Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens Reviewed:
Ooni vs. Roccbox vs. Bertello
(2021 Review)
What is the best outdoor pizza oven? We reviewed Ooni, Roccbox, and Bertello to identify which pizza oven is most worth the investment.
If you have considered investing in a pizza oven for your backyard, itâs time to get the flames rolling. Based on our review, Roccbox, Ooni, and Bertello are the best options, and we will help you pick the best pizza oven for your situation.
2020 taught us to cherish the good times and creatively make new memories with our friends and family. There is something special about pizza that brings us together. Perhaps itâs the fact that one pie can be shared by many, but there is no denying that some of our favorite memories involve our favorite people enjoying pizza together.
Letâs be honest that pizza is delicious too, and pizza cooked over an open fire has even more complex and irresistible flavoring. So it makes complete sense to combine the pizza tradition with backyard grilling and barbecuing, which are also essential pieces of Americana tradition. What sounds better than hanging out in the backyard, with a cold drink in hand, enjoying fire-cooked pizzas?
Roccbox, Ooni, & Bertello
You might have thought that making wood fire pizza was done only in restaurants or by the occasional wealthy person with an elaborately designed outdoor pizza oven, but that is no longer true. There are fantastic outdoor pizza oven options accessible for the rest of us, and we spent untold hours reviewing the best options on the market. Check out the side-by-side comparison table, read the detailed reviews, and see our recommendation at the end of the article.
Should You Buy A Pizza Oven?
If you have ever had authentic brick oven pizza, the quality is undeniably better than pizza cooked in a standard oven. The biggest reason for this is that cooking pizza at high temperatures, with open flames, produces a perfectly crisp crust with fire-kissed flavoring. Most indoor ranges only reach 500°F, while the best pizza ovens get as hot as 950°F. If you like brick oven quality pizza but want to spend more time enjoying your backyard with family and friends, a backyard pizza oven is worth it.
The most popular backyard pizza ovens are Ooni, Roccbox, and Bertello, which is for a good reason. Each of these ovens reaches north of 900 degrees, which is the minimum cooking temperature for authentically fire-cooked, Neapolitan-style pizza. If your pizza oven has temperatures much lower than that, you might as well use your standard indoor range.
These three brands offer plenty of versatility to choose from as well. Among the three brands, there are wood and charcoal-fired ovens, as well as gas-powered ovens. Some have versatility for multiple heat sources. There are also various sizes available, perfect for personal pizzas or groups. My taste buds are already excited, so letâs find the perfect pizza oven for your backyard. đ
Ooni Pizza Oven Review
Ooniâs entire purpose is to bring restaurant-quality pizza right to your backyard, and they designed elegant and functional pizza ovens to make that happen.
The company makes five separate ovens, spanning multiple heat sources and sizes so that you can find the perfect pizza oven for your taste and needs. Whether you prefer wood-fired, charcoal-fired, or gas-powered, they have an option for you. And if you are looking for a portable pizza oven that you can take on your next camping trip, OoniOoni has you covered there too.
Understanding that good pizza is all about community, Ooni also has a wide variety of recipes on their website to guide you in the right direction. With guidance from the pizza recipes on their website, you can make everything from a Neapolitan-style Margherita pizza to a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. And if you want to get a little more adventurous, you might try Peruvian pork or Spanish prawn skewers.
To make sure you have all of the tools necessary to cook professional pizza from your backyard, the brand also offers a line of accessories, including pizza peels, serving boards, wood pellets, and an infrared thermometer.
Traditional wood-fired ovens are expensive, but OoniOoni ovens heat up to more than 930°F in less than 20 minutes for a fraction of the cost. The result is smokey and crisp pizza as flavorful as any you have had at a restaurant. And if you like to have big parties, the pizzas cook in 60 seconds, so you can pump out pizza after pizza to satisfy the feeding frenzy.
All of their pizza ovens feature a cordierite stone baking board, which can withstand high temperatures and soak moisture from the pizzaâs crust. This is relatively common for pizza ovens, but it is an essential piece of the puzzle and shouldnât be overlooked.
