10 Best Wood Fired Pizza Ovens for 2023 Reviewed

By Robert Parsons January 3, 2023

It’s true – there’s nothing quite like enjoying a freshly-baked pizza in the comfort of your own home. However, perhaps you’re tired of the rubbery, inconsistently-tasting pizzas from your local fast-food pizza place. Or maybe you swoon for the delicious, authentic slices you get from the joint down the road, but your wallet is overwhelmed by your constant ordering. Whatever the case may be, there’s a solution that’ll save you from overspending and tired tastes. You guessed it – wood-fired pizza ovens! 

In the world of pizza baking, there are lots of different types of pizza ovens. While they all produce amazing pizzas like your regular kitchen oven never could, they differ in many ways and uniquely serve some needs and wants better than others.

From the smokey flavors it can add to your pizzas to its excellently quick cooking times, a wood fired oven offers much to admire and enjoy. So, if you’re looking for a pizza oven that’ll deliver delectable pizzas with powerful flavors in record time, an outdoor wood fired pizza oven is definitely the way to go!

The Best Wood Fired Pizza Ovens

In this Buyer’s Guide, we’ve covered all the things you need to know before deciding on a wood-fired pizza oven for your outdoor space. After reading through this information, you will be better equipped to make an informed decision on the wood pizza oven that will suit your needs best. So, lean back, relax, and let’s go through it together!

Product Review Rating Price
Alfa One Wood Fired Oven Read Review 4.8 Check Prices
DeliVita Pizza Oven Read Review 5.0 Check Prices
Alfa Ciao Pizza Oven Read Review 4.9 Check Prices
CBO-750 Countertop Pizza Oven Read Review 4.8 Check Prices
Maximus Arena Outdoor Wood-Fired Oven Read Review 4.8 Check Prices
CBO-500 Countertop Pizza Oven Read Review 4.8 Check Prices
Alfa One Wood Fired Oven Read Review 4.8 Check Prices
Ooni Karu 12/16 Read Review 4.8 Check Prices
Lisboa Brick Pizza Oven Read Review 4.6 Check Prices
Ooni Pro Read Review 4.6 Check Prices
Alfa ONE Wood Fired Pizza Oven
Our Favourite

1. Alfa One Wood Fired Oven

4.8/5.0
Looks / Appearance 5.0 / 5.0
Ease of use 5.0 / 5.0
Functionality 4.8 / 5.0

Pros

  • – Made from reinforced stainless steel
  • – Reaches temperatures up to 1000℉
  • – Amazing heat retention capabilities
  • – Peephole for food monitoring

Cons

  • – Heavy

The Alfa One arrived at our doorstep quickly, and upon unboxing it, it only took our team about 5 minutes to assemble. In a matter of 20 minutes, we had this pizza appliance fired up and ready to cook delicious Neapolitan pies.

2. DeliVita Pizza Oven

5.0/5.0
Looks / Appearance 5.0 / 5.0
Ease of use 5.0 / 5.0
Functionality 5.0 / 5.0

Pros

  • – Lightweight and portable 
  • – Bakes in 90 seconds 
  • – Beginner-friendly 
  • – Restaurant-quality pizza 
  • – Perfect for meat, veggies, and other foods too

Cons

  • – Price 
  • – Wood-fired ovens require regular cleaning 
  • – Lighting the fire may be difficult for beginners

We are honestly blown away with the DeliVita Pizza Oven. It’s unlike anything we’ve ever tried and are really impressed that it’s made with all skill levels in mind.

3. Alfa Ciao Pizza Oven

4.9/5.0
Looks / Appearance 5.0 / 5.0
Ease of use 5.0 / 5.0
Functionality 4.9 / 5.0

Pros

  • – Beautiful design 
  • – Two color choices 
  • – Cooks 6 pies every 15 minutes
  • – Great for large gatherings

Cons

  • – Rolling base sold separately

There’s no debating whether the Alfa Ciao Wood Fired Pizza Oven is worth the buy. If you’re someone who likes to host gatherings often or who has a pizza-loving family, this is the oven for you.

