Whether you’re cooking in the kitchen or going al fresco, a pizza oven can take your mealtimes to the next level. There are plenty of benefits to cooking with a pizza oven, but the main one is being able to enjoy restaurant-quality pizza in a matter of minutes.

Not sure where to start? Pizza oven cooking is probably easier than you think. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about cooking with a pizza oven, with simple steps for how to use a wood-fired, gas, and electric pizza oven. Already confident with the basics? We’ve also got handy pizza oven tips to help you make the most of your appliance. 

Contents

How to use a pizza oven: The basics
How to use a wood-fired pizza oven
How to use a gas pizza oven
How to use an electric pizza oven
Pizza oven tips: Making the most out of your pizza oven

Before you start perfecting your recipes and donning your apron, it's important to master the essentials. Here, we’ll cover the basics of how to use a pizza oven, whatever type you have. 

How does a pizza oven work?

Pizza oven cooking works by heating to a very high temperature (much higher than a regular oven), so pizzas cook in just a few minutes. The cooking surface is also preheated to ensure an even heat, and they are designed with heat-retaining materials to keep the temperature steady. This combination helps you achieve a crisp crust and perfectly melted cheese every time.

How hot should a pizza oven be?

One of the main things that sets a pizza oven apart from regular ovens and cookers is the temperature. Pizza oven temperatures typically range between 230°C and 480°C, depending on the type of heat and manufacturer.

For wood-fired models, the pizza oven temperature should be very high — somewhere between 400°C and 480°C. Gas ovens are slightly cooler, around 340°C to 400°C, but still much hotter than a regular oven. Electric pizza ovens are the coolest of the three. Manufacturer instructions vary, but these models are generally recommended to reach 230°C to 260°C.

How long does a pizza oven take to heat up?

You know how hot it should get, but how long does it take to get there? Wood-fired pizza ovens take the longest to reach the required temperature, in part because they operate at very high heat. You can expect to spend between half an hour and an hour pre-heating a wood-fired model. Gas and electric pizza ovens heat up faster, usually reaching their target temperature in 15 to 30 minutes. Remember, when preheating the oven, you must preheat your pizza stone as well. This is key to achieving an even heat for a crispy base and crust.

What accessories do you need for a pizza oven?

Using a pizza oven is about more than just the oven itself; there are a few extras you need to get the most out of it. One of the most important pizza oven accessories you need is a pizza stone. Without it, it’ll be much harder to achieve a crispy crust and base. Many pizza ovens come with a stone already included, but it’s worth checking before making your purchase.

A pizza turning peel is also highly recommended when using a pizza oven. This is used to place the pizza into the oven, turn it during cooking for an even finish, and remove it once it’s ready. The long handle helps keep your hands safely away from the very hot oven.

Other pizza oven accessories include: 

• Pizza oven stand 
• Pizza oven cover for outdoor protection
• A thermometer, like this Infrared Thermometer from Cozze, for checking oven temperature
• Cast-iron pizza oven-safe pans (worth getting if you’re using your oven for more than just pizza) 
• Hardwood (for wood-fired pizza ovens) or propane gas (for gas pizza ovens)
• Wood loader
• Dough prep essentials, including dough scrapers and cutters 
• Cleaning supplies, including pizza oven brushes 
• Serving essentials, including a pizza cutter and serving board 

What can you cook in a pizza oven?

The most popular thing to cook in a pizza oven is, of course, pizza! But what else can you cook in a pizza oven? Despite the name, these ovens are incredibly versatile. You can use them to roast meat and vegetables, cook steaks and salmon, or make other doughy dishes, like flatbreads, naans, and even sweet treats like cookies.

Wood-fired pizza ovens are popular for a reason: that woody, smoky flavour complements almost any food, from pizza to roast veggies and meat. It can take some trial and error when it comes to using them, but once you master it, the results are unbeatable.

