What is an Outdoor Pizza Oven? Get To Know Outdoor Pizza Oven

outdoor pizza oven

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An outdoor pizza oven is an outdoor kitchen appliance used to bake pizzas. An outdoor pizza oven may be built-in or freestanding and is either wood, charcoal, or gas-powered.

Outdoor pizza ovens are available in ceramic, brick, or stone materials with stone being a preferred choice. The interior of an outdoor pizza oven is sometimes made with stainless steel materials. The material determines the longevity and price of the pizza oven.

Brick pizza ovens last the longest because of their durability. Stone and brick outdoor pizza ovens cost more than stainless steel outdoor pizza ovens. Outdoor pizza ovens come in different shapes and sizes and may be designed to fit your outdoor space. Outdoor pizza ovens are sometimes found in residential homes today and are a popular outdoor feature.

The history of the outdoor pizza oven dates back to the 1950s. After Italy invented the first pizza oven, households began moving them outdoor for entertaining purposes.

What is the ideal material for an outdoor pizza oven?

The ideal material for an outdoor pizza oven is stainless steel. Stainless steel outdoor pizza ovens are preferred because they are durable and can heat up fast. Stainless steel outdoor pizza ovens are more affordable than a brick pizza oven. You don’t need to cure a stainless steel outdoor pizza oven before use as you do with a brick pizza oven. Stainless steel outdoor pizza ovens also are made portable, meaning you can move them around your outdoor space, whereas a brick outdoor pizza oven is built into the outdoor space.

Outdoor pizza ovens can be a healthy cooking alternative to other cooking methods. Wood-fired pizza cooks faster than a kitchen oven, leaving more of the nutrients in the vegetable toppings.

What are the types of outdoor pizza ovens?

The types of outdoor pizza ovens are as follows:

  • Wood outdoor pizza oven: A wood-fired or wood-burning outdoor pizza oven uses wood to heat pizza. Wood outdoor pizza ovens are capable of high temperatures, up to 900-degrees Fahrenheit, and can cook a pizza in as little as 60 seconds. Wood gives pizzas a unique flavor, usually taking on the smoky flavor of the wood used.
  • Gas outdoor pizza oven: A gas outdoor pizza oven is powered by gas. Gas outdoor pizza ovens give you more control over your cooking temperatures. A gas outdoor pizza oven may be enclosed in brick or stone materials, depending on if you want a modern or contemporary look. Gas outdoor pizza ovens may be more efficient.
  • Coal outdoor pizza oven: A coal outdoor pizza oven is slower to cook than a wood-fired outdoor pizza oven but gives you a crispier crust.
  • Stainless steel pizza oven: A stainless steel pizza oven is a modern choice that uses the durability and flexibility of steel to cook the pizza in your backyard.

What is the ideal size for an outdoor pizza oven?

The ideal size of an outdoor pizza oven depends on your outdoor space and how many people you have in your household. Smaller pizza ovens can accommodate one pizza at a time. Larger pizza ovens may be able to cook 2-4 pizzas at one time, which may be preferred if you have more people in your household or entertain frequently.

Where you plan to place your outdoor pizza oven also makes a difference when choosing the best size. A portable outdoor pizza oven can easily be moved around the outdoor space. A built-in outdoor pizza oven needs a space with a built-in vent. People who choose a built-in outdoor pizza oven may choose a larger one to accommodate changing needs.

What size outdoor pizza oven do I need? That depends on the number of people in your household and how many pizzas you want to make at one time. If you have a small household with 1-2 people, an outdoor pizza oven around 32” X 36” is sufficient. If you have a large family with 4-6 people, you may want an outdoor pizza oven up to 42” in diameter.

What are the use cases of an outdoor pizza oven?

A use case of an outdoor pizza oven can be defined as a specific way in which you use an outdoor oven. A few use cases of an outdoor pizza oven include:

  • Bake pizzas
  • Bake bread
  • Roast vegetables
  • Slow cook meats
  • Grille steaks
  • BBQ ribs
  • Make seasoned potato chips
  • Grille fish

Once you learn how to use an outdoor pizza oven, you’ll find many use cases. Outdoor pizza ovens have many purposes beyond that of baking pizzas.

