These are the best pellet pizza ovens in 2023 that can produce authentic, delicious pizzas in minutes with minimal hassle and maximum versatility.
Ooni Fyra
Big Horn
aidpiza Pizza Oven
I’ve tried many ways of making pizzas at home, from oven racks to baking steel on grills. However, the final product isn’t always great. The crusts lacked crispiness, and the insides were somewhat dried—my niece aptly named them ‘flatbread pizzas.’
So, I decided to venture into the realm of the best wood-pellet pizza ovens. It turned out to be the best decision I’ve made in my baking journey – making a world of difference.
These backyard fixtures are in a league of their own. They provide the high heat necessary for the stone to bake the pizza base, resulting in that extra crispiness I’ve been searching for.
That’s not the best part;
I love how they cover pizzas with authentic wood-flame flavor, creating memorable bites.
Sounds like a lifesaver, right? Check out my 5 favorite pellet-fuelled pizza ovens for baking pizzeria-style pies with that delightful wood-burn taste.
🥇Best Pellet Pizza Oven
- Best Overall [Ooni Fyra Outdoor Wood Pellets Pizza Oven]
- Best For Beginners [aidpiza 12″ Wood Pellet Pizza Ovens]
- Best for Budget [Big Horn Outdoors Wood Pellet Pizza Oven]
- Best For Value [Pizzello Forte -Wood-Fired Pellet Pizza Oven]
- Best Premium [Woody Oven – Wood-Fired Pizza Oven Kit]
👩💼Wood Pellet Pizza Ovens are Amazing, and Here’s How They Work?
There are different types of pizza ovens in the market. Each has its peculiar advantages and caveats. For the best pizza oven, in terms of flavor, versatility, and ease of use, pellet-fired models are the sure bet.
These incredibly versatile gadgets run on wood pellets — compressed sawdust and other lumber byproducts. They sport a dedicated firebox, usually situated at the oven’s rear. This is where combustion takes place.
Once the flame is delivered, the pizza stone is heated by conduction and convection. It is a simple physical phenomenon to get the oven’s temperature to where you need it – 7500F. That’s precisely when many renowned chefs prefer to launch their pizzas, resulting in beautifully charred and mottled outcomes.
What’s even more intriguing is combining hardwood pellets with fruitwood, enhancing your creations with a delightful depth of flavor.
🛠What Makes Pellet Pizza Ovens Superior to the Rest?
Flavor enhancement
Wood pellet pizza ovens have the potential to enhance the taste and flavor of your pizza. Unlike gas or electric pizza ovens, this backyard appliance imparts a delightful smoky flavor, making pizzeria-style pizzas achievable.
Also, you can craft a unique flavor profile for your pizzas. Pair up different wood pellets, like hickory with cherry or maple; the result would be an even more satisfying bite.
Regulative combustion rate
As far as burning performance goes, the pellet pizza oven is up to par. Filling the hopper with pellets and starting a fire is a snap.
They incorporate an automatic pellet feeding system, so maintaining a consistent cooking temperature is easier. It has a peak heat level as any other pizza oven, reaching a blistering 7500F in under a few minutes.
Eco-friendly and efficient
Wood pellets are sustainably produced from wood waste, ensuring you’re not contributing to deforestation. Furthermore, unlike wood-fired models, they burn cleanly, emitting light blue smoke. This means you won’t have to worry about your guests or family being overwhelmed by thick smoke.
💡How Fast Does a Pellet Pizza Oven Cook, Really?
Wood pellet pizza ovens are just as fast as the notorious propane-fuelled units. The pellets are super easy to light and come to a temperature within 15 minutes. Once the pizza stone, not the ambient heat, is around 700 degrees F, this device cooks thin-crust pizzas in less than 2 minutes.
Altogether, from start to finish, cooking pizza in a pellet pizza oven takes under 20 minutes.
📝Important Factors to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Pellet Pizza Oven
Size and portability
Pellet pizza ovens come in various sizes. The best wood pellet pizza oven doesn’t have to be small or hulking but the right size for your outdoor kitchen and cooking needs.
Simply put, you want an oven that won’t occupy the entire yard space. For homeowners with small garden space, a 12-inch pizza oven would do the trick. Even better, they feature a compact design, allowing you to carry them around or for tailgating.
However, large pellet ovens are great if you have the space and prefer a permanent fixture. They offer plenty of room to cook large pizzas and recipes to entertain a crowd. Larger ovens are usually more expensive than their smaller counterparts. For personal-size pizzas, a giant pizza oven might be a waste of money, space, and effort.
