Best Outdoor Pizza Oven Reviews
- Expand your Outdoor Space
- Spice Up your Summer Parties
- Quick Delicious Homemade Pizzas
Our Top Pick
Ooni (previously named Uuni), has been making the world’s first portable pellet pizza oven and their products have been best-sellers since 2012.
Ooni Fyra 12 Wood Fired Outdoor Pizza Oven
Fast and Easy
The Ooni oven is ready to cook in 15 minutes and cooks a pizza in 60 seconds.
Perfect Pizza
Get the taste of a wood-fired pizza without the hassle.
Ultra Portable
Weighing only 10kg and with foldable legs for easy storage and transport.
0ther Options
#2 : Camp Chef
The classic propane outdoor pizza oven.
Propane
Temperature Gauge
Maximum Temperature 700° F
#3 : Outi
Cheapest Option.
Hardwood, Charcoal and Wood Pellet
Temperature Gauge
Carry Bag
Love artisan pizza but hate the cost?
If you’re an outdoor cooking enthusiast, as well as a pizza lover, you’re going to find this article right up your alley.
While a lot of outdoor cookers dream of the authentic and traditional brick or clay cooking oven, for a lot of us the cost of having those custom-made is a little out of our budget.
The good news is that there are many less expensive and very suitable options of outdoor pizza ovens. They use different methods of fueling the fire and come in different sizes to fit your budget or lifestyle.
In this review, we’re going to cover the 5 best portable outdoor pizza ovens you can find in 2022.
The links in this article are affiliates links. It means Beautiful Patio will earn a commission if you make a purchase using one of these links.
It doesn't add anything to what you pay but it helps us cover the cost of running this website.
First, let’s cover the different types of outdoor pizza ovens that are available to you in terms of fuel type. Then, we’ll follow up with some important questions that you need to ask when you’re trying to decide which unit you want to buy.
What Fuel Types are Available?
Electric Pizza Oven
The electric pizza oven is available in several styles. They’re relatively cheap on the low-end and can jump up in price quickly to well over $20,000. The upper end models have a brick or clay lining that mimics a traditional pizza oven. This helps keep temperatures high and results in nice, even cooking
On the lower end, they use the typical filament heating elements. One issue with the cheaper electrics is that they don’t get to the very high cooking temperatures desired for pizza. With temperatures of 600° and lower, your cooking times are longer. Another problem is that the cooking is sometimes uneven due to the placement of the filaments.
Gas Pizza Oven
Gas pizza ovens in the portable range run on propane. The gas ovens draw the flame and heated air up to the top of the oven via a front vent or chimney. These also come in a few style variations.
Some models use an upper and lower ceramic tile, heated by the flame and hot air, for even cooking of the pie.
Other models directly draw the flame and heated air over the top of the pizza. This helps cook the toppings as well as the top of the crust. And you’ll get the artisanal burning of the top crust so many of us desire.
An advantage of a gas oven is easier heat regulation than the wood burning style.
Wood Pizza Oven
The wood burning ovens are the most desirable to those who want to experience the smoky flavor that the burning wood can give the pie.
The wood-burners can get the temperatures up into the 900° plus range which can rapidly cook a pizza – sometimes in less than a minute.
These ovens also draw the flame and heated air up to the top of the ceiling via a front vent or chimney. The heated air is reflected down to cook the top of the pizza.
Before you buy any type of outdoor pizza oven, here are a few questions that you’re going to want to ask before you do purchase a unit.
What Else Can be Cooked in an Outdoor Pizza Oven?
A pizza oven is very versatile and you can use it for grilling, roasting and baking.
Roasted vegetables, slow cooked meats, barbeque ribs, ribeye steak, smoked meats, baked bread, fish and seafood, desserts… The only limit is your imagination.
Are Outdoor Pizza Ovens Safe?
Yes, as long as you’re following all the safety requirements of the manufacturer and keeping in mind local regulations and fire safety standards.
Remember that you’re cooking with flame just like a barbecue. So you want to follow the same safety precautions.
- Have a fire extinguisher handy.
- Make sure you’re aware of how to put a fire out.
- Pay attention to the kind of fuel that you’re using if you’re using logs.
- Be aware of any fire danger or hazards if you’re in an area that’s prone to fires or is extremely dry.
