Gas, electric, wood-fired, countertop. Home chefs in search of a pizza oven have multiple options to explore. But among the different types of pizza ovens, which one is right for your home, your culinary style, and your budget?

Welcome to your ultimate guide to pizza ovens. We 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:

• Heat quickly: These ovens get very hot, hold consistent temperatures that are optimal for pizza cooking, and can be more energy efficient. 

• Offer versatility: They 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. 

• Are fun: Pizza ovens also provide an opportunity to explore your culinary creativity. You’re not just limited to delicious traditional recipes, like the Margherita. You can explore any toppings, styles, or cheeses that sound scrumptious.

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

Wood-Fired Pizza Ovens

Let’s start with 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: They are, essentially, ultra-hot fireplaces. 

• Ventilation: They require 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

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 your 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? When you compare pizza ovens, gas options are a strong contender. They 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, though. 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

Gas pizza ovens do have some drawbacks:

• Price: Depending on your use case, gas pizza ovens can be pricey. 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 diligent about keeping extra supplies on hand, there may 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 to produce bubbly cheese and crispy crust. 

• Viewing windows: Because they don’t use an open flame, 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, which can be an advantage. Since they don’t have to heat up much space, electric pizza ovens reach their target temperatures 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: Because they are relatively small, they heat up quickly and return to temp quickly after opening the doors. Need to make a pizza fast? The electric model is for you.

• Versatility: While all pizza ovens are somewhat versatile, electric models are perhaps the most adaptable to different recipes. You can change the temperature quickly and easily and hold consistent temperatures. 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 expert pizzaiolo. 

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’t be used in the rain: While some electric pizza ovens are suitable for indoor and outdoor use, you will need a sturdy roof to use them in the rain or snow. 

• 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. 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 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. 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 pies) anywhere there’s a standard outlet. 

• Efficiency: Since portable and countertop models are small, they heat and cook pizzas quickly. 

• Ease of use: Portable models, especially electric pizza ovens, 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 a larger scale, these devices likely aren’t the right match for you. You’ll probably need something bigger to meet your needs. 

• Refrigeration availability: Until they’re cooked, some pizza ingredients, like cheese, should stay cold. 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

Now that we,ve compared pizza ovens, which 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 some cases) portability, an electric pizza oven is the best choice. 

Check out the Current® Model P+ Electric Pizza Oven: a countertop 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. 

FAQs

What makes a pizza oven different?

Pizza ovens differ from standard ovens in heat, speed, and versatility. They reach high, consistent temperatures fast and handle more than pizza. You could bake roasted vegetables, seared meats, and bread.

How do I choose a pizza oven?

Choosing a pizza oven depends on space, budget, and how you plan to use it. 

• Wood-fired ovens suit large backyards and work well as a focal point, though they cost more to build and take time to heat. 

• Gas ovens are simpler and widely available but require a steady fuel supply. 

• Electric ovens like the Current® Model P+ Electric Pizza Oven heat quickly, work indoors and outdoors, and need no propane or masonry. 

• Countertop and portable models fit small spaces, camping trips, and quick bakes, but they're not built for large-batch cooking.