimental home cook like myself. However, using a regular oven for cooking pizza has always been a long, frustrating process. It seems like no matter what I do; the final product is nowhere near my initial intentions. Once I heard there were pizza ovens for your home, I had to look into it.
My first concern did I have enough space for a pizza oven in my one-bedroom apartment. When I saw all the options available that met my personal needs, I couldn’t believe it! Even with my financial and spatial limitations, there was still plenty for me to browse.
Buying an indoor pizza oven was one of the best decisions for my home that I’ve ever made.
5 Best Indoor Pizza Ovens
There are just some things your regular oven can’t do. Making amazing pizza is one of them.
Sure, you can buy a premade crust from a bag or a can, toss some cheese on it, and throw it in the oven. Going this route, don’t be surprised to have less than enthusiastic responses from your guests. Unless you’re happy with shoulder shrugs and “eh” as an answer to how dinner was, you should read this list.
Image | Indoor Pizza Oven | Rating |
---|---|---|
![]() | #1 - Presto 03430 Pizzazz Plus Rotating Oven | 99% |
![]() | #2 - Wisco 421 Pizza Oven | 98% |
![]() | #3 - Oster Convection Pizza Oven TSSTTVPZDS | 97% |
![]() | #4 - Goplus Stainless Steel Pizza Oven | 96% |
![]() | #5 - Breville Crispy Crust Pizza Maker BREBPZ600XL | 94% |
Now that you’ve seen our top 5 picks, we’re going to go into more detail on why we love each of these. Once you find the one that’s best for you, click the yellow button to get the latest price on Amazon.
#1 – Presto 03430 Pizzazz Plus Rotating Oven
This is by far the best pizza oven for home use and my personal favorite. It serves as a sleek statement piece on my countertop and is so easy to keep clean and shiny. Use after use, it continues to hold up in function and appearance.
Buying this oven is a decision you will never regret.
Although it took a little while to put together, it took nearly zero effort because the instructions are very clear. The time it took to assemble has proven to be worth the convenience of operation and delicious results each week.
When family and friends visit, not only can I cook pizzas to accommodate everyone’s tastes, but meat and bread too! Foods other than pizza will require a little bit of practice, but once you’re familiar with it, you won’t know what to do without it. It did not take long at all to become a reliable staple in my kitchen.
After you’ve gotten your belly full, cleaning up is so easy. The floor pan and fat tray can be cleaned separately while the shell can be wiped down. Forget all of those pots, pizza pans, and trays. Buy this oven today and save an enormous amount of time and space!
Pros:
- Removable floor pan and fat try for easy cleanup
- Dishwasher safe
- Portable
Cons:
- The lengthy and detailed assembly process
- Heats up quickly, which can burn food without proper attention
Best Features:
- Cooks a wide array of foods
- Mounts to almost any surface
- Can use 1lb or 20lb propane tank
- Comes with pizza grilling stone
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#2 – Wisco 421 Pizza Oven
This is another bargain catch that accents your kitchen and your plate!
Although it is an indoor pizza oven, it can also pump out pizzas for backyard barbeques. This oven is so lightweight and conveniently built, you can display or store it just about anywhere in your home. Its sleek shell protects a simple yet efficient design that is easy for anyone to use.
LED displays not only give it a high-tech appeal but take a lot of guesswork out of your first few pizzas. Once you have set the temperature dial, the only other step is to press a button and pop in the pie. It’s the perfect machine to test your pizza making abilities before upgrading to more expensive equipment.
If it turns out you aren’t the best pizza chef, that’s okay. You won’t have wasted a penny! The design of this machine also makes cooking small appetizers quick and simple. However, if you can’t seem to perfect the pizza process at first with this oven, don’t blame yourself.
There are some customer complaints about uneven heating that results in confusing crusts for your taste buds. Even if the crust doesn’t come out flawless, at least it will come out in one piece. The shape of the tray is made specifically to prevent food from slipping off the back!
