Your Ultimate Guide to Buying a Home Pizza Oven
Once a feature of rustic villas and traditional Italian restaurants, the pizza oven has become one of the most sought-after additions to modern outdoor living. In recent years, more and more homeowners have embraced the idea of transforming their gardens into spaces for cooking, entertaining, and creating lasting memories.
Thanks to today’s innovations in design and performance, a home pizza oven is no longer a seasonal extra - it’s a year-round highlight, bringing authentic wood-fired flavour and versatility to your outdoor space. But with so many options available - from compact models ideal for smaller spaces, to larger ovens perfect for entertaining, and from simple wood-fired designs to flexible dual-fuel alternatives - choosing the right one can feel daunting.
That’s why we have created this guide: to help you explore the benefits, understand the options, and choose the oven that’s the best fit for your space, your style, and your way of living.
What Are the Main Benefits of Buying a Pizza Oven?
Beyond the BBQ
The traditional barbecue has long been a staple of outdoor cooking, perfect for grilling meats and vegetables over an open flame. But a BBQ is largely confined to grilling, making it less versatile than other options. A pizza oven takes alfresco cooking further. As well as creating authentic, wood-fired pizzas in minutes, it allows you to roast meats, bake bread, cook fish, or even prepare slow-cooked dishes - versatility that goes far beyond what most barbecues can provide.
Whether it is used to complement your existing BBQ set-up, or to replace it altogether, a pizza oven adds variety, flavour, and theatre to alfresco dining.
Authentic Wood-fired Flavour & Fast Cooking
Premium pizza ovens from leading brands such as Fontana, Clementi and Igneus reach the high temperatures needed (400–500°C) to create the blistered crust and smoky flavour of authentic Italian pizza. What’s more, most models heat up in just 20–40 minutes and cook a pizza in under 90 seconds, so you can be serving restaurant-quality food in your garden in no time at all.
And it’s not just about the food - a pizza oven changes the whole experience of entertaining.
Entertaining Elevated
Pizza ovens are made for sharing. Whether it’s a family evening or a gathering with friends, everyone can join in - from preparing their own toppings to watching pizzas cook in seconds. It’s interactive, sociable, and adds a touch of theatre that makes every occasion more memorable.
All-Year Round Enjoyment
Pizza ovens aren’t just perfect for summer evenings. Autumn and winter are ideal times to gather outdoors, with the glow of the oven creating warmth and atmosphere while hearty food is enjoyed together. It’s also the perfect opportunity to try seasonal recipes - from autumnal toppings to winter comfort dishes - making your pizza oven a true year-round companion for alfresco cooking and entertaining.
Types of Home Pizza Oven
When it comes to choosing the right pizza oven, there are three main categories to consider. Each offers something different depending on your space, lifestyle, and cooking ambitions.
1. Traditional Brick or Masonry Ovens
- Description: Permanent stone or clay ovens, typically wood-fired.
- Features: Rustic charm and excellent heat retention for authentic Italian cooking.
- Considerations: Require significant space, planning, and investment.
- Best for: Enthusiasts seeking a permanent garden feature and the most traditional wood-fired experience.
2. Modern Freestanding and Countertop Ovens
- Description: Contemporary ovens typically crafted from stainless steel, and available in wood, gas, or dual-fuel.
- Features: Sleek designs, quick heat-up times, versatile cooking potential, and a wide range of sizes. Weather-resistant and stylish, they work well for every set-up from compact patios to full outdoor kitchens.
- Considerations: Available in a range of sizes and fuel options, an excellent choice for most outdoor spaces and lifestyles; ideal for those wanting performance without the need for a permanent structure.
- Best for: Homeowners and budding chefs looking for style, flexibility, and performance. Often also suitable for light commercial use. (This is the heart of Alfresco Chic’s collection, including top brands such as Clementi, Fontana, and Igneus.)
3. Portable Pizza Ovens
- Description: Lightweight and compact; typically fuelled by gas, pellets, or charcoal.
- Features: Affordable, easy to move and convenient for smaller spaces.
- Considerations: Limited capacity, retain heat less effectively, and typically only cook pizza.
- Best for: Casual cooks, renters, or those wanting a simple, entry-level way to try outdoor pizza making.
Every type of oven comes with its own advantages; ultimately, the right oven will depend on how you like to cook, the space you have available and your vision for how you would like to use your outdoor space.
Key Considerations Before Buying a Pizza Oven
Choosing the right pizza oven is about more than just style or appearance - it’s about finding the model that suits your cooking style, space, and lifestyle. These are our top six essentials to keep in mind:
1. Fuel Type
The fuel type you choose shapes both the flavour of your food and the cooking experience. Wood-fired ovens deliver the smoky authenticity of traditional Italian pizza, but they require some fire management and space for log storage.
Gas-fired ovens, on the other hand, offer speed and convenience, heating up quickly and giving you precise temperature control. For those who want both flexibility and wood- fired flavour, dual-fuel ovens offer the best of both worlds, with the option to switch between gas for ease and wood for authenticity.
