How to Choose the Perfect Pizza Oven
If you're thinking of building your very own pizza oven at home, this guide will help you pick the best option to suit your needs
Imagine this: you and a group of your nearest and dearest are sitting around your outdoor dining table of an evening, enjoying a bottle of chianti and some fun, relaxed conversation. As you sit and chat, the warmth from a wood-burning stove nearby keeps you all cosy and comfortable, making for an idyllic atmosphere. Then, before long, the delectable scents of baking bread, herb-filled tomato sauce and hot, melting cheese waft over you all, immediately making your mouths water. A rustic pizza dinner, it seems, is just about ready.
This simple dream of having a purpose-built pizza oven at home is one shared by many Australians. Some want an oven they can use every other day to feed the family, others just want to use it on special occasions or for irregular outdoor entertaining. If you’re one of the people who share this dream, but aren’t really sure how to go about making it come true, this guide can help you sort through your pizza-oven options – covering everything from size and materials to fuel options and some costs – so you can find the slice of heaven that’s right for your home.
This simple dream of having a purpose-built pizza oven at home is one shared by many Australians. Some want an oven they can use every other day to feed the family, others just want to use it on special occasions or for irregular outdoor entertaining. If you’re one of the people who share this dream, but aren’t really sure how to go about making it come true, this guide can help you sort through your pizza-oven options – covering everything from size and materials to fuel options and some costs – so you can find the slice of heaven that’s right for your home.
Small
A small pizza oven, with a baking chamber of between 60 and 80 centimetres in diameter, will cost around $550 and up, not including installation costs. This size oven will cook one standard pizza (of about 25-30 centimetres in diameter) at a time, or two smaller ones, and should be enough to feed one to two people.
A small pizza oven, with a baking chamber of between 60 and 80 centimetres in diameter, will cost around $550 and up, not including installation costs. This size oven will cook one standard pizza (of about 25-30 centimetres in diameter) at a time, or two smaller ones, and should be enough to feed one to two people.
Medium
The family-sized oven has a baking chamber of between 80 and 100 centimetres in diameter, big enough to cook two to three standard pizzas at a time. This is enough to feed an average family of four to six people, and will set you back anywhere between $600 and $3,000, not including installation, and depending on the materials, the style and the fit-out.
The family-sized oven has a baking chamber of between 80 and 100 centimetres in diameter, big enough to cook two to three standard pizzas at a time. This is enough to feed an average family of four to six people, and will set you back anywhere between $600 and $3,000, not including installation, and depending on the materials, the style and the fit-out.
Large
If cooking four or five pizzas at a time in order to feed a number of guests sounds more like what you’re after, you’re going to want to make a more significant investment with a large entertainer’s pizza oven. This may mean buying a commercial oven.
Large ovens generally range from between 100 and 130 centimeters in diameter in the baking chambers, and can easily fit four to five pizzas on the cooking surface (hearth) at a time. For an oven this size, expect to pay between $2,000 and $6,000 for the oven alone.
Installation will cost extra if you want it built in. According to Jonelle Lowe from Alfresco Wood Fired Pizza Ovens in WA: “Base construction for the oven can start from $1,000 for a basic structure – but the sky is the limit depending on materials and features you want built into your finished pizza oven area.”
Global foodies and what’s cooking in their kitchens
If cooking four or five pizzas at a time in order to feed a number of guests sounds more like what you’re after, you’re going to want to make a more significant investment with a large entertainer’s pizza oven. This may mean buying a commercial oven.
Large ovens generally range from between 100 and 130 centimeters in diameter in the baking chambers, and can easily fit four to five pizzas on the cooking surface (hearth) at a time. For an oven this size, expect to pay between $2,000 and $6,000 for the oven alone.
Installation will cost extra if you want it built in. According to Jonelle Lowe from Alfresco Wood Fired Pizza Ovens in WA: “Base construction for the oven can start from $1,000 for a basic structure – but the sky is the limit depending on materials and features you want built into your finished pizza oven area.”
Global foodies and what’s cooking in their kitchens
MATERIALS
The material you choose to build your pizza oven will directly impact its efficiency as well as its price, so consider these points as well as the aesthetics, before making your material choice.
Brick
Brick ovens are exceptionally fuel efficient, as they retain up to 85 per cent of the heat generated by a wood fire. As a result or this, and the relative cost-effectiveness of the material, bricks are a very popular choice when building a pizza oven.
Rendering the bricks in cement is more of an aesthetic choice than one of efficiency, though cement render would also help to retain extra heat for faster cooking.
The material you choose to build your pizza oven will directly impact its efficiency as well as its price, so consider these points as well as the aesthetics, before making your material choice.
Brick
Brick ovens are exceptionally fuel efficient, as they retain up to 85 per cent of the heat generated by a wood fire. As a result or this, and the relative cost-effectiveness of the material, bricks are a very popular choice when building a pizza oven.
Rendering the bricks in cement is more of an aesthetic choice than one of efficiency, though cement render would also help to retain extra heat for faster cooking.