Pros:
- Less expensive
- LED display to see the exact temperature
- Easy storage and countertop placement
Cons:
- Some customer complaints about uneven heating
- Some customer complaints about “cheap” manufacturing
Best Features:
- Ability to cook a wide range of foods
- Quick preheat timing
- Tray shape prevents food from sliding off
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#3 – Oster Convection Pizza Oven TSSTTVPZDS
This pizza oven came close to earning a spot on my counter – it was a tough decision. If you’re in a tight financial spot and can’t opt for the Wisco, this is your best option. You get the bang for your buck on this one!
Although it can be tedious to clean, it’s worth it time after time for the delectable results it provides. Beyond pizza, it can also roast veggies, fish, and meats. You can cook just about anything you want anywhere there is a grill!
Buy this oven today and surprise your family with amazing pizza at your next gathering whatever familial qualms that may exist will subside once you all get a mouthful of the perfect pizza.
Month after month, you can depend on this pizza oven to work hard for you. Customers claim that even after a couple of years, it still works just as good as new. Why not invest the money for such a dependable, long-term payout?
This oven also acts as a good starter if you just want to test the waters. If you dream of a big, beautiful brick pizza oven on your back patio but aren’t sure if it’s practical, try this one first. Once you discover how easy making the perfect pizza and savory roasts are, you’ll want to use it every day!
Pros:
- Simple assembly
- Less expensive
Cons:
- Tedious cleanup
- Vague temperature gauge
- Tricky warm-up timing
Best Features:
- Quick cook time
- Quality Stainless Steel build
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#4 – Goplus Stainless Steel Pizza Oven
Do you often find your house being the go-to spot for brunches and slumber parties? If so, you need this pizza oven. It serves as a beautiful and functional centerpiece that everyone will huddle around, waiting for their next turn! It can feed six people with their individual preferences at a time.
Long gone are the days of compromising with picky eaters before you order at the local pizza place. You can finally enjoy your loaded veggie or meat supreme pizza while the kids eat plain cheese. On the other hand, your vegetarian friends can eat their hearts out while everyone else gets their fill too.
Despite what you want to cook, the high-quality stainless steel oven body makes it so appealing also enhances the flavor of your pizza. You won’t see chain restaurant pizza the same again after experiencing this authentic taste!
While you’re getting better taste than delivery, you’ll have the same quick cleanup!
Pros:
- High-quality stainless steel oven body
- Easy storage
- Cordierite Pizza Stones
- Matchless Starter
Cons:
- Cannot make full-size pizzas
Best Features:
- Quick preheat time
- Dual heating
- Feeds six people at a time
- Aesthetic countertop appeal
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#5 – Breville Crispy Crust Pizza Maker BREBPZ600XL
Do you want that brick oven taste, but don’t have room for one? This oven brings the brick oven flavor to your table straight from the countertop!
It looks like a waffle-maker on the outside but is a pizza professional on the inside.
Its fool-proof settings allow you to cook according to your cravings night after night. There are settings for thin, medium, and thick crusts that takes the work out of getting an even crust! I would even go so as far as to guess that making flatbread is simple with these controls.
If you are an experimental cook like myself, this oven even comes with a recipe book too. Getting inspiration from the recipe book will have you testing the limits of this amazing indoor pizza oven. For me, there’s nothing more fun than making a Frankenstein of a dinner. Falafel and lemon dill lasagna? Let’s try it! Chicken curry meatballs? Why not!
However, the work it takes away from cooking gets repurposed into the cleanup process. It is difficult to clean, but isn’t it the least you can do for the stress-free dinner it provides? You can make up to an 11-inch pizza or two smaller ones. Then if you’re still not full, it can pump out more.
Pros:
- Ability to cook up to 11-inch pizzas
- Easy storage
- Even heat distribution
- Comes with a pizza stone and recipe book
Cons:
- Little space between pizza stone and heating element
- Difficult to clean
Best Features:
- Dual heating
- Built-in baking stone
- Settings for thin, thick, or medium crusts
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5 Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens
Are you sick of compromising your love of pizza for your love of camping? Do you stare longingly at your tailgate burger wishing it were a sloppy slice of cheesy pie? Once you find the best outdoor pizza oven for you, you’ll never compromise again.
