4 Best Pizza Ovens for Backyard Cooking in 2025
Imagine transforming your backyard into a pizzeria with a top-tier oven that heats up in under 15 minutes and reaches temperatures above 900°F, perfect for authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas. Whether you prefer gas, electric, or wood pellet models, choosing the right one can dramatically improve your cooking speed, flavor, and versatility. But with so many options claiming to be the best, how do you find an oven that truly elevates your outdoor pizza game without taking up half your yard?
Everdure KILN S Series Gas Pizza Oven
The Everdure KILN S Series Gas Pizza Oven is perfect for backyard chefs who want restaurant-quality pizza at home. It heats up quickly, reaching 932°F in just 18 minutes. That means your pizza can cook in less than two minutes. No more waiting around—just fast, hot pizza every time. The oven has a high dome and double insulation. These features help keep the heat inside so your pizza cooks evenly. It weighs about 60 pounds, so it’s portable enough to move outside for parties or family get-togethers. The simple knob controls let you turn it on and off easily, and the fast preheat means you can start cooking right away. This oven is great for anyone who loves pizza and wants to make it easy and fun on their patio.
Best For: people who love outdoor cooking, families, and anyone who wants quick, tasty pizza and more outdoor food options.
Pros:
- Heats up fast to 932°F in just 18 minutes. That means quick, real pizza.
- Easy to carry outside for parties or fun gatherings.
- Simple knobs and fast preheat make it easy for beginners to use.
Cons:
- It weighs around 60 pounds, so you might need help to move it.
- It only works with gas, so you need a gas line or tank.
- It’s mainly for pizza and hot cooking. It’s not as good for baking things at low temperatures.
Ninja Artisan Outdoor Pizza Oven, 12-inch
If you love having pizza nights in your backyard, the Ninja Artisan Outdoor Pizza Oven, 12-inch, is a great choice. It can do many jobs with its 5-in-1 feature. You can cook pizza, bake, broil, keep foods warm, or let dough proof. This makes it easy to prepare a full meal. You can even grill burgers while baking sides at the same time.
The oven heats up to 700°F, so you can make a fresh, crispy 12-inch pizza in about 3 minutes. It gives you restaurant-quality results, with a perfect crust and melted cheese. The electric heating makes it simple to control the temperature. You can set it from 90°F to 700°F, so no open flames are needed. This makes it safer to use outdoors.
The oven is built to handle weather, so you can leave it outside. Just use a cover to keep it in good shape. Keep in mind, it takes about 18 minutes to preheat, which is longer than some ovens. Its size is good for 12-inch pizzas, but larger groups might need a bigger oven.
This pizza oven is ideal for people who enjoy outdoor cooking and want a tool that can make many types of meals. It is safe, easy to control, and ready for outdoor use.
Outdoor Pizza Oven Wood Pellet 12 Pizza Ovens
The Outdoor Pizza Oven Wood Pellet 12 Pizza Ovens are perfect for backyard cooks who want that yummy wood-fired flavor. They are small, portable, and easy to use. Made of strong stainless steel, the oven weighs just 32.4 pounds, so you can move it around easily. It heats up quickly, reaching about 932°F in 10 to 15 minutes. With this heat, you can cook 12-inch pizzas in about a minute. Besides pizza, you can also bake bread, cookies, and cook meats. The oven has a simple temperature control knob. It also comes with a pizza stone, a peel, and a cover. These help you take control of the flame and make crispy, tasty crusts. You don’t need any special skills. Just be patient and practice to get perfect results.
Best For: outdoor cooks, home bakers, and pizza lovers who want flavorful, wood-fired food in a small, easy-to-use oven.
