Best Pizza Ovens for UK Gardens 2026: Complete Buying Guide

There’s something deeply satisfying about making pizza in your own garden. The theatre of sliding a pizza into a roaring oven, the 60-second wait, then pulling out something that rivals your favourite pizzeria. Outdoor pizza ovens have become one of the most sought-after garden additions in the UK - and for good reason.

But with prices ranging from £250 to £3,000+, and wildly different fuel types, sizes, and features, choosing the right one takes some research. We’ve compared the leading pizza ovens available in the UK to help you find the perfect match for your garden and cooking style.

Gas, Wood, or Multi-Fuel?

Before diving into specific models, you’ll need to decide on fuel type. This affects everything from flavour to convenience.

Gas Pizza Ovens

Pros:

• Consistent, controllable heat
• Ready in 15-20 minutes
• Minimal cleanup
• Easy temperature maintenance
• Perfect for beginners

Cons:

• No wood-smoke flavour
• Needs gas bottle storage
• Less “authentic” feel

Best for: Families, frequent users, those who value convenience.

Wood-Fired Pizza Ovens

Pros:

• Authentic wood-smoke flavour
• Higher maximum temperatures
• More traditional experience
• Can burn different woods for different flavours

Cons:

• Longer heat-up time (25-45 mins)
• More skill required
• Ash cleanup after each use
• Need to manage the fire while cooking

Best for: Enthusiasts, those chasing authentic Neapolitan-style pizza.

Multi-Fuel Pizza Ovens

Pros:

• Best of both worlds
• Gas for convenience, wood when you want flavour
• Flexible for different occasions

Cons:

• Higher purchase price
• Additional accessories needed
• More complex setup

Best for: Those who can’t decide and want options.

Best Pizza Ovens for UK Gardens

Ooni Koda 16

The Ooni Koda 16 is the sweet spot in the Ooni range - big enough for 16” pizzas, gas-powered for convenience, and competitively priced.

What we like:

• Heats to 500°C in just 15 minutes
• Large cooking surface fits proper restaurant-sized pizzas
• L-shaped burner gives even heat distribution
• No assembly required - genuinely ready to cook out of the box
• Foldable legs make storage easy
• 304 stainless steel construction
• 5-year warranty when registered

What to consider:

• Gas only - no wood-fire option
• Needs a sturdy table (weighs 18.2kg)
• Uses standard propane bottles (not included)
• Wind can affect performance

Price: Around £500

Best for: Families and those who want maximum convenience. The most popular choice for good reason.

Ooni Karu 12

The Karu 12 is Ooni’s multi-fuel option - burn wood or charcoal out of the box, add the gas attachment for convenience.

What we like:

• True multi-fuel flexibility
• Excellent wood-fire performance
• Compact and genuinely portable (12kg)
• Hinged door for easy fire management
• Heats in 15 minutes with gas or wood
• More affordable entry into multi-fuel

What to consider:

• Smaller 12” cooking surface
• Gas burner sold separately (adds ~£80)
• Wood requires more attention
• Smaller fire chamber means more frequent loading

Price: Around £349 (oven only), ~£430 with gas burner

Best for: Those who want the option of wood-fired cooking but appreciate gas convenience.

Gozney Roccbox

The Gozney Roccbox is the main competitor to Ooni, with a focus on build quality and that stunning retractable silicone exterior.

What we like:

• Exceptional build quality - feels premium
• Safe-touch silicone exterior stays cool
• Reaches 500°C in 20 minutes
• Built-in thermometer
• Stunning design in four colours
• Dual-fuel capability (wood burner sold separately)
• Restaurant-quality pizza results

What to consider:

• Premium price point
• Wood burner is an additional purchase
• Heavier than Ooni equivalents (20kg)
• 12” cooking surface only

Price: £399 (gas), plus ~£100 for wood burner accessory

Best for: Design-conscious buyers who want a pizza oven that looks as good as it performs.

Gozney Dome

The Gozney Dome is a step up - a larger, more permanent pizza oven for serious outdoor cooking.

What we like:

• Exceptional cooking performance
• Large cooking surface
• Restaurant-grade stone floor
• Digital thermometer with steam injection
• Modular design with optional stands and covers
• Can use gas or wood
• Built to last decades

What to consider:

• Significant investment
• Not truly portable - designed for a permanent spot
• Takes up considerable space
• Complex accessory ecosystem

Price: £1,600 - £1,800

Best for: Dedicated outdoor cooks who want the best and have the space and budget.