Take these magic pizza machines with you anywhere you go. If you don’t get the big catch on that fishing trip, you won’t worry about starving! As long as you have propane tanks or wood chips, you can pound out pizza after pizza.
Image | Outdoor Pizza Oven | Rating |
---|---|---|
![]() | #1 - Ooni 3 Portable Wood Pellet Pizza Oven | 100% |
![]() | #2 - Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven | 98% |
![]() | #3 - ROCCBOX by Gozney Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven | 96% |
![]() | #4 - Bertello Wood Fire and Gas Outdoor Pizza Oven | 93% |
![]() | #5 - Pizzacraft Pizzeria Pronto Outdoor Pizza Oven - PC6000 | 90% |
Now that you’ve seen our top 5 recommendations, we’ll go into more detail on each of them. Click the yellow button once you’ve decided which is best for you.
#1 – Ooni 3 Portable Wood Pellet Pizza Oven
Transform your barbeques with this powerhouse of an oven. The new design implements only the most careful considerations into what you need out of an outdoor pizza oven.
With three legs instead of four, you can guarantee stability on any surface. Even in the most rugged campsites, this machine will fuel your adventures day in and day out.
While it fuels you with pizza and other delicious delicacies, you only have to fuel it with wood chips. It keeps your belly and wallet full. Additionally, the removable chimney directs smoke away from your eating and makes packing a snap!
It’s simple to assemble and use, even for novice cooks. Maybe you got that big kill on your hunting trip and didn’t want to wait to taste it. Well, you are in luck. Beyond pizza, you can roast meats and vegetables and try your hand at artisan bread as well!
Customers do report there is a slight learning curve to this device, but once you get it down, the payoff is invaluable.
Pros:
- Fast heat up and cook times
- Comes with a stone baking board and pizza peel
- Uses relatively cheap wood pellets for fuel
- Easy assembly
Cons:
- Customer complaints of shallow area for wood pellets
- Somewhat of a learning curve
Best Features:
- Body insulation maintains heat efficiency
- Chimney clip allows portability
- Three legs ensure a more stable position on uneven surfaces
- Ability to cook a wide range of foods
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#2 – Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven
This stylish, simple oven is everything you could ever want from an outdoor pizza oven. If you have a propane tank, you can have all the pizza your stomach can hold!
After a short, effortless assembly, you can make up to two 10-inch pizzas at once. As long as the propane tank is running, you can continue feeding your pizza cravings. Once you’ve had your feel of cheesy, dreamy pie, you can move onto other mouth-watering munchies.
It’s capable of cooking roasts and pastries as well. Whether you’re on a mountain, in a stadium parking lot, or your backyard, this oven lets you enjoy your favorite foods. Using propane as fuel not only makes it portable but efficiently clean, too.
No smoke, no mess! Unlike wood stoves, you won’t have a cloud of ashes choking you during cleanup.
Although it uses propane and is made of stainless steel, you won’t miss that comforting brick oven taste! The ceiling has two layers that enhance heating dynamics to bring you the best brunch, lunch, or dinner you can imagine.
However, this is one of the few pizza ovens that do not come with a pizza peel. It would be wise to order one separately to easily rotate the pizza as it is cooking. Normally, pizzas are rotated 180-degrees halfway through to keep the crust from burning and ensure even heating on top.
Pros:
- Quick preheat time
- Easy assembly
- Can make two 10-inch pizzas at once
Cons:
- Uneven heat distribution
- Does not come with a pizza peel
Best Features:
- Ability to cook a wide range of foods
- Double layer ceiling mimics brick oven cooking
- Runs on 1lb propane tank
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#3 – ROCCBOX by Gozney Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven
If you need a portable pizza oven on a budget, this is your perfect match. It’s affordable, durable, and reliable. Inside its steel shell is a 14-inch cordierite pizza stone that crisps your crusts precisely while excess heat cooks the top.
