Best Pizza Ovens for 2024: Top Picks for Your Home Cooking Needs
Few things beat the joy of biting into a hot, crispy slice of homemade pizza. With the rise of high-quality pizza ovens designed for home use, you can recreate the magic of a pizzeria in your own backyard or kitchen. Whether you’re hosting a family get-together, having a pizza night with friends, or just treating yourself, these pizza ovens make cooking easy and fun.
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At “This 4 You“, we’ve tested some of the best pizza ovens available in 2024 to help you choose the right one for your needs. From budget-friendly wood-fired options to high-end gas-powered ovens, we’ve reviewed models from top brands like Ooni, Gozney, and more. Below, we share our top picks to help you enjoy restaurant-quality pizza from the comfort of your home.
1. Best Overall Pizza Oven: Ooni Koda 12
Price: Around $300
Fuel Type: Gas
Weight: 20 pounds
Pizza Size: 12 inches
Heat-Up Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 2 minutes
The Ooni Koda 12 stands out as our top pick for 2024. This gas-powered oven is incredibly user-friendly, lightweight, and portable, making it ideal for home cooks who want quick results with minimal effort. Despite its small size, the Koda 12 can reach a scorching 900°F in just 15 minutes, perfect for making authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas.
Thanks to its compact design, the Koda 12 is easy to transport, so whether you’re cooking in your backyard or bringing it along to a friend’s barbecue, it won’t weigh you down. The Koda 12 turns out crisp, thin pizzas in under two minutes, and the responsive temperature controls make it easy for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. If you’re just starting out, the smaller size helps reduce the margin for error, ensuring consistently good results.
While Ooni offers larger models like the Koda 16, we recommend sticking with the Koda 12, especially if you’re new to pizza making. Smaller pizzas tend to cook more evenly, and the compact design makes it easier to handle and store.
2. Runner-Up: Gozney Roccbox
Price: Around $400
Fuel Type: Gas (with optional wood burner attachment)
Weight: 60 pounds
Pizza Size: 12 inches
Heat-Up Time: 13 minutes
Cooking Time: 2 minutes
For those seeking a bit more versatility, the Gozney Roccbox is an excellent alternative to the Ooni Koda. While it’s heavier and bulkier, it offers impressive performance, reaching 900°F in just under 13 minutes. The Roccbox consistently made delicious pizzas in less than two minutes during our tests.
One unique feature of the Roccbox is its sturdy silicone jacket, which keeps the exterior cool to the touch. This makes it a great option for families with young kids who might wander close while the oven is in use. Though it’s heavier and costs about $100 more than the Koda, the Roccbox’s durability and safety features make it a solid investment for frequent pizza makers.
You can also purchase a wood burner attachment to switch between gas and wood-fired pizzas, adding flexibility to your cooking options. The Roccbox even comes with a premium pizza peel, valued at $85, included in the price.
3. Best Budget Pizza Oven: Ooni Karu 12
Price: Around $299
Fuel Type: Wood Pellets
Weight: 26 pounds
Pizza Size: 12 inches
Heat-Up Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 3 minutes
For those looking to get into pizza-making without breaking the bank, the Ooni Karu 12 is the best budget option. This wood-pellet-powered oven can often be found on sale for under $280, making it an affordable choice for casual cooks. While it takes a little longer to heat up than gas-powered models, it still reaches the necessary temperatures to cook pizzas in just a few minutes.
The Karu 12’s chimney is designed to manage smoke from wood pellets, keeping it out of your cooking area. While it requires a bit more manual work to maintain temperature consistency, the end result is just as satisfying as higher-end models. It’s an excellent choice for those who love the flavor of wood-fired pizza without the cost of a larger, gas-powered oven.
4. Easiest Pizza Oven to Use: Halo Versa 16
Price: Around $500
Fuel Type: Gas
Weight: 44 pounds
Pizza Size: 16 inches
Heat-Up Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 5-6 minutes
The Halo Versa 16 is perfect for anyone who values convenience. This gas-powered oven features a unique rotating pizza stone, eliminating the need to turn your pizza manually during cooking. This feature ensures an evenly cooked pie every time, making it an excellent option for beginner cooks.
Its liftable lid provides easy access, so you can check on your pizza without interrupting the cooking process, and it makes cleaning a breeze. While it’s pricier than the Ooni Koda, the Halo Versa’s thoughtful design justifies the cost, especially if you want to make pizza-making as effortless as possible.
5. Best Semipermanent Pizza Oven: Alpha Nano
Price: Around $1,299
Fuel Type: Gas
Weight: 110 pounds
Pizza Size: Up to 19 inches
Heat-Up Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 3-4 minutes
For those who are serious about pizza and looking for something more permanent, the Alpha Nano is a top-tier option. Larger and heavier than other ovens on this list, the Nano can cook pizzas up to 19 inches, making it perfect for big gatherings. The spacious interior also makes it versatile enough for cooking other dishes, like roasted meats and vegetables.
