I tested over 15 propane-fired pizza ovens to find out the best appliances for crafting true Neapolitan-style pizza that’s worth your money.
Should you have any inquiries, don’t hesitate to reach out via email—I’m here to assist and share my expertise.
“Propane pizza ovens are capable of high heat” says Chan Il Park, a Chef, entrepreneur and alumni of ICIF, “ making them an excellent alternative to brick ovens for whipping up signature Neapolitan-style pizza at home”
However, evaluating more than a dozen propane pizza ovens have proven that not all models are capable of delivering perfectly crisp pie.
Based on my hands-on experience, I’ve expertly hand-picked the best of the best that made true artisan-quality pizzas during my extensive test.
🥇Best Propane Pizza Ovens For 2024
- BEST FOR CAPACITY: [Big Horn Propane Pizza Oven]
- Editor’s Pick: [Ooni Koda 12 Pizza Oven]
- BEST FOR VALUE: [Cuisinart Propane Pizza Oven]
📝6 Key Things to Consider When Choosing a propane pizza oven
Size and Capacity
The size of a pizza oven is an important consideration when shopping for one. The right one should offer enough room to satiate your family or guests.
Most propane pizza ovens can bake a 12-inch pizza. But there are ovens with options to bake up to 16 inches. If you barely host guests or have a small family, a 12-inch oven is the way to go.
On the other hand,
It would be best to have a pizza oven with massive cooking space for large pizza production. However, this means a bigger, heavier, and slower cooking option.
16-inch propane pizza ovens take longer to heat up than their smaller counterparts. Also, it will take up more space in your backyard. But they are perfect for making gastronomical delights for a crowd.
Furthermore;
It’s not unusual to have a large pizza oven with two pizza racks. These models are best at creating pairs of any pizza simultaneously. However, I’d only recommend such models for commercial purposes.
Heat Output
The reason you are dishing the wood-fired models for propane versions is the ease of use and quick heating. These modern alternatives have a unique burner system to raise the oven’s temperature quickly.
Sadly, not all propane units can. Therefore, you should look out for models with a heat output of 20,000 BTU or higher. These burner systems get the oven in 15 minutes and crack out perfect toppings and crispy bases in 90 seconds.
Affordable options usually feature 12,000 – 15,000 BTU. They still produce lovely pizzas and fill your backyard with enticing aromas.
These inexpensive models take longer to cook, around 3 – 5 minutes. Also, they consume less fuel and are lighter than higher BTU models.
Temperature Control
For pizza ovens, it’s always about how hot it can get. While the sweet cooking temperature is 750 degrees F, higher temperatures offer much more.
For starters, pizza ovens that exceed 700 degrees allow you re-create Italian-style pie baked in a brick oven. Also, they are more suitable for baking several pizzas without a tiring long wait in between.
So, the temperature is essential. But what’s more important is temperature control. The best propane pizza ovens should have a heat management system to perfectly cook your food.
Some models are integrated with a thermostat for easy control. It comes in handy for beginners. Others offer a manual heat management system, which is more appealing to pizza masters.
Build Quality
This is another important criterion when shopping for an outdoor propane pizza oven.
Most home chefs prefer to leave their outdoor appliances in their gardens or backyard. So, it’s crucial that the oven is well-built to withstand the harsh effects of wind and water.
Additionally;
The oven’s interior should feature excellent engineering, including a very conductive material for even cooking and high heat retention.
What do I recommend?
I suggest opting for ovens with powder-coated carbon steel or stainless steel. They are incredibly durable, easier to clean, and deliver superior heat performance compared to other options.
Other Features
There are tons of gas pizza ovens out there. What sets them apart from one another is the number of features available.
Most low-priced propane pizza ovens won’t come with lots of features. However, some models are equipped with an assortment of features, from a built-in thermometer for easy temperature reading to an additional burner for extra cooking power.
⭐Best Propane Pizza Oven Review
1. Ooni Koda 12 Pizza Oven
I’ve been using the Ooni Koda 12 for over a year, and it remains my top pick for the best outdoor propane pizza oven. It is the closest thing to a wood-fired pizza oven among all the pizza ovens I’ve used and tested.
This pizza oven arrives with no need for assembly – unfold the legs and hook to your propane tank. What will catch your eye as you unbox is its top-class build quality. It features a carbon steel construction and a nice powdered coating that gives that luxe feeling.
Firing up this oven is a breeze, reaching 800°F in just 15 minutes, courtesy of its powerful 13,648 BTU burner. The temperature consistency across the pizza stone is impressive, allowing for pizzas in under 2 minutes with minimal turning.