This kind of spacious interior allows you to continuously cook full-size pizzas as long as your propane tank is running. On a 20lb propane tank, this equates to 25 hours of pizza! Do you think you can handle that?
If you’re insecure about your pizza abilities, the company even provides expert tips for beginner cooks. However, if you find some accessories are necessary to hinder pizza-making hassles, you’ll have to purchase those separately. Fortunately, at such a reasonable price, you’ll have plenty leftover to pick and choose your accessories!
One of these accessories is a wood pellet smoker. So if you aren’t happy with the flavor from gas cooking, you can alter it to get the smoky savor you prefer. Once you have the accessories and get the hang of using this machine, you’ll start to notice the payoff.
Pros:
- Quick preheat and cook times
- Comes with grilling stone
- Free wood (worth $100)
Cons:
- Can only be used with 20lb propane tank
- Accessories bought separately
Best Features:
- Portable use for camping and tailgating
- Durable and rugged
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#4 – Bertello Wood Fire and Gas Outdoor Pizza Oven
The best thing about this model is that it’s so easy to put together, you can start cooking in no time!
Cuisinart makes it so simple to get the brick oven taste anywhere you go. This oven comes with a smoke chip cup to incorporate that smoky flavor we all love. My favorite part is once you finish the first pizza, there’s a warming tray underneath to keep it fresh while you whip up the second one!
Like some of the other models on this list, you can take this with you anywhere you have a propane tank! It can rest on any surface you want to put it and easily store almost everywhere you could think of. The built-in handles make this process even less of a hassle!
However, there is one thing about the handles. Since this is a reliable, hardworking pizza oven that gets hot, it tends to melt the plastic handles. It is frustrating, but it would not be a huge problem to change them out. All it would take are a couple of wrenches and probably a Dremel bit to match a new handle of a different material.
Pros:
- Easy assembly requires zero tools
- Comes with a pizza peel, cordierite stone, and other accessories
- Even heat distribution
Cons:
- Plastic handle melts under intense heat
- Customer complaints of hard to read manual
Best Features:
- Portability for camping and tailgating
- Built-in smoker box for a wood-fired taste
- Warming tray underneath
#5 – Pizzacraft Pizzeria Pronto Outdoor Pizza Oven – PC6000
This model pizza oven makes sure you get the best quality pizza with each meal. It doesn’t come with a smoking wood chip cup, but its unique technology instead. The pizza stone that comes in it has two layers.
Between these layers is an air gap to prevent overheating. Then, while your crust is crisping perfectly on the bottom, there is an air vent on top to prevent sogginess! It’s almost a fool-proof pizza cooking machine! Even a beginner can comfortably sit back and let this oven do all the work.
However, there are a couple of downsides to this machine you should know about. One in particular that scares me away are regular complaints about the ignitor and thermostat. Some customers said even after only a few uses, the ignitor had quit working and was a pain to fix.
Concerning the thermostat, the complaints were mostly about inconsistent temperatures. The display might read one way, but when tested with a thermal gun, it measures differently. This can cause some serious issues with even cooking, no matter how great the double-layer stone and air vent are.
Pros:
- Quick preheat and cook times
- Runs 2 hours on a 1lb propane tank
- Cooks up to one 12-inch pizza at a time
Cons:
- Customer complaints of unreliable ignitor and thermostat
- More expensive considering the low manufacturing quality
Best Features:
- Portability makes it useful for camping and tailgating
- Comes with cordierite pizza stones with an air gap to prevent burning
- Moisture vent at top to prevent sogginess
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Which are the best pizza oven brands?
- Best Indoor Pizza Oven: Wisco 421 Pizza Oven
- Best Outdoor Pizza Oven: Ooni 3 Portable Wood Pellet Pizza Oven
- Best Budget-Friendly Pizza Oven: Presto 03430 Pizzazz Plus Rotating Oven
- Best Wood Fired Pizza Oven: Bertello Wood Fire and Gas Outdoor Pizza Oven
- Best Gas Fired Pizza Oven: ROCCBOX by Gozney Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven
What do you want in a Pizza Oven?