Build quality
Like any other appliance, you want to ensure the device is well-built. A good pizza oven should showcase a top-quality build construction. How do you go about this? Simple! Check out the material choice for the exterior shell, enclosed hood, pizza stone, etc.
Pellet pizza ovens made with 304 stainless steel are more likely to survive in harsh outdoor conditions and high-temp cooking. You want to avoid dealing with rusting or warping only after a couple of uses.
Also, the shell should come with a powdered coating. That’s my preference. There’s brushed stainless steel as an alternative. What’s essential is the shell comes with an additional layer of resilient material. This protects you from accidental burns and extends the oven’s shelf life.
Insulation
From my experience, insulation is arguably the most critical factor. When shopping for a pellet pizza oven or any other type, I laser focus on the appliance’s insulation.
Products with top-tier insulations offer consistent temperature, excellent heat retention, and are energy efficient. With minimal heat loss, these well-insulated ovens will always whip up the perfect pizza crust.
So, I stick with pizza ovens with ceramic fiber or refractory insulation. Sure, other options exist, but these two are the industry standard for heat preservation.
Maximum Temperature
Temperature is crucial to achieving mouth-watering pizzeria-style pies. To craft beautifully charred and crispy pizzas, you need an oven with at least a peak temperature of 8000F.
However, I prefer an oven promising a higher heat ceiling – up to a sizzling 9500F. A wide temperature range helps you up your culinary game and opens a world of high-heat cooking possibilities. So, you can add tandoori chicken, steakhouse-quality steaks, and more to your weekend menu.
Pellet Loading System
Wood pellet pizza ovens offer better flame management than traditional brick ovens. They feature an innovative pellet loading system to keep the flame roaring. So, seek models with a large hopper capacity to hold enough pellets to feed the fire. Thus, giving you the freedom to cook for extended periods without the hassle of frequent refueling.
Accessories & Extras
To be a savvy shopper, always keep an eye out for products that offer good bang for your buck. This means paying attention to what is being shipped with the pellet oven. You see, some pellet ovens are shipped with a pizza stone only. Others may include a pizza peel, cutter, and weatherproof cover to sweeten the deal. So, check what’s included in the package box before buying.
Price & Warranty
As said earlier, getting value for your money should be your top priority. The price of an oven does not tell the whole story. So, don’t expect the most expensive unit to be the right choice for you. In fact, the other way around might be the case.
In addition to that, always favor ovens with a generous warranty. Manufacturers offering a warranty provide customers with a chance to protect their investment against craftsmanship defects.
📌Things You Need to Know..
- Pellet pizza ovens and wood-fired pizza ovens have a subtle difference. The formal has a pellet feeding system, improving the device’s flame management and heat performance.
- I’ve noticed that most comparison review sites offer recommendations without delving into the factors that matter most when it comes to pellet cooking.
- On the contrary, I’ve expertly handpicked 5 pellet pizza ovens that score high on crucial aspects such as hopper design, chimney performance, insulation design, and more.
- For the best pick, take into account your budget, available backyard space, and cooking demands. That’s up to you.
⭐Best Wood Pellet Pizza Oven Review
The Ooni Frya 12 takes the cake as the best pellet pizza oven I’ve ever seen. This oven is the more intuitive version of the mighty wood-fired Karu 12. Its game-changing features and quick flame cooking duly earn it my top spot.
From its gravity-fed hopper design to its chimney cap doing double duty as a pellet scoop, the Frya 12 is truly the cream of the crop for grilling companions.
Stand-out Features of the Ooni Frya 12
Superb construction
For premium ovens, Ooni has always been the go-to. So, I’m not surprised the Frya 12 looks well-engineered and feels luxe with its robust stainless steel construction and smooth powder coating. While there’s an option to purchase a cover, this oven will stand the test of time like other Ooni ovens.
Cutting-edge gravity-based pellet hopper.
The Frya 12 utilizes a state-of-the-art pellet delivery system, streamlining the live-flame cooking experience. The pellet hopper at the rear is probably the best feature of this oven. It’s large enough to hold plenty of hardwood pellets to keep the fire blazing. The pellet delivery system is hands-free, utilizing gravity to feed the flame continuously. So, you can use your free time to prepare your pizza while the oven gets sizzling hot up to 9350F.
