Pizza oven recommendations

Dawgtired

Thinking about adding one to my arsenal. Anyone have one that they are really happy with?

Hoster05

I’ve got the Ooni karu 12 and I really like it.  I can use lump charcoal to get the stone to 500-600 degrees, than add a few chunks of wood before launching a pizza and the temp will spike to 800-900 degrees.  Definitely a learning curve but really fun for social gatherings.   My kids also like to make pizzas and have them cooked fast and ready to eat.  

TEXASBGE2018

I have a pizza party Bollore but they no longer sell in the U.S. As far as domestically the Ooni's are very popular. I like the Look of the Gozni Dome. What are looking to spend is really the 1st question.

westernbbq

Roccbox,  dual fuel capable, sturdy, simple, and dead nuts reliable, like a Mercedes 240D or Toyota 4Runner...

JohnInCarolina

What’s the budget?  

SonVolt

Full size or patio? 

Ozzie_Isaac

I recommend getting bigger than you think you need if you have the space.  Also, if you get a bigger oven then you can cook more than just pizzas.  I have a Forno Pronto 200, wish I had got the Forno Torino 200 instead, or the Alfa 4 Pizze.

It is my current favorite cooking device.  They are a ton of fun and really make cooking interactive.

ColtsFan

I have the pizza party Ardore and I believe they are shipping to the US again. 

JohnInCarolina

ColtsFan said:

I have the pizza party Ardore and I believe they are shipping to the US again. 

That’s a nice oven.  We need to revive your pizza thread!

danhoo

JohnInCarolina said:

What’s the budget?  

This is a key question. 

Ozzie_Isaac

If we only get one answer per day, we should all vote on the answer we need to help the OP.

1. Budget

2. Size limitations
3. Fuel Type

4. What does OP want to cook with it?
5. Permanent or Portable?

CTMike

Go big or go home:

We also have an Ooni Karu 16 for when we don’t want to wait 6 hours for the WFO to get up to temp. 

As others have said, what is your budget, portable or permanent, choice of fuel, etc?

Those answers will help us provide better recommendations. 

Langner91

CTMike said:

Go big or go home:

Another great use of the Rockwood rocks!  That's awesome!

dmchicago

Langner91 said:

CTMike said:

Go big or go home:

Another great use of the Rockwood rocks!  That's awesome!

Free pizza oven in every bag!

Ozzie_Isaac

I think it is safe to day @Dawgtired just isn't committed to this lifestyle.

Dawgtired

I haven’t really considered what the budget is. Under 4K maybe? Just like to buy the one that’s the best for the money.
I’m not going to build one though. 

Size…I’ll be using at the lake house where I’ll retire very soon. Mainly be using when the grandkids and mom and dad come over.
Fuel? I prefer wood or lump charcoal w/ wood. I assume gas or electric would be easier, but I’m looking to make the best tasting pizza I can.
This help? I really appreciate the feedback so far. Y’all are awesome!

TEXASBGE2018

Dawgtired said:

I haven’t really considered what the budget is. Under 4K maybe? Just like to buy the one that’s the best for the money.
I’m not going to build one though. 

Size…I’ll be using at the lake house where I’ll retire very soon. Mainly be using when the grandkids and mom and dad come over.
Fuel? I prefer wood or lump charcoal w/ wood. I assume gas or electric would be easier, but I’m looking to make the best tasting pizza I can.
This help? I really appreciate the feedback so far. Y’all are awesome!

For under $4k go with what Ozzie recommended

alaskanassasin

Ozzie_Isaac said:

I recommend getting bigger than you think you need if you have the space.  Also, if you get a bigger oven then you can cook more than just pizzas.  I have a Forno Pronto 200, wish I had got the Forno Torino 200 instead, or the Alfa 4 Pizze.

It is my current favorite cooking device.  They are a ton of fun and really make cooking interactive.

 How many inches are we talking @Ozzie_Isaac.  I currently make 16" pizzas but 20" would be my goal with a dedicated oven.
  Thanks for letting me tag along here @Dawgtired

cookingdude555

Love my gozney dome. Big enough to cook a big pizza, small enough to manage/move. 

Ozzie_Isaac

I have a Forno Pronto 200.  It is table top, they make a Pronto 500 (same size) which comes on a cart.  If you have the money and the space I would go next size up.  I use it for a ton of things, pizzas are a small percentage of my cooks in it.  Mine is 18" wide opening, but cooking space is 24" wide once inside.  It works really well, but after the 1st cook I wish I had gone one size up; the Forno Ventezia Torino of the Alfa equivalent the Pizze 4.

Ozzie_Isaac

As an aside, you will notice the oven is not centered on the corner.  I have been messing with  placement and I have found offset to the side of the corner is best for how I work.

When you get tools, get tools longer than you think you need.  I have 47" tools and they are perfect for my setup.

alaskanassasin

How big of a pizza you making on that @cookingdude555? That looks ideal, not a huge commitment but gets the job done just the same.

HeavyG

alaskanassasin said:

How big of a pizza you making on that @cookingdude555? That looks ideal, not a huge commitment but gets the job done just the same.

You're not going to make 20" pies on that one.

cookingdude555

HeavyG said:

alaskanassasin said:

How big of a pizza you making on that @cookingdude555? That looks ideal, not a huge commitment but gets the job done just the same.

You're not going to make 20" pies on that one.

Probably not. That’s incredibly large. I make 14” pizzas. 

SonVolt

I've been super pleased with my Fontana Forni.  As Ozzie mentioned, it's by far my favorite cooking method. 

https://www.fontanaforniusa.com

Dawgtired

Other than pizza, what do y’all cook in your pizza oven?

JohnInCarolina

Dawgtired said:

Other than pizza, what do y’all cook in your pizza oven?

Steaks are a lot of fun.  But really there's a lot of things worth trying when you can cook at 900 degrees.  The Gozney site (the folks behind the Roccbox and Dome) have a lot of recipes that I'm sure can be cooked on any WFO:

https://us.gozney.com/blogs/recipes

Ozzie_Isaac

Steak, shrimp, artichokes, potatoes, all types of veggies, cookies, brownies, prime rib, roast, brats, hot dogs, jalapeno poppers, carnitas, queso dip, haven't done chicken yet.

craigsotheregg

Sorry about the sideways pictures I have not posted in a while.  Those are some nice ovens. I’ve had my gozney dome for about a month and like it so far. 

Photo Egg

Dawgtired said:

Other than pizza, what do y’all cook in your pizza oven?

I only have the Ooni 16” now. But it heats up super fast compared to a traditional style wood pizza oven. So it’s very convenient to use it for many other things besides pizza. I have done many things with cast iron pans in the oven. Will sear a steak or chicken breast very quickly. Really nice in combination with sous vide start. 

Have also deep fried oysters in cast iron pan, quick grilled shrimp. Salmon many different ways. Also keeps the mess and smell out of the house.
A larger wood fired oven would give you even more options for larger cuts of meat and baking bread.
Just remember, the larger wood ovens also take some commitment of time. It’s more work to build your fire up and maintain your temps. Also check availability of good quality dry wood in your area. I bought a little moisture meter to test the bags of wood before I bought them for my offset smoker. Most of the wood sold as bbq wood in my area is not very dry and preformed poorly in my previous wood burning Ooni pizza oven. But I’m sure a larger wood pizza oven would be more forgiving.

Photo Egg

Ozzie_Isaac said:

Steak, shrimp, artichokes, potatoes, all types of veggies, cookies, brownies, prime rib, roast, brats, hot dogs, jalapeno poppers, carnitas, queso dip, haven't done chicken yet.

Beautiful work! I love those Oysterbed trays.