Are Pizza Ovens Worth It?
It depends on how often you eat pizza and whether you like eating outdoors. If you’re a regular griller/BBQ’er, then these will fit right into your lifestyle.
They all appear to do a good job of cooking the pies and most users find they can use the ovens for other foods as well.
Cooking times and temperatures vary on model and size. Most will cook at 600°-700° and take 3-7 minutes. Some models can cook in as little as 60 seconds at 900°.
Which Pizza Oven Should I Buy?
Take into account your own lifestyle.
First of all, you need to decide which fuel you want to use.
Remember these ovens are for outdoor use. If you plan on using them on you patio, is it something you need to move around or can it stay in one place?
If you like to camp, do you have any plans on taking an oven with you? Many people pack these with them as some are quite portable.
Finally, what budget do you want to invest in your outdoor pizza oven?
Onward with the reviews…
#1 : Ooni Fyra 12
Our top pick. Ooni is the most popular brand of portable pizza ovens worldwide.
PROS
Ultra Portable
Ready in 15 minutes
Cooks pizza in 60 seconds
Authentic wood-fired flavor
Heats to 950°F
Versatile - Cooks Meat and Fish
Easy Maintenance
Image : Ooni.com
CONS
Considerable learning curve
A bit pricey
Ooni Pellets often Out of Stock
No Built-in Thermometer
The Ooni Fyra 12 is the successor of the world-famous Uuni 3, the world’s first portable pizza oven fuelled by wood pellets.
Read full review : Ooni Fyra Pizza Oven
Portability
The Ooni Fyra 12 Wood Pellet Pizza Oven is a very portable oven, weighing just 22lbs, (or 10kg). With its 3 attached legs, it’s meant for tabletop, benchtop or countertop use.
Its dimensions are 29.1 x 15.4 x 28.5″ (74 x 39 x 72cm). You can find the detailed blueprint here.
It can be carried easily to take the pizza party anywhere with its foldable legs and detachable chimney and hopper bag.
The best way to do that is to buy the Ooni Fyra bag, which also doubles as a waterproof cover.
It’s a very small investment if you want to prolong the life of your Ooni without carrying it back indoors after each use.
Assembly
The assembly is straightforward and easy. Just follow the 7 steps in the manual.
Check how easy it is in this video:
Fuel
The Ooni Fyra 12 uses wood pellets only and when the pellet chute is full, you can cook for approximately 15 minutes.
One very important note : use only 100% natural hardwood cooking grade pellets.
Don’t use any other kind of cheap wood pellets because of the different chemicals and binders that are used in them.
A 3kg bag of premium pellets will last for a good 2-3 hours of cooking.
Would you prefer more versatility?
The Ooni Karu 12 can be fueled by
wood, charcoal or gas.
Use
To get the pellets burning, the manufacturer suggests using a natural fire starter.
Once you get the pellets burning, load the chute up and you’ll be ready to cook in 15 minutes. Then the OOni Fyra can cook a 12 inch pizza in about a minute at 900°.
Bear in mind, because that’s so hot, it requires some speed and dexterity when working with it. But most users say they found that to be very acceptable once you get some practice in.
To extinguish the flames of your oven, simply leave the pellets to burn through completely. Once the flames have been extinguished, please wait one hour for the oven to be completely cool before touching or storing away.
The oven doesn’t need cleaning because of the high temperatures.
Efficiency
In this unit, the heat source is in the back of the oven. The smoke, fire, and air are drawn forward by the chimney that’s attached to the top front of the roof.
This allows the heat and hot air to be drawn across the top of the roof and then reflected down via convection to cook the pizza toppings and the top crust.
The Ooni’s powder-coated carbon steel shell offers optimal heat retention, which combined with the natural efficiency of wood pellets results in an extraordinary cooking experience.
Accessories
It doesn’t come with a bag of pellets or a pizza peel. You’ll need to buy those separately.
The Ooni comes with a pizza stone.
Our Verdict
Ooni isn’t the most popular brand of portable pizza ovens for no reason.
They are now available in 50 countries all over the world.
The Fyra 12 gets a rating of 4.6 stars out of 5 out of 290 ratings on Amazon and 4.7 stars out of 1660 Reviews on the OOni website.
We love that you can get an authentic wood-fired pizza in a small, portable and well-designed oven.