Deciding what kind of features you need from a pizza oven is fairly simple. There are a few basic characteristics, and making the right choice is easy. All it requires is a little bit of forethought.
- Do you think you’ll be in the same place a few years down the road? Or are you more of a nomad?
- How much space do you have available?
- How many people do you typically feed? Do you plan on starting a family soon and having more mouths to feed?
- Do you already have natural gas hook-ups or a pile of firewood outside?
- Would you want to use the oven for more than pizza?
Regardless of your lifestyle and its degree of malleability, there is something out there just for you.
Size
Before anything else, you should decide what size suits your needs best. Think about how often you cook and for how many people. Do you live alone or with your family? Do you like throwing parties at your place or cook batches of food for charity?
Keep in mind: the list below pertains to the size of the baking chamber itself. The size of the entire ovens will vary greatly.
Small
The baking chamber in a small pizza oven measures between 60 and 80 centimeters (about 2 – 2.5 feet). Single people and couples can easily feed themselves with an oven this size. It’s capable of cooking either one standard size pizza or two smaller ones at a time.
Medium
The baking chamber in a medium pizza oven measures between 80 and 100 centimeters (about 2.5 – 3 feet). Large families with diverse tastes won’t have to bicker about delivery orders again! Pizza ovens this size can cook up to three standard size pizzas at a time.
Large
The baking chamber in a large pizza oven measures between 100 and 130 centimeters (about 3 – 4 feet). If you like hosting parties, expect to invest in an oven this size. With the ability to cook up to five pizzas at once, none of your guests will leave hungry!
Style
There are two main styles of pizza ovens. Both take about the same amount of time to heat up and cool down. Other than that, they are unique in appearance and function.
Dome (Tuscan/Pompeii)
The name says it all. When you think of a traditional pizza oven, a dome-style model is what you imagine.
Outside, they resemble an igloo. Inside, they are circular, making them ideal for cooking pizza and ensuring even heat distribution.
If you’re on a budget, the dome style is your best option. They are typically cheaper and require less space. However, if you want to build it yourself, it might prove to be slightly more difficult than its rectangular counterpart.
Barrel Vault
Unlike the dome style, the name here is somewhat misleading. No, it does not look like a barrel.
Barrel-style ovens are rectangular inside and out. Although dome ovens can bake bread and pastries and roast meat, barrel vault ovens are more ideal for these purposes. The rectangular baking chamber offers more surface area for your food items, with only one problem: uneven heat distribution.
Otherwise, this style suits larger areas and larger families or other groups. They’re more versatile and durable, but you’ll have to let go of a few pretty pennies for one of these.
Fuel
When considering what type of fuel to use, the two important things to think about are cleanup and taste preferences. There are three main fuel options, all producing unique finishing tastes in your pizza and other foods.
Some will have multiple options. For example, some use gas but have optional wood chip burners to get a smoky flavor without an ashy mess. Then, of course, you can burn anything in a wood stove, but I suggest sticking to wood, charcoal, and coal.
Wood
Wood-fire ovens are by far the most popular. As you pull a perfectly crisp crust from the oven, the fresh aroma of the wood-fire wafts behind. Including the enhanced flavors of the food, it’s a whole experience everyone should have.
There are some other types of ovens that claim to produce a wood oven taste, but nothing beats authenticity.
If you choose a wood stove, be aware of the type of wood you’re using:
- Dry wood should be used for cooking. This way, your food is cooked rather than steamed.
- Fresh, unseasoned wood should be used for heating. Although you’ll need dry kindling to start the fire, fresh firewood burns longer.
