
There is one thing I have learned after years of outdoor cooking experience: nothing transforms a pizza like a proper wood-fired pizza oven. And choosing the right one can make a huge difference.
Over the past few months, I have tried testing several wood-fired pizza ovens in real time. Some are like the small portable outdoor pizza ovens you can take out for camping, while the big and heavy ones are great for family gatherings that stay hot all day in the backyard.
Each of them is designed to work differently. Some of them heat up super fast for a quick Neapolitan style pizza, and the others are great for larger New York-style pies.
But it depends on what type of pizza you are planning to make. If you are aiming to make a Neapolitan pizza, then you will need a wood-fired pizza oven that can reach temperatures of around 900°F very quickly. In this way, you can bake a soft and airy crust with charred spots pizza in just 90 seconds.
Now, if you are planning to make a New York-style pizza, you will need an oven that can maintain a steady heat and can take around 6 to 12 minutes. New York-style pizzas are usually baked at lower temperatures than Neapolitan, typically between 500°F and 700°F.
In this guide, I will walk you through the best wood fired pizza ovens I have tested and enjoyed the most in recent years. My goal is to help you find one that suits your space, budget, and cooking style so that you can enjoy that amazing wood-fired flavor at home.
What is the best wood-fired pizza oven?
The best wood-fired pizza ovens should be the ones that suit your cooking style, are easy to use, and give you that delicious smoky flavor every time you cook.
Now I have tested over 21 different models, from budget-friendly portable units to premium, high-quality pizza ovens.
Each of them is different from each other, like some of them heat up really fast while some are meant to keep the heat for hours. A few of these are also portable so that you can take them out for camping or a weekend trip.
If you are planning to buy one of the best wood-fired pizza ovens, then you must know which one of these performs well in real cooking conditions. I have shared my test results of each pizza oven, including which oven is best, who it is best suited for, and a quick comparison with the pros and cons of each product.
Here a Quick Comparison Guide to the best wood fired pizza ovens.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Ooni Karu 2 Pro
- Best High End: Gozney Dome
- Best for Backyard & Live Fire Cooking: Breeo Live Fire
- Best Professional Brick Oven: Fontana Forni Margherita
- Best Budget-Friendly Option: Ooni Karu 12
- Best Premium Traditional Italian Oven: Pinnacolo premio
- Best Heavy-Duty Commercial Oven: Fontana Forni Mangiafuoco
- Best Portable Traditional Oven: Maximus Prime
- Best Large-Capacity Wood-Fired Oven: Lisboa Stone Finish Premium
Ooni Karu 2 Pro

Best Overall
Key Specifications
|
Material & Build 1667_6fa617-f6> |
Powder-coated carbon steel, stainless steel, glass door 1667_7a77f5-1a> |
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Fuel Type 1667_921d4f-74> |
Wood, charcoal, gas 1667_8b8544-28> |
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Cooking Surface Size 1667_d1cd67-66> |
17 inches (fits 16” pizzas) 1667_3b131c-d4> |
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Max Temperature 1667_84146e-9b> |
950°F (500°C) 1667_c041e3-06> |
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Weight 1667_045c0d-e9> |
62.6 lbs (28.4 kg) 1667_638672-e4> |
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Heating Speed 1667_549b0c-59> |
15 minutes 1667_e89ed8-ee> |
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Portability 1667_389542-27> |
Compact but heavy (62 lbs) 1667_a972e1-8d> |
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Insulation 1667_f5ffea-1e> |
Densely layered for heat retention 1667_4b1fd2-15> |
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Cooking Capacity 1667_b8a086-cf> |
Fits pizzas up to 16” (one at a time) 1667_98dce3-c5> |
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Pros
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Cons
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| 1667_09dd25-32> | 1667_caf62a-52> |
| 1667_271804-ef> | 1667_985c81-50> |
| 1667_067bb8-2f> | 1667_2a3fae-d3> |
| 1667_aede85-e8> | 1667_2c29ae-90> |
| 1667_9a3f06-9e> | 1667_f98be8-ea> |
The Ooni Karu 2 Pro is one of the best pizza oven you can set up easily in your backyard to make an authentic wood-fired pizza at home. It gives you that smoky flavor, which is usually what you get from a traditional brick oven. Apart from wood, you can cook with charcoal or even add a gas burner for a quicker meal.
The Ooni Karu 2 Pro heats up quickly and hits around 850°F (450°C) within just 15 minutes, which is perfect for a Neapolitan-style pizza.
On a personal note, I like to start with both wood and charcoal to keep the heat stable and then add some wood on top of it to get that wood smoke flavor like a rustic pizzeria in Italy. You can also use a gas burner if you prefer a faster and cleaner setup.
This pizza oven is made with strong stainless steel and ceramic fiber insulation, which helps to retain heat very well. The cooking stone is 16.7 inches (42cm) wide, which means you can cook a really great pizza easily.
There is a built-in digital thermometer so that you can check the oven’s temperature. Though I still like using the small handheld thermometer to check the stone’s temperature so that my pizza crust gets that perfectly crispy base.
The Ooni Karu 2 Pro can be cooked with firewood, which gives your pizzas a smoky taste and a crispy crust with little charred spots, just like a traditional wood-fired oven.
Moreover, I have also used it to roast vegetables, bake flatbreads, and cook salmon. Trust me. The tasty wood-fired flavor makes the food extra special.
