Best Pizza Oven 2021 – Buyer’s Guide

Best Pizza Oven 2021 – Buyer’s Guide

Pizza ovens are traditionally large, brick-built appliances which take a lot of space up in your garden and the user can’t move.

But there are now pizza ovens available which are similar to barbecues in the fact that they are transportable, freestanding appliances. In fact, many can also be used as barbecues or to cook traditional Italian ‘al Forno’ dishes, bread and roast meats.

They are an added luxury to gardens and outdoor spaces, but if you want to recreate the authentic crispy pizzas commonly found in restaurants in the comfort of your own home, you will probably wonder how you ever did without it.

These are the best pizza ovens available to buy, from larger serious appliances to smaller, more novelty ones.

The Pizza Ovens – Our Top Picks

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS
  • Dimensions: H79 x W49 x D74cm
  • Weight: 26kg
  • Fuel Type: Dual (wood and charcoal)
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  • Dimensions: 58.4 x 43.2 x 71.1 cm
  • Weight: 13.2kg
  • Fuel Type: Wood pellets
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  • Dimensions: 32cm x 38cm x 25cm
  • Power: Electric 1200W
  • Temperature range: 190 to 390°C
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Best Wood Fired Pizza Ovens

Uuni 3 Portable Wood Pellet Pizza Oven

The newest model in the Uuni portable range, this model reaches the maximum temperature of 500°C in 10 minutes.

What is new with the Uuni 3? You have an insulated body to retain heat for longer and a new grate and hopper for better temperature control and more even consistent cooking. The new chimney clip makes it even easier to pack up and take with you, whether it be to the park, beach or a friend’s barbecue. There are also three folding legs as opposed to four to make it more stable on whatever surface you choose.

It is incredibly versatile and can be used to cook so much more than wood-fired pizzas. You can make prawns, steak, fish, vegetables and bread in a short time, and pizzas can be ready in around 60 seconds. The pellet burner sits at the back of the oven for easy access at all times, and no heat loss.

With a modern brushed stainless-steel design which ages and weathers with use, the Uuni 3 will never look out of place in any garden. You can purchase a cover for the oven if you would like to keep it out at all times for easy access. The cover also turns into a handy carry bag for when you are on the move.

For extra safety, the handles are wooden so will be cool to touch at all times. The legs also do not get hot, so can be placed on any surface without the fear of scorching the table. The Uuni 3 comes with a pizza peel as standard, so you’re pretty much ready to go straight away.

Designed to be used with biomass wood pellets, Uuni has also made a gas burner system available from the start of 2018 which the 3 model is compatible with.

Handy tips: Join the dedicated Uuni Facebook group and follow the Instagram page for some great tried and tested recipes for absolutely free. Do purchase a thermometer for accurate temperature monitoring, too.

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 58.4 x 43.2 x 71.1 cm
  • Weight: 13.2kg
  • Fuel Type: Wood pellets

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Download Uuni 3 Portable Wood Pellet Pizza Oven User Manual

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We like

  • Great build quality
  • Really easy to assemble
  • Lightweight
  • Portable

We dislike

  • Wood pellets aren’t readily available in the UK – the gas burner system may become a necessary purchase.

Final Verdict

Uuni have received critical acclaim in recent years with their pizza ovens, and this portable offering is the best you can buy by far.

La Hacienda Multi-Function Outdoor Steel Pizza Garden Oven

A stylish and versatile option for your garden, this La Hacienda model can be used as a pizza oven, barbecue or smoker, so it is all you’ll ever need.

You achieve the smoking from the dampers, which gives whatever you are cooking the perfect smoky taste which can only be gained from outdoor cooking or barbecuing.

The built-in thermometer allows you to check your oven is a suitable temperature to cook your food thoroughly. Pizzas can be ready in around one to three minutes, so even if there are quite a few to prepare you won’t be waiting for long at all.