Stone
Stone has very similar heat efficiency to brick when used for pizza ovens, but depending on the stone used, this can be a rather expensive option. Natural stone is often chosen because of the aesthetic value of the material, however, stone can be used just to create a facade for your oven, rather than using it for the baking chamber as well, which would help to reduce the cost.
Warm up your house with natural materials
Stone has very similar heat efficiency to brick when used for pizza ovens, but depending on the stone used, this can be a rather expensive option. Natural stone is often chosen because of the aesthetic value of the material, however, stone can be used just to create a facade for your oven, rather than using it for the baking chamber as well, which would help to reduce the cost.
Warm up your house with natural materials
Cob/Clay
Cob is a natural building material made from earth (generally clay), sand and straw. A cob oven is cheap to make and also incredibly fuel efficient. However, as a material, it is not as popular as brick because the construction of clay/cob ovens can be tricky due to the risk of the baking chamber cracking if not fired properly.
Cob is a natural building material made from earth (generally clay), sand and straw. A cob oven is cheap to make and also incredibly fuel efficient. However, as a material, it is not as popular as brick because the construction of clay/cob ovens can be tricky due to the risk of the baking chamber cracking if not fired properly.
Steel
In contemporary homes, particularly those located near the coast, stainless steel is a popular choice for pizza ovens. The body of the oven will require less maintenance than with some other materials, and it is easier to connect these modern-style ovens to gas for use as a fuel source. This is a common choice when the oven is installed as part of an outdoor kitchen, alongside a gas barbecue.
In contemporary homes, particularly those located near the coast, stainless steel is a popular choice for pizza ovens. The body of the oven will require less maintenance than with some other materials, and it is easier to connect these modern-style ovens to gas for use as a fuel source. This is a common choice when the oven is installed as part of an outdoor kitchen, alongside a gas barbecue.
PLACEMENT
Do you prefer to do your entertaining out of doors, especially to enjoy long summer evenings, or would you rather be protected from the elements and therefore able to use your oven all year round under shelter? Answering these questions will help you to decide on the right placement for your pizza oven.
Indoors
Integrating your pizza oven into your home’s kitchen would necessitate choosing a smaller oven, and this is obviously easier to do if you are already renovating. When you’re considering this option, keep in mind that the oven will likely need a chimney installed to get rid of smoke, so that it doesn’t fill up your home.
Do you prefer to do your entertaining out of doors, especially to enjoy long summer evenings, or would you rather be protected from the elements and therefore able to use your oven all year round under shelter? Answering these questions will help you to decide on the right placement for your pizza oven.
Indoors
Integrating your pizza oven into your home’s kitchen would necessitate choosing a smaller oven, and this is obviously easier to do if you are already renovating. When you’re considering this option, keep in mind that the oven will likely need a chimney installed to get rid of smoke, so that it doesn’t fill up your home.
Outdoors
An outdoor entertaining area dedicated to enjoying homemade pizzas with a crowd of family and friends is a great way to make the most of warm weather. Even with the sometimes temperamental Australian climate, it’s still possible to use a space like this, even on rainy evenings, thanks to the pergola. However, while the oven will provide some heat, a space like this would still be fairly open to the elements, and would likely not be used as much in the winter months.
An outdoor entertaining area dedicated to enjoying homemade pizzas with a crowd of family and friends is a great way to make the most of warm weather. Even with the sometimes temperamental Australian climate, it’s still possible to use a space like this, even on rainy evenings, thanks to the pergola. However, while the oven will provide some heat, a space like this would still be fairly open to the elements, and would likely not be used as much in the winter months.
Enclosure
As a compromise, this kitchen is technically outside the house, yet is still well enclosed for use all year round.
Make the most of indoor-outdoor entertaining
As a compromise, this kitchen is technically outside the house, yet is still well enclosed for use all year round.
Make the most of indoor-outdoor entertaining
Portable oven
If you don’t have enough space for an integrated pizza oven either indoors or outdoors, why not consider a portable oven instead. A small portable pizza oven can be picked up for under $300 – complete with pizza stone – from home improvement stores such as Bunnings or Masters, or from retailers including Barbecues Galore. These can be wood fired or gas powered, and will generally be of steel construction. They’re simple to set up, and when not in use, can be wheeled away and stored for your next pizza-related event.
If you don’t have enough space for an integrated pizza oven either indoors or outdoors, why not consider a portable oven instead. A small portable pizza oven can be picked up for under $300 – complete with pizza stone – from home improvement stores such as Bunnings or Masters, or from retailers including Barbecues Galore. These can be wood fired or gas powered, and will generally be of steel construction. They’re simple to set up, and when not in use, can be wheeled away and stored for your next pizza-related event.
DIY KITS
If you prefer to build your pizza oven yourself, rather than buying a portable oven or having one built in by a professional, there are several options out there for DIY kits. Alfresco’s Lowe says, “You can expect to pay from $1,800 for a quality DIY kit that is manufactured in Australia. Prices for quality ovens should range from $1,800 for a medium-sized DIY kit, through to $4,500 for a very large fully assembled oven.”
