Picture this: your backyard buzzing with friends, the aroma of fresh pizza wafting through the air, and you at the heart of it all, serving up slices that rival any ristorante.
If you love entertaining, an outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven isn’t just a luxury—it’s your next must-have. Whether it’s a laid-back family night or a full-on gathering, a pizza oven delivers bold flavors and a hands-on cooking vibe right to your space.
Beyond making incredible pizzas, a high-quality pizza oven adds long-term value to your outdoor living space. With choices like wood-fired or gas-powered models, picking the perfect oven takes some thought.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials of installing a pizza oven in your outdoor kitchen, from placement and fuel type to integration and maintenance.
Find Your Perfect Pizza Oven
Bring authentic, restaurant-quality pizza to your home with a high-performance pizza oven. Shop now at Arizona Appliance and find the perfect model for your backyard!
Shop Pizza OvenPlanning Your Pizza Oven Installation
Before bringing a pizza oven to your outdoor space, it’s important to plan for proper installation. A well-placed and well-ventilated oven guarantees both safety and efficiency while enhancing your cooking experience. Here are a few things to consider:
- Clearance and Safety Considerations – Most outdoor pizza ovens require a minimum of 3 feet of clearance around them to prevent overheating nearby structures. If installing under a covered patio, check the manufacturer’s recommendations for overhead clearance to avoid fire hazards.
- Placement Options: Built-in vs. Standalone – A built-in pizza oven integrates seamlessly into your outdoor kitchen island, offering a custom look with permanent placement. A standalone oven, also known as a portable oven, is more flexible, allowing you to move it if needed and set it up in different areas of your backyard.
- Ventilation Requirements – An outdoor kitchen pizza oven generates significant heat and smoke, making ventilation a critical factor. If placing your oven under a patio cover or in an enclosed area, consider installing a chimney or vent hood to direct smoke away from your cooking space.
- Utility Connections – Some pizza ovens require natural gas or propane connections, while others may need electricity for ignition or built-in lighting. If opting for a gas-powered oven, make sure your outdoor kitchen has the necessary gas lines or plan for propane tank storage.
➜ Learn More: Expert Tips for Creating an Outdoor Kitchen with Grill in Arizona
Wood-Fired vs. Gas: Choosing Your Pizza Oven Type
The type of pizza oven you choose will impact the cooking process, flavor, and maintenance requirements. Here’s a breakdown of the most common options:
- Wood-Fired Pizza Ovens – These ovens deliver an authentic smoky flavor and can reach temperatures of 800°F or higher, creating the perfect Neapolitan-style pizza. However, they require firewood storage, longer preheating times, and regular ash cleanup.
- Gas Pizza Ovens – Gas ovens offer convenience and precise temperature control, making them an excellent choice for homeowners who want quick, consistent results. They typically heat up in 15-30 minutes, making them ideal for busy weeknights or spontaneous gatherings.
- Hybrid Options – Some high-end pizza ovens allow you to switch between wood and gas, giving you the flexibility of both cooking styles. These ovens are great for homeowners who want the convenience of gas but also the ability to infuse smoky flavors when desired.
You also need to consider oven size. If you frequently host large gatherings, opt for a larger oven (32 inches or more) to cook multiple pizzas at once. For smaller families or compact outdoor spaces, a 24-inch model may be sufficient.
Finally, you’ll want to think through construction materials and durability. Look for pizza ovens made from high-quality refractory brick, stainless steel, or ceramic to ensure excellent heat retention and long-term durability.
Top Pizza Ovens for Your Outdoor Kitchen
Keep reading for five of the best pizza oven picks from Arizona Appliance & Home.
Alfresco 30” Pizza Oven For Built-In Installations
Experience high-performance outdoor cooking with the Alfresco built-in pizza oven, designed to heat up in 15 minutes for rapid, restaurant-quality results.
Its high-heat ceramic infrared hearth burner and gas log system ensure even heat distribution, making it perfect for Neapolitan-style pizzas, roasted meats, and baked dishes.
The durable 304 stainless steel construction, halogen oven light, and advanced air-cooling system add both convenience and reliability.
Top Features
- High-Heat Infrared Burner – Delivers intense, even heat for perfect crusts and professional-grade pizza cooking.