With the Nano, you’re getting a more professional-grade pizza oven that’s built to last. Its high heat retention ensures that pizzas cook quickly and evenly, and the added oven door helps maintain consistent temperatures. While it’s heavier and more expensive, the Alpha Nano is a worthwhile investment for dedicated pizza enthusiasts.
Table
Here’s a table summarizing the best pizza ovens for 2024 based on the detailed descriptions:
| Pizza Oven | Price | Fuel Type | Weight | Pizza Size | Heat-Up Time | Cooking Time | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ooni Koda 12 | Around $300 | Gas | 20 lbs | 12 inches | 15 minutes | 2 minutes | Portable, fast cooking, responsive temperature controls |
| Gozney Roccbox | Around $400 | Gas (wood attachment optional) | 60 lbs | 12 inches | 13 minutes | 2 minutes | Sturdy build, silicone jacket for safety, comes with $85 pizza peel |
| Ooni Karu 12 | Around $299 | Wood Pellets | 26 lbs | 12 inches | 20 minutes | 3 minutes | Budget-friendly, chimney for smoke management, wood-fired flavor |
| Halo Versa 16 | Around $500 | Gas | 44 lbs | 16 inches | 15 minutes | 5-6 minutes | Rotating pizza stone, liftable lid for easy access and cleaning |
| Alpha Nano | Around $1,299 | Gas | 110 lbs | Up to 19 inches | 10 minutes | 3-4 minutes | Large capacity, versatile for cooking other dishes, semipermanent setup |
This table provides a quick comparison of each pizza oven’s key details for your readers.
No matter your budget or cooking style, there’s a pizza oven for you in 2024. Whether you prefer the portability and simplicity of the Ooni Koda 12, the versatility of the Gozney Roccbox, or the convenience of the Halo Versa, these pizza ovens make it easier than ever to bring restaurant-quality pizzas to your home.
Bookmark “This 4 You“ for more expert reviews on the latest gadgets and appliances, and turn your backyard into the ultimate pizza-making haven!
FAQs: Best Pizza Ovens of 2024
- Which pizza oven is the best overall for home use?
- The Ooni Koda 12 is the best overall pizza oven for 2024 due to its portability, fast heat-up time (15 minutes), and ease of use. It’s perfect for beginners and produces crispy pizzas in under 2 minutes.
- What makes the Ooni Koda 12 a top choice?
- The Ooni Koda 12 is portable, lightweight (20 lbs), and uses gas to quickly reach temperatures of 900°F. It’s simple to operate, with responsive temperature controls, making it ideal for fast and delicious pizzas at home.
- Which pizza oven is best for a large family gathering?
- The Alpha Nano is the best choice for large family gatherings. It can cook larger pizzas up to 19 inches and has enough space for other dishes like roasted chicken or vegetables, offering versatility for big meals.
- What is the most budget-friendly pizza oven?
- The Ooni Karu 12 is the most budget-friendly option, priced around $299 or less. It’s a wood-pellet-powered oven that delivers smoky-flavored pizzas with a slightly longer preheat time.
- Are there any pizza ovens with easy cleaning features?
- Yes, the Halo Versa 16 features a rotating pizza stone and a liftable lid, making it easier to clean than most ovens. The open top allows for quick access to the stone for regular cleaning.
- What are the advantages of using gas-powered pizza ovens?
- Gas-powered pizza ovens, like the Ooni Koda 12 and Gozney Roccbox, are easy to ignite, offer precise temperature control, and heat up faster compared to wood or pellet-fueled models.
- Can I use wood as fuel for any of these pizza ovens?
- Yes, the Gozney Roccbox has an optional wood burner attachment, while the Ooni Karu 12 primarily uses wood pellets for fuel, offering a traditional wood-fired pizza experience.
- Which pizza oven is the easiest to transport?
- The Ooni Koda 12 is the most portable option, weighing only 20 lbs. It’s ideal for outdoor cooking, camping, or any on-the-go pizza parties.
- How long do these pizza ovens take to cook a pizza?
- Most of the pizza ovens on this list can cook a pizza in 2-3 minutes once fully heated. The Halo Versa 16 takes slightly longer, around 5-6 minutes, due to its larger size and rotating stone feature.
- What’s the best pizza oven for beginners?
- The Ooni Koda 12 is highly recommended for beginners because of its simple setup, fast preheat time, and easy gas-powered operation, making it a user-friendly choice for those new to pizza making.