Keeping it clean is no hassle – the ash box comes out completely for easy emptying, and both the pizza stone and racks are dishwasher safe.

Made from durable steel, this pizza oven will be long lasting even with constant use. There is a cover available which will keep it safe from the weather all year round. The design is traditional, so will look flawless in any garden.

We recommend using briquettes rather than charcoal pieces, as the temperature will increase quicker and will hold for longer.

Specifications

  • Dimensions: H157 x W51 x D38 cm
  • Weight: 25.75kg
  • Fuel Type: Charcoal or untreated wood

We like

  • Straightforward assembly
  • Storage shelf at bottom of oven stand
  • La Hacienda’s service is brilliant

We dislike

  • Takes some experimenting to get the temperature just right

Final Verdict

If you aren’t bothered about your pizza oven being transportable, this is one of the best available options - and for a fraction of the price in a lot of cases

Best Dual Fuel Pizza Oven

Uuni Pro Pizza Oven

If you love the sound of the Uuni 3 but want something a bit more ‘permanent’ and substantial, the Pro is the bigger cousin.

One thing that puts it slightly ahead is the versatility of fuel types. You can use either wood kindling or charcoal, and a good tip is to use the latter to get the fire going and get it up to the ideal temperature quicker, and then add wood for the authentic smoky flavouring.

The Pro is also fully compatible with Uuni’s new gas burner if you would like even more fuel options.

The large 45 x 45 cm cooking area will prepare 16” pizzas in around 60 seconds, but you can also cook steaks, vegetables and fish, making it fully adaptable to your needs.

The Uuni Pro has two doors, with one having a built-in thermometer and viewing window so you can check the progress with no trouble. The other is a letterbox-style opening so you can slide your pizzas in and out with ease. Both doors are removable if you are cooking a large piece of meat or bread.

You will need to purchase the pellet or gas burners if this is your preferred fuel, as well as the 16” pizza peel. There are other accessories readily available too, such as the Uuni Pro cover, sizzler pan and casserole dish.

If you would like to keep it outside all year round, the product comes with a security loop, so it can be fastened to more substantial, immovable furniture for peace of mind.

Specifications

  • Dimensions: H79 x W49 x D74cm
  • Weight: 26kg
  • Fuel Type: Dual (wood and charcoal)

We like

  • Dual fuel flexibility
  • Included thermometer
  • Not too heavy to move into storage

We dislike

  • Nothing!

Final Verdict

Not only does it cook pizzas, but it can also do everything your barbecue can – the Uuni Pro will be your favourite cooking appliance for as long as the weather allows.

La Hacienda Milano 56196BQ Charcoal & Wood Pizza Oven

La Hacienda are leaders when it comes to outdoor heating, so it is no surprise that they have now come into the pizza oven market. Thankfully, it was worth their time.

The stainless steel cavity retains heat really well, to get your pizza cooked perfectly and crisped just how you like it. There is a stone brick surface to cook the pizza on, giving the exact feel of a professional stone for great results.

Because of this combination, your pizza can be done in just four minutes. And it will be done to such high restaurant quality that you’ll never spend money in a pizzeria again.

Feel free to also bake and smoke meat, fish, vegetables, desserts and much more. There are wheels on the bottom of the rear legs so it is easier to move about when you need to put it away or chase the sun, and there’s some handy tables either side for keeping extra ingredients safe (or just keeping your drink to hand).

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 180 x 104 x 89cm
  • Weight: 71.5kg
  • Fuel Type: Dual (wood and charcoal)

We like

  • Great quality build
  • Easy to move around

We dislike

  • Price

Final Verdict

The price may be a little steep for the size of the unit, but the inside is such great quality that the price tag is well worth it if you want something to last over the years

Best Indoor Pizza Ovens

G3 Ferrari G10006

Love the idea of pizza ovens, but hate the idea of them taking up so much space or having to trail out to the garden to use it?

