The Best Pizza Ovens 2024
Outdoor cooking has become part of most peoples’ lives becoming very popular in recent years. As part of this boom pizza ovens have become an essential appliance for food enthusiasts. Barbeques have been a staple of British gardens for a long time but now pizza ovens can offer additional benefits with a combination of great flavours, versatility, and speed. In 2024, the pizza oven market is filled with fantastic options that cater to your needs and budgets. This guide will help you discover why pizza ovens are so popular, the advantages they offer, and which ovens are available in different price brackets. We will also point out some of our best sellers which we have in stock on our website.
So Why Are Pizza Ovens So Popular Nowadays?
- Genuine, authentic flavour: As pizza ovens can reach temperatures of up to 900°F (480°C) they allow your pizzas to cook in as little as 90 seconds. Traditional ovens struggle to get up to those kind of temperatures which can make it difficult to achieve that perfect crispy crust with a chewy centre. The intense heat caramelises the dough and melts the cheese providing that authentic Italian taste.
- Versatility: Pizza ovens don’t just cook pizza though, they can also be very versatile and can be used to cook a wide range of dishes. You could bake bread, roast meats, cook vegetables or even prepare desserts.
- Outdoor cooking experience: Whether you’re hosting a party or having a casual family dinner pizza ovens add to the ambiance. As well as a great taste the interactive process of making pizza can be a fun activity to get everyone involved. Everyone can choose their own toppings so you can please meat eaters and vegetarians alike as you can provide a variety of topping options for people to add.
- Energy efficiency: It is known that pizza ovens use less energy than conventional ovens but they also retain heat extremely well and cook food quickly, this makes them a very eco-friendly choice.
- Value for money: Although pizza ovens can be a high cost item they can also be an investment. Pizza ovens, especially wood-fired ones, are built to last for many years, they save you cooking time and provide high-quality results every time.
Wood-Fired vs Gas Pizza Ovens: What’s the Difference?
When you are choosing a pizza oven one of the first decisions you'll need to make is whether to go for a wood-fired or gas pizza oven. Both options have their advantages and the right choice for you depends on your cooking and entertaining preferences.
Wood-Fired Pizza Ovens
Wood-fired pizza ovens are known for the rich, smoky flavour they give to the food. Some benefits of choosing a wood-fired pizza oven are:
- Heightened flavour: Burning wood adds a unique, smoky flavour to the pizza that you can’t duplicate with other types of ovens.
- High temperature cooking: Wood-fired ovens achieve higher temperatures than their gas oven counterparts which allows your pizzas to cook faster and produce a crispier crust.
- Versatile cooking: Wood fired pizza ovens aren’t just great at cooking pizza. You can also cook bread, meats, and even desserts and all with that signature smoky flavour.
On the downside wood-fired pizza ovens do require more effort to use as you will need to acquire wood, maintain the fire, and monitor the oven’s temperature a little more closely.
Gas Pizza Ovens
Gas pizza ovens offer more convenience:
- Ease of use: Gas pizza ovens heat up quickly and they also maintain a steady temperature which makes them easier to control and makes it easier to get a more uniform result.
- Less maintenance: Gas ovens don’t need the same level of attention as their wood-fired counterparts as there is no need to find wood for the oven or to clean up ash after use.
- Portable: Most gas pizza ovens are smaller and more portable which allows you to use them in a variety of outdoor settings and to move them about your garden, maybe to follow the sun.
While gas pizza ovens might lack some of the smoky flavour of wood-fired models they are perfect for those who prioritise convenience and consistency. You could also consider hybrid models that offer the benefits of both.
Best Pizza Ovens for 2024:
Let's have a look into some of the best and most popular options available on our website at a range of price levels, starting with ovens over £1000.
Best Pizza Ovens for 2024: Above £1000
1. Alfresco Chef Milano Wood-Fired Pizza Oven
The Alfresco Chef Milano is an outstanding, high-performance wood-fired pizza oven, known for its large cooking surface. It can accommodate multiple pizzas at the same time which makes it ideal for entertaining large groups of family or friends. It reaches very high heat quickly and preserves heat very efficiently so you can cook pizzas in under 90 seconds.
- Price: £1,195.00
- Features: High heat retention, large cooking space, durable stainless steel construction.
- Best For: Serious home chefs looking for a professional-grade pizza oven.
2. Igneus Pro 600 Wood-Fired Pizza Oven
This heavy-duty wood-fired pizza oven is designed for pizza lovers. The Igneus Pro 600 offers exceptional heat retention and can cook more than just pizza at the same time. The large size of the oven allows for flexibility in the dishes you can prepare so you can increase your repertoire to include anything from bread to roasts.
- Price: £1,245.00
- Features: Heavy-duty construction, versatile cooking options, fast heating.
- Best For: Large families or entertainers who want a versatile cooking appliance.
3. Premier Wood-Fired Pizza Oven Xclusive Decor
With its stylish design and its wide range of functionality, the Premier Wood-Fired Pizza Oven is perfect for anyone who values both the aesthetics of the oven alongside exceptional performance. This pizza oven has exceptional insulation which ensures consistent heat distribution so you can cook pizza perfectly every time.
- Price: £1,395.00
- Features: Elegant design, premium insulation, fast cooking times.
- Best For: Those who want a blend of form and function.
4. Springfield Outdoor Kitchen Pizza Oven & BBQ Grill
This multi-functional outdoor kitchen pizza oven doubles as a BBQ which makes it the perfect choice for those who want to be able to prepare a wide variety of food. With all the options on this oven you can create a range of foods whether you're baking pizza, grilling meat, or roasting vegetables, this oven does it all.
- Price: £1,950.00
- Features: Multi-functional design, dual cooking methods, large cooking area.
- Best For: Outdoor cooking lovers who want a versatile and stylish appliance.
Best Pizza Ovens 2024: Under £1000
If you're looking for a superior pizza oven that won’t break the bank, here are some of our best sellers and customer favourites under £1000.
1. Igneus Classico Wood-Fired Pizza Oven
This pizza oven is perfect for smaller spaces or to act alongside a barbeque due to its compactness but its size does not stop this oven being just as powerful as its larger cousins. Despite its size it can still cook a full-sized pizza in just 60-90 seconds. The Igneus Classico is also portable which makes it ideal for outdoor gatherings, camping trips or just to move around your garden to take advantage of sunny spots.
- Price: £695.00
- Features: Lightweight, portable, fast heating.
- Best For: Those with limited outdoor space or who need a portable oven.
2. Alfresco Ember Oven with Peel
The Alfresco Ember Oven is a fantastic entry level pizza oven for those looking to start on their wood-fired pizza cooking journey. The oven has a compact design but still has its fast heating capabilities which make it an ideal choice for small gatherings or as an add on to your normal barbeque arrangements.
- Price: £795.00
- Features: Compact size, quick heating, easy to use.
- Best For: Beginners or those with limited space.
3. Casa Mia Bravo 16-Inch Gas Pizza Oven (Black)
This Casa Mia Bravo gas pizza oven is perfect for those who prefer convenience without sacrificing performance. The Oven offers consistent performance and can reach the perfect cooking temperature in only a few minutes, ensuring quick, delicious and perfect pizzas.
- Price: £995.00
- Features: Gas-powered, easy temperature control, sleek design.
- Best For: Those who want a hassle-free pizza cooking experience.
So, whether you prefer the traditional smoky taste of a wood-fired pizza oven or you prefer the convenience and ease of a gas oven there is a pizza oven to suit you and budget in 2024. With so many options you can find the perfect oven for your outdoor kitchen. Explore these top-rated options on our website or browse through our other ovens.