4. CBO-750 Countertop Pizza Oven

4.8/5.0
Looks / Appearance 5.0 / 5.0
Ease of use 4.8 / 5.0
Functionality 4.9 / 5.0

Pros

  • – Pre-assembled 
  • – American-made 
  • – Nice aesthetic 
  • – 3-year limited warranty

Cons

  • – Limited availability

Unlike other CBO ovens like the CBO-1000, this isn’t a DIY kit. This oven arrives ready to use right out of the box. Simply place it on the counter you plan to cook on and fire it up!

5. Maximus Arena Outdoor Wood-Fired Oven

4.8/5.0
Looks / Appearance 5.0 / 5.0
Ease of use 4.8 / 5.0
Functionality 5.0 / 5.0

Pros

  • – Sleek design 
  • – Portable (130 lbs)
  • – Amazing insulation 
  • – Large cooking surface

Cons

  • – Stand sold separately

If you’re someone that enjoys outdoor gatherings filled with great food, the Maximus Arena is for you. Are you an avid camper or tailgater? You can bet this appliance will take your outings to the next level.

6. CBO-500 Countertop Pizza Oven

4.8/5.0
Looks / Appearance 5.0 / 5.0
Ease of use 4.8 / 5.0
Functionality 4.9 / 5.0

Pros

  • – Available in 3 colors 
  • – 3” insulation thickness
  • – Indoor and outdoor use

Cons

  • – Not portable

We found the CBO-500 easy to use, making it suitable for beginners and expert chefs alike. It’s a beautiful appliance that cooks just as well as it looks.

7. Alfa One Wood Fired Oven

4.8/5.0
Looks / Appearance 5.0 / 5.0
Ease of use 5.0 / 5.0
Functionality 4.8 / 5.0

Pros

  • – Made from reinforced stainless steel
  • – Reaches temperatures up to 1000℉
  • – Amazing heat retention capabilities
  • – Peephole for food monitoring

Cons

  • – Heavy

The Alfa One arrived at our doorstep quickly, and upon unboxing it, it only took our team about 5 minutes to assemble. In a matter of 20 minutes, we had this pizza appliance fired up and ready to cook delicious Neapolitan pies.

8. Ooni Karu 12/16

4.8/5.0
Looks / Appearance 5.0 / 5.0
Ease of use 4.5 / 5.0
Functionality 5.0 / 5.0

Pros

  • – Folding legs for easy transport
  • – Multiple fuel options
  • – Fast heating & cooking time

Cons

  • – High contender among pizza oven buyers – limited availability.

While most people were worried about the world ending back in 2021, a Scandinavian pizza oven manufacturer was working on a product that would revolutionize pizza-baking as we knew it. Their name, formerly Uuni, is now Ooni.

9. Lisboa Brick Pizza Oven

4.6/5.0
Looks / Appearance 4.0 / 5.0
Ease of use 4.0 / 5.0
Functionality 5.0 / 5.0

Pros

  • – Made from lasting hardware
  • – Fast cooking times 
  • – Crack-resistant 
  • – Traditional appearance

Cons

  • – Very heavy
  • – Not portable

The Lisboa Brick Pizza Oven is as traditional as it gets. Made from refractory bricks and a concrete base, users will enjoy durability and simplicity all in one.

10. Ooni Pro

4.6/5.0
Looks / Appearance 4.0 / 5.0
Ease of use 5.0 / 5.0
Functionality 5.0 / 5.0

Pros

  • – Portable
  • – Comes with heat-resistant gloves and stone baking boards
  • – Reaches up to 932ºF
  • – Can accommodate multiple dishes at once

Cons

  • – Slightly heavier than other Ooni models

For nearly a decade, Scandinavian pizza oven manufacturer Ooni – formerly Uuni, has consistently reinvigorated the cooking world with industry-leading, advanced pizza ovens. Since they released the world’s first portable pellet pizza oven, their innovation has only continued to reach new heights. 

This much is clear when you take a look at the Uuni Pro pizza oven. Durable, powerful, sleek, and portable – Uuni pro is absolutely next-level.

What is a Wood Fired Pizza Oven?

There are numerous pizza ovens out in the market. Wood-fired pizza ovens are unique in their own right and loved by pizza bakers around the world.

