Pizza is universal. And it is perfect. But you’re going to need a better oven. These are the best outdoor pizza ovens on the market.
So sure, you can buy this hoping to impress your buddies at a tailgate party or overlanding trip. Most of the marketing photos from Gozney show it on a forested vista or a clifftop or some other impossibly pretty and usually pizza-less place. But honestly? It’s mostly the oven I might use if I regularly had to haul a pizza oven out of a garage into the backyard, or carry it over to the neighbor’s.
| Specs |
|---|
| Fuel: Gas | Dimensions: 16.5 x 19.1 x 12.6 inches | Weight: 30 pounds Material: Aluminum and steel | Pie size: 12-inch pies |
Compare the Top 5 Pizza Ovens
| Oven | Fuel | Dimensions | Weight | Max Pizza Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ooni Karu 2 ($449) | Wood, charcoal or propane (with add-on) | 30.3 x 28.3 x 16.5 inches | 34 pounds | 12-inch |
| All-Clad Gas Oven ($800) | Propane | 25 x 22 x 14.5 inches | 46 pounds | 16-inch |
| Gozney Dome Gen 2 ($2300) | Wood, charcoal, propane, natural gas | 32 x 26 x 39 inches | 137 pounds | 16-inch |
| Ooni Koda 2 Max ($1,300) | Propane/natural gas | 31 x 28 x 17 inches | 95 pounds | 20-inch |
| Gozney Tread ($500) | Propane | 16.5 x 19.1 x 12.6 inches | 30 pounds | 12-inch |
Useful Pizza Accessories
Some pizza ovens provide you with proprietary accessories to set you on your pizza path. But we’ve also found a few extras to be helpful along the way:
Gozney infrared thermometer for $50: Even if the oven has a built-in thermometer, a handheld infrared thermometer is a great way to check the temperature on different areas of the pizza stone. Indeed, the stone temperature is probably the single most important data point, especially because you’ll need to track whether the stone has recovered temperature after cooking a pizza. You can buy a cheap Amazon model for less, but the temperature range stretching above 1,000 Fahrenheit on this Gozney makes it helpful in pizza cooks. Plus for whatever reason, I just like the aesthetics and grip: I have like five infrared thermometers now, and I usually reach for this one.
A wooden pizza peel for $34: If you own multiple peels, it’s quick and easy to prep one pizza while another is baking. WIRED reviewers Adrienne So and Matthew Korfhage each own several peels, including a useful small turning peel. But for launching, the dough is much less likely to stick on a wooden peel, especially if you first sprinkle on some semolina or flour.
A cast-iron skillet for $25: You can also use a cast-iron pan in your pizza oven to sear steaks or pan-roast broccoli. Lodge’s pans work just as well as much more expensive options. I often like a Field No. 8 skillet for being lightweight, however.
Heat-resistant gloves for $20: That cast iron gets extremely hot, so you’ll also need a good pair of mitts. (Even these won’t protect your hands for long, so you’ll need a place near the oven to set the pan down.)
Fire starters for $20: If you’ve ever been intimidated by the idea of cooking with wood, don’t be! These fire starters make it quick and simple. Just light the end with a match, drop it in the fuel tray, and line up a few oak sticks on top. Be sure to keep your wood dry if you don’t want to create a smoke stack in your backyard.