Furthermore, its heat retention is the best I’ve seen on a propane pizza oven. During the test, this unit baked three simple cheese pizzas back to back. Despite a slightly extended time for the third pizza (2 minutes and 45 seconds), the crust was crispy, and flecked with beautiful char marks.
Another hallmark of this device is its integrated Flame Safety Device, FSD. It stops the gas flow immediately after the flame is extinguished to prevent accidents when attempting to re-ignite the device.
The only issue you might have with this oven is its high heat capacity. From my experience, it’s best to dial the heat down once the deck temperature is at 750°F for more control over the finish result. Baking at higher temperatures means constantly turning the pie, which can be exhausting, to avoid burnt crust.
Likes:
- Outstanding heat performance
- Effortless setup
- Robust construction
- 5-year manufacturer warranty
Dislikes:
Relatively high cost
2. Blackstone Propane Pizza Oven
Blackstone is a brand famous among grillers. This new pizza oven is a significant upgrade from its predecessor a decade ago. The most exciting thing about this device is its ability to turn the Blackstone 22-inch grill into a pizza oven with the aid of a separately sold griddle plate or use as a table-top.
Putting this device together was straightforward. Once assembled, this pizza oven is overwhelming with its hulk size and industrial aesthetic.
I encountered a couple of issues firing this oven up. Unlike the Koda 12, this unit’s ignition system is not the best – probably it’s just mine. I had to turn the knob several times to get a spark, and when you don’t, the instruction says wait 5 minutes before attempting it again.
In trial, this device took 20 minutes to reach a deck temperature of 658°F, measured using an IR thermometer. The built-in thermometer reads 512°F, which is misleading.
Although the Blackstone’s engineering team boasts its Patented 2-Stone Technology and hood holds the heat, the stone’s temperature drops down to 575°F on the first bake. While this unit won’t cook pizza back to back like the Koda 12 without 5-min recovery time, it bakes amazing pies in 3 minutes.
The results were tasty, pillowy on the inside, and nicely charred on the bottom, despite its inability to reach 750°F. Also, I noticed keeping the door closed helps maintain a sub-3-minute bake time.
The round pizza stone accommodates pizzas up to 15 inches, while the purpose of the top rectangular stone, although unclarified by the manufacturer, contributes to a forgiving baking environment.
Likes:
- Converts grill into pizza oven
- Sturdy build quality
- Perfect for beginners
- Peel and cutter included
Dislikes:
- Not great for thick crust pizza
- Heavy
3. Cuisinart Propane Pizza Oven
The Cuisinart CPO-600 earns a spot on my list for its ability to craft pizzeria-quality pies with smoke flavor without any fuss.
This unit arrives in many parts and putting it all together takes about 10 minutes – no tools needed. The instruction manual is easy to follow.
Firing up the oven is simple—push and twist anticlockwise until you hear the satisfying click and the gas flame’s whooshing sound. The CPO-600 boasts a reliable ignition system, outperforming the Blackstone in repeated tests.
The Cuisinart CPO-600 does not boast insane temperatures like the Koda 16. It employs a single U-shaped 15,000 BTU burner underneath the stone to heat the oven up to 650°F. The best part is it comes with an integrated smoker cup that holds 2 – 3 small chunks of wood to infuse the pie with natural wood-fired taste.
Preheating for 15 minutes, the pizza stone’s temperature hovered around 637°F. Adding oak wood chips to the smoker cup, I waited a few minutes for the smoke to develop before launching the test pizza with the included peel, dusted with cornflower for easy release.
The first pepperoni pizza baked in an impressive 3 minutes and 46 seconds, achieving a crispy texture without lid openings. While its bottom is not as charred and crisp as the results from the Koda 12, the natural smoke flavor adds complexity and depth to the taste lacking on most gas-fired pizza ovens. Plus, you don’t have to be on your toes turning the pie every 15 – 20 seconds.
For the next test, I decided to open the lid during cook. The baking time increased up to the advertised “cook pizzas in as little as 5 minutes.” However, I noticed it was much easier to spin pizza with the lid open but significant heat gets lost. The temperature drops by 70 – 100°F and takes 3 – 5 minutes to recover.
The hinged lid has a built-in thermometer, but I recommend using an IR thermometer, as opening and closing the lid affects the temperature readings. Also, the hinged lid gets too hot to the touch with no handle. So, it’s best to wear a glove if you prefer to swing the lid when cooking.
Likes:
- Authentic wood-fired taste
- Consistent cooking performance
- Beginner and budget-friendly
- Warming tray
Dislikes:
- Heavy
- Lid lacks a handle for safe operation
4. Big Horn Propane Pizza Oven
The Big Horn Propane Pizza Oven is a top pick for those aiming to cater to a sizable gathering . It’s designed like a brick oven with plenty of space to work with.
