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 [Life](/life) 

 



 /  05 August 2020  

#  The SLMan Guide To… Pizza Ovens  


 They might be the best way to enjoy a taste of Italy this summer, so we asked a couple of specialists for the lowdown on pizza ovens. They gave us six pointers, then we rounded up the best models out there right now...  
 

 



 

 



 

 

 

 

**There Are Different Types**   
The advice from outdoor pizza oven specialist [Ooni](https://uk.ooni.com) is: “Consider what is going to be the best choice of fuel for you.” Wood-fired, charcoal, gas or multi-fuel? They use different fuels and deliver different cooks. The most popular option is a wood-fired oven, which lets you create authentic, stonebaked pizzas at home, and uses wood-pellets to create that smoky flavour. Iain Ellis, buyer for outdoor living products at [John Lewis](https://www.johnlewis.com), recommends a wood-fired clay oven like the versatile [DeliVita](https://www.delivita.co.uk/products/the-very-black-oven#Features), which is “a mini version of what you would see at a pizzeria”.  
  
**Think About How Many You’re Cooking For**   
Size matters, advises Iain. Most portable ovens can hold a single 12-inch pizza, so consider a larger model if you’re planning to cook regularly for a big group. Wood-fired ovens are available as compact portable models and in larger dome styles, but need considerably more care than gas models – they should be cleaned out after each use.  
  
**They Don’t Have To Be Expensive…**  
“Pizza ovens don’t need to cost a fortune,” according to Ooni. “Most portable models – that is anything that isn’t a built-in or brick oven – cost a fraction of the price of a traditional, permanent wood-fired oven.” Somewhere between £200 and £400 can get you a durable, portable oven from a well-respected brand, whereas a traditional [brick dome oven](https://www.fuegowoodfiredovens.com/shop/fuego-ovens/brick-range/brick-80/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-NSHp47R6gIV0u3tCh1GowqJEAkYCSABEgKkRfD_BwE) can cost thousands.  
  
**…But They Can Be Heavy**  
“Portable pizza ovens vary in weight from around 15kg up to 30kg, so you will need to ensure you have a sturdy table or surface to set yours up on”, says Iain. If you’re concerned about the reliability of the surface, you can buy specific pizza oven stands or [tables](https://uk.ooni.com/products/ooni-modular-table-large?utm_source=connexity&utm_medium=cpc), most of which also have storage and hooks for cooking utensils.  
  
**Keep A Close Eye On Cooking Times**  
“A pizza will take 60-90 seconds to cook in most ovens, which take 15-25 minutes to heat up”, says Iain. Pizza ovens work by getting to an extremely high temperature – roughly 500ºC – very quickly, which ensures you get a crispy base and crust. Be prepared to do a few trial runs before you nail the temperature and timing. You can also use wood-fired pizza ovens to cook fish and meat dishes, or even bake bread, points out Iain. These will take longer than a pizza – use a timer and thermometer to check everything is cooked through before serving.  
  
**Make Sure You’ve Got The Right Utensils.**   
Ooni recommends a pizza peel “to launch, turn and retrieve pizzas from your oven with ease”. Choose between aluminium and bamboo options, perforated or flat. If your oven doesn’t have a built-in thermometer, you’ll want one – especially if you’re planning to smoke meat and fish. Iain’s advice: “Think about a protective cover, cooking tools, cleaning equipment and a pizza oven cookbook too.”  
  
*For more info on pizza ovens, visit [JohnLewis.com](https://www.johnlewis.com/) and [Ooni.com](https://ooni.com/)*

 

 

 

### Got all that? Now check out the SLMan pizza oven edit below...

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.slman.com/pJmsgusbK0-ezabFt2u85Y1slWM=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2020%2F08%2Fooni-fyra-portable-outdoor-pizza-oven-blacksilver-ps22900-jlp-r.jpg?itok=4wKAg9VZ)

 

 ](https://uk.ooni.com/products/ooni-fyra) 

 

 

 

 

##### Ooni Fyra Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven, £229

Delivering wood-fired pizzas in 60 seconds, this sleek number from Ooni is good for garden parties or quick weekday dinners. Fuelled by wood pellets, it has a detachable chimney, making it easy to store and transport. It can also cook meat, fish and veg.  
   
*Visit [UK.Ooni.com](https://uk.ooni.com/products/ooni-fyra)*

 

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.slman.com/lk0ctsRkYxTRegMtwUlQ7Tnz7pA=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2020%2F08%2Ffirepod-pizza-oven-ps399-r.jpg?itok=nHOcvaxU)

 

 ](https://www.thefirepod.com/products/firepod) 

 

 

 

 

##### The Firepod Pizza Oven, £399

This is one of the most compact pizza ovens out there. It’s 39cm tall and just over 50cm wide, meaning it works in small spaces, such as a balcony. It heats up in under 10 minutes and comes with two pizza stones, safety gloves and a pizza peel. Side handles make it easy to carry, if you’re taking it to a mate’s house or on a camping trip.  
   
*Visit [TheFirePod.com](https://www.thefirepod.com/products/firepod)*

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.slman.com/wdDM8WxikmAyB0-7X3IQrdXQw2A=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2020%2F08%2Fdelivita-pizza-lovers-collection-wood-fired-outdoor-oven-cover-utensils-starter-set-hale-grey.jpg?itok=DyzsgWgV)

 

 ](https://www.delivita.co.uk/products/the-very-black-oven) 

 

 

 

 

##### DeliVita Pizzaiolo Set, £1,495

More of an investment piece, DeliVita’s set comes with all the hardware you need to create restaurant-quality pizzas at home. Its outdoor wood-burning oven has a waterproof shell, a prodder for moving wood around, a cleaning brush and a protective covering. It heats up in around 25 minutes and cooks your pizza of choice in 90 seconds.  
  
*Visit [DeliVita.co.uk](https://www.delivita.co.uk/products/the-very-black-oven)*

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.slman.com/hhs4eX5Fna42rBVUThgxClTIFZw=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2020%2F08%2Figneus-bambino-wood-fired-outdoor-pizza-oven-ps58900-pizza-oven-shop-r.jpg?itok=07tKyeIa)

 

 ](https://www.igneuswoodfiredovens.com/product/igneus-bambino-pizza-oven/) 

 

 

 

 

##### Igneus Bambino, £589

Price wise, the Bambino is a solid mid-range option. As well as pizzas, it can hold a large roasting tin or tray, so you can cook potatoes, veggies and joints. For ease of transportation, the chimney is detachable and can fit inside the oven.  
   
*Visit [IgneusWoodfiredOvens.com](https://www.igneuswoodfiredovens.com/product/igneus-bambino-pizza-oven/)*

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.slman.com/PpL4ptYLNvnKX1SP4nTBukskM3E=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2020%2F08%2Fportable-gourmet-bbq-pizza-oven-ps8999-noths-2-r.jpg?itok=R1_wqht5)

 

 ](https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/gardenleisure/product/portable-pizza-oven) 

 

 

 

 

##### Garden Leisure Portable Gourmet BBQ Pizza Oven, £89.99

Not ready to invest in a standalone oven? This BBQ-friendly model is the next best thing. Heat up your grill and place the steel oven on top, leaving your pizza to crisp up. This portable model includes a temperature gauge to keep your timings spot on.  
   
*Visit [NotOnTheHighStreet.com](https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/gardenleisure/product/portable-pizza-oven)*

 

 

 

 

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