Pizza ovens are a fun way to make a tasty favorite all year round. They can also be used to roast potatoes and other vegetables, along with fish and some pastry dishes. But where is the best place to put your pizza oven?
Place a pizza oven outdoors, a safe distance away from any walls or fences. These outdoor ovens are commonly placed near a patio or picnic area. Many countertop options can also be placed indoors in your kitchen.
Below you’ll find information on the dos and don’ts of placing a pizza oven outdoors, including key information on cleaning and maintenance. You’ll also read about options for placing a pizza oven in your kitchen.
Guidelines for Placing an Outdoor Pizza Oven
Outdoors is the most popular area to place a pizza oven; not only does an outdoor pizza oven encourage families to get together often, but it can also help save on the electric bill. As a bonus, outdoor pizza ovens can help add to the value of your home. Investing in outdoor spaces, depending on what you do, can boost the value of your home by 12%.
You will need to have a good understanding of the surrounding area and buildings when deciding where an oven should go. The primary recommendation of where your oven should be is at least 3 feet (0.91 m) from any walls or fences. If you can place the oven further away than this recommendation, that’s even better.
There should be at least 5 feet above the oven space separating it from the ceiling or roof. This rule also goes for any open pergola beams or sun shades.
There are several different options available for outdoor pizza ovens. The ovens can be either wood-fired, wood pellet-burning or gas-burning. All of these are great options depending on your preference. However, remember that each of these types must be placed a safe distance away from walls, fences, and other structures.
Let’s take a brief look at these pizza oven types and how they differ:
- Wood Fired: This one takes a bit of practice to master. Once the wood is heated, you must continually feed the oven more wood to keep the temperature even while your food cooks.
- Wood Pellet Burning: Pellet-burning ovens are slightly more challenging to get going, but once they’re heated, all you need to do is keep the hopper (the drawer where the pellets are placed) filled with additional pellets. Keeping the hopper filled will keep it burning while your food is cooking.
- Gas Burning: Gas burning is considered the easiest of the three as all you need to do is connect the gas canister and turn it on. Gas is also considered the cleanest of the three, as there is no soot or ash left over after the cooking is completed.
Guidelines for Placing an Indoor Pizza Oven
If you don’t have the backyard space or are looking for a more budget-friendly version, there are pizza ovens you can use indoors in your kitchen. Most are medium-sized appliances that fit directly on your countertop. They are typically made from aluminum or steel, making them easy to clean. They do require you to turn the pizzas while they are cooking, so a bit of skill may be required.
Indoor pizza ovens come with a variety of features, from easy-to-clean removable parts to built-in thermometers and automatic shut-offs. Some models are more compact, making them easier to store when you aren’t using them.
There are different types of indoor pizza ovens. Some use electric heat, and others use convection heating. The difference is that electric heat can vary in temperature throughout the oven, while convection heating is more evenly distributed, making your pizza more consistently cooked.
One of the top-rated pizza ovens on Amazon is the Wisco Industries Pizza Oven. This electric pizza oven boasts that it has a long-life heating element, a removable clean-out tray, and an adjustable thermostat. With its 4.5-star rating, it is a great option for anyone looking to add a pizza oven to their kitchen.
This top-rated Oster Turbo Convection Toaster Oven (available on Amazon.com) is a great choice for anyone seeking a convection option. It has single-pull french doors and removable baking racks for easy cleaning.
The Importance of Properly Placing Your Pizza Oven
Placement of your pizza oven can make a big difference, not only in ease of use but also in the comfort of you and your guests. The most common place to put it would be near a picnic area for ease of use. You can place it under a pergola for aesthetic purposes as well.
If you live in a community governed by a homeowners association (HOA), check any rules and regulations they may have to verify if there are any other specifications.
Pizza ovens can be placed in a variety of spaces:
- Wooden decks
- Patios
- Concrete slabs
Remember to maintain the 5-foot ceiling rule if you decide to place the oven on a covered deck or patio. Other than the space it needs between structures, pizza ovens don’t tend to take up much room and can be used in smaller outdoor spaces.
Pizza Oven Placement Should Accommodate Venting
Outdoor pizza ovens do need to be vented with a chimney. This is very important for several reasons:
- A chimney keeps smoke from blowing out of the furnace area and into your face. You’ll need to ensure the front of your oven faces the oncoming wind. If the wind hits the back of the oven instead, it can create a vacuum that forces the smoke out of the front of the oven and into your dining area.
- Having a chimney will also keep the smoke pulled away from your pizza or other foods, preventing them from tasting overly smoky.
- Proper venting ensures that the flames inside the oven are burning as needed to cook your food evenly and efficiently.
Place Your Pizza Oven in an Area That Accommodates Cleaning
Cleaning your pizza oven is a very important step that should not be skipped over. Removing soot and ash from inside the pizza oven can ensure that your oven is safe to use each and every time. Also, soot and ash can taint the taste of the foods you cook in your pizza oven, so regular cleaning and maintenance are needed.
The ease of cleaning should be taken into consideration when you’re deciding where to place a pizza oven.
Note: Another thing you should always have on hand is a fire extinguisher. Anytime you deal with an open flame, it is always wise to have one nearby.
Conclusion
Pizza ovens are a fantastic way to liven up your cooking process and your time spent entertaining family and friends.
By placing your pizza oven the correct distance from walls, fences, and ceilings, you can ensure the safety of your surroundings as you use it. Proper ventilation and cleaning maintenance of your indoor or outdoor oven will help keep your oven working well and your food tasting perfect.
So, whether you choose an indoor or outdoor pizza oven, you can enjoy great-tasting food and fun memories with loved ones.
