Pizza Oven for Beginners

Discover The Best Pizza Oven for Beginners

Homemade pizza is a great meal and snack you can enjoy alone or share with family and friends. But to make delicious and quality pizza, you need the right oven. However, for a beginner without any experience and enough knowledge, some ovens may be more challenging to use. 

To help you find the best pizza oven, we’ve reviewed and gathered your leading options. Discover what features to expect from each unit, including their benefits and potential cons. Plus, get some valuable tips on the right considerations to make when choosing so you can make an informed purchase decision in the end. 

 

10 Best Pizza Oven Picks For Beginners

1. Best Overall: Ooni Koda 12 Pizza Oven

The Ooni Koda 12 oven is perfect for beginners—it’s easy to assemble. It’s easy to use as it offers exceptional heat retention qualities. It even heats up quickly, allowing you to quickly cook your pizza too. It’s also designed with a built-in gas ignition and a dial—for full control of the flames to ensure optimal cooking conditions. 

Additionally, you can use this oven to cook other dishes. You can roast meat, fish, and vegetables. This versatility makes it an excellent oven for a reasonable price. You can even use it wherever you like—indoors and outdoors. 

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 15.7 x 11.6 x 24.8 inches
  • Max Pizza Size: 13 inches
  • Fuel/Heat Source: Gas (Propane)
  • Temperature Range: up to 950°F

Pros

  • No assembly required
  • Can cook pizza as quick as 60 seconds
  • Portable and easy to store with its foldable legs

Cons

  • Learning curve for rotating the pizza inside every 20 seconds 

2. Best Hybrid: PINNACOLO IBRIDO Hybrid Outdoor Pizza Oven

A hybrid pizza oven can use either wood or gas as fuel. One of the best ovens of this type is the PINNACOLO IBRIDO Hybrid Outdoor Pizza Oven. It’s a freestanding oven that works well with both gas and wood as fuel. It comes with a simple gas ignition system and a gas burner located at the back for easy operation when using gas as fuel. It also includes a stainless steel burner cover for wood use and features a built-in thermometer to monitor oven’s temperature.

Additionally, it has stainless steel side shelves so it would be more convenient to prepare your pizza. You can even control the airflow and temperature inside the oven with its adjustable chimney damper. Plus, it has wheels with locking casters so you can move the oven anywhere you think would be the best place to cook. 

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 32 x 28.75 x 78 inches (Oven only)
  • Max Pizza Size: 16 inches
  • Fuel/Heat Source: Gas, Wood
  • Temperature Range: up to 1000°F

Pros

  • Stainless door visor and wooden door handle
  • Comes with a complete set of tools
  • Cordierite pizza stones for a pizza with a crispier crust
  • Safe to use and CSA-approved

Cons

  • Relatively more expensive than most pizza ovens

3. Best Wood-Fired: PINNACOLO PREMIO Wood-Fired Outdoor Pizza Oven

Wood-fired ovens give pizzas a smoky flavor that's just unparalleled with other ovens. The PINNACOLO PREMIO Wood-Fired Outdoor Pizza Oven will then get the job done if you want to replicate the genuine taste. Constructed with a view toward Italian inspiration, this pizza oven itself was built to last and be extremely resistant. It has an insulated dome that provides the perfect setting for the even cooking of your pizzas every time.

It has an inbuilt thermometer and a thermal shock-resistant cooking surface that helps in maintaining the perfect temperature necessary for ideal cooking. It also includes all basic accessories that need to be present; hence it serves as a perfect unit for any type of beginner.  It even features a side shelf where you can prepare your pizzas. 

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 32 x 28.75 x 78 inches (Oven only)
  • Max Pizza Size: 16 inches
  • Fuel/Heat Source: Wood
  • Temperature Range: up to 1000°F

Pros

  • Has a stainless door visor to keep the front cleaner
  • Designed with hooks for your accessories
  • Has wheels with locking casters for easier moving

Cons

  • Relatively more expensive than most pizza ovens

4. Best Multipurpose: Cuisinart 3-in-1 Pizza Oven

Get real value for your money with the Cuisinart 3-in-1 Pizza Oven, a versatile appliance. It bakes great pizzas and works wonders like a grill or griddle when you need to cook hamburgers, barbecues, and so much more. Its design makes it excellent for outdoor events, whether this means camping, having guests over in your backyard, or just enjoying a meal outdoors.

Despite having different functions, this oven is relatively easy to use. Even turning the pizza would be easy because of its nice opening. To switch between grilling and griddling, just adjust the lid up or down. Keep in mind that, being a three-in-one appliance, it can be quite heavy but offers great versatility.

