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What is a Pizza Oven?
A pizza oven is a cooking device not only designed to bake pizzas, but is a diverse enough kitchen appliance to be used for other types of food as well. Typically constructed from brick, stone or metal, a pizza oven is fueled by either wood, charcoal or gas.
Pizza ovens have been around since the 16th century and were traditionally used in Italy. Since then, they have become popular all over the world, as pizza is a dish that can be enjoyed by people of all cultures and ages. It is a great way to enjoy delicious homemade pizza from the comfort of your own home and come in a variety of styles to suit any budget.
What Makes an Outdoor Pizza Oven Great?
When it comes to outdoor pizza ovens, there are several factors that make them great. Their heat retention and distribution capabilities are sufficient in cooking pizzas with ease and are able to reach higher temperatures than conventional ovens while providing even heat coverage across the entirety of the pizza. Pizzas cooked in outdoor pizza ovens are best known to come out with a perfectly crispy crust, golden-brown cheese, and all other delicious toppings fully cooked.
Outdoor pizza ovens also provide plenty of convenience for those looking to entertain or host dinner parties outdoors. Unlike traditional kitchen ovens, outdoor pizza ovens can be placed directly outside on patios or decks, making it easy to whip up hot, fresh pizzas for your guests. Outdoor pizza ovens are also great for cooking large amounts of food quickly due to their high temperatures and are perfect for when you have big groups of people over.
How Does a Pizza Oven Work?
Pizza ovens work by trapping and reflecting radiant heat around the pizza, while allowing smoke to escape in the process. This produces a hotter and more evenly cooked pizza that is cooked to your own desired temperature.
The heat is produced by burning wood, charcoal or gas inside the fire chamber of the oven that is then reflected off a dome-shaped ceiling and onto the pizza that lays inside the oven chamber.
There are both gas-powered and wood-burning models available – each with their own benefits and drawbacks – so choose one that best suits your needs.
Types of Pizza Ovens
Build Material
When buying a pizza oven, it’s important to consider how often you will be using it and how much space you have available to house it. A big outdoor pizza oven is not worth investing in if you only plan on using it once or twice a year. With that said, there are many smaller models available which are perfect for occasional use at home.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel pizza ovens are one of the most popular models on the market, and for good reason. This type of pizza oven has excellent heat retention capabilities and is extremely durable, making it a great choice for those looking to get plenty of use out of their oven over time. As an added bonus, stainless steel is also non-porous and rust-resistant. With a stainless steel pizza oven, you don’t need to worry about your outdoor pizza oven corroding in the elements.
Another advantage of stainless steel pizza ovens is how quickly they can reach high temperatures. With many conventional kitchen ovens only able to reach around 500 degrees Fahrenheit, stainless steel outdoor pizza ovens have been known to reach temperatures of up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes them perfect for baking pizzas at lightning speed with crisp crusts and perfectly melted cheese every time.
Stainless steel pizza ovens are also known to come equipped with plenty of advanced features that make them an even better option. Some models offer integrated thermometers so you can monitor how hot your unit is getting during use while others may come with built-in lighting or fire starters so you don’t have to worry about gathering kindling or dealing with smoke each time you want to cook outdoors.
Refractory Clay
Refractory clay pizza ovens are also a great option for outdoor cooking. They come in various shapes and sizes, and can be used to bake pizzas as well as other types of food.
One advantage of refractory clay pizza ovens is how quickly they heat up. This is due to the fact that these ovens are designed with a thicker material that evenly distributes heat, allowing for faster cooking times compared to thinner constructions like stainless steel. Not only do refractory clay ovens cook faster, but their thick walls also help trap the heat inside and help cut down on energy costs.
Another benefit of refractory clay pizza ovens is how easy they are to maintain. Thanks to their durability, you don’t have to worry about rust or corrosion when using this type of pizza oven, making it ideal for those who plan on doing lots of outdoor cooking over time.
Many homeowners prefer the look of a refractory clay model over its stainless steel counterpart due to its traditional brick design, adding an extra touch of charm whenever guests come over for dinner. You can even find varieties with attractive styling touches such as decorative mosaics built into the walls or intricate designs etched onto the exterior.
Brick
Brick pizza ovens are a timeless classic for outdoor cooking. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but their thick walls and unique shape can provide hours of intense heat for baking pizzas to perfection.
One advantage of brick pizza ovens is how quickly they can reach high temperatures. Thanks to their thick walls, these ovens are able to retain heat much more efficiently than thinner models, allowing them to cook pizza in a fraction of the time it would take in a conventional kitchen oven.
Brick pizza ovens are also incredibly energy efficient as well. Since they require less electricity to keep them running, you can expect your brick model to save you money over time compared to more modern alternatives.
