Imagine biting into a pizza with a perfectly charred crust, the cheese bubbly and melted just right. That authentic, wood-fired taste is what everyone craves. But let’s be honest: building a full wood-fired oven in your backyard is a huge project. It takes space, time, and a lot of learning.
This is where gas pizza ovens step in as the modern hero. They promise that amazing restaurant quality without the constant smoke and stoking of wood. However, stepping into the world of gas ovens brings its own confusion. Which one heats up fastest? Which one gives you that true Neapolitan char? It’s easy to feel lost among BTU ratings and stone sizes.
Don’t worry! This guide cuts through the noise. We will break down exactly what makes a great gas pizza oven. You will learn the key features to look for, avoiding common mistakes that lead to soggy crusts. By the end, you will know exactly which oven fits your budget and your pizza dreams.
Top Gas Pizza Oven Recommendations
- 【Premium & Safe Stainless Steel】Outdoor pizza oven is constructed with high-quality stainless steel. This sturdy and compact oven is safe for cooking all types of foods
- 【3-in-1 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven】Pellet Pizza Oven for authentic wood-fired flavor, or switch seamlessly to BIG HORN Gas/Electric Burner attachments (Sold Separately). Ready in 18–20 min, reaches 887°F for perfect pizzas in 60–90 sec, plus steaks, fish, lamb, burgers, vegetables. Portable and suitable for indoor or outdoor use, rain or shine, all year round
- 【Ultra-Portable & Ease of Assembly】 The durable and lightweight pizza oven equipped with folding legs, requires minimal assembly without tools, it can quickly come apart for easy cleaning, storage and it weighs just 25lb, ideal for the backyard or outdoor cooking events
- 【Easy Use & Cook Evenly】Slide in your pizza and turn often for consistent results. Little sauce & minimal toppings work best for Neapolitan-style pizza, and switching to gas or electric (Sold Separately) is simple
- 【Dimension】The overall dimension of this unit is 21.6''L x 14”W x 28''H. Square Pizza Stone dimension: 12''L x 12''W
- PORTABLE DESIGN: The Outdoor Pizza Oven is designed to be portable & relatively lightweight for outdoor application. Cooking w/ the gas pizza oven means serving up fantastic dishes in your garden, backyard, at the beach or any outdoor space
- GAS POWERED: The portable oven is gas-fueled for maximum convenience. It has a built-in gas ignition that means instant flames, with an adjustable heat control dial for multifunctional roast (meat, fish and vegetables) and effortless cooking
- FOLDABLE FEET: The outdoor pizza oven features folding feet for easy transport & storage. Comes w/ gas burner & pizza stone. Lets you try out all your favorite recipes & bake bread, chicken tenders, shrimp, cookies, pies & other pastry to perfection
- UP TO 932°F TEMPERATURE: Reaches temperature up to 932ºF to make 12” pizzas in just 60 seconds. Takes about 10-15 min to preheat before the temperature reaching 932℉, allows you to prepare multiple pizzas in advance & bake them all in a few minutes
- EASY TO OPERATE: Lets you assemble & install in minutes w/ no tools. Includes 1 set of regulator w/ 39.37” hose. Fast, easy way to bake fresh/frozen pizza. Just apply some stainless steel cleaning solution to the outside of the oven by a small towel
- HIGH TEMPERATURE Reaches up to 500 degrees F for authentic Neapolitan pizzas in just 60 seconds.
- Precise digital thermometer: Built-in thermometer with colour display under the pizza stone for precise temperature control.
- Efficient heat retention: two-layer space age insulation and 20mm thick removable cordierite pizza stone for optimal heat retention.
- Powerful gas burner: side burner for powerful, rolling flame and easy control of the baking process.
- Versatile use: in addition to pizzas up to 35 cm in diameter, also suitable for preparing meat, fish and vegetables.
- Dual-Fuel Flexibility: As the hybrid outdoor pizza oven combining both pellet and gas fuel, this oven offers unmatched flexibility. Easily switch between pellet and gas fuel with no tools required. Enjoy authentic pizza anytime, anywhere
- Gas Burner Included: Equipped with a powerful gas burner, this propane pizza oven effortlessly reach 350°C in just 20 minutes. Switch between gas and pellets for versatile cooking options and enjoy safe, easy operation with precise temperature control
- Versatile Cooking Options: Not just for pizza—this oven offers multiple cooking options, allowing you to prepare a variety of dishes, from roasted meats to baked goods, all with that perfect wood-fired or gas heat
- Solid Pizza Oven: Crafted from durable stainless steel, this pizza oven features a wooden door handle, an upgraded pellet hopper for easy refueling, and a 12-inch pizza stone included for perfect cooking results, all with foldable legs and simple assembly for added convenience
- GREAT PIZZA, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE: Perfect for both beginners and seasoned chefs, this oven lets you cook incredible pizza no matter the weather or location. Its portable design ensures you can enjoy delicious pizza year-round, whether in your backyard or on your next outdoor adventure
- Consistently epic pizza with G2 Gas Technology - Patent-pending tapered flame gas burner system delivers 200% better heat distribution* for better, easier pizza than ever.