How to light a wood-fired pizza oven

The first stage to cooking with a wood-fired pizza oven is getting it up to temperature. Follow the steps below to light your wood-fired pizza oven: 

1. Put your pizza oven on a heatproof surface, like a pizza oven stand, and open the door and smoke control vent.
2. Place a natural firestarter towards the centre-back part of your oven and stack hardwood kindling, such as oak or ash, over the top in a criss-cross pattern.
3. Light the firestarter to get it up and running. Always keep the door open to give the fire oxygen so it can burn. 
4. Once the kindling starts to burn, gradually add more logs (one at a time) to build the fire. 
5. Move the fire further back once established to let heat circulate around the oven. 
6. Keep the fire burning for 30 to 60 minutes, at which point the oven should reach your desired temperature. A sign that it is fully heated is the internal walls starting to turn light grey or white. If you’re still unsure, use a thermometer for a precise reading. 

Cooking on a wood-fired pizza oven

Once the fire is burning and the oven is hot, it’s time to get to the fun stuff — cooking your pizza! Follow the steps below to use a wood-fired pizza oven with confidence: 

1. Light the fire to pre-heat the oven (see steps above). 
2. Once the fire is established, put your pizza stone inside to preheat for 30 to 60 minutes. 
3. While it is preheating, take this time to prepare your pizza. Shape the dough (why not try out some Gozney pizza dough mix?) and top with sauce, cheese, and your favourite toppings. 
4. Once the pizza is prepped and the pizza stone is hot, transfer the pizza to the oven using a pizza peel.
5. Rotate the pizza every 30 to 60 seconds with your peel for even cooking.
6. Once the crust has browned and the cheese has melted, remove your pizza from the oven (this usually takes between one and three minutes).
7. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Make sure to let the oven cool completely before cleaning, but don’t leave it too long, or the ash will stick and be difficult to clean. To clean, simply clear away the ash and debris with a pizza oven brush. If there are any sauce or topping spills, wipe them off with a lightly damp cloth. 

Using a wood-fired pizza oven for the first time

There are a few steps to take before using the oven for the first time in order to get the best results. First things first, become well-acquainted with the manufacturer's instructions — these will tell you everything you need to know, from guidelines for initial use to exact cooking instructions.

It’s important to clean the oven before its first use. Even though it will look clean, there may be residues from the manufacturing process to clean off. Cleaning instructions should be in your instruction booklet, but in most cases, all you need to do is wipe the inside with a dry cloth (you should avoid using water on clay or stone ovens unless instructions allow).

Another step you should take to burn off any manufacturing residue is to “season” (or “cure”) the oven. This simply means gradually heating it. As well as burning off any remaining residue, this slow temperature increase prepares the oven for regular use, prevents cracking, and helps you spot any issues with airflow and smoke early on. To do it, simply light small fires over the course of a few hours.

Last but not least, it’s worth doing a test run, especially if you plan on entertaining. Cook a small pizza to see how heat is distributed and get a feel for cooking times.

A gas pizza oven is the perfect choice if you’re looking to balance speed and convenience. It is a good, beginner-friendly option as well. Follow the simple steps below to use your gas pizza oven:

1. Make sure the gas supply is connected properly and that the oven is on a stable, heatproof surface and away from flammable objects.
2. Turn on the gas, ignite the burners, and turn the dial to preheat to the desired temperature. Make sure to preheat the pizza stone, too. 
3. While the oven is preheating, prepare your pizza. 
4. Once the oven is preheated (after 15 to 30 minutes), transfer the pizza into the oven with your peel. 
5. Cook the pizza for around three to six minutes, turning halfway through to brown it evenly. 
6. When it’s ready, take it out and serve it up.
7. Turn off the gas according to your oven’s instructions, and clean the oven once it has fully cooled.

Want something as easy to use as possible? Electric pizza ovens are the ultimate choice for convenience — it really is as simple as turn on and cook! They can even be used indoors, making them ideal for those with no outdoor space or a small enclosed area like a balcony. 