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 25 x 20.75 x 17.5 inches (Oven only)
  • Max Pizza Size: 13 inches
  • Fuel/Heat Source: Gas (Propane)
  • Temperature Range: up to 700°F

Pros

  • Designed with an integrated storage space for storing the grill grate and griddle plate
  • Can cook pizzas evenly
  • Offers a lot of value for its price

Cons

  • Setup can be tricky

5. Best Design: HPC Gas and Wood Pizza Oven Forno Series

If the design and overall appearance of the oven are a big deal to you, opt for the HPC Gas and Wood Pizza Oven Forno Series. It has a cool dome shape that’s covered with mosaic glass tiles, which you can get in six different colors. This design alone sets it apart from the other ovens in the market today. 

Additionally, this oven comes with an electronic ignition system with a gas control knob for easy usage. It also has a thick wall to ensure optimal heat retention inside for better pizza cooking. Note that the oven is made with high-quality parts, which ensures  its durability and long-lasting performance.

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 44 x 33.25 x 60 inches
  • Max Pizza Size: 16 inches
  • Fuel/Heat Source: Gas, Wood
  • Temperature Range: up to 1000°F

Pros

  • Easy to maintain and operate
  • Handcrafted mosaic design
  • Designed with a wheeled cart for portability

Cons

  • Expensive

6. Best Outdoor: Forno Piombo Santino 70 Pizza Oven

The best outdoor oven you can get is the Forno Piombo Santino 70 Pizza Oven. It’s a luxury wood-fired oven but without the luxury price tag. You can place it on your patio, outdoor entertainment area, balcony oases, and anywhere in your backyard. Even if you’re a beginner, this is the perfect companion for a fun and chill quality time with family and friends. 

Aside from that, this oven is designed with a thick dome for optimal heat storage and efficiency—perfect for cooking delicious pizzas. It can even bake bread and roast larger food and dishes, like a turkey, a whole chicken, pork shoulder, and more. Plus, you have the option to get it with a shelf and stand when buying. 

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 37 x 37 x 23 inches (Oven only)
  • Max Pizza Size: 16 inches
  • Fuel/Heat Source: Wood
  • Temperature Range: up to 1000°F

Pros

  • Hemispherical design
  • Thick firebrick floor for high-temp cooking
  • Comes with a recipe book
  • Available in three colors

Cons

  • Relatively more expensive than most pizza ovens

7. Best Portable: WPPO Le Peppe Portable Wood-Fired Pizza Oven

It’s not only at home where you can cook and enjoy pizza. To be able to do it anywhere, consider getting the WPPO Le Peppe Portable Wood-Fired Pizza Oven. This oven is made of durable stainless steel and is intended for outdoor usage. It has double-walled fire blanket insulation. Additionally, compared to many other pizza ovens, it is lighter, which makes it easier to move to different outdoor places. It also includes an easy-to-use firebox that can hold various fuels, including lump charcoal, wood chips, pellets, and bits of wood.

This oven also features an easy-load firebox, allowing you to use various types of wood including pellets, wood chips, wood chunks, and lump charcoal. Its high-flow downdraft system ensures easy lighting.  With this design, cooking pizza anywhere is easy even for a beginner. 

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 31.5 x 16 x 33 inches (Oven only)
  • Max Pizza Size: 13 inches
  • Fuel/Heat Source: Wood
  • Temperature Range: up to 900°F

Pros

  • Available in two colors
  • Comes with an 11mm cordierite baking stone for a crispier pizza crust
  • Built-in thermometer for tracking cooking temperatures
  • Designed with a removable chimney
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Designed for tabletop placement

8. Best Inclusion: Kokomo 32” Wood-Fired Stainless Steel Pizza Oven

For a beginner, you want an oven that comes with everything you need. So, consider getting the Kokomo 32” Wood-Fired Stainless Steel Pizza Oven. Aside from a durable stand, it also comes with various cooking accessories. It comes with a pizza peel, cutter, and more—allowing you to get the most out of your purchase. 

Additionally, you can use it to achieve that wood-flavored or smokey taste in your pizzas. Plus, its stainless steel construction and design makes it durable even if you use it completely outdoors. It’s even designed with a built-in temperature gauge for easier monitoring and cooking.

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 32 x 28 x 47 inches (Oven only)
  • Max Pizza Size: 16 inches
  • Fuel/Heat Source: Wood
  • Temperature Range: up to 800°F

Pros

  • Can be used for cooking other meals
  • Its stand has wheels for better portability
  • Comes with an ash clean-out tray for easy cleaning

Cons

  • Plain stainless steel look

9. Best Budget: Presto Pizzazz Plus Rotating Oven

If you’re on a budget and don't want to spend much since you’re a total beginner, you can consider getting the Presto Pizzazz Plus Rotating Oven. It’s ideal for cooking one pizza at a time quickly and easily. Unlike standard pizza ovens, this unit has a rotating pizza plate or rack to ensure  even cooking.