- Powerful. Portable. Pizza. - Make pizza anywhere - at just 35 lbs, the Koda 2 is compact and ultra-portable
- Ultra-quick back-to-back pizza cooking - A 50% thicker pizza stone offers better heat retention and reduces reheat time between back-to-back cooks by 20% compared to Ooni Koda 12
- Compact size, yet spacious 14″+ cooking area - A 20% larger pizza stone* gives you more room to maneuver to achieve the perfect cook.
- Ooni 5 Year Warranty - At Ooni, we stand by our products. All Ooni products come with a voluntary manufacturer’s warranty for 1 year as standard. We’ll extend the warranty by 5 years when you register the product with us within 60 days of purchase.
- 60 SECOND 12 INCH PIZZA – Reaching temperatures of up to a massive 950°F - twice that of a normal domestic oven! - The Koda 12 outdoor pizza oven will be ready to go in 15 minutes and can cook authentic stone baked pizza in just 60 seconds - Giving you more time to sit back, relax and enjoy great pizzas!
- ULTRA EFFICIENT – The powder coated carbon steel shell offers incredible heat retention, which combined with the efficiency and simplicity of using gas, result in an extraordinary cooking experience, all at the turn of a dial. Includes a 28mbar regulator and gas hose attached so all you need to do is attach it to your gas tank.
- EASY TO USE – Ready to go straight out of the box! Simply unfold the legs, insert the pizza stone baking board, connect up to a gas tank and you’re ready to go. Featuring instant gas ignition, you will be cooking your favourite pizzas in no time.
- VERSATILE – We believe that everybody deserves great pizza and our Ooni Koda 12 gas pizza oven has been designed and developed with that sole purpose in mind – Or maybe you want to roast some meat, fish or veg? Because if you combine the Koda 12 with one of the Ooni cast iron cooking accessories, it becomes more than a pizza oven!
- OONI 5 YEAR WARRANTY - At Ooni, we stand by our products. All Ooni products come with a voluntary manufacturer’s warranty for 1 year as standard. We’ll extend the warranty by 5 years when you register the product with us within 60 days of purchase.
- EXCLUSIVE "FLAME THROWER" DUAL (OVER AND UNDER) BURNER SYSTEM - Two separate burners that heat the stone from underneath and cook the toppings from above. Only Bertello offers this FlameThrower Dual Burner System!
- SimulFIRE GAS AND WOOD TECHNOLOGY - Bertello burns both gas AND wood and not just one or the other. It burns both at the same time! With Bertello’s patented SimulFIRE Technology you get the convenience of cooking with gas and the flavor from cooking with wood.
- BAKE EVEN ROTATING STONE (RUNS ON POWER CABLE OR AA BATTERIES) - To make it even easier to consistently bake great pizzas, Bertello offers a rotating stone that ensures even cooking without the need to manually rotate the pizza. Simply plug the oven into an outlet, or use batteries, then flip a switch to engage the turntable.
- PREMIUM CARBON/STAINLESS STEEL CONSTRUCTION - The oven body on every Bertello is constructed from a stout carbon/stainless steel with a heat-resistant Bertello-black powder-coating for long-lasting durability. This, unlike some popular pizza ovens that have thinner “tinny” and uncoated walls that tend to discolor and easily dent.
- HEATS UP TO OVER 930°F
- 5-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: The ultimate outdoor sidekick for all your backyard entertainment; pizza, bake, broil, warm & proof.
- 3 MINUTE ARTISAN PIZZA: Restaurant quality 12" pizzas with even leoparding on crusts and gooey cheese ready in 3 minutes* with no turning necessary.
- 5 PIZZA SETTINGS: Choose from 5 different settings to satisfy any craving; Neapolitan, Thin Crust, Pan, New York, and Custom. *cooked at 700°F, excludes 18-minute preheat.
- FULL MEALS OUTDOORS: Cook and warm your sides in your Ninja pizza oven at the same time your main is cooking—Char burgers on your grill while baking a 12” x 12” mac and cheese in your oven.