Setting this device up is a breeze: place on a camp stand and hook your propane canister. It comes with two burners – one under the 13-inch pizza stone and the other on the left. There are two knobs for controlling the burners separately.
According to the manufacturer, the 23,000 BTU burners pump out a lot of heat to get this oven to “662ºF in 5-7 minutes” and “maximum temperature of 1180°F”. During testing, I measured a deck temperature of 670°F after 12 minutes of preheating. Waiting for a couple of minutes gets this oven to 750°F, which is more than what the Cuisinart and Blackstone models offered.
While this oven can only bake a 12-inch pizza, shuffling pizza is easier; thanks to its spacious cooking chamber. To bake a perfect pizza, I notice it’s best to keep shuffling the pizza without getting too close to the side burner.
While the heat retention is not as great as the Koda 12 because of its stainless steel sheet and large cooking space, it churned out two pizzas with pizzeria-grade texture back to back. From my experience, the door does not really help trap heat considering the number of holes on it.
For beginners, turning off the heat from the two burners before launching the pizza, results in a perfectly crisp crust with less input from your end. However, the cook time increased from 1 minute 12 seconds to 4 minutes 15 seconds. For the next pizza, turn up the heat for 3 – 5 minutes to get the oven back to temperature.
On the downside, there’s a bottom burner that is hard to regulate. You can’t dial down the heat without it going off. Also, it weighs over 40lbs, which is a pain to move around.
Likes:
- Amazing design (looks like a brick oven)
- Efficient 2-burner system
- High heat performance
Dislikes:
- Cumbersome to transport
5. VEVOR Gas Outdoor Pizza Oven
Among all products I tested, this VEVOR Gas Outdoor Pizza Oven is the best propane pizza oven for budget shoppers. This product costs almost half the price of the Ooni Koda 12 without lacking performance. It boasts a cutting-edge insulated steel shell, exquisite craftsmanship, and an assortment of accessories.
Here’s what you get without breaking the bank:
- A pizza cutter
- A rocker-style blade
- Pizza clip
- A gas pipe, and
- A packaging bag
The VEVOR Gas Outdoor Pizza Oven stands out not only for its budget-friendly price but also its attractive appearance and impressive cooking capabilities. With no assembly required, simply unpack the oven, unfold the legs, and connect it to a propane tank.
VEVOR claims a temperature of “932°F in 15 minutes” and the promise of an “authentic charcoal-flavored pizza.” In testing, the oven lived up to expectations, reaching a deck temperature of 806°F within the specified 15-minute timeframe.
The included pizza peel successfully launched, shuffled and retrieved the pizzas, which cooked under 2 minutes. Unlike rectangular pizzas I’ve used so far, this rounded design makes spinning pizzas inside the oven a breeze, enhancing user convenience.
While the results showcased a beautifully colored base with evenly melted cheese, the oven fell short in delivering the anticipated wood-fired taste—something the Cuisinart Pizza Oven excelled at with its smoker cup.
Despite an hour of continuous pizza baking, the VEVOR oven maintained consistent performance, allowing for the consecutive baking of two pizzas before requiring a brief 5-minute recovery period. Notably, the oven’s shell remained surprisingly warm to the touch even when operating at high temperatures.
Likes:
- Abundance of complementary accessories
- Affordable price point
- Elegant design
Dislikes:
- Narrow mouth design
💡How Does a Propane Pizza Oven Work?
The propane pizza oven is a contemporary version of the wood-fired pizza oven. These modern ovens are powered by propane instead of charcoal, wood, or pellets.
Depending on the manufacturer, they come with one or two burners to deliver searing temperatures. These burners are placed at the oven’s sides or back to create an even cooking environment.
Furthermore, most manufacturers equip their products with temperature control settings. This standard feature lets users set the correct baking temperature for outstanding results.
Like the traditional model, these pizza ovens cook on a stone. The hearth inside gets heated to a high temperature and is ready to char your pizza base for the crispiest result.
🤔Why a Propane Pizza Oven?
Save Space
Lightweight, portability, and compactness are the major selling points of propane models.
These modern models are perfect for homeowners with small outdoor areas. They are less cumbersome since they don’t come with a tall chimney or hopper.
Thus, their compact design means less space to eat up. And, of course, their propane tank can be detached and stored inside.
Keep in mind that manufacturers offer large models in their product line. However, they are much more likely to be smaller and take less space than wood-fired models.
Excellent Temperature Control
Propane units usually have the latest timer and sensor technology for better temperature management. It’s easier to create the perfect cooking condition in a device running on propane than wood.
