Our Outdoor Pizza Oven Hot Takes

Actor and comedian Kevin James once said, “There’s no better feeling in the world than a warm pizza box in your lap.” While there are so many ways to cook a warm, melty, cheesy pizza that gives you no better feeling than a warm pizza box in your lap, which is the right option? Should you:  

1. Throw a frozen pizza in the oven.  
2. Put a slice or two in the microwave.  
3. Heat it up in the air fryer. 

All these answers could be correct, but they’re all wrong. The oven, microwave, and air fryer will give you a warm pizza but won’t give you the best pizza. The oven cooks your pizza, but it’s not restaurant-grade fresh, the microwave can leave your pizza soggy, and the air fryer doesn’t always cook your pizza through the middle, leaving it frozen inside. 

The correct answer here is actually: 

1. Cook your pizza in an outdoor pizza oven for the freshest, hottest, meltiest pizza you and your family or friends can all enjoy. 

What makes cooking a pizza in an outdoor pizza oven so much better? The short answer is that the hotter the oven, the better the pizza. The best temperature to cook a pizza in a conventional oven is between 450 and 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and pizza ovens cook at temperatures between 800 and 900 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Since these temperatures are significantly hotter than what a conventional oven would cook at, reaching such a high level of heat sets outdoor pizza ovens apart from other traditional indoor cooking methods. The intense heat allows for a shorter cooking time– creating a crispy, charred crust while ensuring the toppings cook quickly and evenly. 

Is all this talk about cooking pizza making you hungry yet? Whatever flavor of pizza you’re craving, take a break, grab your favorite Dogtown frozen pizza, and come back so you can follow these simple steps on how to perfect it in your pizza oven. 

Don’t worry—you’re not an outdoor pizza oven owner yet. We’ll also give you a breakdown of the best options available now.  

Our Outdoor Pizza Oven Buying Guide  

1. Which Type of Outdoor Pizza Oven is Best for You? 

Already have a pizza oven and consider yourself a pro chef? Upgrade and splurge on a luxury one. If you’re new to cooking in pizza ovens and not sure if you’re fully committed to spending on all the added amenities, go for a more basic model with an entry-level oven. 

From entry-level, practical, premium, and luxury, here’s a simple breakdown as you browse what types of pizza ovens are out there.  

• Entry-Level: 
  • Cheapest 
  • Smallest 
  • Portable 
• Practical: 
  • Budget-friendly 
  • Easy to use 
  • Lighter than most premium and luxury models 
• Premium: 
  • Versatile  
  • Customizable 
  • Includes additional accessories and unique features 
• Luxury: 
  • Most expensive 
  • Made from top-of-the-line materials for added functionality and charm 
  • Includes refractory cooking domes and chimneys for optimal heat retention 

2. Is an Outdoor Pizza Oven Worth the Cost?  

All-in-all: yes. While it can be an expensive purchase, a pizza oven will pay off in the long run. Like any other amenity, you’ll use it countless times, and the payoff is delicious. It’s a great way to optimize the taste of your pizza, spend more time outdoors, and venture beyond traditional indoor cooking methods. It’s also a great conversation starter! 

3. Pizza Oven Pros and Cons 

While we certainly think the pros outweigh the cons for outdoor pizza ovens, there are some things to consider before purchasing one.  

Pros: 

• Efficient 
• Quick to cook 
• Long-lasting and durable 
• Creates better-tasting pizza 
• Wood-fired ovens add more flavor and smokiness  

Cons: 

• Expensive 
• Easier to burn 
• May be hard to maintain and keep clean 
• Larger ovens can be harder to store 

While the cons can be subjective, it is worth it to note that the types of pizza ovens and methods of cooking vary. A pizza oven doesn’t have to be expensive, as there are portable ones as low as $99.99 on Amazon . And, the more you cook, the better you’ll get. You can become your family’s very own professional pizza chef and connoisseur in no time! 

How-To: Perfect Your Cooking in a Pizza Oven 

Now that you’ve got your perfect pizza oven in mind, it’s time for the fun part– mastering your pizza-cooking skills with our step-by-step guide! We already got the hard part out of the way with most of the prep, so all you need to do is throw your choice of Dogtown pizza in the oven. That means less time waiting and more time enjoying! So, let’s get to it.  

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide  

1. Prep: Take off all packaging and place your pizza on a peel so that you can easily slide it into the oven.
2. Pre-Heat: For wood-fire pizza ovens, pre-heat for about 20 minutes at 750 degrees Fahrenheit. Gas pizza ovens pre-heat much faster and will only need about 10 minutes at 850 degrees Fahrenheit. Your pizza oven should range between 700-1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Cook: The make and model of oven you’re using and the temperature it is set at will determine how long you will need to keep it in the oven. This could take anywhere from roughly 1-7 minutes. Turn every 10-20 seconds until the crust is a crispy, dark brown and the cheese is bubbling.
4. Serve: With your peel, carefully remove the hot pizza from the oven and place it on the counter. Let it rest for 2 minutes and wait until the cheese stops bubbling. Carefully cut your pizza into wedges or squares. Bon appetit! Enjoy and share with family and friends.

Spice up traditional cooking and buy a pizza oven today! Cook in a fun and faster way everyone will appreciate. Have your favorite pizza oven in mind? Comment down below your favorite one.