Plus, since this is a tabletop oven, it’s highly portable. If you think you can’t use a regular pizza oven yet, this would be a good alternative to use. However, ensure that you use it only indoors or outdoors where it won’t be exposed to moisture. This will prevent any damage and ensure optimal performance.

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 15.25 x 14.25 x 10.25 inches
  • Max Pizza Size: 13 inches
  • Fuel/Heat Source: Electric
  • Temperature Range: Not Specified

Pros

  • Designed with a timer and alert system
  • Top and bottom adjustable heating elements
  • Has two racks which shift as the pizza bakes

Cons

  • Can take a long time to heat up

10. Best Splurge: WPPO Infinity 66 Hybrid Oven

If you want to splurge on a high-quality unit, get this WPPO Infinity 66 Hybrid Oven. It can operate on gas, wood, or a combination of both, giving you versatile cooking options. This setup allows you to benefit from ease of gas while also enjoying a distinctive flavor that wood adds to your pizza.

Aside from that, this is a durable oven because it’s made with a patented refractory material in the base and dome and is reinforced with Micro Knitting Technology. Also, its monoblock dome and base stone ensure optimal heat distribution inside for perfect cooking every time. Plus, you can use this for other food as well, like bread, a casserole, and more. 

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 35.5 x 30 x 39 inches
  • Max Pizza Size: 13 inches 
  • Fuel/Heat Source: Gas, Wood
  • Temperature Range: up to 932°F

Pros

  • No assembly required
  • Easy cleaning and maintenance
  • Can maintain internal temperature for over 24 hours
  • Available in seven different colors
  • Comes with a safety valve to ensure safety when using gas to cook

Cons

  • Emits minimal smoke when using gas to cook

 

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pizza Oven

For an easier choosing and shopping process, make sure to remember and consider these factors: 

Fuel Type

The two most common fuel types used with pizza ovens are wood and gas. However, there are also some electric pizza ovens in the market. Ultimately, the choice would depend on how quickly you want the oven to heat up, the taste you want with your pizza, and your budget. 

Gas ovens heat up faster and require minimal cleanup after every use. However, they don’t impart the same wood-fired flavor or smoky taste to pizzas. Conversely, an electric oven is ideal for those seeking a quick and easy option. But, for versatility, you can choose a hybrid or multi-fueled oven. This way, you can use gas, wood, or both, whenever you want. 

Size

The oven size significantly affects the size of the pizza it can cook. Of course, large ovens can fit larger pizza sizes, sometimes even two of the same sizes. For cooking one pizza at a time, select a medium-sized pizza oven that fits 13 to 16-inch pizzas. Also, look for an oven with a wide opening to simplify placing and removing the pizza.

However, take note that large ovens can be more expensive than smaller ones. Plus, you also want to consider the space you have available. Remember, it should have enough allowance or space around it when placed to ensure adequate ventilation and for your safety. 

Temperature Range

You can cook your pizzas at varying temperatures. Regular pizzas typically require 450 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Then for a classic Neapolitan pizza, you need around 900 degrees. Take note that this is a pizza with a golden crust and dark leopard spots. For cooking versatility, get an oven with a high-temperature range. 

Ease of Assembly and Cleaning

As a beginner, it can be pretty confusing to deal with pizza ovens that are tricky to assemble. So, consider a unit that is easy to assemble or, ideally, one that requires no assembly. Also, consider how simple it is to clean and maintain. You want something that won’t require major cleanups after every use. Remember, ease of cleaning and maintenance can affect the quality of your pizza and the longevity of the oven. 

Budget

Pizza ovens come with different price tags. The price can range from $70 to $6,000, sometimes even more. Remember, to manage your expenses, you can always go for a less expensive oven. But, there’s also no harm in getting a quality and pricier oven. Additionally, be aware that less expensive options may not be built with the same quality as pricier ovens. They might also lack certain features and advanced functionalities that are typically found in higher-end models.

To make it easier to narrow down your options, decide on a budget beforehand. Then, determine which pizza oven can offer the best features for that price.

 

Start Making Homemade Pizza Today

For a beginner in pizza making, the ideal pizza oven should be simple to assemble, operate, and maintain. It should also offer versatility in cooking pizza in various styles. If you want, it should allow you to cook anywhere you like. So, make sure to consider all of your needs and wants for a fulfilling pizza-making and cooking experience when choosing and buying. 

If you ever want to check some more options, you can visit our pizza oven collection. We offer a wide selection of ovens you can choose from—all from reliable brands and made high-quality!

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