Chimney with a perfect height and dual-purpose cap
Unlike other pellet ovens, I find the Freya’s chimney height spot on. It draws more air for better combustion, quicker heating, and better results. Further, its built-in damper controls the smoke imparted into your pizza. For the richest smoky flavor and complexity, close the damper. The result is an authentic artisanal pizza. Moreover, the chimney cap doubles as a convenient pellet scoop, making hopper filling a breeze.
Best For
Pizza enthusiasts are seeking a top-tier, upscale pellet oven to craft delectable restaurant-grade pizzas with the richest smoke flavor.
Great pellet pizza oven, but . . .
The Ooni Frya 12 is quite pricey and lacks essential accessories. For those new to pizza-making, the additional cost of buying a pizza peel, turner, and temperature gun can make it quite expensive. Unless you’re ready to invest in a high-end device, consider the Pizzello Forte Multi Fuel Pellet Oven.
Testing Takeaway
The Frya 12 is super compact with foldable legs, making it easy to carry around and set up anyway. Its insulated stainless steel door protects the flame from outdoor conditions, allowing me to cook at any time. With its blistering 9500F achieved in 15 mins, this oven fires out perfect stone-baked pizza with crisp crust and melty cheese. Flavor-wise, no pellet oven comes close, thanks to its regulatable cooking conditions.
Feeling like a fish out of the water with your pizza-making game? The aidpiza 12″ Wood Pellet Pizza Ovens is your best bet to level up your culinary skills. This pellet pizza oven boasts a revolutionary rotatable pizza stone, a built-in temperature gauge, and a large firebox.
Even as a beginner, you can craft mouth-watering pizzas that taste on par or better than those from your favorite restaurants. And, the best part? No steep learning curve is involved!
Bells and whistles of the aidpiza 12-inch wood pellet pizza ovens
Stunning rotating stand
Not many pizza ovens have been able to nail this feature like the aidpiza SP120-R. This cutting-edge technology eliminates the need to constantly spin your pizza for even cooking. Moreover, it guarantees that every inch of your pizzas is teemed with that sweet, smoky flavor.
Considering its high price, I had a bone to pick, with the Ooni Frya 12 being bare bone. So, it’s great to see the aidpiza SP120-R integrated with a temperature gauge. This added perk is super helpful, especially for beginners, to keep tabs on the oven’s cooking condition. It’s essential to slide in the loaded pizza at the right temperature for an extra crispy crust.
The aidpiza SP120-R doesn’t spoon-feed the fire like the Ooni, which is a bit of a letdown. However, this top-rated oven makes up for it with a large firebox and feeding chute. Its fuel tray and burner grate are quite larger than the Frya 12’s. This translates to a bigger flame and rapid preheating, clocking in under 15 minutes. The chute has a wide opening, making it easier to feed the flame using the chimney cap during busy times.
Beginners in the pizza-making world are looking for a trusty grilling companion to consistently churn out artisan-quality pizzas as they get the hang of the craft.
Wait, there’s a thorn in its flesh.
The aidpiza SP120-R build quality could be more impressive. The two handles are designed to come off, making it a lot of effort to open or close the lid and hopper. Also, you’ll have to be careful not to misplace them. Kids can easily toy away with them.
Another blemish on its record is the location of the temperature gauge. I had to keep turning around just to read the temperature.
I’ve tried about a dozen pellet ovens; aidpiza SP120-R is hands down the most user-friendly device. Starting and maintaining its magnificent roaring flame is a breeze. Since I didn’t need to spin the pizza, manually fueling the flame was a less taxing affair. I baked up to 5 pizzas while keeping the fire burning without feeling exhausted. However, I still recommend closely monitoring the pizzas; you sure don’t want them overcooked.
If you’re not eager to empty your pockets for a pellet pizza oven, this product is an excellent choice. The Big Horn Outdoors Wood Pellet Pizza Oven comes with a lot of enticing perks, all at a fraction of the cost you’d find with others.
Despite its low price, this oven is well built, attains high temperatures, and comes with a 12-inch pizza stone. This model is literally a steal.
Top Features that Give You a Good Bang for Your Buck
Heavy-duty stainless steel construction
It’s quite surprising to see an inexpensive pellet oven exquisitely crafted from heavy-duty stainless steel. I’ve had and abused this oven for more than a year, and it looks great. There’s no sign of rust or parts falling off. Thanks to its solid engineering, this oven matches up to its more expensive counterparts in terms of heat performance.
Like the aidpiza 12″ oven, you get a big fuel tray to ignite about two scoops of pellets. This is plenty of pellet fuel to get the fire going before sliding into the oven’s rear.