What Is the Difference Between Ooni and Uuni?
If you have been eyeing a pizza oven for a while, then you might be wondering what happened to a brand called Uuni. And the name is suspiciously close to Ooni, after all. As it turns out, Uuni was challenging to pronounce for some, and Ooni is the phonetic spelling for the companyâs name. So Uuni officially changed their name, but they still sell the same high-quality pizza ovens and have expanded their pizza options even more since the Uuni days.
Which Ooni is Best?
They are all made with high-quality design and materials, so picking the model that best fits your needs and preferences is where your time might be best spent.
The pizza ovens also come in multiple sizes, and the Ooni Koda and Ooni Pro are two of the largest consumer pizza ovens available on the market. The Ooni Koda and Ooni Pro are big enough to cook family-size pizzas, and the larger pizzas still cook in only 60 seconds so that you can host an entire pizza party for family and friends, or even the whole neighborhood.
Ooni Pro vs. Ooni Koda
While the Ooni Pro has an entirely stainless steel finish, we prefer the OoniOoni Koda look, which sports stainless steel accents along with a powder-coated carbon steel shell for the main body. Beyond looks, we recommend the Koda for most people because it is gas-powered and available in two sizes.
The multiple fuel options featured on the Pro model are excellent but might be a little much to handle for most people wanting to cook up a quick dinner. Plus, you have to store multiple fuels, which might be a hassle for some. You might find themselves relying on the gas burner attachment more than they thought they might.
Still, many prefer the authenticity of flavoring provided by charcoal and wood. If you are interested in premium flavoring and authenticity, then handling multiple types of fuel is a small sacrifice. And the Pro model allows for perfectly cooked pizza with that extra wood-fired flavoring.
The OoniOoni Pro is the brandâs highest-end model and the model most frequently compared to the Roccbox. The Ooni Pro is a multi-fuel oven with an industrial-grade build that makes it suitable for the backyard or a local restaurant. And because the Ooni Proâs wide opening is large enough to fit pizza as big as 16 inches, it is also big enough to roast meats or bake bread.
In addition to its gas-fueled simplicity and sleeker design, the Koda is an intriguing option because it comes in two sizes, big enough for 12-inch pizzas and 16-inch pizza, respectively. If you choose to go with the Koda, just keep in mind that the larger size and wider design will give you extra cooking space for non-pizza grilling too. Once you get the hang of cooking with your Koda, you might want to fire up steaks and other flame-kissed treats.
Ooni Karu
One of our favorite products is the Ooni KaruOoni Karu because, while it is smaller, it is also versatile enough for multiple heating sources. The smartly designed pellet hopper automatically feeds new fuel to the pellet burner as needed, and the chimney design redirects smoke away from your face. And at less than 27 pounds, you can throw the Karu in the optional carry cover and take it pretty much anywhere.
While we like the Ooni Karu, the Ooni KodaOoni Koda is our absolute favorite product because it is practical for families and entertaining groups. While wood-fired pizza might taste slightly more authentic, this large gas-powered model offers the simplicity many of you will appreciate.
It is beautifully designed, almost like a piece of art, and will fire up everything from perfect pizzas to flame-kissed steaks.
When you purchase an OoniOoni, pizza will become the new go-to meal. You might be tempted to use the oven multiple times every week. Our only advice is to be careful who you invite over to experience the magic because they may become frequent visitors.
Is Ooni Worth The Price?
The bottom line is that an Ooni pizza oven will transform your backyard into pizza heaven. They are versatile too, so while you can fire up restaurant-quality pizzas, you can also use your favorite new oven for steak and other household favorites. Itâs not often that a product is so fantastic that it might change your weekly routines and traditions, but when you get your OoniOoni flaming, we fully expect it will do just that.
