Four types of pizza oven
Which one fits you depends on how you want to bake.
Wood-fired
The most authentic way to bake pizza, with an extra flavour dimension. A bit harder to use, needs more maintenance and needs a chimney.
Gas
Heats up quickly, the temperature is easier to regulate and there is less smoke. It does not give the taste of a wood fire.
Electric
Easy to use: plug it in and set the temperature. It heats up slowly but cooks pizzas evenly.
Hybrid
Usually gas and wood in one oven, so you choose the fuel for each pizza.
What is a home pizza oven?
A small oven, usually for outdoors, made to bake pizza fast and hot. Most have a stone floor that gives the pizza a crispy crust. Many are portable, and they come in a wide range of sizes and prices. Besides pizza, you can bake bread, calzones and other dishes in them.
Why is gas the easiest start?
Gas ovens run on propane or natural gas, and they are the most common type of home pizza oven.
- They get started quickly, which is handy if you decide to bake pizza on the spot.
- The temperature is easier to regulate.
- They are cheaper to use.
- There is less smoke, so less nuisance for the neighbours.
- No hassle with firelighters, and the oven is easy to turn off after baking.
The downside: a gas oven does not give the taste of a wood fire.
What is good about a wood-fired oven?
Wood-fired ovens offer the most authentic pizza-making experience. Wood gives your pizza an extra flavour, you can create different flavours with different kinds of wood, and there are no gas bottles to refill. For a real Neapolitan pizza, you need a wood fire.
They are harder to use than the other types and need more cleaning. Use dry hardwood, such as oak, beech, ash or maple.
A wood-fired oven needs a chimney: Do pizza ovens need a chimney?
Is an electric pizza oven any good?
Yes, especially for indoor use. There are small countertop models that heat the pizza from the top and the bottom, and freestanding models with more options. Plug it in, set the temperature and bake. Electric ovens heat up more slowly but cook pizzas evenly.
No pizza oven at all yet? Your kitchen oven with a pizza stone is a cheap way to start.
Why choose a hybrid oven?
A hybrid oven usually works on gas and on wood. Make a real Neapolitan pizza on wood, and use gas when you are in a hurry or baking something else. That flexibility is why we would pick a hybrid ourselves.
What size pizza oven do I need?
Think about how many people you bake for and how often. If you will use the oven a lot, or for a large family, a bigger oven saves you waiting between pizzas. Check that you have the space for it, too.
How do I use a pizza oven?
- Get all your ingredients ready.
- Heat the oven to about 500 °C (950 °F), or as hot as your oven goes.
- Stretch the dough on a lightly floured worktop.
- Spread the sauce, then add your toppings and cheese.
- Bake for about 60 seconds, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese bubbles. A cooler oven needs more time.