If you prefer to build your pizza oven yourself, rather than buying a portable oven or having one built in by a professional, there are several options out there for DIY kits. Alfresco’s Lowe says, “You can expect to pay from $1,800 for a quality DIY kit that is manufactured in Australia. Prices for quality ovens should range from $1,800 for a medium-sized DIY kit, through to $4,500 for a very large fully assembled oven.”
FUEL OPTIONS
Wood burning
If you’re a fan of the traditional flavours of wood-fired pizzas, not to mention the slightly charred, crispy bases, a wood-burning oven is the way to go. This is a very popular option for residential ovens, as they can be freestanding and do not need to be connected to any amenities.
Charcoal/coal
Wood-fired ovens can also be fuelled with either charcoal or coal for a different flavour, though these options are often considered to be less efficient, and less eco-friendly.
Wood burning
If you’re a fan of the traditional flavours of wood-fired pizzas, not to mention the slightly charred, crispy bases, a wood-burning oven is the way to go. This is a very popular option for residential ovens, as they can be freestanding and do not need to be connected to any amenities.
Charcoal/coal
Wood-fired ovens can also be fuelled with either charcoal or coal for a different flavour, though these options are often considered to be less efficient, and less eco-friendly.
Gas/electric
More contemporary in style, a gas or electric pizza oven is a cleaner option, particularly for an indoor or enclosed kitchen. Installation of an oven like this can be slightly more expensive, because of the costs incurred for a specialised tradesperson to connect it to gas or electricity, and this is on top of the price of the oven.
However, you can instead choose an oven that’s hooked up to a gas bottle rather than connecting it to gas mains. Just ask your architect or retailer about this option to get a better idea of what suits your needs.
More contemporary in style, a gas or electric pizza oven is a cleaner option, particularly for an indoor or enclosed kitchen. Installation of an oven like this can be slightly more expensive, because of the costs incurred for a specialised tradesperson to connect it to gas or electricity, and this is on top of the price of the oven.
However, you can instead choose an oven that’s hooked up to a gas bottle rather than connecting it to gas mains. Just ask your architect or retailer about this option to get a better idea of what suits your needs.
STYLE
Once you’ve decided on whether you want a small, medium or large oven to cook up your pizza dreams, survey the space you have available and figure out what style of oven will make the best use of the space you have available. While other oven shapes are available, the most common styles are the dome oven and the barrel vault. These shapes apply specifically to the baking chamber; if you’re looking for a built-in oven, a facade can be added around the chamber to create variations in shape.
Once you’ve decided on whether you want a small, medium or large oven to cook up your pizza dreams, survey the space you have available and figure out what style of oven will make the best use of the space you have available. While other oven shapes are available, the most common styles are the dome oven and the barrel vault. These shapes apply specifically to the baking chamber; if you’re looking for a built-in oven, a facade can be added around the chamber to create variations in shape.
Dome
This is the traditional shape of pizza ovens, known as the Tuscan or Pompeii style, and features a dome-shaped baking chamber with a square hearth at the front and a chimney or flue at the top. The main advantage of this style of pizza oven is that an even temperature can be achieved and maintained throughout the oven, resulting in more consistent cooking.
This is the traditional shape of pizza ovens, known as the Tuscan or Pompeii style, and features a dome-shaped baking chamber with a square hearth at the front and a chimney or flue at the top. The main advantage of this style of pizza oven is that an even temperature can be achieved and maintained throughout the oven, resulting in more consistent cooking.
Barrel vault
For a larger baking chamber, a barrel vault oven provides a similar structure to the dome oven, but extends further in the back to create a larger oven. This style of oven is also a good choice if you want to use your oven for things other than making pizza, including baking bread and roasting meats. However, due to the elongated shape, barrel vault ovens are prone to hot and cold spots and need to be carefully monitored for consistent cooking.
TELL US
Have you considered installing or building a pizza oven at home? Let us know what style you think would best suit your home, family and budget in the Comments below.
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For a larger baking chamber, a barrel vault oven provides a similar structure to the dome oven, but extends further in the back to create a larger oven. This style of oven is also a good choice if you want to use your oven for things other than making pizza, including baking bread and roasting meats. However, due to the elongated shape, barrel vault ovens are prone to hot and cold spots and need to be carefully monitored for consistent cooking.
TELL US
Have you considered installing or building a pizza oven at home? Let us know what style you think would best suit your home, family and budget in the Comments below.
MORE
15 Pizza Ovens That Are a Slice of Heaven
9 Tips for a Functional and Stylish Outdoor Kitchen
Three Cheers for Chimineas
The size of oven you need will depend on a number of things. First off, how are you planning to use it? Is the intention to feed yourself and your significant other once or twice a week with just a single pizza between you? Or are you more likely to be hosting large gatherings on a regular basis, with many hungry bellies to fill?
The amount of food you’re planning to cook in your oven will be the biggest consideration when it comes to size. However, you will also need to think about the amount of space you have available, as well as your budget for the project. These factors will also directly affect the size.