It’s a bit of an investment but the quality and efficiency of the product makes it well worth the price.
Once you’ve mastered it, you’ll do most of your outdoor cooking with it!
We also like that Ooni is a member of 1% for the planet, which means 25 trees are planted for every Fyra 12 sold.
If you love wood-fired cooking, it’s a no brainer.
Client Testimonials
from ooni.com
“It was the best investment
“Love it!
“Favorite Christmas Gift
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert my wood fired into a gas with an attachment?
Ooni Fyra 12 is not compatible with gas. It is designed to run on pellets only.
Can the oven be stored outside ? Does it hold up against the elements?
The oven can be stored outside however it’s recommended to keep it dry when not in use. We also offer covers so that it can remain outdoors without worrying about the weather.
Can I use small wood pieces, instead of Wood Pellets?
The Ooni Fyra is a pellet burning pizza oven only.
What type of clearance does the Fyra 12 Wood Pellet oven need if under a covered patio?
The recommendation is a minimum clearance of 1 metre around the rear and sides of the oven and a minimum 3 metre clearance from the top.
Does it give off lots of smoke?
Smoke and soot are inevitable with all solid fuel fires. However, when the fire is burning with sufficient airflow the fuel should burn cleanly with minimal smoke being directed up and out of the chimney. Excess smoke is an indicator of damp fuel or poor airflow.
Can this be used indoors?
No. All Ooni Pizza Ovens are only certified to use outdoors only.
Ready to make authentic pizzas?
#2 : Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven
The classic gas outdoor pizza oven.
PROS
Ready to cook in 15 minutes
Built-in temperature gauge
Stainless steel construction easy to clean
Can accommodate two 8" pizzas at a time
CONS
Maximum Temperature 700° F
Only runs on Propane
Not very durable
Somewhat uneven heating
The Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven has been a popular outdoor pizza ovan for many years.
If you want a propane only pizza oven, the Camp Chef is the best value for your money.
Read full review : Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven
Portability
The Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven, coming in at 47 pounds, is a portable unit. You can place this on a tabletop, cart or benchtop.
However, since it’s a bit bulky with its 30 x 19.5 x 18 inches and there is no carry bag available, it’s difficult to take it on a camping trip.
Assembly
There is a little bit of assembly required when you first get it but it only entails installing the door and the pizza stone.
Then attach the fuel source and the unit is ready to get going.
This shouldn’t take more than 10 or 15 minutes to be up and running.
Fuel
The Camp Chef runs on propane only and you can use disposable one-pound bottles for portability.
Or use the included 5 foot hose with regulator and connect to a bulk source of propane.
It can’t be used with natural gas.
Use
It has an electronic ignition for easy start.
Because it runs at 17,500 BTU, this means you’ll be ready to cook in about 15 minutes. The unit can cook up to a 13 inch pizza in around 3 to 7 minutes at 600 to 700°.
The heat source is at the base of the oven and is controlled via micro adjust valves to let you fine tune the temperature.
It comes with a built-in temperature gauge to monitor internal air temperature. However, you will need an infrared thermometer to check the temperature of the pizza stone.
The stainless steel construction is easy to clean.
Camp Chef outdoor pizza oven is perfect for pizza, baking breads, roasting meats and more.
Efficiency
The unit is made of stainless steel with a double wall insulated ceiling. This helps the Camp Chef better mimic a brick oven for good, even heat distribution.
It takes a bit of practice to achieve this though.
Accessories
It does not come with any accessories.
Included is a 13.25 in. x 20 in. pizza stone.
Our Verdict
The Camp Chef Italian Artisan Pizza Oven is good value if you want a propane-only pizza oven.
Of course, you won’t get the smoky flavor and versatility of a wood-fire oven, but you’ll get a smoke-free and super easy experience instead.
Camp Chef has been around for ages and they know their stuff!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the pizza oven fit into the pellet grills?
No.
Can you bake breads on the pizza oven?
Yes.
How hot can the Artisan Pizza Stone get?
Approximately 500 – 550 degrees. We recommend using a cooking surface thermometer or an infrared thermometer to gauge temperature of the pizza stone.
Can you use the wood pellets in this for more of a wood fire pizza?
No.
Can you help me better understand the temperatures?