SUMMARY PROSCONS
- Some models cook pizza as large as 16 inches
- Smaller space and opening
- Creative L-Shaped flame for one-turn cooking
- Tight space makes it difficult to turn pizza
- Models facilitating multiple heat sources (charcoal, wood, or gas)
- Beautiful design
- Reaches 932°F in 20 minutes
- Cooks pizza in just 60 seconds
- 1% For The Planet member
Roccbox Pizza Oven Review
The Gozney Roccbox only comes in one model, compared to the five separate models Ooni manufacturers, but the RoccboxRoccbox is a restaurant-grade pizza oven designed for your home, so it is still worthy of your consideration.
Itâs the restaurant-grade quality that makes the Roccbox a little more expensive than its competitors, but that same quality should reassure you you are getting the absolute best product. Gozney is coming out with a pizza dome in 2021 priced well north of $1,000, so compared to that, the Roccbox seems like a steal. đ
Roccbox Design
While the oven has stainless steel accents, our favorite feature is that the oven is covered in an outer silicone skin that makes the stove safer around your family because it isnât as hot to touch, but the top-notch features donât stop there. The unit doesnât have a tall chimney like some of the competitor pizza ovens, but the Roccbox oven isnât as slim either.
Stylistically, it is a matter of preference, but the most important and functional design element is the folding legs, and that is probably the feature most likely to influence your decision.
The oven also comes with a built-in thermometer and a detachable gas burner as standard. An optional wood burner is available for those that prefer wood flavoring to the gas burner. While it only comes in one size and only cooks pizzas about 11 inches in diameter, the RoccboxRoccbox is still a premium consumer pizza oven.
Is The Roccbox Any Good?
If you thought that the Ooni pizza oven gets hot at 930°F, you would be impressed to know the RoccboxRoccbox pizza oven reaches a whopping 950°F. The additional 20 degrees might add marginal performance at that high of a cooking temperature, but it is still impressive. 950°F is even more remarkable given that the outer silicone skin, combined with body insulation, make the unit safe to touch.
You still need to be careful around your oven, even if the silicone skin is safe to touch, but it is always nice to know that they eliminated the scorching surfaces to the best they could.
The folding legs make the Roccbox the most portable pizza oven we reviewed. Since the burner is detachable, the Roccbox is relatively easy to fold up and go. This is particularly nice if you envision taking your new pizza oven to any gatherings or perhaps on your annual family trip to a cabin or beach house.
It is better than functional; it is restaurant quality. If you purchase the Roccbox, you will eliminate the need to grab a takeout pizza or visit the best Italian spot in town. Even so, the limited model options and the smaller opening for turning pizzas might make it worth your time to consider if Ooni or one of the other competitors might be a good option.
If you decide on the Roccbox, we wonât blame you. Not too many people have restaurant-grade pizza ovens at their homes. Also, be sure to check out the recipes on Gozneyâs website. They did their best to set you up for success with a premium pizza oven and top-chef level recipes.
Is Roccbox Worth The Price?
The Roccbox is made from industrial-grade materials and is the hottest of any ovens we reviewed. It also has unique styling that would make a nice addition to your backyard kitchen. The standout feature to me is that the silicone skin provides a little protection from accidental bumps. On the other hand, the price is a little steep, and the opening for pizzas is smaller than some of Ooniâs models. Still, the RoccboxRoccbox will rock out some top-notch pizza, so itâs hard to criticize too much.
SUMMARY PROSCONS
- Distinct Styling
- Price is a little steep
- Hotter than any other pizza oven
- Smaller Opening
- Compact design with fold-out legs
- Limited options compared to Ooni
- Industrial-grade materials
Bertello Pizza Oven Review
If you spend much time on Kickstarter, the name Bertello might ring a bell. The company started up in 2017 when its Kickstarter campaign was funded in less than 24 hours from launch. The Bertello Pizza Oven eventually landed on Shark Tank too, where the founders won a deal with Mr. Wonderful, Kevin OâLeary. With that amount of social movement behind the product, it might be the most recognizable outdoor pizza oven we reviewed.
The design is elegant and straightforward. It is a beautiful looking appliance that would look great as a centerpiece of your backyard and small enough to take camping. We appreciate Bertelloâs versatility because it works using gas, charcoal, wood, or pellets as a heat source. If you didnât catch it already, check out their deal with Kevin to hear how much Barbara and Kevin both loved the product.