- Fast 15-Minute Preheat Time – Reaches optimal cooking temperature quickly, so you can start baking without the wait.
- Durable 304 Stainless Steel Build – Corrosion-resistant and built to last, ensuring long-term outdoor performance.
Hestan 32” Steeletto Natural Gas Pizza Oven
Shop Hestan 32” Natural Gas Pizza Oven
The Hestan Steeletto pizza oven delivers artisan-quality pizza with a powerful gas-fired radiant burner that ensures high-intensity infrared heat for a crisp, charred crust.
Its raised dome shape efficiently recirculates heat, creating even cooking temperatures perfect for roasting meats, baking bread, roasting veggies, or searing steaks.
The durable stainless steel exterior is built to withstand outdoor elements, while the removable ceramic hearth stone allows for easy cleanup.
Available in twelve signature colors, this oven adds both performance and style to any outdoor kitchen.
Top Features
- Gas-Fired Radiant Burner Technology – Ensures even heat distribution for consistently perfect, restaurant-quality pizzas.
- Raised Dome Shape with Heat Recirculation – Traps and circulates heat efficiently, enhancing cooking speed and crust crispiness.
- Heavy-Duty Ceramic Hearth Stone – Retains and evenly distributes heat for an authentic, wood-fired texture and flavor.
Lynx 30” Napoli Outdoor Oven On Stainless Steel Mobile Kitchen Cart
Shop Lynx 30” Outdoor Oven On Mobile Cart
Bring true stone oven performance to your outdoor kitchen with the Lynx Napoli, which preheats to 700°F for perfect, wood-fired flavor.
Thanks to the cart design, this portable pizza oven can be moved around the backyard or rolled away into storage.
Its concrete refractory dome ensures steady, radiant heat, while the pull-out cooking surface allows for easy access to dishes. The seamless stainless steel construction provides durability, and the reversible chimney allows for flexible installation.
With integrated interior lighting and backlit control knobs, this Lynx pizza oven delivers both performance and elegance.
Top Features
- Mobile Kitchen Cart – Offers flexibility and convenience, allowing you to move your pizza oven anywhere in your outdoor space.
- Concrete Refractory Dome – Retains and distributes heat evenly for authentic, wood-fired-style pizzas with superior flavor.
- Pull-Out Cooking Surface – Provides easy access to your pizzas, making loading, monitoring, and serving effortless.
Coyote DUOMO 40” Matte Black Wood-Fired Pizza Oven
Shop Coyote 40” Wood-Fired Pizza Oven
This Coyote pizza oven is a wood-fired outdoor pizza oven that brings the charm of traditional Italian pizzerias to your backyard, delivering restaurant-quality results with its high-performance heat management.
Its seamless one-piece dome and double insulation retain heat efficiently, allowing the oven to reach up to 1,000°F for perfectly crispy yet tender pizzas.
The ThermoShift Chimney System and front smoke escape design ensure even heat distribution and a cleaner cooking experience.
With ceramic cooking bricks and an included four-piece toolkit, the DUOMO is a premium choice for outdoor entertaining.
Top Features
- One-Piece Seamless Dome – Enhances heat retention and durability for consistent, high-temperature cooking.
- Active Heat Management System – Distributes heat evenly across the oven chamber, ensuring perfectly cooked pizzas every time.
- ThermoShift Chimney System – Regulates airflow and heat flow for optimal temperature control and efficiency.
Lynx 30” Stainless Steel Napoli Outdoor Oven
Shop Lynx 30” Stainless Steel Napoli Outdoor Oven
Designed for serious outdoor cooking, the Lynx backyard pizza oven preheats to 700°F for true stone oven results.
Its concrete refractory dome ensures steady, radiant heat, while the pull-out cooking surface makes it easy to manage your food.
The reversible chimney allows flexible installation, and the seamless welded construction enhances durability.
With integrated illumination and a high 40,000 BTU capacity, this oven is a powerhouse for outdoor kitchens.
Top Features
- Concrete Refractory Dome – Retains and radiates heat efficiently for authentic wood-fired pizza with perfect crusts.
- Moveable Cooking Surface – Allows easy maneuvering of food for precision cooking and effortless access.
- Reversible Chimney – Provides flexible ventilation options to optimize airflow and heat distribution in any outdoor setup.
