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Pizza Oven Purchasing and Gifting Advice

The portable pizza oven market is growing exponentially. Dozens of new companies are entering the space, both big and small. And with this diversity comes products that fit all kinds of budgets.

Pizza ovens are also one of the hottest gift trends this year. However, a lot of research should be done before gifting a pizza oven! Here are a few big items to focus on before buying an oven:

1. • Pizza Style: The most important research you can do is determining which style of pizza(s) the giftee likes most. Certain pizza ovens, such as the Gozney Roccbox, are incredible at baking authentic Neapolitan style pizza because of the intense 950 degree Fahrenheit burner. On the flip side, ovens such as the Halo Versa 16 are only capable of baking New York style pizza (or any other made with bread flour) due to the smaller flame. New York style pizza is tailor-made for less intense pizza ovens, in the 500 – 700°F range. During our hands-on research testing over 50 of the best pizza ovens, we’ve found several ovens capable of doing both styles thanks to a highly adjustable flame — the Ooni Karu 16, Ooni Karu 12G, Gozney Dome (S1), Gozney Arc (XL), and Solo Pi Prime.

• • Fuel Type: The most popular fuel type these days is propane. Gas is quicker to preheat, easier to maintain temperature, and less of a cleanup. Wood, on the other hand, offers a more authentic experience for those after the wood-fired aspect. However, in my experience, pizzas do not bake long enough in an oven to absorb much flavor from the wood fire. The high heat from a gas oven can make just as good of a pizza as wood can. The best solution to this debate? Grab an oven that’s multi-fueled! You can change out the gas burner for a wood tray in a matter of minutes. 

• • Space: The majority of pizza ovens weigh at or below the 40lb mark, making them relatively portable. However, most people prefer to set up a dedicated space for these ovens — similar to grills. To do so, the recipient will likely need a stainless steel prep table or something similar to place the oven on and have space to prepare the pizza. Note: pizza ovens shouldn’t be placed up against the house or under any overhangs.

• • Size: There are two main sizes of pizza ovens to choose from: 12″ or 16″ (with the exception of some more expensive ovens which can be a lot bigger). The 16″ ovens tend to be quite a lot more money — in some cases double the price — but offer the ability to make bigger pizzas and/or more maneuverability when baking.