Is The Bertello Any Good?
The BertelloBertello pizza oven gets up to 930°F, which is plenty hot to cook a personal size pizza in under two minutes. We like that the oven is small and portable, but it doesnât have any defining features that make it stand out from the crowd. While the Bertello may have some name recognition from Shark Tank and Kickstarter, it might not be the best bang for your buck if you are a novice trying to cook Neapolitan pizza at home.
The biggest problem with the Bertello unit is that the opening is too small and that the heat is not evenly distributed. Until experienced, you may struggle with your pizza burning on the side nearest the fire.
While it takes time and practice to get comfortable using the oven, it is a good option for cooking pizza at home. The Bertello comes at an affordable price and can easily be moved around, so it shouldnât be entirely written off as an option.
Is Bertello Worth The Price?
Bertelloâs pizza oven is the most basic design and functionality of any of the pizza ovens we reviewed. The benefit to that is that the BertelloBertello pizza oven comes at an affordable price, even if it does have certain limitations. The biggest thing to be aware of is that learning to cook your pizza without burning it might be a challenge, in part because of the small oven opening.
SUMMARY PROSCONS
- Simplistic design
- Very small opening to turn pizza
- Affordable price
- Some people struggle with burning pizzas in Bertello
- Shark Tank notoriety
- Reaches 930°F
Alternative Pizza Oven Options
While we recommend one of the highlighted brands, as they are the best options based on our review, there are a few other pizza ovens you could consider.
Camp Chef Italia Artisan - The Camp Chef Italia Artisan has fully adjustable heat but only reaches 700°F. The first thing that stands out about the Camp Chef Italia Artisan is propane-powered, with no charcoal or wood-fired heat sourcing.
It fills a unique space because Camp Chef intends to replicate beloved artisan pizzas from Italy while packaged in a modernized oven that is portable and powered by propane. The lower heat limits the authenticity, though, so we would only consider this model if you have other Camp Chef equipment and you want to stay in the Camp Chef family.
KettlePizza - KettlePizza isnât a standalone pizza oven; instead, it is a pizza oven insert that will work with your existing Weber-type grill. If you already have a grill you are comfortable using, then KettlePizza might be worth considering. Still, like Camp Chef, the flavoring and experience wonât be an authentic experience.
The Best Outdoor Pizza Oven
If you choose between Roccbox, Ooni, and Bertello, the choice is clear. Ooni pizza ovens are our favorite outdoor pizza ovens on the market. Their pizza ovens feature modern and sleek designs, and the brand sells models in multiple sizes. While the Roccbox has die-hard fans, Ooniâs wide selection provides you with the opportunity to choose between the convenience of gas and the authenticity of wood or charcoal.
And donât forget that Ooni pizza ovens reach 932°F, perfect for cooking perfectly crisp pizzas in only 60 seconds.
If you like big gatherings, we recommend going with the Ooni KodaOoni Koda Gas-Powered Outdoor Pizza Oven. Since itâs gas-powered, you can spend more time focused on your guests and less time focused on getting the heat right in your oven. This is also a larger model, but you can still churn out 16-inch pizzas every few minutes.
The Ooni Koda is a show-stopper statement piece for your backyard that makes chef-quality pizza. If you would prefer charcoal or wood-fired pizza, invest in Ooni KaruOoni Karu Wood and Charcoal-Fired Portable Pizza Oven instead.
Regardless of which model you choose, your outdoor cooking experience will never be the same, and you may never willingly order take-out pizza again. You will probably need a new hat or apron proudly embroidered with âPizza Chefâ because Ooni pizza ovens may become a significant part of your evening routines.
đ„BONUSđ„ - If you are interested in outdoor pizza ovens, you might also be interested in our review of the best smokeless fire pits on the market. And if you arenât quite ready to grill up surf and turf in a pizza oven, you can check out our review of charcoal and gas grills, or wood pellet grills.
We are big believers in spending time outside, and there isnât a much better way to do it than to gather around one of these fires for food and fun.
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