Types of Pizza Ovens: A Complete Breakdown

Welcome to your ultimate guide to pizza ovens. Below, break down the pros and cons of each type to help you narrow your search—and start making mouthwatering homemade pies.

Overview of Pizza Oven Categories

Why buy a pizza oven in the first place? 

Pizza ovens are:

• Purpose-built: These ovens are (clearly) designed specifically for making pizza. They get very hot, hold consistent temperatures that are optimal for pizza cooking, and can be more energy efficient (small models, in particular, only have to heat up a small space compared to a conventional oven). 

• Versatile: Pizza ovens are actually well-suited to cook a variety of different dishes: roasted vegetables, seared meats, bread, pastries, and more. Their high heat makes them an exceptional alternative to a traditional oven in some cases. 

Pizza ovens also provide an opportunity to explore your culinary creativity: Making pizza dough and sauce (or even cheese and toppings) by hand is incredibly rewarding. With a pizza oven, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor in their best possible form. 

Plus, among the types of pizza ovens on today’s market, there’s truly an option for everyone. 

Wood-Fired Pizza Ovens

Let’s start with perhaps the most traditional choice: The wood-fired pizza oven.

While designs vary widely, most wood-fired pizza ovens feature a few key components:

• A place to burn wood – Wood-fired pizza ovens are, essentially, fireplaces. While they can be enclosed to trap heat, their primary job is to contain an ultra-hot fire.

• Ventilation – Wood-fired pizza ovens must feature a ventilation system to release excess heat, smoke, and ash. Small vents or a large chimney are two common options.

• A baking surface – Most wood-fired pizza chefs place pizzas directly onto a stone, concrete, or brick cooking surface inside the oven. While you could use metal pans or a dedicated pizza stone, this isn’t the norm.

Pros of Wood-Fired Pizza Ovens

Wood-fired pizza ovens are great at what they do—you can rely on them to make pizza (and other fire-friendly dishes like bread). In addition, wood-fired pizza ovens are:

• Simple – Light a fire, sustain it long enough to increase the temperature, and use naturally-derived heat to make a pizza—it’s a simple, elegant solution. 

• Attractive – It’s no secret that a pizza oven doubles as a conversation piece. If you’re looking to revamp a large outdoor space into a social area, a pizza oven offers an excellent focal point. 

• Analog – No need to worry about power outages or empty propane tanks—as long as you can light a fire, you can make a pizza. 

Cons of Wood-Fired Pizza Ovens

Even considering all of the above, wood-fired pizza ovens aren’t the best choice for everyone. Why?

• They’re big – Traditionally, wood-burning pizza ovens take up a lot of space—that’s why they’re usually reserved for large backyard areas or commercial kitchens. 

• They can be pricey to build – Even if you take a DIY approach, you’ll still need to purchase ample materials (bricks, cinder blocks, mortar, concrete mix, and more). Not to mention that masonry is a dying art—it may be difficult to find someone to build you a wood-fired pizza oven. 

• They’re labor-intensive – While a wood-fired pizza oven is simple, it’s not effortless to use. Fires must be monitored, and ultra-hot coal beds can take time to develop. 

Gas Pizza Ovens

How about gas pizza ovens? Among the different types of pizza ovens, gas options are a strong contender. 

Gas pizza ovens are:

• Available in different designs – From barbecue grill attachments to countertop models and deck-based designs, there’s a gas oven option for every budget and use case.

• Powered by many types of gas – Gas pizza ovens may be powered by conventional propane (like some barbecue grills), natural gas (a built-in utility in some homes), or even butane (a common fuel option for portable camp stoves). These usually aren’t interchangeable, however—once you’ve committed to one type of gas, conversion typically isn’t practical.

Pros of Gas Pizza Ovens

There are certainly a ton of advantages to using a gas pizza oven:

• Char flavor without burning wood – With a gas pizza oven, you can use the power of fire to bake pizza without building a massive wood-burning pizza oven. Using fire in cooking produces unique flavors, and gas ovens make this accessible. 

• Ease of use – Gas ovens can reach high temperatures quickly—no firewood or scouting badge required. 

• Accessible fuels – Cans of propane and butane are widely available at hardware stores. For homes with gas hookups, natural gas-powered pizza ovens can easily hook right into existing utilities. 

Cons of Gas Pizza Ovens

However, gas pizza ovens have some drawbacks:

• Price – Depending on your use case, gas pizza ovens can fetch a pretty penny. Generally speaking, the larger you go, the more you’ll spend. Natural gas pizza ovens can be particularly expensive since they’re more of a home appliance than a backyard accessory. 