Read Our Full Ooni Karu 2 Pro Review
Gozney Dome

Best High End
Key Specifications
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Material & Build 1667_0f0883-db> |
GozneyShield coating, stainless steel interior 1667_00f4e2-45> |
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Fuel Type 1667_e2c201-91> |
Wood + Gas (dual-fuel, built-in gas burner with regulator) 1667_97553b-94> |
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Cooking Surface Size 1667_ceba0d-9d> |
30mm double-layer stone floor (high heat retention) 1667_c1049f-37> |
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Max Temperature 1667_74a38a-75> |
950°F (510°C) 1667_b1ff06-68> |
|
Weight 1667_2e416a-b0> |
128 lbs (150 lbs packaged) 1667_d1a79a-2e> |
|
Heating Speed 1667_b728eb-2c> |
20-30 mins to peak temp 1667_236d90-c2> |
|
Portability 1667_41c153-86> |
Heavy and best for backyard use 1667_4f9714-85> |
|
Insulation 1667_b93024-91> |
Heavy-duty, restaurant-grade heat retention 1667_eeaa74-27> |
|
Cooking Capacity 1667_e3e556-22> |
16” pizzas, plus roasting, smoking, steaming, baking 1667_69a389-66> |
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Pros
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Cons
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|---|---|
| 1667_1eb34d-44> | 1667_594633-69> |
| 1667_ad40ac-e0> | 1667_d5f50f-78> |
| 1667_7342b8-8f> | 1667_5ec310-fd> |
| 1667_181012-15> | 1667_b0b5a1-06> |
| 1667_78f9fc-83> | 1667_e542c9-61> |
Gozney Dome is one of the best outdoor wood-fired pizza ovens you can have in your backyard. It is designed in a simple way that anyone can use it and will still get that tasty result.
One of the best things about this pizza oven is its high temperature.
This oven can reach over 950 degrees Celsius, which is very hot.
Now this high heat temperature can easily cook a pizza within just 60 seconds, just like in an authentic pizzeria, so that you can get that crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese in no time.
Apart from wood, you can even use it with propane gas as fuel. If you want a classic smoky flavor, then using wood will be a perfect choice, but if you want to cook quickly, then using gas is a better option.
The good thing is that you can switch between these two anytime you want, so you can pick what is best for you.
If you are using wood to cook, the oven usually takes around 40 to 60 minutes to heat up thoroughly. So it is best to start with bigger logs to warm the oven slowly and then add the smaller ones to increase the temperature.
But if you are planning to use propane gas for a quick cook, then you can expect somewhere between 20 and 30 minutes.
The Gozney Dome is made with strong metal and stone materials that retain heat exceptionally well. It stays hot for a long time once it is hot, and you can bake a lot of pizzas without worrying about re-heating it. It comes in real handy when you are cooking for a large group.
The Gozney Dome weighs around 128lbs, which is too heavy to be portable. But there is a way. The most efficient way to make the Gozney Dome portable is to put it on a sturdy wheeled stand or cart.
One important thing to note is to clean up the ash before cooking, especially if you haven’t used the oven for a while. Warm it up slowly with bigger logs and get the temperature right.
Besides baking pizzas, you can also roast, smoke meats, or bake other foods. If you want to cook a restaurant-style pizza fast and easily at home, then the Gozney Dome is a reliable outdoor pizza oven in the market today.
Read Our Full Gozney Dome Review
Breeo Live-Fire

Best for Backyard & Live Fire Cooking
Key Specifications
|
Material & Build 1667_77bb44-89> |
Stainless steel or Corten steel, 1″ thick pizza stone 1667_cf1d80-81> |
|
Fuel Type 1667_973d5f-36> |
Wood (compatible with Breeo fire pits X24, X30, Luxeve) 1667_2ceb29-94> |
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Cooking Surface Size 1667_966a7d-07> |
Fits pizzas up to ~12–13 inches 1667_6f94cf-45> |
|
Max Temperature 1667_9222a5-f7> |
Up to 1,000°F 1667_368e4b-58> |
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Weight 1667_207d1d-fd> |
76 lbs (oven) + 62 lbs (fire pit) 1667_efd5df-87> |
|
Heating Speed 1667_3d0c7b-f2> |
400°F in 2 minutes 1667_a8e30a-23> |
|
Portability 1667_c0f256-5f> |
Liftable via side handles; sits on fire pit 1667_02b927-82> |
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Insulation 1667_00719f-e0> |
Thick stone retains heat; dome circulates heat evenly 1667_f6d4c6-a3> |
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Cooking Capacity 1667_34a39c-c1> |
1 pizza at a time 1667_71e5b3-32> |
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Pros
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Cons
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|---|---|
| 1667_7dd3d5-c1> | 1667_b10182-ed> |
| 1667_b06138-57> | 1667_1dd387-c2> |
| 1667_23e48a-76> | 1667_316d7a-c9> |
| 1667_4bdaf4-19> | 1667_9be544-9a> |
| 1667_4748ec-2c> | 1667_ab9108-33> |
The Breeo Live-Fire Pizza Oven is a wood-fired oven built for making delicious pizzas with crisp crusts, bubbling cheese, and rich flavor.
