Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Outdoor Pizza Oven to Use at Home
Ever had that insatiable craving for a Neapolitan pizza on a Friday night? Back in the day, your only options were to either visit a local pizzeria or order in. Not anymore! If you’re anything like me—someone who dreams of pizza slices pretty often—it might just be time to skip delivery fees and invest in the best outdoor pizza oven for your home. Let’s be honest, I have very rarely ordered pizza to be delivered at home. I imagine it would be a bit cold on arrival and maybe artificial too? How does it even keep its shape and texture so long while travelling?
Making pizza at home used to be a daunting task, but that’s a story of the past. Enter Gozney, a brand now synonymous with high-quality home pizza ovens. Whether you’re aiming to become a pizza maestro or upgrade backyard parties, Gozney has models for everyone. But with so many options, it can be a little tricky to pick the right one.
What to Look for in the Best Outdoor Pizza Oven
To guide you through Gozney’s wide range, I’m comparing ovens based on key features that matter to me. I’ve been making pizza at home for quite a while, so I know what works. The design of the ovens should fit both modern and rustic settings, and be functional. The oven opening should be large for easy use yet stylish enough for your backyard. It’s important to check the oven’s durability, ensuring it can handle many pizza nights. Flame control is another one to look for, it’s crucial for achieving a perfect crust, while baking efficiency measures how well and evenly the oven cooks. Lastly, check out the oven’s weight and portability, especially if you’re tight on space or need to move it around.
Imagine turning your next backyard dinner into a homemade pizza party. With the right Gozney oven, you’re not just baking; you’re creating a pizza experience. Hopefully this helps you decide which oven can turn your pizza dreams into delicious, cheesy yumminess.
You can check out my video on YouTube or continue reading. In both, I describe the features, good and not-so-good stuff, and hopefully some other things that help you before deciding.
Italian Chef Compares The Best Outdoor Pizza Oven to Use at Home
Meet the Contenders: Gozney’s Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens
1) Roccbox
2) Dome
3) Arc XL
1) Roccbox
The Roccbox, with its vibrant color and super light 20kg build, is perfect for camping or a pizza party at a friend’s place. Although it has a smaller opening suitable for smaller pizzas, Gozney offers specific peels for this model. Keep an eye on the intense flame that fires from back to front to prevent charring your pizza. It’s not necessarily something I would say is beginner-friendly because of this. You can definitely learn, it just takes some getting used to the first few times. Also, the built-in thermometer and gas parts could be sturdier (if I really have to find something), and the fixed pizza stone isn’t the easiest to clean. I do love it though and using it on the balcony of a small apartment really gives you the best feeling!
2) Dome
The Dome is a real show-stopper with its gorgeous design, sure to be the highlight of any outdoor area. It handles bigger pizza challenges well, and a 16-inch pizza peel just about fits. This oven is tough, designed to last, with no external parts that are easily damaged. Its flame flows more evenly compared to the Roccbox, which means less fuss and probably more consistent results. Like the Roccbox, the pizza stone doesn’t come out, so you just need the right method to clean it. Weighing in at around 60 kilos, you might find the Dome tricky to move without help, making it better suited for a permanent spot outside.
3) Arc XL
The Arc XL finds the sweet spot between its two siblings. It has a stylish yet practical design with a wider opening that makes handling pizzas much easier. It’s built with high-quality materials, and one of my favourite features is the removable pizza stone, which is great for maintenance and cleaning. The flame design is sophisticated, channeling upwards to ensure even cooking and protecting the front part of the oven from heat stains. At only 30 kilos, the Arc XL is more manageable than the heavier Dome. This oven is a fantastic choice for those who need a bit more flexibility, but also want a beautiful looking pizza oven at home that is simple to use.
The Final Verdict: Which Gozney Oven Reigns Supreme?
If portability is key, the Roccbox would come in first place. It’s small enough to easily take on camping trips and handles the basics well. Despite its smaller opening, which limits the use of traditional, large pizza peels, it’s a fantastic choice for quick and easy outdoor pizza parties.
If you cook a lot at home and want a more permanent setup, the Dome is your baby. Not only would it look pretty great in any outdoor kitchen set up, but its wide opening and superior flame distribution allow for larger pizzas and it is a bit easier to cook with. I think the best part is, you won’t need to rotate your pizza as often, because of the efficient heat circulation. It is heavy, so once you set it up, it means it will be the centrepiece of your area.
But for me, the top of the top is the Arc XL. It offers the best of both worlds with sleek design and a large opening, meaning you can create bigger pizzas and move them around easier. The Arc XL’s flame setup is designed extremely well to provide even heat distribution, so your pizzas are cooked perfectly every time. This oven combines style, functionality, and the versatility to cook not just pizzas but also other meals like meats and fish with ease, on a tray.
Which One Fits Your Lifestyle?
So, whether you’re on a camping trip, hosting pizza parties at home, or looking for a versatile cooking solution, Gozney offers an oven to meet your needs. They have really thought of everything. But for an all-around excellent experience that is easy to use, cooks really well and looks beautiful, the Arc XL is my absolute top choice.
Now that we know what these Gozney ovens can offer, which homemade pizza recipe will you make in your new oven?
Here are two fantastic recipes to get you started:
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A while back you recommended/used the Witt pizza oven, specifically the one that rotated. Why the change to Gozney? Thank you…
As you know, I love making pizzas at home, and it’s important to understand the differences between what the big variety of home pizza ovens can provide. I still really love the Witt, and the Gozney ovens all have their pro’s and con’s, but the latest ARC XL has to be one of my absolute favourites – plus I hadn’t yet tried this when I used the WITT. Let me know if you have any specific questions about either of these and I can do my best to help.