• Safety concerns – While it’s socially acceptable to burn natural gas, propane, and butane indoors, it may not be as safe as we’ve come to accept. Studies show that even natural gas indoor ranges (thought to be relatively safe) can release respiratory irritants like nitrogen dioxide, benzene, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

• Potential for limited supplies – Unless you’re uniquely diligent about keeping extra supplies on hand, there will come a day when you’re halfway through making a pizza only to discover that you’ve run out of propane. It happens to the best of us.

 

Electric Pizza Ovens

Electric pizza ovens are becoming increasingly popular among home chefs. Electric designs typically feature:

• Heating elements – Since they’re electrically powered, they don’t emit a flame. Instead, electricity warms the heating elements inside the oven that emit thermal energy—enough thermal energy to produce bubbly cheese and crispy crust. 

• Viewing windows – Electric pizza ovens don’t use open flame. So, it’s safe to stand relatively close to them and keep an eye on your pie’s progress. Many models feature one or more built-in viewing windows for this purpose. 

• Small volumes – When compared to wood, electric pizza ovens are typically small. This is actually an advantage: Since they don’t have to heat up much space, electric pizza ovens reach their target temperatures (and come back to temp after opening the door) quickly.

Pros of Electric Pizza Ovens

Why is the electric pizza oven’s social stock on the rise? They have quite a few advantages:

• Speed – Electric pizza ovens are relatively small, they heat up quickly, and they return to temp quickly after opening the doors. Need to make a pizza in record time? The electric model is for you.

• Versatility – While all pizza ovens are somewhat versatile, electric models are perhaps the most adaptable to different dishes: You can change the temperature quickly and easily and hold consistent temperatures well. Plus, you reduce the risk of burning dishes since there’s no open flame. 

• Safety – We’ve come a long way from the Easy-Bake Oven. Today’s electric pizza ovens include safety features like automatic shutoff timers, and they’re made from durable insulating materials. 

• Indoor use – Speaking of safety, electric pizza ovens are safe to use indoors. Since they don’t burn gas or emit an open flame at all, they don’t release VOCs or pose the same hazards as open flame pizza ovens. 

Ultimately, the electric pizza oven is an ideal choice for anyone—from the homemade pizza newcomer to the seasoned chef. 

Cons of Electric Pizza Ovens

While there are many advantages to the electric pizza oven, no product is without drawbacks. In this case, there are two:

• They can be used outdoors, but not in the rain – While electric pizza ovens are suitable for indoor and outdoor use, it’s not safe to operate them outdoors in the rain. 

• They’re relatively small – Electric pizza ovens are typically small. However, since they heat up quickly and hold heat well, they’re easy to use for batch baking—even on a tight timeline. 

Countertop and Portable Pizza Ovens

Nothing can level up a camping trip, tailgate, or beach party quite like a homemade pizza can. With countertop and portable pizza ovens, you can bring the party with you. 

These models are:

• Gas or electric – Portable and countertop models may be powered by gas or electricity. While gas models are more friendly for primitive applications (like camping), electrical models don’t require you to pack gas supplies. 

• Typically small – Portable and countertop models don’t produce monster pizzas, but their fast cook times still make them a strong option when you need to feed an army of hungry hikers or sports fans.

• Tricked out – With a smart pizza oven, you can control temperature and cook time from an app—ideal if you need to walk away to pitch a tent or make a beer run. Many countertop and portable models are equipped with high-tech features like these. 

Pros of Countertop and Portable Pizza Ovens

What’s not to love about a countertop or portable pizza oven?

• Pizza on the go – In theory, you can take your pizza oven (and killer homemade pizzas) anywhere. 

• Efficiency – Since portable and countertop models are small, they heat (and cook pizzas) efficiently. 

• Ease of use – Portable models (especially electric portable models) are plug and play: Fire up the oven, prep your pizza, and enjoy a fresh pie in no time. 

Cons of Countertop and Portable Pizza Ovens

Why might you opt for a stationary pizza oven or a larger model instead?

• Use case – If you’re trying to make pizzas at food service scale, these devices likely aren’t the right match for you. You’ll probably need something larger to meet your needs. 

• Refrigeration availability – Until they’re cooked, some pizza ingredients should stay cold—like cheese and premade dough. If your travel logistics don’t allow for refrigeration (or if you don’t have enough room in the cooler for pizza ingredients), it might not be practical to make a pizza. 

Choosing the Right Pizza Oven for Your Needs

Which of the different types of pizza ovens is right for you? 

If you’re looking to build a jaw-dropping backyard conversation piece, consider a wood-fire oven. If you want something simple and don’t fear running out of propane, a gas model might work for you. If you need a lightning-fast bake, energy efficiency, enhanced safety, and (in many cases) portability, an electric pizza oven is the best choice. 

Check out the Current® Model P Smart Pizza Oven: a countertop electric model designed for every home chef. There’s no need for a big backyard, backup propane tanks, or masonry pros—this pizza oven is ready to bake right out of the box. 

Start making restaurant-quality pizza at home with the Model P.