This outdoor pizza oven works great for making wood-fired pizzas like the soft and chewy Neapolitan style, which gives a smoky taste from real wood. To make this style of pizza, you will need the oven to get very hot, like around 800 to 900°F. At this temperature, a Neapolitan pizza will cook in less than 1 minute.
But if you are planning to bake a New York-style pizza with a thicker and chewier crust, heat the oven to around 600 to 700°F. At this temperature, the crust cooks without burning, and the cheese melts nicely. These pizzas usually take about 4 to 6 minutes to bake.
This oven is built with stainless steel and Corten steel and is also capable of handling very high heat and maintaining stable cooking temperatures. The cooking surface is about 14 inches in diameter, so you can easily bake one large pizza or even two smaller pizzas at a time.
One thing I have noticed is that the Breeo Live Fire Pizza Oven heats up quite fast compared to many heavy brick-style backyard ovens. If the fire is strong enough, you can expect a Neapolitan-style pizza within just 30 minutes.
Besides pizzas, this wood-fired pizza oven is also capable of baking fresh bread, roasting vegetables, or cooking steaks over an open fire.
The Breeo Live-Fire Pizza Oven is perfect for cooking outside, such as for family gatherings and parties. It is very easy to use once you know how to control the fire, and the smoky taste makes the pizzas extra special.
Read Our Full Breeo Live Fire Review
Fontana Forni Margherita

Best High End
Key Specifications
|
Material & Build 1667_56e03c-ae> |
Welded steel with insulated dome, powder-coated exterior, Saputo stone surface 1667_18e921-16> |
|
Fuel Type 1667_daa417-b1> |
Wood 1667_7f1a99-cd> |
|
Cooking Surface Size 1667_ae9254-62> |
24″ D × 16″ W × 14″ H; fits two 10″ pizzas or one 12″ pizza 1667_586179-58> |
|
Max Temperature 1667_5dee98-79> |
900°F (reaches 750°F in ~30 mins) 1667_0dc64a-e4> |
|
Weight 1667_ed2065-8d> |
242 lbs (with cart), 187 lbs (countertop) 1667_1c4586-c9> |
|
Heating Speed 1667_c93045-ba> |
750°F in 30 minutes 1667_6dbff1-81> |
|
Portability 1667_7a6df8-3e> |
Optional portable cart add-on 1667_654539-77> |
|
Insulation 1667_177c41-20> |
Rock wool fully insulated for heat retention 1667_e761c8-2a> |
|
Cooking Capacity 1667_2b3ce4-a4> |
1–2 pizzas at a time 1667_048d14-dc> |
|
Pros
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Cons
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|---|---|
| 1667_5a1c80-68> | 1667_0b4c7c-a9> |
| 1667_17bc2a-df> | 1667_737933-b7> |
| 1667_94d11e-10> | 1667_a380d7-6b> |
| 1667_a7cede-fd> | 1667_ff6909-c5> |
| 1667_db7319-47> | 1667_782c7d-ff> |
The Fontana Forni Margherita is a premium, high-quality wood-fired pizza oven that cooks a great pizza quickly with a smoky, wood-fired taste you can’t get with regular ovens.
This oven is very easy to use. You need to start the fire with small sticks and fire starters, and then add bigger pieces of wood to keep it burning.
The oven’s maximum heat is 900°F. But the fantastic part is that it is capable of reaching 750 degrees in less than 30 minutes, and it is hot enough to cook pizzas in a couple of minutes.
Once it reaches that high temperature, the Margherita gives you restaurant-quality style pizzas with perfectly crisp crusts and bubbling cheese within just 90 seconds.
You will notice that when you cook a pizza, the stone cools down a bit in some ovens. But the Margherita heats it back up fast, like bringing it to the right temperature, so you can bake pizzas one after another without waiting.
It is essential, especially when you are baking a Neapolitan pizza, where the stone needs to stay very hot, around 800°F / 430°C.
The Fontana Forni Margherita is made from robust stainless steel, 2 mm thick, and won’t bend easily. All the pieces are joined together with no gaps, and the edges are smooth, so you don’t have to worry about getting scratched.
On the inside, you can take out some parts for easy cleaning. Even though this oven is very heavy, it has big, strong wheels so you can roll it around, which is suitable for portability.
Overall, the Fontana Forni Margherita is a good choice if you are looking for a high-quality wood-fired pizza oven.
Read Our Full Fontana Forni Margherita Review
Ooni Karu 12

Best Budget-Friendly Option
Key Specifications
|
Material & Build 1667_6071a4-ba> |
Stainless steel body, aluminum nose, borosilicate glass visor, cordierite stone cooking surface 1667_3e6389-f3> |
|
Fuel Type 1667_8ed504-da> |
Multi-fuel – wood, charcoal, gas (burner sold separately) 1667_2a28d0-ad> |
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Cooking Surface Size 1667_d01b3b-29> |
12–inch pizzas, 0.6″ thick stone 1667_e2f405-fc> |
|
Max Temperature 1667_62e397-03> |
950°F (500°C) 1667_46ceb4-77> |
|
Weight 1667_cf2597-82> |
26.5 lbs 1667_bb3c16-fc> |
|
Heating Speed 1667_ae0426-a7> |
Ready to cook in 15 min 1667_903be0-06> |
|
Portability 1667_ed73f3-e6> |
Ultra-portable with foldable legs 1667_d1b114-f0> |
|
Insulation 1667_b46bcf-d7> |
Stainless steel shell retains heat efficiently 1667_1eec06-88> |
|
Cooking Capacity 1667_3c72a8-17> |
1 pizza up to 12 inches at a time 1667_2ff1a0-b7> |
|
Pros
1667_8abdd4-bb>
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Cons
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|---|---|
| 1667_ff8f7e-68> | 1667_1c398e-7f> |
| 1667_70d5a9-f4> | 1667_a31b0b-a4> |
| 1667_8ec13a-78> | 1667_82578a-8c> |
| 1667_26517e-2b> | 1667_bc1a1b-f5> |
| 1667_048f17-54> | 1667_0d955f-6f> |
I have been using the Ooni Karu 12 Multi Fuel Pizza Oven for more than a couple of years now, and it still stands as one of the best portable dual fuel pizza ovens you can buy in the market today.
