Our Favorite Pizza Oven Is More than 50% Off Right Now

Our Favorite Pizza Oven Is More than 50% Off Right Now

Buying a pizza oven can be a pretty hefty investment. Starting at around $150 and going up to $1,500, the average at-home pizza oven should produce restaurant-quality pies in order to justify such an investment. There's a lot of options out there, so we tested out a few popular models to see what ovens are worth the splurge and which fall short. We'll also get into what to look for when shopping for a pizza oven and include our top tips on getting the best pie, but here's a sneak peek at our favorites:

What to Look for in a Pizza Oven

Fuel Type

There are two main fuel types for at-home pizza ovens: gas (through a natural gas line or petroleum hook-up) and wood. Many models include the option to upgrade or purchase separate attachments so your oven can be both gas and wood-burning, and both fuel types have their pros and cons.

Wood-burned pizza has the most authentic, delicious taste. Similar to grilling over charcoal vs. gas, it's hard to beat the taste of a pie that comes from a wood-burning pizza oven. The downside? Wood-burning pizza ovens are much more of a hassle. You'll most likely need some sort of starter to get your fire going, and wood-burning ovens take longer to heat up. Wood-burning pizza ovens are also going to produce more smoke than a gas-fueled oven and require more cleanup due to ash.

Gas-fired pizza ovens are easier to use and heat up faster than their wood-burning counterparts. They're also a breeze to clean. You'll usually just need to scrape out the charred bits leftover from the pizza in a gas-fueled pizza oven.

Portability

Are you planning on leaving your pizza oven stationary on your patio or deck or do you want to take it on vacation, camping, or store it away easily when not in use? If you want to take your pizza oven on the go, then look for one that's not only lightweight but also has multiple fuel capabilities and is compact. Folding legs and chimneys make traveling with a pizza oven easier.

Temperature Range

To get the quality of pizza you'd expect at a restaurant, you'll want an oven that can reach 800-900ºF or higher. These temperatures quickly singe the outer edges of the crust and melt the cheese while leaving a fluffy bread base. Ovens that can't reach temperatures that high can still make good pizza, but it won't be the top-notch quality you may be looking for.

Durability

You're investing a good bit of money into this pizza oven, so you definitely want one that will last. Most of the pizza ovens we've included on this list are made of durable stainless steel so you can expect them to last you years to come, but many also come with 1 year-lifetime warranties for extra assurance.

How to Make the Best Pie in Your Pizza Oven

Perfecting your pizza can take a bit of trial and error, but there are some surefire ways to get the best pie possible:

• Always allow your oven to heat longer on the first use. There might be residue leftover from manufacturing on the interior of the oven, so it's best practice to give the oven 20-30 minutes of extra burn time to make sure everything is singed off.
• Assemble your pizza on the paddle. This is the easiest way to pop it right into the oven without risking getting your hands too close to the open (and very hot) flame.
• Cornmeal is your best friend. Dough is, of course, very sticky, so dust your pizza paddle heavily with cornmeal before placing the dough on top to make sure it slides easily into the oven.
• Turn your pie consistently while cooking. At 800-900ºF, these pizza ovens cook incredibly fast, so you'll want to have a long-handled turner ready to go immediately. Give your pizza 10-15 seconds for the bottom of the crust to cook and loosen up from the stone and then start rotating the pie.
• Use fresh dough. Make your own if you can (it's so easy!) or see if your local supermarket makes some fresh. This is not the time and place for canned dough.
• Never take your eyes off the pie. Like we mentioned, these pizzas cook fast. We're talking cook times of 60-90 seconds for most of these ovens. So, always have an eye on your pie to make sure it doesn't burn.

Why Trust Us?

We put each and every one of these pizza ovens through rigorous testing by multiple members of the Country Living team to ensure that they are top-quality and make the restaurant-quality pies we expect. If any product didn't meet our strict standards, you won't find it here.

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