Unlike other penny-pinching ovens I’ve tried, this gadget impressed me with its heat generation. Going from 0 to 860°F in 20 minutes, this pizza oven has a serious knack for producing crispy crust with perfectly caramelized cheese.
Experienced chefs looking for an inexpensive pellet pizza oven that can still bring the heat in terms of cooking prowess.
Good deal if you can take the rough with the smooth
The insulation on this model is the chink in its armor. A lot of heat is lost, meaning the exterior shell gets too hot to touch, and recovery takes longer as well.
The Big Horn Outdoors Wood Pellet Pizza Oven heats up nicely but takes its sweet time. It took more than 20 minutes to get the deck temperature to 8000F. My patience, however, was rewarded with a puffy, crisp pizza that came out in under 3 minutes. I also noticed its longer cooking time plays into its hands, allowing for the optimal infusion of that delightful wood-burn flavor.
When it comes to getting more value for your money, Pizzello is the pick of the litter. The Pizzello Forte offers remarkable fuel flexibility, allowing you to cook with either pellets or gas.
Wait, there’s a cherry on top! This oven is shipped with the gas burner and wood tray at NO extra expense.
Not to mention, you also snag a complimentary sturdy cover and a pizza peel. Topping it all off is a three-year manufacturer warranty, making this deal the real steal in terms of both value and price.
Most Appealing Features of the Pizzello Forte
The Pizzello Forte is available in many options to suit your fancy. It comes in two sizes —12 inches and 16 inches. Personally, I prefer the 12-inch. It’s perfect for crafting personal-sized pizzas and catering to small crowds. On top of that, you can choose from four stunning colours—black, blue, red, and silver — to compliment your outdoor kitchen counter aesthetics.
The Pizzello Forte offers the best of both worlds — pellets and gas. Unlike its competitors, you don’t have to shell out a dime to purchase its gas burner. Even better, you can throw in 2 – 3 perfect-size wood chunks for a longer pellet burn.
Another feature I find enticing is its integrated temperature gauge. Unlike aidpiza Oven, this model conveniently places its thermometer right on the shell in front of you for a clear and easy view.
Anyone on the lookout for a pellet pizza oven that punches above its weight.
Complete package, but it’s not all rosy
The Pizzello Forte slowly heats up to its peak temperature of 7500F. The preheating process typically stretches to about 25 minutes on average. This implies that cooking with this oven might require a tag-team effort. If this seems a tad too demanding, I suggest considering purchasing the Ooni Frya 12.
I cooked two margaritas and BBQ pizzas using oak pellets, and the results were astonishing. Although it took about 3 minutes and a couple of spins every minute or so, the pizza crust and the infused smoky flavor left me more than delighted. It was a taste sensation like no other—pure culinary bliss.
After trying my hands on this wood-fired pizza oven from Woody, the leading UK brand, I must say it’s a worthy contender to the Ooni Frya 12. The Woody Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven comes to mind when I think of premium ovens.
Why not?
Every component is built with shiny stainless steel. On the other hand, the body showcases an elegant black powder coating that adds a high-class feel to it. And, of course, its thick 15mm pizza stone is the icing on its cake, ensuring an extra crisp crust.
Its incredible fuel flexibility is one of its attractive hallmarks, allowing users to enjoy the best of both worlds. Its two-pronged approach for cooking means you can either power this oven with pellets/wood or gas using a separate burner. If you ask me, it’s a win-win situation – convenient cooking or wood-burning cooking classicism.
Like the Ooni, this award-winning pizza oven’s strong suit is heat retention. It’s almost well-insulated to a fault. This oven keeps most of the heat within the hood for a quick recovery. So, you don’t have to wait a day and an hour for the oven in between pizzas. Also, the body never gets too hot and poses a potential risk to touch.
Integrated with a thermometer, this oven makes cooking easy and precise. It’s location is also perfect 一 on the door, facing you. It makes keeping tabs on the cooking temperature less tiring.
Folks who want an eye-catching cooking beast and are willing to pay the big bucks for it.
Pleased with the Woody Oven, But There’s a Small Issue
The Woody Oven is only available on pre-order for now. In my case, I had to bide my time for several weeks before it was finally delivered. If you are not in the UK or USA, brace yourself for potentially even longer delivery periods. Can’t stand the wait? Consider the top-of-the-line Ooni Frya 12 or the budget-friendly Pizzello Forte.