After using the Ooni Karu 12 for years now, the stainless steel body has only gotten a few scratches. But all the doors and the rear hatches work perfectly. Even the 1 cm cordierite pizza stone is still in great shape.
If you take care of it properly, this pizza oven can last a very long time. Now let’s talk about the cooking performance.
The Ooni Karu 12 can reach a maximum temperature of around 950°F (500°C), which is perfect for baking an authentic Neapolitan-style pizza.
It takes around 45 minutes for the stone to reach a temperature of around 400°C. In this way, you will get a crunchy crust and yummy toppings.
And once the oven gets that hot, a pizza can be cooked within just a minute, depending on your dough’s thickness and the amount of toppings.
In this kind of temperature, you can keep on making pizzas back to back without cooling down the stone. It is very efficient when you are having a family gathering or even partying with friends.
The Ooni Karu 12 pizza oven is multi-fuel, so that you can work with wood or charcoal and gas, but you have to buy the gas attachment separately.
Cooking with gas is very much easier and quicker. It heats up quickly and holds the temperature very well.
You will need dense hardwood, lots of fuel, and constant fire management. But you will get the best result when you combine both charcoal and wood. Cooking with wood takes more work, but the outcome is definitely worth it, especially when you get that smoky wood-fired taste.
The Ooni Karu 12 Multi-Fired pizza oven weighs only 26 pounds (around 12 kg). It is light enough so that a single person can carry it without spending too much effort.
Don’t worry, this budget-friendly pizza oven has sturdy handles, which makes it easy to lift and carry around. The Ooni Karu 12 is a portable pizza-making machine you can take almost anywhere you want.
Read our Full Ooni Karu 12 Review
Pinnacolo premio

Best Premium Traditional Italian Oven
Key Specifications
|
Material & Build 1667_dc2643-dc> |
Double-wall steel dome, cordierite surface, steel door & ash drawer 1667_926f3e-fb> |
|
Fuel Type 1667_22853d-38> |
Hardwood (wood-fired) 1667_6f6c68-f1> |
|
Cooking Surface Size 1667_5ddedc-7e> |
29.5″ W × 25.25″ D (~745 sq in) 1667_010975-49> |
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Max Temperature 1667_bac536-3c> |
1000°F (recommended 650–800°F for cooking) 1667_09f7fb-5f> |
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Weight 1667_081433-d6> |
180 lbs 1667_8d23b7-bf> |
|
Portability 1667_8c1b0c-6c> |
Wheeled base with locking casters 1667_f7bb68-4a> |
|
Insulation 1667_8bc592-d8> |
Double-wall stainless steel dome, cordierite surface for heat retention 1667_5b8f32-1f> |
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Cooking Capacity 1667_0adf4a-d9> |
Up to 2 large pizzas or 3 smaller pizzas 1667_3da88a-82> |
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Pros
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Cons
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| 1667_d5c76a-4f> | 1667_4c1479-93> |
| 1667_e68bb0-0b> | 1667_613bbf-23> |
| 1667_13107d-ef> | 1667_494cbd-06> |
| 1667_792780-16> | 1667_e27ef6-6e> |
| 1667_b0cf8b-27> | 1667_baf8a7-c8> |
The Pinnacolo Premio is an authentic wood-fired pizza oven built for delivering exceptional performance when it comes to cooking.
The Premio pizza oven can reach up to 1000°F (538°C), which is much hotter than most kitchen ovens. But I would recommend that you get a range that is around 650–800°F, which is still super hot and is perfect to make any pizza without burning it.
At this kind of temperature, you can cook a Neapolitan-style pizza within just 90 seconds. There are cordierite pizza stones inside it, and they don’t crack when they get hotter.
These cordierite pizza stones are thermal shock resistant, and they retain heat well. This way, it helps you to get that crispy and golden crust every time you bake. And you can bake one pizza after another in a row without waiting for the stone to heat back up.
This wood-fired outdoor oven is made with stainless steel with a strong powder coating. So it can handle any weather conditions, such as sun, rain, and snow. You can put it outside all year without worrying, but a cover will keep it looking nice.
It heats up within an hour. It may sound long, but that is entirely normal for a big wood-fired pizza oven.
The cooking space inside the oven is bigger, so you can make 2 to 3 average-sized pizzas at the same time without waiting.
On the side of the oven, there is a flat shelf which is about 14 inches wide. You can use this space for placing down the bowls of toppings and dough before putting the pizzas in.