This G3 Ferrari Delizia is a personal indoor maker (not really an oven, as such), which is small enough to sit on your worktops yet still as effective as huge outdoor ovens. If you’re wondering why it is any different from just buying a pizza stone for your conventional oven, it is because it can reach 390C – the only indoor oven to be able to do so. This is the optimum temperature for pizza making, resulting in a crisp base yet perfectly cooked toppings.

The refractory stone hot-plate warms within 10 minutes, so it is ready to use without waiting around for ages if you fancy a quick treat. There is a timer, so you can do some experimenting as to how long to cook the pizzas for, and then leave it to its own devices. It generally takes on average seven minutes for something on setting 2.5.

Just like a traditional pizza oven, it isn’t only pizzas you can make. Try cakes, pancakes, chestnuts, tortillas and sweetbreads. As long as the product isn’t too thick, the settings make it possible.

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 32cm x 38cm x 25cm
  • Power: Electric 1200W
  • Temperature range: 190 to 390°C

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G3 Ferrari G10006

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We like

  • Indoor
  • Good design
  • Three pre-set temperatures for ease

We dislike

  • Can only do one pizza at a time

Final Verdict

Pizza anytime, even anywhere, without hassle - a winner for us

Giles & Posner EK2309

When you love fresh pizza but the last thing you want to do is build an oven outside which can’t be used in the wind and rain, then an indoor electrical unit is ideal.

They are few and far between, but Giles & Posner have made one well worth the effort and cupboard space. Pizzas up to 12 inches in size can be made, and as the heat reached 390 degrees, they can be ready in just minutes. There are a few temperature settings to choose from however, to suit the type of pizza and dough you are using.

You get a pizza cutter and aluminium pizza paddles with the purchase, so while it is a smaller version than the usual units, you can still prepare it like a pro. The stone is removable for easy washing, and also gets nice and hot in use so there will be no such thing as a soggy bottom.

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 42.4 x 38 x 23.6 cm
  • Power: Electric 1200W
  • Temperature range: 190 to 390°C

We like

  • Comes with extras
  • Good heat level

We dislike

  • Quality of oven on outside is a little plastic

Final Verdict

Takes a couple of attempts to gauge the right temperatures and times, but once you get in the swing, it works even better as you go along

Best Charcoal Pizza Oven

Charcoal Pizza Oven

For the price, this pizza oven is packed full of handy features to make your pizza baking a much simpler task.

There is an in-built temperature gauge, a separate door for your charcoal fuel and an adjustable valve to effectively regulate temperature and flames. The viewing window also allows you to check on the progress of your pizza without opening the door and losing any heat.

Although it’s too large to take with you on a trip away from home, this model is still quite transportable thanks to the added wheels on the stand base so that you can chase the sun around the garden in between pizza baking.

There are also two additional shelves for storage, so while one pizza is getting ready you can prepare the next to go in straight away.

Constructed from steel, it is durable and robust so can’t be easily damaged from frequent use or outside elements.

 

Specifications

  • Dimensions: H157 x W91 x D60cm
  • Weight: 23.5kg
  • Fuel Type: Charcoal

We like

  • Easy to grip handles
  • Price

We dislike

  • No additional abilities such as BBQ

Final Verdict

An affordable outdoor appliance if you are after a simple pizza oven without any fuss or fiddly extra features.

Best Gas Pizza Oven

Ooni Koda Gas-Fired Outdoor Pizza Oven

Gas pizza ovens and barbecues are very underappreciated in our view. They give fabulous results, but without quite as much mess or smoke.

Ready right out of the box, Ooni Koda is able to be set up in seconds. Just extend the foldable legs, insert the cordierite stone baking board, and connect to a gas bottle. No waiting for the fuel to heat, smoke or catch which can often take anywhere up to half an hour. Perfect if you’re the spontaneous type.

The legs are to keep your oven stable on any base, but they also fold away to make it more compact for storage. Great if you want an outdoor oven but need to store it away when not in use. The legs stay cool at all times, so you can safely adjust positioning if needs be.