DeliVita Wood-Fired Oven

DeliVita is the UK’s answer to Italian pizza ovens - handcrafted in Yorkshire with beautiful design and genuine wood-fire credentials.

What we like:

• Handmade in the UK (Yorkshire)
• Stunning design - available in gorgeous colours
• Incredible heat retention from clay composite interior
• Reaches temperature in 25 minutes
• Cooks pizza in 90 seconds
• 5-year warranty
• Lightweight at 30kg
• Supports UK manufacturing

What to consider:

• Wood-only - no gas option
• Higher price than Ooni/Gozney
• Requires kiln-dried wood
• More maintenance than gas ovens

Price: £1,299 (Starter Collection), £1,599 (Pizzaiolo Collection with accessories)

Best for: Those who want authentic wood-fired cooking and appreciate UK craftsmanship.

Fontana Forni Maestro

For those planning an outdoor kitchen, Fontana Forni offers Italian-made built-in options with commercial-grade quality.

What we like:

• Made in Italy since 1946
• Commercial-grade construction
• Heats in 10-15 minutes
• Exceptional heat distribution
• Built-in models available for outdoor kitchens
• Range of sizes and fuel options
• Free UK delivery

What to consider:

• Requires permanent installation
• Significant investment
• May need professional installation
• Overkill for occasional use

Price: £800 - £3,000+ depending on model and size

Best for: Outdoor kitchen builds, permanent installations, those who want Italian heritage.

Pizza Oven Comparison

What to Look for When Buying

Size and Cooking Surface

Consider how many people you’ll typically cook for:

• 12” ovens (Ooni Karu 12, Gozney Roccbox): Perfect for couples or cooking one pizza at a time
• 16” ovens (Ooni Koda 16, Karu 16): Fits larger pizzas, better for families
• Built-in ovens: Can often fit 2-3 pizzas simultaneously

Portability vs Permanence

Be honest about how you’ll use it:

• Portable ovens (under 20kg): Can be stored in a shed, taken camping, or moved around the garden
• Semi-permanent (20-40kg): Will likely stay in one spot but can be moved seasonally
• Built-in: Part of an outdoor kitchen structure

Temperature Capability

For authentic Neapolitan-style pizza, you need 450-500°C. Most quality pizza ovens reach this. Lower temperatures (300-400°C) still make excellent pizza but with different characteristics.

Build Quality and Warranty

Look for:

• Stainless steel construction resists rust
• Stone cooking floors for even heat and crispy bases
• Insulation quality affects heat retention and exterior temperature
• Warranty length indicates manufacturer confidence (3-5 years is standard)

Common Questions

How often should I use my pizza oven to justify the cost?

Even monthly use can justify the cost when you consider restaurant pizza prices. A family pizza night at home costs £5-10 in ingredients versus £40-60 eating out. If you use it weekly, it pays for itself within a year.

What else can I cook in a pizza oven?

Far more than pizza. Flatbreads, naan, roasted vegetables, steak, fish, roast chicken, even desserts. The intense heat and stone floor are perfect for any cooking that benefits from high, direct heat.

Do I need a pizza peel?

Yes - essential for getting pizzas in and out. Most ovens don’t include one. Budget £20-40 for a decent metal peel.

What’s the best wood to use?

Kiln-dried hardwood burns cleanest and hottest. Oak and ash are excellent. Avoid softwoods (pine, fir) as they produce excess smoke and residue. Never use treated or painted wood.

How do I clean a pizza oven?

Let it cool completely. Brush out ash and debris. Wipe the stone with a damp cloth (no soap). Most burnt-on residue burns off during the next use. Cover when not in use.

Our Recommendation

For most UK households, the Ooni Koda 16 hits the ideal balance. It’s big enough for proper pizzas, heats fast, requires minimal fuss, and delivers consistently excellent results. The gas convenience means you’ll actually use it rather than saving it for special occasions.

If you want that authentic wood-fired experience but appreciate backup options, the Ooni Karu 12 (with gas burner) gives you flexibility, though you’ll sacrifice pizza size.

For those who value craftsmanship and design as much as cooking, the DeliVita is genuinely special - UK-made, beautiful, and produces exceptional wood-fired results.

And if you’re building an outdoor kitchen and want something permanent, the Fontana Forni range brings Italian heritage and commercial-grade quality.

Whatever you choose, an outdoor pizza oven transforms garden entertaining. There’s a reason they’ve become so popular - once you’ve tasted fresh pizza cooked in 60 seconds in your own garden, you’ll wonder how you lived without one.

Planning an outdoor kitchen? Explore our outdoor kitchen collection including built-in BBQs, pizza ovens, and kitchen islands.