Can you use an outdoor pizza oven as a grill?

Yes, you can use an outdoor pizza oven as a grill. It can take longer to heat up an outdoor pizza oven than a BBQ grill, but once it heats up, you can grill many of the same foods.

Can you use an outdoor pizza oven as a tandoor?

Yes, you can use an outdoor pizza oven as a tandoor. Tandoori chicken is usually cooked in a tandoor oven, which is wood-fired, similar to that of a wood-fired pizza oven.

Can you use an outdoor pizza oven for smoking food?

Yes, you can use your outdoor pizza oven for smoking food. By adding water-soaked wood to the outdoor pizza oven, you can smoke your favorite ingredients.

Do outdoor pizza ovens affect the flavor of food?

Outdoor pizza ovens can affect the flavor of food. Whether you choose stainless steel, stone, or wood, an outdoor pizza oven will affect how your food tastes. You can also use different types of wood to change the flavor of your pizza, like maple, oak, ash, or hickory. One of the best parts of an outdoor pizza oven is the smoky flavor it leaves on the pizza crust.

outdoor ovens

What are the outdoor pizza oven brands?

The best outdoor pizza oven brands right now are the following:

  • Best overall outdoor pizza oven: Ooni Koda
  • Best value outdoor pizza oven: Gozney Roccbox
  • Best portable outdoor pizza oven: Ooni Fyra
  • Best artisanal outdoor pizza oven: Thor Wood

What is the lifespan of an outdoor pizza oven?

The typical lifespan of an outdoor pizza oven is unlimited. A high-quality outdoor pizza oven made with durable materials can last a lifetime. However, the frequency of use and maintenance of the outdoor pizza oven affects its longevity. Keeping up with routine maintenance is an important part of owning an outdoor pizza oven.

The factors that affect the lifespan of an outdoor pizza oven include:

  • Frequency of use: How frequently you use your outdoor pizza oven affects how long it lasts. This is because the frequent heating of coal or wood can wear it out faster.
  • Maintenance and upkeep: Maintenance and upkeep can help prolong the life of your outdoor pizza oven. This includes removing burned soot from the oven frequently.
  • Initial material: The initial material and quality of your outdoor pizza oven determine how long it lasts. Metal, electric outdoor pizza ovens may not last as long as a built-in outdoor pizza oven.
  • Installation: The installation of an outdoor pizza oven affects how long it lasts. A built-in outdoor pizza oven should be securely attached to the outdoor space with a proper vent.

The cost of an outdoor pizza oven ranges between $400-$5,000. Portable, metal outdoor pizza ovens are on the lower end of the range, whereas a larger, built-in pizza oven made with high-quality stone or wood materials is on the higher end of the range. A commercial-sized outdoor pizza oven may cost even more.

How does culture affect the usage of an outdoor pizza oven?

The first bread ovens were invented over 5,000 years ago in Egypt. Since then, numerous countries all over the world have used different types of ovens to cook dishes, including pizza.

Naples, Italy, was the first to use an oven specifically for pizzas. Today, cultures all over Europe and North America use stone, brick, and wood to cook pizza.

Wood-brick ovens are believed to have been invented by the Peruvian and Turkish during the Ancient Roman period. Many people believe it was Naples who first used stone in cooking pizza. It’s unclear which culture first moved the pizza oven outdoors, but today, you’ll find outdoor pizza ovens in many countries in both residential and commercial properties.

What are the relevant kitchen tools to an outdoor pizza oven?

The most relevant kitchen tools connected to an outdoor pizza oven include:

  • Mixer: A mixer is similar to an outdoor pizza oven because both are important when making pizza. A mixer is used to mix together ingredients to make dough.
  • Dough scraper: A dough scraper is similar to an outdoor pizza oven because both are used to make pizzas. A dough scraper is used to remove the dough from the countertop.
  • Pizza cutter: A pizza cutter is similar to an outdoor pizza oven because both are used to serve pizza. A pizza cutter is used to cut the pizza into slices.
  • Pizza peel: A pizza peel is similar to an outdoor pizza oven because both are important when making pizza. A pizza peel is a large spatula-like utensil used to cook pizza.