Pros:
- Heats fast to high temperatures for quick, restaurant-style food
- Light and small, easy to carry and set up anywhere outside
- Works for baking bread, cookies, and cooking meats, giving more cooking choices
Cons:
- Needs some practice to control the flame and temperature well
- Pellet feeding system can sometimes be uneven and cause pellet run-out
- Sometimes temperatures can change unexpectedly, so patience is key to getting good results
Deco Chef Outdoor Pizza Oven with 2-in-1 Pizza and Grill Functionality
If you love cooking outside, the Deco Chef Outdoor Pizza Oven is a great choice. It can do both pizza and grilling with one machine. It heats up very fast, reaching up to 950°F. That high heat makes the crust crispy and perfect every time. The oven’s body is made of stainless steel. This makes it tough and able to handle the outdoors. It helps keep the heat inside so cooking is quick and even.
The oven comes with a grilling grate and a drip tray. You can switch from making pizzas to grilling steaks, fish, or veggies. Whether you want to bake, grill, or sear, this machine can do it. You use lump charcoal or hardwood pellets as fuel. The removable fuel tray makes it easy to add or change your fuel, which helps give food a smoky flavor.
The size is portable—just 15.5 by 20.5 by 29.1 inches. You can take it on camping trips or set it up in your backyard. It needs some assembly, but it’s simple enough to figure out. Just keep in mind, you need to buy your fuel separately.
This oven is best for backyard cooks, outdoor explorers, and grilling fans. They want a machine that gets hot fast and cooks many types of food. It’s sturdy, high-performing, and easy to move around.
Pros:
- Gets very hot—up to 950°F—perfect for crispy pizzas and seared meat
- Combines pizza oven and grill in one machine
- Made with strong stainless steel, good for outdoor use
Cons:
- You need to buy charcoal or pellets separately
- It’s a bit large, so it’s not the easiest to carry around
- You may need to assemble it and learn how to use it
This pizza oven helps you cook outdoors with style and ease. It’s a fun tool to make delicious meals with friends and family.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Pizza Ovens for Backyard Cooking
When selecting a pizza oven for your backyard, consider how quickly it can reach and maintain high temperatures—ideally around 700 to 900°F for that perfect crispy crust. Size and portability matter if you plan to move or store it easily, but don’t overlook the fuel source, whether gas, wood, or electric, as it affects both convenience and flavor. Finally, think about durability and cleaning; an oven should withstand weather, frequent use, and keep maintenance simple, so you can focus on perfecting your pie rather than fixing your equipment.
Heat Performance and Speed
Getting a perfect pizza depends a lot on how fast and well your oven heats up. For a good crust, you want temperatures of 900°F or higher. That high heat makes the pizza crispy and tasty, just like traditional wood-fired ovens. Look for ovens that preheat in 10 to 15 minutes. Saving time on preheating means you can start cooking sooner and enjoy more pizzas.
The type of oven also matters. Gas and wood pellet ovens usually heat up faster and keep the heat steady. Electric ovens can take longer to heat and might not hold the heat as well. Features like insulation or a tall dome help the oven stay hot evenly. Even heat is important because it stops your pizza from burning in some spots and being undercooked in others.
A good oven spreads heat quickly and evenly. If the heat isn’t steady, your pizza can turn out with burnt edges or raw spots. If quick and reliable heat isn’t a priority, your pizza might not turn out as good as it should.
Portability and Size
Choosing a pizza oven depends a lot on how easy it is to move and store. If you have limited space or like to take your oven somewhere else, portability is key. Portable pizza ovens usually weigh between 30 and 60 pounds. They are light enough for one person to pickup or set up quickly. Small outdoor ovens are made to fit on tables or in tight spaces. They are perfect if your yard or patio is small. Heavier ovens, some over 80 pounds, may need wheels or handles. This makes them easier to move around if you switch locations. Think about the size of the oven too. A small oven can go in a shed or garage when you’re not using it. Quick to set up ovens are great for last-minute pizza parties. Because sometimes, you just get a sudden craving for pizza!
Fuel Type and Ease
Fuel type makes a big difference in how easy and fun it is to use your backyard pizza oven. Gas ovens heat up fast. They can reach temperatures of up to 900°F in about 15-20 minutes. Gas ovens are easy to control because you can turn a knob to set the heat just right. This makes cooking simple and quick.