2. Size & Capacity
When it comes to size, there are two key points to consider: the internal cooking chamber and the oven’s external footprint. The chamber determines how much you can cook at once, with most modern ovens designed to handle 2, 4, or 5 x 12" pizzas at a time. But the external measurements are just as important - you’ll need to ensure the oven fits comfortably into your outdoor space, with enough room for safe use and preparation.
For couples or smaller families, a compact model like the Igneus Classico is often the most practical choice, while larger ovens, such as the Clementi 100 x 80 and the Fontana Marinara, are better suited to those who enjoy entertaining on a larger scale.
3. Build Quality & Materials
The materials and construction of your oven will directly influence how well it performs and how long it lasts. High-quality stainless or coated steel provides durability and resistance to the elements, while proper insulation ensures consistent heat and greater efficiency. Look for ovens with thick steel or refractory materials, which retain heat for longer and make it easier to cook multiple dishes in succession.
4. Compatibility With Your Outdoor Setup
Think about how your pizza oven will work alongside your existing or planned outdoor kitchen. Freestanding ovens with trolleys or carts are easy to reposition and provide flexibility, while built-in or countertop models are ideal for integrating into your outdoor kitchen.
Style also plays a role - whether you prefer sleek contemporary lines or a more traditional aesthetic, your oven should complement your outdoor space as well as enhance it.
5. Accessories
The right accessories not only make cooking easier but also protect your oven. Essentials include a pizza peel and pizza turner for handling pizzas, a rake and brush for keeping wood-fired models clean, and a cover to shield your oven from the elements.
At Alfresco Chic, we also offer bundle packages which bring together all the key accessories you’ll need to get started. Optional extras like gloves, infrared thermometers, and stands can further enhance your cooking experience.
6. Budget
Pizza ovens are available at a wide range of price points, from compact entry-level models such as the Igneus Classico, to large, professional-grade ovens such as the Fontana Marinara or Clementi Original. It’s worth thinking not only about the initial cost but also about the long-term value. A well-made pizza oven is an investment in lifestyle - one that brings authentic, restaurant-quality cooking to your garden and elevates your outdoor entertaining for years to come.
If you still have questions on what pizza oven is the right fit for you, make sure to reach out at info@alfrescochic.co.uk or give us a call on
Pizza Oven Myths Debunked
Once you’ve weighed up the practical considerations, it’s also worth addressing a few common myths that can put people off buying a pizza oven. Here are some of the most frequent misconceptions - and the truths behind them.
Myth #1: Pizza ovens are only for pizza
Despite the name, a pizza oven is one of the most versatile outdoor cooking tools you can own. As well as authentic pizzas, you can roast meats, bake bread, cook fish, or even prepare casseroles and desserts - making it a true all-rounder for alfresco dining.
Myth #2: They’re difficult for beginners
High heat and live flames might sound intimidating, but modern pizza ovens are designed to be user-friendly. With quick heat-up times and straightforward controls, they’re easy to master - even if you’ve never cooked with one before. A few simple tools and a little practice are all it takes to start producing fantastic results.
Myth #3: They take hours to heat up
This may have been true of traditional masonry pizza ovens, but modern designs are built for efficiency. Most quality models heat up in just 20–40 minutes, reaching the 400–500°C needed for authentic pizzas - and once ready, they can cook a pizza in under 90 seconds.
Myth #4: You need wood for authentic flavour
Wood-fired ovens do impart a wonderful smoky flavour, but gas-fired models can deliver equally impressive results with greater convenience. Dual-fuel ovens give you the best of both worlds, allowing you to switch between wood for that wood-fired flavour, and gas for speed and consistency.
These common myths often hold people back, but in reality, modern pizza ovens are easier, faster, and more versatile than many expect. And remember, you don’t need to be a professional chef to enjoy the full benefits of a pizza oven. With the right guidance and a little experimentation, you’ll be serving perfect wood-fired pizzas and gourmet meals in no time.
Out Top Recommendations
These pizza ovens offer fast, versatile cooking and reliable performance - whether you prefer wood, gas, or a combination of both. Each has been carefully selected for quality, durability, and ease of use, making it simple to pick the right oven for your outdoor space and gatherings.
Final Thoughts
The right pizza oven will do more than cook incredible food - it will turn your garden into a place where family and friends gather, laugh, and create unforgettable memories. Choosing the right model comes down to understanding your needs, your space, and the way you love to cook.
From fuel type and size to build quality and accessories, a well-chosen oven is an investment that will transform your outdoor living for years to come. Whether you’re drawn to the authenticity of wood fire, the convenience of gas, or the flexibility of dual fuel, there’s a perfect match waiting for you.
Explore our carefully curated pizza oven collection at Alfresco Chic and discover the pizza oven that’s the perfect fit for your home.
If you still have questions on what pizza oven is the right fit for you, make sure to reach out at info@alfrescochic.co.uk or give us a call on