Charcoal & Coal
Choosing charcoal or coal as a fuel source is mostly dependent on taste preferences. If you decide to go this route, charcoal is available in bags and is pretty self-explanatory. However, if you use coal, remember this:
- Coal chunks that are light, break apart easily, and feel glassy are high-quality. This does not mean it’s useful in your oven. This type of coal burns very, very, very hot! Even in our old warrior of a wood stove, good coal will melt holes in it.
- Coal chunks that are heavier and have similar characteristics to a regular rock (besides the black color) are low-quality. These do not burn nearly as hot as the light, glassy type. However, you should still practice caution and keep an eye on it while you cook.
Gas & Electric
Gas and electricity are your cleanest options. They emit zero smoke and require very little cleanup. The cherry on top? They save the hassle of installment since they easily hook up anywhere you have electric power or natural gas lines.
The prices on these vary. Paying a professional to run gas lines into your kitchen would probably cost more than the oven itself. The main advantage of this is that natural gas also serves as a more affordable heating source in the winter. Unless you are just a fan of gas cooking, consider an electric or wood type.
Materials
Although it may seem as if the choice in material for your oven is purely aesthetic, there is more at play. Some are easier to clean and maintain than others, and some have better heat retention. The function is permanent, while appearance is easy to alter.
When browsing pizza ovens, you’ll find that they are all made from one of these materials:
Brick
Their reputation extends beyond the delectable pizzas they produce as they are also extremely fuel-efficient. When a wood fire is heating a brick oven, up to 85% of the heat is retained. The more heat it can retain, the quicker your pizza is ready!
Although they retain more heat for a longer time, they usually take about 30 minutes to an hour to heat up. Afterward, they can take up to half a day or longer to cool down.
Stone
Natural stone ovens are very similar to brick ovens depending on the type of stone you choose. The only real difference between stone and brick ovens is superficial. If you appreciate the aesthetics of a stone oven, you might have to pay a little bit extra.
However, it is possible to have your cake (or pizza) and eat it too! You can create a stone veneer for a pre-existing oven if you want that bucolic appeal.
Stainless Steel
They heat up and cool down quicker than a brick oven, but have a couple of downsides.
While brick ovens whisk away moisture to form a deliciously crispy crust, stainless steel might trap it. Unless you like soggy crust, you should take precautions to prevent trapping too much moisture. Also, stainless steel is liable to warm easily under intense heat. Consequently, a good steel oven will be made from thicker pieces, resulting in higher weight.
Clay/Cob
Cob is a material made from clay, sand, and straw. It is your cheapest option and as fuel-efficient as a brick or stone oven. They have a homesteader aesthetic like stone, if not more akin to what you’d find in a hobbit village.
Although they operate efficiently and act as a cozy centerpiece to your indoor or outdoor kitchen, they require some finesse. Cob chambers are prone to cracking without operation that involves some degree of knowledge or experience.
Placement
Where do you have room for an oven? Perhaps there’s already a clear spot on your back patio, a little niche in the garden, or empty kitchen space.
Whether you live in a one-bedroom apartment or a home with a huge yard, there is an oven to suit your space.
Indoor
There are plenty of convenient options that allow you to introduce a pizza oven into your home kitchen. Although you would have to opt for a smaller oven, it’s something you could use throughout the seasons.
If you’re already renovating a house, you could easily install a wood-fire stove with a chimney for the smoke to escape. In the situation of a small apartment like mine, a countertop model is your best option.
Outdoor
If you need a larger oven, you should consider outdoor models.
Depending on the temperament of the seasons in your area, an outdoor option may or may not be useful year-round. However, it makes outdoor entertainment spaces feel cozier by creating a warm center for everyone to gather around.
An outdoor oven will also require more maintenance and cleaning due to elemental exposure. However, partial exposure will negate some of that work.
Portable
Do you want a pizza oven, but don’t seem to have anywhere to put it? Don’t worry. A portable oven is not only a cheaper option but can be kept in storage when not in use.
Many indoor ovens will be portable since their design accommodates smaller spaces. Just the same, many outdoor ovens are portable to accommodate tailgaters, picnickers, and camping enthusiasts.