Getting a pizza oven is essential for creating a high-quality pizza at home. They can imitate the cooking conditions of a traditional wood-fired pizza oven while being a practical and more affordable option. These ovens come in different shapes, sizes, and price ranges. These are the things you need to keep in mind when looking for an oven, as well as product range, performance, and specific features. This guide will help you find the pizza oven that will suit your preferences.
Performance
The pizza oven’s performance is one of the important factors you need to consider. Not only that, there are also several key elements, including heat output, cooking speed, and temperature control.
- Heat Output: Traditional pizza ovens can achieve temperatures of around 800°F, especially wood-fired ones. The Gozney Roccbox or the Ooni Koda 16 are high-end models that give enough heat to produce well-cooked toppings and perfectly crisp crust. These ovens have a 15-minute heating time and keep a high temperature throughout cooking.
- Cooking Speed: The speed of branded pizza ovens is the reason why it’s popular. Compared to a traditional home oven, high heat enables the pizza to cook under 90 seconds to 2 minutes. Because of the short cooking speed, the crust will remain crispy and the toppings are perfectly cooked.
- Temperature Control: Some pizza ovens have adjustable temperature controls for more versatility, while others are pre-set for the ideal cooking temperatures. This is helpful for people who want to try out different cooking methods, such as slow-baked gourmet pies that demand a more moderate temperature or a Neopolitan-style pizza that needs intense heat.
Price
Considering the price of a branded pizza oven is one of the most important factors to keep in mind. Compact ovens can range from under $100, beginner-friendly models to professional-grade, and high-performance pizza ovens range up to $1,500.
- Entry-Level Options: The Ooni Fyra 12, a budget-friendly oven priced around $300, is ideal for beginners in pizza making. Despite having a smaller cooking area and using wood pellets as fuel, they can deliver high temperatures and fast cooking times, making them perfect for those on a budget.
- Mid-Range Options: The Gozney Roccbox pizza ovens range from $500 to $800 but provide better cooking performance and versatility. These models use wood, gas, or both fuel sources and have higher-quality builds, accurate temperature control, and features like retractable legs or heat-resistant handles.
- High-End Options: The Forno Bravo Modena is a high-end pizza oven that can cost $1,000 or more and is ideal for serious pizza makers or those with a lot of money. These commercial-grade ovens, with stone or brick interiors, can cook large quantities and reach high temperatures.
Product Range
Numerous branded pizza oven models are available and designed to suit different needs. Most probably, there is a pizza oven that fits your space, needs, and cooking style.
- Portable Pizza Ovens: The Ooni Karu 12 and Roccbox are small and light, making them easy to set up and store. Because of their simplicity and adaptability, these are usually preferred. They can be cooked from backyards or on camping trips.
- Countertop Ovens: The Pizzaiolo by Brevelle is created to stay on your kitchen countertop and provide features like stone pizza surfaces, adjustable temperature settings, and fast pre-heating. These are ideal for those who want a big oven to be used at home but don’t need a commercial-grade unit. These are also more budget-friendly than the outdoor models.
- Built-In Ovens: The Forno Bravo are pizza ovens that are built-in models if you’re looking to install them in your kitchen or outdoors permanently. This brand was designed and intended to be used in customized kitchens or outdoor grills. Keep in mind that these ovens are usually larger and more pricey, but they offer outstanding cooking capabilities and might be a good long-term investment.
Features
Certain elements can greatly impact the cooking experience and convenience when choosing a branded pizza oven. These are some notable features that you should look out for:
- Fuel Flexibility: The Ooni Karu 12 is an example of a dual-fuel oven that allows the user to cook using gas, wood, or both to suit their preferences or available resources.
- Portability: The portable ovens would have foldable legs for convenient storage, lightweight materials, and a compact design. This is great for people who like outdoor cooking or have a limited amount of storage space.
- Ease of Use and Cleaning: There are high-end pizza ovens that have helpful features like temperature monitors, retractable chimneys, or detachable pizza stones for easy cleaning; many have controls that are straightforward to operate. You can also consider getting ovens with non-stick or easy-to-clean surfaces for anyone who wants to avoid the long process of cleaning.
- Insulation and Durability: If it has high-quality insulation, the pizza will immediately achieve the ideal temperature and maintain heat while it’s cooking. The interior of durable pizza ovens is usually made of stone and stainless steel, which adds a bonus visually and insulation.
In conclusion, branded pizza ovens come in different models, ranging from budget-friendly models like the Ooni Fyra 12 to professional-grade models like the Forno Bravo Modena. Choosing the right oven will depend on your budget, cooking needs, and needed features. You can also check out Slingo if you want to know which pizza oven brand is the best.