What is the primary difference between an outdoor pizza oven and an indoor kitchen oven?

The primary difference between an outdoor pizza oven vs an indoor kitchen oven is the location of each appliance. An outdoor pizza oven is designed for use outside, whereas an oven cooks foods inside.

Another difference between an outdoor pizza oven and an indoor kitchen oven is the temperature capabilities of each. An indoor oven is used to cook foods up to 450-degrees Fahrenheit. An outdoor pizza oven can achieve a temperature of up to 900-degrees Fahrenheit, which can cook faster.

What are the features of the best outdoor pizza oven?

Here are four features of the best outdoor pizza oven:

  • Cooking style: Consider your preferred pizza cooking style when choosing the best outdoor pizza oven. Both stone and wood outdoor pizza ovens have different flavors.
  • Design: Think about the design of the outdoor pizza oven. Outdoor pizza ovens come in different designs, including modern or contemporary ovens.
  • Size: You want to choose an outdoor pizza oven that is large enough for your space, and large enough for your household size.
  • Integrated thermometer: Temperature affects pizza taste, meaning you may want an integrated thermometer. This allows you to check the temperature of your pizza easily.

What are the parts of an outdoor pizza oven?

The parts of an outdoor pizza oven include the following:

  • Oven: The oven heats the pizza and cooks it.
  • Oven tray: The oven tray, or hearth, is where you place the pizza to cook it.
  • Enclosure walls: The enclosure walls are insulated to retain heat.
  • Oven base: The oven base is what holds the oven in place.

What are the repair options for an outdoor pizza oven?

If your pizza oven breaks down over time, you may be able to repair it by replacing certain outdoor pizza oven parts:

  • Stone: If the stone or oven tray of your outdoor pizza oven wears out over time, you may be able to replace it with a new one.
  • Pizza tray: The tray that you use to put the pizza in and out of the oven may wear out over time, and is affordable to replace.
  • Oven thermostat: The oven thermostat can wear out over time, and can easily be replaced.
  • Baking rack: If your outdoor pizza oven has a baking rack, you can replace the rack from time to time for better cooking.

What is the difference between an outdoor pizza oven and a pizza stone?

The primary difference between an outdoor pizza oven and a pizza stone is the maximum temperature capabilities of each. An outdoor pizza oven is capable of reaching up to 900-degrees Fahrenheit, which can cook pizza in as little as five minutes. A pizza stone can only reach a maximum of 530-degrees Fahrenheit, which can limit your cooking choices.

Another difference between an outdoor pizza oven and a pizza stone is where you use them when cooking pizza. An outdoor pizza oven stays outdoors, whereas a pizza stone is usually used to cook pizza in an oven indoors.

How did the outdoor pizza oven get its name?

The outdoor pizza oven gets its name from its ability to bake pizzas outdoors.

To spell outdoor pizza oven: O-u-t-d-o-o-r p-i-z-z-a o-v-e-n.

To pronounce outdoor pizza oven, say: (owt-dor peet-suh uh-vn).

What is another word for an outdoor pizza oven?

Another word for an outdoor pizza oven is wood oven. An outdoor pizza oven may also be referred to as a wood-burning oven, wood-fired oven, or bread oven.

Get to know pizza ovens

What is the history of the outdoor pizza oven?

The history of the outdoor pizza oven dates back to the mid-1900s. The first bread oven was a clay pot in Egypt over 5,000 years ago, which paved the way for the first ovens. However, it wasn’t until the early-1900s that Italy introduced the first prefabricated refractory pizza oven, made with brick materials. This pizza oven took off throughout the 1970s.

By the 1990s, other inventors improved upon the pizza oven with the invention of insulation, which increased cooking time. The combination of outdoor BBQs that took off in the U.S. in the 1950s, paired with Italy’s invention of the pizza oven paved the way for the invention of the outdoor pizza oven, now a common feature in many homes all over the world. You’ll often find outdoor pizza ovens in commercial restaurants, but many households also use them.

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