There are two temperatures you should be aware of with your pizza oven:
– Internal air temperature – you can read the internal air temperature by looking at the built-in temperature gauge on the top of the pizza oven. Internal air heat will help cook your crust, cheese, and toppings. The internal air temperature will react quickly when you change the amount of heat produced by your unit.
– Pizza stone temperature – the pizza stone temperature will rise slower than the internal air temperature at first. Gradually and eventually it will become hotter than the air temperature. The pizza stone does the majority of the cooking.
Ready to have a pizza party?
#3 : Outi Multi Fuel Portable Pizza Oven
Outi makes the best-value wood-fire outdoor pizza oven on the market.
PROS
Price
Hardwood, wood pellets or charcoal
Constant and even heat
Free carry bag and pizza peel
Built-in thermometer
Reaches 430°C (806°F) in just 15 minutes
CONS
Bulky Design
No insulation
Outi is a newer and lesser-known company from the UK.
They’ve made it in our top 3 because we’ve been impressed by the reviews, the quality of their customer service and the incredible value you get for your money.
Portability
Weighing in at just 14kg (30.86lb), the Outi is a very portable oven.
It has foldable legs and a removable chimney, which combined with the included carry bag, makes it a suitable option for camping trips and outdoor festivals.
At approximately 23x14X12 inches, it’s a small unit despite its bulky appearance.
Assembly
The assembly is very easy.
You just need to unfold the legs, attach the handles and put the chimney in place.
It should take just a few minutes to do, even if you’re IKEA challenged.
Fuel
The best feature of the Outi is that it works with hardwood, wood pellets or charcoal.
It’s particularly useful if you are on a camping trip or if you want to use spare wood from your backyard.
Use
The Outi outdoor pizza oven is very easy to start. Just use some natural fire lighter, the wood of your choice and you’ll be ready to cook your first pizza in about 15 mins.
Because the heat is constant and even, it’s easier to master than other models and you are less likely to burn the crust.
A 12” pizza takes about 90 seconds to cook.
It offers good versatility. From delicious wood-fired pizzas to succulent meats, seafood and vegetables, the Outi pizza oven can roast, bake or sear food.
It’s also very simple to clean. Just remove the fire tray when you’re done and let it cool for about one hour.
Efficiency
Unlike more expensive models, the Outi is just plain stainless steel and doesn’t have insulation, which means it’s a bit more hungry for fuel.
Since it heats up very quickly and cooks a pizza in 90 seconds, it’s not a major issue. It could be a deal breaker if you wanted to cook large amounts of pizzas every week, but it’s acceptable for most of us.
Accessories
The Outi pizza oven comes with a pizza peel and a carry bag that doubles as an outdoor cover. (value $40)
They make their own wood pellets, natural fire starters and hardwood pieces but they are not available on Amazon US at this stage.
You can order them on their website and get free delivery in the UK but the delivery to the US is about $135.
Our Verdict
The Outi outdoor pizza oven is quickly becoming one of our favorite portable pizza ovens.
The value you get for the price is unmatched anywhere.
We really like to be able to use the spare wood from the backyard rather than wood pellets only.
The only minus we can see is that it doesn’t have the sexiest look on the market and is slightly less efficient in terms of wood consumption.
If you don’t mind these minor flaws, it’s a very good and cheaper alternative to the Ooni Fyra 12.
If they keep up the good work and make their whole game of products available in the US, they might soon become our top choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How large of a pizza fits in the oven?
Up to 12″.
Does the oven have insulation?
No, it’s just stainless steel.
What else can I cook in the oven?
From delicious wood-fired pizzas to succulent meats, seafood and vegetables, the Outi pizza oven can roast, bake or sear food.
Ready for an outdoor feast?
Let’s Recap
Our Rating
Price
Hardwood
Charcoal
Wood Pellet
Propane
Built-in Thermometer
Carry Bag
Pizza Peel
#1: Ooni Fyra 12
From $349
$ 70
#2: Camp Chef
From $399
#3: Outi
From $279
So,what’s the best portable outdoor pizza oven in 2022?
We chose the Ooni over the Outi because they are a well established company and offer a wider range of products and accessories.
Outi is not so well established in the US and their longevity isn’t guaranteed yet. We’ve been very impressed by this newer company and they might become our top choice in the future.
If your budget is limited and you don’t mind the bulky design, go for the Outi.