It fits standard UK propane gas bottles, with a 37mBar gas burner attached to the oven already. A powder-coated steel shell gives superior heat retention and weather resistance. You also get an Ooni Pizza Peel, Cooking with Fire cookbook and an Oxo Good Grips Pizza Wheel with the purchase, so you don’t have to spend a penny on anything but the gas.

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 62 x 40 x 31cm
  • Weight: 12.5 kg

We like

  • Not a bad price
  • Accessories
  • Easy to set up and pack away

We dislike

  • Nothing to say!

Final Verdict

With absolutely nothing negative to say about it, there are no surprises that this is one of the best gas pizza ovens out there in our minds, if not one of the best full stop. Which is to be expected from Ooni

Pizza Oven Buying Guide

Which Is The Best Pizza Oven For Me?

Despite them all essentially doing the same job, every pizza oven on the market varies slightly from its competitors.

Think about whether you want only to use it for the preparation of pizzas, or whether you would like it to act as a barbecue or traditional oven as well. You also have to consider the fuel type and ensure this is readily available for you, as well as whether you would like to take the pizza oven anywhere (such as camping or to a friend’s house every so often).

Fuel Type

There are three broad types of fuel available for pizza ovens

Charcoal

In the form of briquettes or rocks. They get a lot hotter than other forms of fuel, so are good for getting up to temperature. It is best to use wood later to maintain the heat or add flavouring.

Wood

The most common option. Commonly in the form of kindling, pellets or silver birch logs. Offers the best tasting, traditional pizza with a smoky flavour.

Gas

Requires gas bottles. Generally, more readily available and easier to transport. They do take longer to heat though, so constant temperature monitoring is essential.

While pizza ovens cook their contents quickly, you must ensure it heats up to the optimum temperature before you start to use it. This can take a while but is needed for even heat distribution.

Always keep an eye on the temperature during cooking. If it starts to drop, you may need to add more fuel.

Portability

Many pizza ovens currently on the market are portable, as they have a separate cooking chamber and stand. This allows you to take it with you if you go on holiday, for a day at the beach or want to use it while caravanning or camping.

A lot of these portable models also double up as barbecues, meaning you are very flexible with what you can cook each night. There could also be the possibility to cook things like eggs and bacon on the pizza stone or griddle, so you aren’t limited to cereal for breakfast.

Most can be set on almost any surface, whether it be a table, concrete or grass.

Don’t worry if you’d prefer to use your portable pizza oven with a stand if in the back garden – most models have separate stands available, as well as covers for storage.

FAQs

What Is The Ideal Temperature To Bake A Pizza?

485°C is commonly the best temperature to bake a fresh wood-fired pizza. You should also cook it for no longer than a minute and a half.

All of the pizza ovens we have featured will reach a temperature of at least 500°C.

What Tools Do I Need To Buy?

You will likely need a pizza peel and an ember rake to ensure an even and perfectly prepared surface. You may also need a pizza stone.

Optional extras include covers for when the oven isn’t in use, a carry bag if it is transportable, and any extra baking dishes or grills if you would like to use your appliance as a traditional oven or barbecue occasionally.

Not all ovens come with any additional extras, so it is worth researching into what is available and how much these items will be in addition to the cost of your basic oven.

Can I Use My Pizza Oven Indoors?

It isn’t recommended due to the smoke produced and high temperatures required.

However, gas ovens do not generally produce smoke so could be suited to a more enclosed area such as under an awning or tent, if you won’t be using wood during the cooking process.

There are also electrical pizza ovens available, but many argue they don’t produce the authentic wood-fired taste which a dedicated pizza oven should offer.

Which Companies Make The Best Pizza Ovens?

Uuni and Igneus are our top picks, and continuously top lists of the best pizza ovens available. They offer models of different sizes and for different requirements, such as portability and fuel type.

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