Here’s just how easy using an electric pizza oven is:

1. Place it on a stable, heatproof surface. 
2. Plug it in, turn it on, and use the dial to preheat your oven and pizza stone to your desired temperature. 
3. Prepare your pizza while the oven is preheating.
4. Once up to temperature (usually within 15 to 30 minutes), slide the pizza off your peel and onto the preheated pizza stone. 
5. Cook for around five to ten minutes, turning the pizza halfway through cooking. 
6. Once ready, lift the pizza out carefully and serve it up
7. Turn off the oven, unplug it, and let it cool completely before cleaning. 

Want to find out more? Check out our beginner's guide to electric pizza ovens.

After reading the steps above, you should feel confident with the pizza oven basics — now it’s time to take your creations to the next level. Below, we’ve rounded up some handy pizza oven tips to help you make the most of your al fresco cooking set-up. 

Location, location, location

Before firing up or even buying your pizza oven, you should decide where it is going to live. This isn’t quite as important for portable pizza ovens, as you can easily move them round until you find the perfect spot. But for heavy brick pizza ovens, it’s best to get it right first time.

Safety and convenience should be your two main priorities when choosing a location. Make sure your oven has plenty of clearance from anything potentially flammable, including garden furniture, sheds, fences, and overhanging trees and plants. If you have a wood-fired oven, avoid placing it too close to the house to prevent smoky fumes from getting inside at least three feet away is a good rule of thumb. That said, you don’t want it too far away from the kitchen either, as this is likely where you’ll be doing most of your prep.

When it comes to positioning the oven, place it on a stable, heatproof surface. Concrete, stone, paving slabs, or a dedicated stand will help keep it level and secure.

Let the dough rest

Once the pizza oven is set up and you have everything you need, it’s time for the exciting bit! But before making your first pizza, you’ll need just a little more patience. It’s important to let pizza dough rest at room temperature before rolling and shaping it, whether it’s shop-bought or you’re making your own from scratch. Resting it allows the dough to warm up and the gluten to relax, which is what makes it easier to stretch without springing back and shrinking.

Consider par-baking topping-heavy pizzas

Pizza fanatics tend to fall into one of two camps: less is more or toppings galore. If you fall into the latter, you may want to consider par-baking your dough before you add the sauce, cheese, and other toppings.

Par-baking helps crisp up the base and prevents it from becoming soggy and weighed down under the amount of toppings. You don't need to par-bake the base for too long: two to three minutes in an electric pizza oven is usually enough, while 30 to 60 seconds in a wood-fired oven will do the job. You just want to cook it long enough for the base to firm up slightly so it can be easily removed from the oven and topped.

Buy two peels

Having two pizza peels instead of one can make life much easier when using a pizza oven. Using separate peels for different jobs helps things run more smoothly, especially when making several pizzas in a row. It also reduces the chance of damaging the base or knocking toppings out of place, making pizza oven cooking quicker and more controlled.

Ideally, you’ll want one peel for launching and one for removing the pizza. A wooden peel is best for assembling and launching your pizza, as the dough is less likely to stick to it, while a metal peel is better for turning the pizza and lifting it out once it’s ready. If you’re catering for people with allergies, such as those with a gluten intolerance, you may want to invest in an extra peel for added peace of mind.

Experiment with wood blends

Decided a wood-fired pizza oven is the one for you? To make the most of that delicious smoky flavour, try experimenting with different types of wood when cooking. Hardwoods, like oak or beech, are a great choice for a pizza oven. They burn hot and clean, so they’re ideal for the high temperatures needed for pizza oven cooking. But if you’re looking to mix things up, adding a small amount of fruitwood to the blend, like apple or cherry, can add a unique taste to your pizzas. Over time, trying different blends will help you learn how your oven behaves and help you get more consistent results.

From indoor setups to dining al fresco, everyone can enjoy pizza oven cooking. And with our guide on how to use a pizza oven, you should feel confident when it comes to firing it up and making your first pizza.

Not started pizza oven shopping yet? We have a variety to explore here at StovesAreUs, from wood-fired and brick pizza ovens, to electric and gas models. With options from leading brands, including Ooni and Gozney, you can be confident you’re investing in quality with our collection. Shop the full range today.