If you have the budget, the Ooni is the safest choice.
If you want gas, the best-value option is the Camp Chef or another Ooni model if budget isn’t an issue.
Additional Tricks, Tips and Recommendations
High quality flour
The first secret to make a perfect pizza is to get the right flour.
Choose good quality flour. The traditional flour used to make Neapolitan-style pizza is the 00 flour which is finely ground Italian flour and will give you the perfect balance between crisp and chew in the pizza crust.
You can also use high-quality bread flour if you like it more chewy.
It’s possible to use all-purpose flour if you have a gas oven, but we wouldn’t recommend it for a wood-fired pizza.
Note that gluten-free flours are becoming widely available, like almond flour or the Caputo Gluten Free Pizza Flour.
Image source :
Almond Flour Pizza Crust by Healthy Recipes Blogs
Dough
Making the dough is the trickiest part.
Make sure to use a scale and use this dough calculator to get the percentages right.
You can choose 7 types of pizza styles : Italian classic, Neapolitan, Sicilian, Focaccia, Metro, NY Style, Detroit Style.
For even more styles of pizza, you can check this article.
Ideally, you should knead the dough by hand but if you don’t feel ready, use an electric mixer.
Once the dough is ready, let it stand at room temperature for one hour before putting it in the fridge, where it should stay 24 hours for best results.
Then get it out of the fridge one hour before you start using it.
Cooking Tips
Go easy on the toppings to allow the crust to cook at the same time as the toppings. Too many toppings and the heat won’t make it through to the crust.
For vegetables, pre-cooked them or they will give off too much water.
Never use olive oil before cooking.
Keep the pie turning to allow even cooking.
Some pizza ovens do have temperature gauges on them, but they don’t measure the temperature of the pizza stone.
We recommend purchasing an infrared thermometer. These will help you keep the temperature where you want it.
The pizza stone should be over 500 F at all times. That’s because when the dough is heated to 500 F, it isn’t absorbing any moisture because the liquids are rapidly being converted into steam and evaporating, escaping through the tiny cracks and crevices of the porous pizza stone.
How to clean a pizza stone?
- Use a pizza stone brush and hot water. (Don’t soak your stone by fully submerging it underwater and never use soap)
- Use a small stream of water to wet the surface followed by a thorough scrubbing with the brush.
- Air dry the stone. (Instead of baking it dry)
- Store it in your oven.
Recommended tools:
- A pizza peel
- A pizza stone cleaning brush
- An infrared thermometer
- Gloves for handling anything hot
Our Blog
Beautiful Patio helps you make the best out of your backyard :
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Outdoor Living
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Outdoor LivingMother’s Day is around the corner and you want to make her feel truly special. We are going to lend you a little help with a selection of gift ideas that she’ll really love. There’s nothing more enjoyable than spending time...
Ooni Fyra 12 Pizza Oven: Best Portable Wood Pellet Pizza Oven?
Ooni Fyra Outdoor Pizza Oven Reviews Expand your Outdoor Space Spice Up your Summer Parties Quick Delicious Homemade Pizzas Ooni (previously named Uuni), has been making the world’s first portable pellet pizza oven and their products have been best-sellers since...
Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven Review
Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven Expand your Outdoor Space Spice Up your Summer Parties Quick Delicious Homemade Pizzas Patio party coming up? How about making it a pizza patio party? Now we're talking. Combine the best combination of good friends, good food and a...
8 Key Patio Trends You Want to Try in 2022
Beautiful Patio 8 KEY PATIO TRENDS YOU WANT TO TRY IN 2022With the crazy times we’ve been living, no surprise people will want their outdoor space to be a haven of peace, relaxation and good times with family and friends. The patio trends we’ve seen these last two...
7 Tips for an Energy-Efficient Backyard
Beautiful Patio How to save energy and water in your backyardAs you know, saving water and energy has become more important than ever to help limit climate change. It's not as diffucult as you think with a bit of common sense and the help of modern technology. In this...
8 Easy Ways To Save Water In Your Garden
Beautiful Patio 8 Tips To Save Water In Your Garden8 Tips To Save Water In Your GardenInhale the earthy smell of your garden. Between the vegetables, flowers, and fresh water, it is nearly impossible to resist. Gardening is incredibly relaxing and a great way to...