- NO FLAME, FULL CONTROL: Electric heat unlocks Complete Temperature Control with a wide range of temps from 90-700°F. Expand your horizons and cook more outdoors without the fuss of a live flame.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Your Gas Pizza Oven
Ready to bring authentic, wood-fired taste to your backyard pizza nights without the hassle of wood? A gas pizza oven is your ticket to fast, consistent, and delicious results. This guide helps you pick the best one for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
1. Heat Output (BTUs)
BTUs (British Thermal Units) tell you how hot the oven gets. For true Neapolitan-style pizza—crispy outside, soft inside—you need high heat. Look for ovens that can reach 800°F (around 427°C) or higher. Higher BTUs mean faster preheating times.
2. Temperature Control
A good gas oven lets you adjust the flame easily. You need a reliable knob or dial. Precise control lets you cook different styles of pizza, from thin New York slices to thick deep-dish styles.
3. Portability and Size
Consider where you will use the oven. Do you need a small, tabletop model you can move easily, or a larger, freestanding unit with a cart? Measure your available outdoor space before you buy.
4. Ignition System
Look for a reliable electronic ignition. This makes starting the oven quick and safe, just like lighting a gas grill. You don’t want to struggle with matches or lighters.
Important Materials Matter
The materials used determine how well the oven holds heat and how long it lasts.
- Oven Body: Stainless steel is the best choice. It resists rust and handles high temperatures well. Cheaper models might use thinner metal, which loses heat faster.
- Cooking Surface (Stone/Steel): The pizza cooks directly on this surface. Ceramic pizza stones are common and absorb moisture, creating a crispier crust. Some premium models use cordierite or pizza steel, which retain heat even better.
- Insulation: Good insulation surrounds the cooking chamber. This keeps the outside of the oven cooler while trapping heat inside, improving efficiency.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality isn’t just about the price tag; it’s about the design.
Quality Boosters:
- Thick Walls: Thicker walls and insulation mean the oven heats up fast and stays hot longer, even when you open the door.
- Even Heat Distribution: Ovens with burners on the bottom AND the top heat the pizza more evenly. This prevents the bottom from burning before the top cheese melts.
- Included Accessories: Many great ovens come with a pizza peel (the paddle used to slide the pizza in) and a cover.
Quality Reducers:
Flimsy construction and poor sealing around the door cause heat to escape rapidly. If the paint bubbles easily or the legs feel wobbly, the quality is likely low.
User Experience and Use Cases
Gas ovens offer fantastic flexibility compared to traditional wood-fired setups.
Ease of Use:
Gas ovens shine because they offer instant heat. You go from cold to cooking temperature in 15 to 25 minutes. Cleanup is also easier; there are no ashes to deal with, just occasional scraping of the stone.
Use Cases:
- Quick Weeknight Meals: Because they heat up fast, you can make a gourmet pizza after work.
- Entertaining: You can cook multiple pizzas in an hour because the recovery time (the time it takes to reheat after opening the door) is short.
- Outdoor Kitchen Integration: Many freestanding models fit perfectly next to a standard gas grill.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Gas Pizza Ovens
Q: How hot do gas pizza ovens get?
A: Most good gas pizza ovens reach temperatures between 750°F and 950°F. This high heat cooks a pizza in just 90 seconds to 3 minutes.
Q: Do gas pizza ovens taste like wood-fired ovens?
A: They create a very similar crust texture because of the intense, direct heat. However, they lack the slight smoky flavor that comes from burning actual wood.
Q: What size propane tank do I need?
A: Most standard residential gas pizza ovens connect easily to a regular 20-pound propane tank, the same kind you use for your backyard BBQ grill.
Q: How long does it take to preheat a gas pizza oven?
A: Depending on the model and the ambient temperature, preheating usually takes between 15 and 25 minutes to reach optimal cooking temperature.
Q: Can I use these ovens in the rain?
A: You should never use a gas pizza oven in heavy rain. Most are designed for dry weather use. Always use a protective cover when the oven is not in use.
Q: Are gas pizza ovens cheaper to run than wood ovens?
A: Yes, propane is often cheaper and more consistent than buying good quality kiln-dried wood for every use.
Q: What is the difference between a pizza oven and a regular gas grill?
A: A grill cooks with heat coming from below. A dedicated pizza oven is insulated to trap heat and directs intense heat from the top and sides, which is necessary to cook the toppings quickly.
Q: How do I clean the pizza stone?
A: After the oven cools down, you can use a wire brush or scraper to remove any burnt cheese or food bits. Never use soap on the stone; the high heat burns off most residue.
Q: Do I need a special connection for natural gas?
A: Some larger, high-end models offer a conversion kit to run on a natural gas line, but most portable ovens run only on liquid propane (LP) tanks.
Q: What is the main benefit of a gas pizza oven over a charcoal or wood one?
A: The main benefit is convenience. Gas provides instant on/off capability and very stable temperature control without the need to constantly manage fuel.