Wood and charcoal ovens give your pizza a smoky flavor you can’t get from gas. But they take more work. You need to manage the fire, keep the heat steady, and wait longer for the oven to get hot. It can take over 30 minutes to be ready to cook.
Electric pizza ovens do not use fuel. They stay hot at around 750-850°F and are safe to use because they don’t have open flames. They are good if you live where fire rules are strict or if you want a steady heat without much effort.
When choosing a fuel type, think about what is easy for you to get. Make sure it is easy to keep the oven hot and safe to use. Picking the right fuel makes outdoor pizza cooking more fun and less hassle.
Versatility and Features
When choosing a backyard pizza oven, look for one that does more than just bake pizza. A good oven can also bake bread, broil food, keep things warm, and help dough rise. This makes your outdoor space more useful and fun. Features like adjustable temperature control, which can go up to 950°F, help you make different kinds of pizza, from thin crust to thick deep-dish. The oven should also work with different fuels, such as gas, wood pellets, or charcoal. This gives you more flavor choices and ways to cook. Some ovens come with removable pizza stones, grilling racks, or extra parts that let you cook more kinds of food. Good design features like insulation and airflow help the oven heat quickly and stay hot evenly. These features make sure your oven heats up fast and keeps a steady temperature, so your cooking becomes easier and more reliable.
Durability and Maintenance
Durability and easy maintenance are really important when choosing an outdoor pizza oven. These features often don’t get as much attention as temperature controls, but they help your oven last longer and stay in good shape. A good outdoor pizza oven made from stainless steel or heat-resistant materials can stand up to rust and bad weather. This means it will last more years. Cleaning the oven regularly with gentle stainless steel cleaner helps keep it looking nice and working well. You should also remove ashes and crumbs often to stop rust from forming. Strong insulation and a sturdy base protect the oven from heat damage and structural wear. This helps it stay reliable over time. Pick an oven with few moving parts and easy-to-reach spots for maintenance. This makes cleaning and fixing it simple. Using weather covers keeps rain, snow, and dirt away when you don’t use the oven. Overall, choosing a durable oven made from strong materials helps it stay reliable. Easy upkeep also means more time enjoying your pizza, not fixing or cleaning your oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Average Cooking Time for Homemade Pizzas?
You’re curious about how long homemade pizzas typically cook. Usually, in a hot oven, it takes around 10 to 15 minutes for your pizza to achieve that perfect crust and melted toppings. Keep an eye on it.
How Do I Clean and Maintain Outdoor Pizza Ovens Properly?
You clean your outdoor pizza oven by removing ashes and debris after each use, scrubbing the interior with a brush, and checking vents regularly. Maintain it by covering when unused and inspecting for rust or damage periodically.
Are There Safety Concerns With Outdoor Pizza Ovens?
Safety concerns with outdoor pizza ovens include burns, fire hazards, and proper ventilation. You should always follow manufacturer instructions, keep a fire extinguisher nearby, and supervise children to prevent accidents and guarantee safe outdoor cooking experiences.
Can These Ovens Cook Other Dishes Besides Pizza?
Yes, outdoor pizza ovens can cook other dishes like bread, roasted veggies, and meats. You just need to adjust temperature and timing, making them versatile tools for enhancing your outdoor cooking experience beyond just pizza.
What’S the Typical Lifespan of a Backyard Pizza Oven?
You can expect your backyard pizza oven to last around 5 to 15 years, depending on maintenance, use, and quality. Proper care and durable materials help extend its lifespan, making your investment worthwhile for outdoor pizza fun.
Hello! I’m Eloise Wilson, the culinary enthusiast behind SimplyCookings. Cooking is my canvas and flavors are my palette. I’m here to share easy-to-follow recipes and kitchen wisdom that will make your cooking journey joyful and delicious. Join me and let’s turn everyday meals into extraordinary experiences!