Outdoor Kitchen Integration
To make the most of your outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven, consider how it fits into the overall design of your outdoor kitchen. Creating an efficient, well-organized cooking space will improve your experience and streamline food preparation.
- Storage Solutions – Pizza-making requires accessories like firewood (for wood-fired models), pizza peels, cutting boards, and ingredients. Adding weather-resistant cabinets or shelving ensures everything stays organized and protected.
- Prep Space Requirements – A spacious countertop near your pizza oven is essential for stretching dough, assembling toppings, and serving fresh pizzas. Materials like stainless steel, granite, or concrete offer durability and easy cleanup.
- Weather Protection – Arizona’s climate can be tough on outdoor appliances. If your pizza oven is exposed to direct sunlight, consider adding a pergola or shade structure. For longevity, invest in a high-quality cover to protect your oven from dust, rain, and extreme temperatures.
- Creating an Efficient Workflow – Position your pizza oven close to prep areas and serving stations to avoid unnecessary movement while cooking. If you frequently entertain, adding an outdoor beverage station or bar seating nearby creates a welcoming space for guests to gather while pizzas bake.
➜ Learn More: 6 Best Speed Oven Models
From Dream to Reality: Your Perfect Outdoor Pizza Kitchen
An outdoor kitchen pizza oven transforms your backyard into a culinary destination, offering unmatched flavor, entertainment, and value.
Love that smoky vibe? Go wood-fired. Craving quick and easy? Gas-powered’s your match. Either way, your outdoor cooking’s about to get a serious upgrade!
At Arizona Appliance & Home, we specialize in premium outdoor kitchen solutions. Our expert team can help you find the best home pizza oven for your needs and guide you through installation and integration.
Whether you want to create a rustic outdoor kitchen with pizza oven or a sleek and modern backyard retreat, we can help. Visit our showrooms in Scottsdale, Tucson, or Phoenix to explore our collection and take the first step toward creating your dream outdoor pizza kitchen.
➜ Learn More: Understanding Radiant vs Induction Cooking
Frequently Asked Questions
For most families, a 24-28-inch outdoor kitchen pizza oven is ideal. This size allows you to cook one or two pizzas at a time while still being compact enough to fit into most outdoor kitchens. Larger ovens (32 inches or more) are great for frequent entertainers who want to cook multiple pizzas at once.
Most manufacturers recommend at least 3 feet of clearance around the sides and back of the outdoor kitchen pizza oven. If installing under a covered patio, make sure there is at least 5-6 feet of overhead clearance, or use a vent hood to direct smoke safely away.
Yes! Pizza ovens are designed for year-round use, even in colder temperatures. In the hot climate of Arizona, consider placing your oven in a shaded area or using an umbrella to prevent excessive heat exposure.
The cost varies depending on size, materials, and fuel type. A standalone gas or wood-fired outdoor kitchen pizza oven typically costs $1,500 to $8,000, while a custom-built, fully integrated pizza oven can range from $5,000 to $15,000 or more, including masonry work and countertops.
Wood-fired ovens take about 45-60 minutes to reach ideal cooking temperatures (700-900°F). Gas-powered ovens heat up in 15-30 minutes, depending on the model. Hybrid ovens vary, but using gas as a starter can speed up the wood-burning process. For expert guidance on choosing the perfect pizza oven, visit Arizona Appliance & Home today.
Why Trust Arizona Appliance & Home?
At Arizona Appliance & Home, we're committed to providing the best selection and service to our customers. Whether you're a homeowner embarking on a remodel, a builder, or a designer, we have the expertise and resources to meet your needs.
With showrooms in Scottsdale, Tucson, and Phoenix, including a dedicated builder design center, we've proudly served the Arizona community since 1944. Visit one of our appliance showrooms to explore an unparalleled collection of refrigerators, dishwashers, cooking, laundry, and outdoor appliances.
Shop Pizza Ovens at Arizona Appliance & Home
Our team of experts are more than just appliance professionals – they're skilled, knowledgeable, and wonderful to work with. With years of experience under their belts, they understand how each appliance works and are passionate about helping customers make informed decisions. Whether you have questions about wood-fired vs. gas pizza ovens or need help selecting the perfect model for your outdoor kitchen, our team is here to offer expert advice and personalized recommendations. Contact us today to see how we can help you find the perfect appliance for your home.