Now this is very efficient while cooking. It’s as if you don’t have to keep leaving the oven area to grab things from another table.
The Pinnacolo Premio might seem a little pricey, but it is worth it if you are looking for a high-end wood-fired pizza oven.
Fontana Forni Mangiafuoco

Best Premium Traditional Italian Oven
Key Specifications
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Material & Build 1667_2b7f22-68> |
Solid welded bent-steel dome, powder-coated exterior, rock wool insulation 1667_04aa90-2a> |
|
Fuel Type 1667_fccc99-95> |
Wood 1667_4a6f36-05> |
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Cooking Surface Size 1667_1959c9-46> |
24″ D × 24″ W 1667_d9d26a-6e> |
|
Max Temperature 1667_0aabe9-22> |
900°F (482°C) 1667_431005-a6> |
|
Weight 1667_dab278-46> |
298 lbs (with cart), 246 lbs (countertop) 1667_5af16c-4b> |
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Heating Speed 1667_c6b47e-2f> |
Reaches 750°F in ≤30 mins 1667_3bb276-5b> |
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Portability 1667_76f301-6a> |
Countertop model or optional portable cart add-on 1667_6b5075-7f> |
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Insulation 1667_600a30-44> |
Rock wool, fully insulated dome & chamber 1667_ed6e67-19> |
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Cooking Capacity 1667_624de1-fb> |
3 × 10″ pizzas or 2 × 12″ pizzas 1667_4d8ff3-8e> |
|
Pros
1667_51ec76-0c>
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Cons
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| 1667_82c36e-02> | 1667_1a774b-41> |
| 1667_b23571-b9> | 1667_d0274f-dc> |
| 1667_aab830-b0> | 1667_0b5057-e7> |
| 1667_d97a1b-cb> | 1667_8c14cd-4e> |
| 1667_cd5fe9-4d> | 1667_89f5e1-c5> |
The Fontana Forni Mangiafuoco is a high-end wood-fired pizza oven made for outdoor use. It is built with high-quality materials and is capable of cooking three pizzas at the same time, which is perfect for any pizza oven for your backyard entertaining and family gatherings.
This oven is made in Italy, and Fontana Forni has been making wood-fired ovens since 1978. The top of the dome is made from strong, welded steel that can handle any rough weather conditions.
The outside of the dome is also 304 stainless steel, which is resistant to rust, and the inside of the dome is built with rock spun wool insulation. It keeps the heat inside, and it is safe to touch the outside even when it is hot.
Let’s talk about the performance now. This wood-fired pizza oven can reach up to a maximum temperature of 900°F, but it reaches 750°F within just 30 minutes.
The Fontana Forni Mangiafuoco can hold the heat well once it gets hot, so you can cook several pizzas at the same time without worrying about the drop in temperature.
If you are planning to cook Neapolitan-style pizzas, then you can fit three standard Neapolitan pizzas, which are about 10–12 inches, at one time. You can expect somewhere around 90 seconds to bake.
New York-style pizzas are usually larger, like around 16–18 inches, so the cooking surface of this oven can only fit one at a time comfortably.
But you can cook two smaller New York-style pizzas around 12–14 inches side by side, not two full-size 16-inchers.
The cooking surface of this outdoor wood fired pizza oven is built with refractory ceramic. This way, the heat spreads evenly inside the oven and every part of the pizzas gets well-baked so that you get that smoky flavor and rich taste.
The Fontana Forni Mangiafuoco weighs around 250 lbs, so it is not lightweight and requires lifting to move. It is a countertop pizza oven designed to stay in one place.
But if you want a pizza oven with portability, Fontana has a portable cart with wheels, which is made specially for this pizza oven, but you have to buy this separately.
Overall, the Fontana Forni Mangiafuoco wood pizza oven is an excellent option for making tasty and smoky pizzas at home.
Maximus Prime

Best Portable Traditional Oven
Key specifications
|
Material & Build 1667_9613a4-7b> |
Double-wall stainless steel with high-temperature ceramic blanket 1667_71f63f-9f> |
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Fuel Type 1667_e99e61-d8> |
Wood 1667_1809f4-20> |
|
Cooking Surface Size 1667_a3bab2-7f> |
35.4″ W × 35.4″ D 1667_3c4ed5-93> |
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Max Temperature 1667_7c8896-67> |
Up to 500°C (≈932°F) 1667_bfd4b1-35> |
|
Weight 1667_814f6b-f3> |
300 lbs 1667_8cbdf6-c3> |
|
Heating Speed 1667_dc7e5e-46> |
Heats up in <30 minutes 1667_c8868c-e1> |
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Portability 1667_69adea-c8> |
Portable (can be used on food trucks/trailers with modifications) 1667_457427-18> |
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Insulation 1667_85ebda-ca> |
High-temperature ceramic blanket inside double-wall steel 1667_2b221b-37> |
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Cooking Capacity 1667_0ae16f-2b> |
Up to 150 × 10″ pizzas or 80 × 12″ pizzas per hour 1667_4a07e7-67> |
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Pros
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Cons
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The Maximus Prime Arena Pizza Oven is one of the best and my favorite outdoor pizza oven that is built with a strong aluminum body, double stainless-steel walls, and a heat-holding tile floor.
It is handmade in Portugal, where wood-fired ovens have been crafted for generations. This oven has a smart chimney design at the back.