Arriving with all necessary components, including a snug-fitting cover and perforated pizza, it took a mere 5 minutes flat to get this oven ready and firing. Thanks to its insulation, there’s enough residual heat to churn out subsequent pizzas without a hitch. It’s a lifesaver when catering to a small group. Once this oven reaches the right temperature, it’s like a pizza-making machine—cranking out tasty wood-flavor pizza with a crust as crispy as chips.
📊Comparisons of the Best Pellet Pizza Oven
| Ooni Fyra 12 | aidpiza 12″ Wood Pellet Pizza Oven | BIG HORN OUTDOORS Pizza Ovens | Pizzello Forte | Woody Oven | |
| Best For | Overall | Beginners | Budget | Value | Premium |
| Fuel Type | Pellets | Pellets | Pellets | Pellets, Wood & Gas | Pellets, Wood & Gas |
| Preheat Time | 15 mins | 18 mins | 20 -25 mins | Under 30 mins | Under 20 mins |
| Max Temp | 950 °F | 662°F | 860°F | 752℉ | 950°F |
| Cook Time | 60 secs | 2 – 3 mins | 1 – 2 mins | 2 – 3 mins | 1 – 2 mins |
| Flavor depth | **** | ***** | *** | **** | **** |
| Heat Retention | ***** | *** | *** | **** | ***** |
| Weight | 22 lbs | 26.7 lbs | 25 lbs | 35.2 lbs | 27.5 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years | 1 – 3 years | 3 years |
❔How I Clean My Pellet Pizza Oven Without Breaking a Sweat?
Cleaning up my pellet pizza oven is as easy as pie, despite its various components like the chimney, hopper, and fuel tray. It’s not a Herculean task that will eat up your entire day.
Before kicking things off, I wait until the oven has cooled down, then empty the ashtray. If there’s any lingering ash within the oven, I use an ash rack to remove it swiftly.
Next, I employ a clever trick – I flip the pizza stone, ensuring the clean side faces up. This smart move lets the oven’s high heat take care of the cleaning, saving me the hassle of scrubbing the stone’s surface.
Every now and then, I roll up my sleeves and disassemble the chimney. I give it a good once-over and wipe away any creosote building up with a damp cloth. I make sure the chimney dries thoroughly before putting it back together.
And voila! That’s the extent of my pellet pizza oven cleaning routine – no tedious, drawn-out process involved.
🎭Don’t Like Pellet-Fuelled Pizza Oven? There are Others
If you think cooking with a pellet-fired pizza oven will be too much work, there are other options:
Electric models, as the name implies, are powered by electricity. They are mostly indoor models, but it’s not uncommon to see variations suited for outdoor cooking. These kitchen fixtures utilize heating coils to achieve the necessary temperature to crisp pizza crust. They are user-friendly and offer the most cooking precision for consistent results.
Gas pizza ovens use either propane or natural gas to generate wild temperatures. Rapid heating, broad culinary applications, and cleaner operations are some of its appeals. While they might not infuse your pizza crust with aromatic, smoky flavor, they craft delicious pizzas with less stress.
💬Wood Pellet Pizza Ovens Related FAQ
Can I use my pellet pizza oven for other dishes besides pizza?
Although primarily designed for pizza-making, pellet pizza ovens are very versatile. They generate high heat, which makes them ideal for searing, roasting, baking, and cooking a wide range of culinary delights. I cook anything and everything from barbecue sardines to roasted beef rib with my pellet pizza oven.
Is a pellet pizza oven safe to use?
Generally speaking, a pellet pizza oven does not pose any threat outdoors. These devices put out some smoke, which can fill your room and cause acute respiratory distress. To avoid any potential fire accidents, it’s advisable to use them outdoors and on a metal table.
How long does a pellet pizza oven last?
On average, pellet pizza ovens have a lifespan of around five years. However, with proper care and maintenance, they can last for more than a decade. To extend the oven’s life, investing in a pellet pizza oven cover for added protection is a good idea.
The Ultimate Takeaway
Ultimately, the best wood pellet pizza oven for you should tick all the right boxes. – boasting top-notch engineering, fitting snugly into your backyard space, and falling within your budget.
While there are other fantastic pellet-fired pizza ovens out there, the ones I’ve unveiled here are truly in a league of their own. They have a knack for conjuring up pizzas that rival those from a pizzeria, all thanks to their unique ability to infuse the pizza crust with that irresistible smoky flavor.
So, go ahead and take your pick; I’m confident you’ve got all the cards on the table to make a savvy choice.