A wood-fired pizza oven is exactly as its name implies. Unlike other types of pizza ovens that generate heat using gas or electricity, wood-fired ovens use wood as their fuel source for cooking, which means you can save money on electricity and gas tanks and simply purchase some low-cost wood or even forage for some instead if you’d like!

Why Choose an Outdoor Wood Fired Pizza Oven?

The reasons to love a wood fired pizza oven are numerous. Below, we’ve listed just a few for you to think about!

Quick Cooking Times

Wood-fired pizza ovens equip pizza bakers with a fantastic cooking environment. These spectacular ovens draw heat from real burning fire located safely in the rear end of the oven, which supports pizzas in going from raw to ready in a fraction of the time a traditional kitchen oven would take to cook the same thing. In other words, a wood-fired oven can assist you in keeping the food coming!

Smokey Flavor

Many people who have attended barbecues or have hosted a few themselves, are familiar with the classic smokey flavors that accompany grill-cooked foods. Similarly, a wood pizza oven accomplishes the same appealing smokiness, easily transforming flavorless dough into a base packed with bold taste and real character. It’s the type of mouthwatering flavor that’ll have everyone asking for thirds!

Appealing Aesthetic

As if speedy cooking and wonderfully smokey flavors weren’t enough, wood-fired pizza ovens also make fantastic visual additions to your patio or garden. Among the many wood-fired ovens available, designs range from traditionally rustic to modern and minimalistic. So, whatever your style, you’re sure to find one that suits yours perfectly, while simultaneously serving as an authentic and artistic outdoor piece for guests and loved ones to admire and gather around.

Things to Consider When Buying a Wood Fired Pizza Oven?

While you’re navigating the magical world that is wood-fired pizza, there are a few things you’d do well to keep in mind. Below, we’ve provided some criteria to consider as you figure out which wood pizza oven works best for your unique needs:

Heating Time

Wood-fired ovens offer lovely flame-cooked foods with delicious, smokey flair – this much is clear. Of course, however, when you’re looking to invest in a wood-burning oven, it’s important to consider various factors that can affect the heat-up time.

Your success in lighting the wood within the oven will depend on the quality of the wood you’re using as well as its dryness. For pizza ovens that use wood for fuel, it’s encouraged to use kiln-dried or seasoned wood. Another factor to think about when it comes to lighting your fire is the internal and external temperature of the oven. For instance, if you’re aiming to use your wood pizza oven in outdoor temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the time it takes to heat the oven to proper cooking temperatures will be greater.

Output and Capacity

When you’re planning to use a pizza oven to cater to your unique outdoor cooking needs, it’s typically essential to think about how many people you’re planning to cook for – big gatherings or few people, for example. With wood-fired ovens, however, this aspect is not so critical. Thanks to the remarkably high temperatures this type of pizza oven can reach, pizzas can cook within a quick 60 to 90-second time frame. So, if you’ve prepared all the pizzas you’re going to cook in advance, it’ll be incredibly easy to serve all of your guests around the same time.

Heat Preservation

In your wood-fired pizza oven search, be sure to take note of the heat retention properties of each. An oven that is well-insulated will support efficient and effective cooking, as the temperature inside will remain consistent throughout the cooking period.

How to Use a Wood-Fired Pizza Oven?

As you’re learning more about wood-fired pizza ovens, you may have questions like “how does a wood-fired pizza oven work?” or “how do you use one?” We’ve provided some useful information below.

As your wood pizza oven is heating up, the oven door remains open and so does the chimney (if it has one). When the fire has died out, you may either push aside the embers or sweep them out, just be sure that the chimney and oven doors are closed.

Once you’ve brushed or swept the embers, leave the oven to rest for a period of several minutes. This allows the heat to evenly disperse across the oven and the temperature of the fire to drop.

The ideal temperature will be around 752°F – great for making fast and crispy pizzas with wonderfully thin crusts. If, however, you’re in the mood for an evenly-cooked, deeper pizza, it’s best to wait until the temperature reaches around 572°F. For cooking meats or larger meals, an optimal temperature would be around 392°F.

Conclusion

Whatever you cook, one thing’s for sure – you’ll enjoy consistent deliciousness every time using your wood-fired pizza oven!