When you burn the wood, the heat moves from the back of the oven over your food before venting up the chimney. This way, it helps with convection cooking, so that your pizzas cook evenly, and improves heat retention, and also keeps the oven hot for a more extended period.
Compared to the traditional brick ovens, the Maximus Prime Arena heats up quickly. It only takes around 30–45 minutes to reach its cooking temperature. And once the oven gets hot enough, you can cook pizzas in just 2 minutes, allowing you to cook a lot of pizzas very quickly for family gatherings or any pizza party events.
This wood-fired pizza oven has a large cooking area, which has enough space to cook at least 4 to 6 pizzas at the same time. You can even cook other dishes like roasting vegetables, baking bread, roasting chicken, and steaks, and more.
The Maximus Prime Arena pizza oven is also great for commercial use. It can handle up to 150 small 10-inch pizzas per hour or 80 larger 12-inch pizzas per hour, which is perfect for any parties, catering, or food trucks.
What makes this pizza oven stand out from others is its fuel efficiency. It doesn’t use much wood. On average, it uses about 5 to 7 pounds of wood per hour, around six pieces of wood for the entire evening for cooking. Impressive, isn’t it?
There is a built-in thermometer that lets you see how hot it is inside the oven. It also has a door and a chimney valve, which enables you to control the airflow. You can adjust the heat temperature by closing and opening them depending on what you are making.
The Maximus Prime Arena is a big-sized oven and weighs about 400 pounds, but it is designed to move when needed. If you remove the floor tiles, the weight of the oven drops to around 300 pounds, which makes it easier to lift it with the help of a few people.
Moreover, this oven is small enough to fit in the back of most cars, which is excellent if you want to take it out to any pizza party events, or food trucks. It is a lot cheaper and easier to move than a pizza trailer.
The Maximus Prime Arena wood-fired kitchen oven is built with high-quality materials and is designed to last for many years with proper care. And the combination of large cooking capacity and portability is very rare for ovens, especially of this size. So yes, I recommend this pizza oven if you are looking for personal or commercial use.
Lisboa Stone Finish Premium

Best Large-Capacity Wood-Fired Oven
Key Specifications
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Material & Build 1667_4c2f3e-1d> |
Handmade brick oven, triple-insulated slate stone exterior, cast aluminum door & chimney 1667_656fd8-40> |
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Fuel Type 1667_7d82f2-ca> |
Wood 1667_e047b2-2d> |
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Cooking Surface Size 1667_d1427a-9d> |
31″ W × 19″ H × 31″ D 1667_5a29d9-49> |
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Max Temperature 1667_694a8f-69> |
1,000°F 1667_abfec2-d7> |
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Weight 1667_37702d-1b> |
1,600 lbs 1667_11a06c-aa> |
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Heating Speed 1667_55f356-25> |
Triple insulation ensures quick pizza-ready heat 1667_e089ee-5d> |
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Portability 1667_4dc6d6-f2> |
Freestanding; extremely heavy, not portable 1667_bbe1b3-cc> |
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Insulation 1667_5276f5-ff> |
Triple-layer: brick/mortar + refractory cement + Rockwool 1667_eb0fd6-45> |
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Cooking Capacity 1667_8e2911-29> |
Large pizzas, casseroles, roasts, rotisserie 1667_1167bc-0c> |
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Pros
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Cons
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The Lisboa Stone Finish Premium Pizza Oven is a beautiful, handmade wood-fired pizza oven from Portugal. This oven is made with real bricks, not clay.
Bricks are stronger and hold the heat better than clay, which doesn’t last much longer, and if you take care of it well enough, this oven will last for many years.
I am honestly amazed by the design of the Lisboa Stone Finish Premium Pizza Oven. It is built in an innovative way that lets you cook with ease.
This outdoor pizza oven heats up thoroughly in about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Just stack a few small pieces of wood, place some kindling and paper underneath, and light the fire. Remember to let the fire burn slowly and steadily at first so that the heat spreads through the bricks.
Once it gets warm enough, add some bigger logs to build a stronger flame. This oven has thick fire bricks and a triple insulation design, so you don’t have to keep feeding the wood constantly.
Once the oven gets to maximum temperature, like about 500°C (932°F), it stays hot for a long time, so you can cook pizzas in just 90 seconds. Other than pizzas, you can also cook a variety of dishes, such as baking bread and roasting meats for countless hours.
The Rockwool insulation and fire bricks make the heat spread evenly inside the oven, so you don’t have to worry about half-burnt pizzas or any raw spots in your bread. It just cooks perfectly to give you that delicious smoky flavor, a crispy yet chewy crust, and those tasty little charred spots you can’t get in a regular oven.
The Lisboa Stone Finish Premium Pizza Oven weighs around 1600 lbs and has a big cooking space. The opening of this oven is wide enough for you to cook two to three large pizzas at the same time.
Other than this, you can even easily slide large roasting pans, big trays of vegetables, or even a whole chicken on a rotisserie without twisting or squeezing them together.
This outdoor wood-fired pizza oven can be easily taken care of. Not much hassle. Just cover the oven when you are not using it. In this way, it protects from the sun, snow, rain, etc.
You might see small cracks appear in the outer layer of the oven, but it is normal, and you can fix it with the repair kit that comes with the oven.