Even better, propane ovens come in handy in cooking a wide range of culinary treats. Their superior temperature control makes them multifunctional and suitable for cooking functions.
How many features and accessories will be available to you hinges on the product cost and the manufacturer’s objective.
Convenience
Building fire can be time-consuming and stressful, especially if you’re new to it. Luckily, the propane pizza oven allows you to skip this tiring process. These latest devices come with a dial knob to ignite the oven and heat it up to its highest temperature in less than 15 minutes.
On top of that, you don’t have to babysit this oven. The preheating time is usually spent building your pizza on the peel rather than tendering to a fire.
With propane, no particular skill or years of experience is required. You can start using it straight out of the box on your outdoor kitchen counter.
Easier to Clean
The ease of cleaning is another reason pizza lovers opt for the propane models. There’s barely any cleaning needed after cooking- no ash residue.
Also, there are fewer parts to clean. It does not come with a chimney, hopper, or ashtray.
It’s your best bet if you value spending a good time with your family and guests instead of struggling with the post-cooking cleanup.
Cooking Time
Propane pizza ovens are exceptionally fast pizza-making machines. These appliances heat up faster than electric models and crank out fantastic pizza about half the time.
Some models feature high-heat capacity burners that speed up the preheating process. You can achieve a searing temperature within 15 – 20 minutes and knock out great pies in less than 3 minutes.
🎭Which is Better: a Wood-Fired Pizza Oven or a Propane Pizza Oven?
In the pizza-making world, this is the most debated topic. The right one for you boils down to your cooking needs and preferences. Here’s how to figure out which pizza oven is better for you:
Cooking temperature
Pizza ovens are different. Wood-fired pizza ovens can attain extreme peak temperatures that propane models won’t.
However, controlling the heat in a traditional oven requires a considerable learning curve. Hence, propane units are mostly recommended to beginners and amateurs.
Cleaning
Unlike wood-fired pizza ovens, its modern alternative is a breeze to clean. A propane pizza oven burns cleaner with no residue left behind.
There’s a tad of work with a wood-fired pizza oven because of the ashes from burning wood, pellet, or charcoal.
Space
wood-fired pizza ovens are usually large and require much of your precious garden space. Also, you have to figure out the right location to fire up your oven safely.
Plus, you’ve to create the appropriate space to store all the chunks of wood. Propane pizza ovens are more portable and could work in small outdoor spaces.
Weight
Propane pizza ovens are portable and lightweight. They are much easier to move around the house.
Not all wood-fired pizza ovens are a pain to transport. Some models are built on trolleys for easy transportation.
Cooking time
Wood-fired models come to temperature faster than its counterpart. The formal relies largely on conduction. This means the oven is heated directly.
For gas pizza ovens, the floor takes longer to come to temperature because it depends more on radiant heat. So, it’s possible to have perfectly baked Neapolitan pizza in 60 -90 seconds with the traditional oven.
🧠Propane Pizza Oven Related FAQs
How much propane does a pizza oven use?
A 1 lb propane tank typically provides approximately 120 minutes of continuous cooking time. However, it’s essential to consider that the oven requires about 20 minutes to reach the desired temperature. Additionally, it takes approximately 2-3 minutes to create a flawless pizza crust. Considering these factors, you can expect a 1 lb propane tank to last for more than 5 sessions of pizza-making, ensuring you have an ample fuel supply for multiple enjoyable cooking experiences.
How long does it typically take to preheat a propane pizza oven?
Propane pizza ovens may vary in their heating capabilities. On average, propane-powered models typically take around 20 minutes to reach a temperature of 700 degrees Fahrenheit. However, certain models, such as the Ooni Koda 12, excel in their heating speed and can achieve the desired temperature in less than 15 minutes.
What else can you cook in a propane pizza oven?
Propane pizza ovens are versatile appliances. They can cook more than just pizza. Their wide temperature range makes them suitable for searing steak, roasting vegetables, and baking bagels.
Conclusion
If you’re seeking a hassle-free way to create wholesome homemade pizzas, propane pizza ovens come highly recommended by renowned Pizzaiolos.
I wholeheartedly agree!
They provide an unforgettable pizza-making experience right in the comfort of your own backyard.
However, with countless models available in the market, selecting the perfect one can take time and effort.
Fortunately, having cooked with over a dozen propane-powered ovens, I’ve discovered that only a select few can deliver that perfect pizza crust.
In this post, I have shared my top 5 recommendations for the best outdoor propane pizza makers.
By choosing one of these exceptional options, you can embark on a culinary journey to create mouthwatering pizzas that will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.
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