Not only do brick ovens provide excellent performance for cooking pizzas – they’re also easier to maintain too. Thanks to their durable construction, you don’t have to worry about rust or corrosion as they tend to stay looking new for many years.
Many homeowners prefer the look of a brick model over its stainless steel counterpart due to its traditional design, adding an unmatched aesthetically pleasing piece to your outdoor space. You can even find varieties with attractive styling touches such as decorative tiles built into the walls or intricate floral designs etched onto the exterior.
Fuel Type
Electric
Electric pizza ovens are the perfect choice for anyone who prefers convenience and ease-of-use when it comes to outdoor cooking. Unlike traditional brick or refractory clay ovens, electric models require no effort when it comes to their setup or operation.
Electric pizza ovens are also incredibly energy efficient compared to other types of outdoor pizza ovens. Since they rely on electricity instead of gas or wood, they can be used in areas where there isn’t easy access to these fuel sources, saving both time and money throughout the life of the oven.
Electric pizza ovens offer much faster heating times than their counterparts. With some models featuring adjustable temperature settings and timers, you have complete control over how your pizzas turn out – giving you the freedom to experiment with different recipes without having to worry about burning or undercooking them.
Electric pizza ovens tend to be more affordable than other types too, making them accessible for almost any budget. With prices ranging from mid-range all the way up to high end luxury models, there’s something for everyone when it comes to outdoor cooking with an electric version of a pizza oven.
Natural Gas
Natural gas pizza ovens are a great choice for anyone who wants to enjoy the convenience of gas-powered cooking with all the delicious flavors of traditional brick oven baking. Unlike electric models, natural gas ovens don’t need a power source and can be used in areas where electricity is not easily accessible. Plus, they offer great flexibility when it comes to how you cook your pizzas, offering both high heat and low, slow cooking depending on how you want your pies to turn out.
Natural gas pizza ovens are also incredibly energy efficient compared to other types of outdoor pizza ovens. Since they rely on natural gas instead of electricity, they can save you money throughout the life of the oven which makes this type of pizza oven an excellent investment for those who pan on using their appliance often.
Wood
Wood pizza ovens are a great choice for anyone looking to enjoy the complex flavors of traditional brick oven cooking with all the convenience and ease of use that modern appliances offer. Wood-fired ovens rely on burning logs of hardwood to generate heat – giving pizzas a smoky flavor and enhancing the texture of their crust in a way that electricity or gas simply can’t.
Thanks to their efficient design and materials used for insulation, wood pizza ovens can reach temperatures over 500°F in 15 minutes or less, requiring just a few logs of hardwood to get up to temperature. As the fire burns, it heats up the walls and floor of the chamber and creates an environment similar to that of a traditional brick oven. Most models on the market have adjustable fire grates that allow you to control how much oxygen is allowed into the chamber to create different types of fires with varying levels of intensity.
With prices ranging from mid-range all the way up to high end luxury models, there’s something for everyone when it comes to outdoor cooking with a wood pizza oven.
Pizza Oven Cost
Pizza oven cost can vary greatly depending on the type, size, and features you’re looking for so ultimately how much you pay for your pizza oven will depend on how often you plan on using it as well as how much you’re willing to invest upfront in order to get something that lasts.
Pizza Oven Maintenance
No matter which kind of outdoor pizza oven you decide to purchase, it is understood that all of them will require some kind of upkeep or maintenance in order to keep working effectively. Some types may require regular cleaning and scrubbing in order to prevent grease buildup or rusting; others may need their fuel sources replenished once in a while; and still other types might need occasional repairs due to normal wear and tear over time. Be sure to factor in any potential maintenance costs when deciding how much money you’re willing to spend on your new appliance.
Pizza oven maintenance is essential in order to keep your appliance running at its best and ensuring the quality and flavor of your cooked meals. When it comes to wood-fired models, regular cleaning and scrubbing will be required to prevent grease buildup or rusting and fuel sources will need replenishing over time. For electric pizza ovens, you should regularly check all wiring connections and cords as well as making sure no parts have become damaged due to normal wear and tear. Gas models require regular cleaning of the burners, thermostat, and pilot light while also checking for any leaks or damaged components.
In addition to routine cleaning, some types of pizza ovens may require occasional repairs or adjustments depending on how often they’re used. Wood-fired units may need to have their chimney cleaned out in order to ensure proper ventilation; gas models may need their burner valves adjusted; and electric ovens might need a new heating element in order for them to work efficiently. Taking care of these jobs can help ensure that your appliance is functioning properly for years to come.
It’s also a good idea to regularly inspect your pizza oven for any signs of damage or wear that could affect how it cooks food. This includes checking for cracks or chips in the baking stone, checking the heat reflective material inside the oven (if applicable), inspecting the gasket seal on the door and testing the temperature gauge accuracy. All of these small details can help make sure you get optimal results each time you use your pizza oven.