How to Choose the Right Wood-Fired Pizza Oven?
When you are choosing the right wood-fired pizza oven, consider the following: how you plan to use it, where you want to place it, and what kind of cooking experience you want.
A perfect wood fire pizza oven for a single person might be completely different from someone else’s. Just think about someone like a casual home cook who wants to make pizzas on weekends, a backyard entertainer hosting big family gatherings, a passionate foodie who wants to experiment with artisan breads, or maybe a small business owner looking for a commercial-grade oven for daily usage purposes.
So you can see, each of them will need a different types of pizza ovens to match their needs. To help you make your decision easier, let’s look at the key factors that will help you pick the right oven for your needs.
Which fuel type should you choose?
When you are buying a pizza oven, you might think all models use wood only, but that is not always the case. You see, pure wood-fired ovens give you the most traditional cooking experience, but nowadays most of the high-quality ovens are multi-fuel.
While these multi-fuel ovens still give you the ability to burn real wood to get that authentic smoky flavor, they also give you the options to use gas, charcoal, and pellets if you want to speed up the process.
Once you understand the difference, it will be easier to choose an oven that will fit your cooking style.
Pure wood-fired pizza ovens
These wood-fired pizza ovens burn only wood, so you can control the fire, manage the heat, and cook pizzas the traditional way.
Benefits:
- Gives an authentic smoky flavor you can’t get from other fuels.
- Lets you experience the traditional craft of wood-fired cooking.
- Perfect for Neapolitan-style pizzas that need high and even heat.
Best for:
- People who love the traditional pizza-making process.
- Those who enjoy managing the fire and experimenting with wood types.
- Anyone who prefers flavor over speed or convenience.
Multi-Fuel Pizza Ovens
These multi-fuel pizza ovens are almost similar to wood-fired ovens and can burn wood, but also allow gas, charcoal, and pellets. You can even switch fuels depending on your needs and preferences.
Benefits:
- Still gives wood-fired flavor when using wood.
- Gas or pellets heat the oven faster and make temperature control easier.
- It can be used in any weather.
Best for:
- People who want flexibility between authentic wood flavor and quick, convenient cooking.
- Families or casual cooks who sometimes need quick meals.
- Anyone who wants both traditional and modern cooking options in one oven.
Should you go for a portable or fixed oven?
One of the first things to consider is where and how you are planning to use a wood-fired pizza oven. Usually, pizza ovens generally fall into two categories. They are Fixed or Portable pizza ovens.
Portable Pizza ovens
Portable pizza ovens are smaller and lighter ovens that can be moved easily around your backyard and patio, and can also be taken to any events. They often come with wheels and handles to make them easier to transport.
Benefits:
- Flexible placement; you can move it out of the way when not in use.
- It can be used for parties, catering, or outdoor gatherings.
- Great for people who rent or don’t want a permanent installation.
Best for:
- Casual cooks or hobbyists.
- People who want to cook in different outdoor areas or take the oven to events.
Fixed Pizza Ovens
The fixed ovens are usually permanent and heavy ovens that are built with bricks, stones, or thick stainless steel. These ovens are installed in a specific spot in your backyard or outdoor kitchen.
Benefits:
- Excellent heat retention and stability.
- Larger cooking surfaces for multiple pizzas or bigger meals.
- It is more durable and can handle high volumes of cooking.
Best for:
- Serious pizza enthusiasts or families who cook frequently.
- People who have space for a permanent outdoor kitchen setup.
Cooking Capacity
Another important factor when choosing the best outdoor pizza oven is its cooking capacity. Pizza ovens come in different shapes and sizes, right? It is essential to think about how many pizzas or meals you want to cook at a specific time.
Small to medium ovens
These ovens can cook 1 to 2 pizzas at a time. They are compact, heat up quickly, and are easily manageable.
Benefits:
- It heats up faster and uses fuel more efficiently.
- Perfect for small families or casual cooking.
- Easier to move if the oven is portable.
Best for:
- Individuals or small families.
- People who want to cook occasionally or in limited spaces.
- People who prioritize speed and convenience over cooking large volumes.
Large Ovens
Large ovens usually have a bigger cooking surface compared to small ovens and can cook multiple pizzas, bigger meals like bread, roasts, and steaks, all at the same time.
Benefits:
- Can cook for larger groups or parties.
- Excellent heat retention for consistent results.
- It is more versatile for different types of cooking.
Best for:
- Families or hosts who cook frequently for several people.
- Serious pizza enthusiasts who want to cook multiple pizzas at the same time.
- Anyone planning outdoor gatherings, parties, or small catering events.
How Quickly Can Your Oven Reach High Temperatures for Perfect Pizza?
Before buying a wood-fired pizza oven, it is essential to know how fast it can reach its maximum temperature. Now, these are important factors you must take into consideration because they affect the cooking speed and pizza quality. Nowadays most pizza ovens can reach temperatures between 700°F and 900°F, which is perfect for making any authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas.
Quick Heating Ovens
These kinds of ovens reach high temperatures quickly, usually within 30 to 60 minutes, and can reach around 700–800°F.
Benefits:
- Saves you a lot of time, so you can start cooking early.
- Great for quick meals or casual cooking.
- Uses fuel efficiently since less time is spent heating.
Best for:
- Individuals or families who want fast and convenient cooking.
- Casual cooks who don’t want to wait for a long preheat.
- For people who are cooking smaller meals or single pizzas.
High-Temperature Ovens
These ovens are capable of reaching high temperatures, mostly above 800°F, in around 45 to 60 minutes, which makes them perfect for cooking traditional-style wood-fired pizzas.
Benefits:
- Perfect for cooking Neapolitan-style pizzas that need high heat.
- Cooks food quickly and makes it rich in flavor.
- Can be used for a broader range of dishes beyond pizza
How we tested wood-fired pizza ovens
We have tested over 21 different wood-fired pizza ovens from popular brands to find out how well they perform, how long they last, and how tasty the food comes out. We have cooked everything from the classic Neapolitan pizzas to breads, roasted vegetables, and other dishes. We have tried testing each oven in our backyards, patios, and even in small indoor spaces to see how they perform in real life. Here is exactly what we did
Heating Time and Maximum Heat
We monitored each oven closely to see how long it took to reach its maximum temperature. We used the built-in thermometers as well as infrared temperature guns to get those accurate readings.
We even checked the consistent temperature of the different areas of the cooking surface in the oven, so that we can go through everything and also check whether the uneven heat might cause soggy and burnt spots while cooking the pizza. This step is crucial for making authentic Neapolitan pizzas, which require very high heat, often over 800°F, and must be cooked within just 90 to 120 seconds.
We needed to measure both speed and the maximum heat so that we could see which oven heats up quickly, keeps the temperature steady, and makes that delicious crispy pizza crust.
Cooking performance
Now that the ovens were fully heated, we started testing these wood-fired ovens to see how well they perform. One thing we noticed while cooking pizzas in some ovens is that some ovens cook pizzas ideally within just 90 seconds, while others take around 5 minutes to achieve a similar crust.
Not just the classic Neapolitan pizzas, but we also tested a variety of foods like thicker breads, roasted vegetables, and even small casseroles to see how the heat spreads evenly across the cooking surface.
We monitored the hot and cool spots that could burn the food or might leave the dough undercooked. We also checked the time, like how long it takes to cook, and how consistent the results were when we were cooking multiple times in a row. This process helped us to see which ovens can handle back-to-back cooking without losing their performance.
Finally, we also examined the crust texture, topping doneness, and overall flavor. Because you see, even the high-quality oven is not considered great if it doesn’t cook the food well, right?
Ease of use
Not all wood-fired pizza ovens are equal. Some are easy to use, while some require some practice. For beginners, the most challenging part is learning how to control the fire.
Some ovens make it easier, with a wide door and simple airflow, so there is not much fuss about it. But some need more skill, such as turning pizzas quickly and paying close attention to the heat.
We also checked how practical these ovens are. Smaller ovens are usually light and portable, allowing you to move them around or take them on trips. Bigger ovens are heavy and are meant to stay in one place, like in your backyard. However, they are usually capable of giving consistent results once you know how to use them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Are wood-fired pizza ovens worth it?
Yes, if you love authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas and wood-smoky flavors. These ovens can also cook breads, meats, and vegetables, which makes them versatile outdoor cooking tools. However, they require more practice and fire management compared to gas or electric ovens.
How much does a wood-fired oven cost?
Wood-fired ovens can range from $300 for portable models to $5,000+ for large brick or custom ovens.
How hot does a wood-fired pizza oven get?
Most quality ovens can reach 800–950°F. To make an authentic Neapolitan pizza, you’ll need at least 850°F, which cooks a pizza in just 90 seconds.
How long does it take to heat a wood-fired pizza oven?
On average, wood-fired ovens takes around 30 to 60 minutes to reach full cooking temperature, but it also depends on the oven size, insulation, and the type of wood you are using. Smaller portable ovens may heat up faster, in as little as 15–20 minutes.
What kind of wood is best for a pizza oven?
Hardwoods like oak, ash, maple, and beech are best because they burn hotter and longer. Avoid softwoods like pine, which burn quickly and can leave resin or soot that affects flavor.
Can I use a wood-fired pizza oven indoors?
Most wood-fired pizza ovens are designed for outdoor space use only because of the smoke and ventilation requirements. If you want an indoor pizza oven setup, you’ll need a certified oven installed with a proper chimney system, usually by a professional.
What else can I cook in a wood-fired pizza oven besides pizza?
Other than cooking pizzas with the wood-fired pizza ovens, you can cook breads, focaccia, roasted meats, seafood, casseroles, vegetables, and even desserts like fruit crumbles or cobblers. The high heat and wood smoke give everything a unique flavor.
Are wood-fired pizza ovens hard to clean and maintain?
Not really. You need to remove ashes after every use, occasionally clean the cooking surface, and protect the oven from rain and moisture with a cover. Brick ovens may need occasional patching with refractory cement.
Which is better – wood-fired or gas pizza oven?
Wood-fired ovens give you that authentic smoky flavor with maximum heat, but they require more skill and time. Gas ovens are easier to control and heat up faster, but they lack that distinct wood-fired taste. Many premium ovens now offer dual-fuel options.
How long do wood-fired pizza ovens last?
A well-made, high-quality wood-fired pizza oven can last 10 to 20 years or more with proper care. Brick ovens are highly durable, while stainless steel portable ovens may last slightly less, depending on exposure and maintenance.




