We Baked 40+ Pies in 14 Outdoor Pizza Ovens—These Are the 9 Worth Buying

When it comes to cooking pizza at home, an outdoor pizza oven delivers the high, consistent temperatures required to crisp the crust evenly and melt the center into gooey, delicious perfection. But if you’ve never used one of these outdoor living tools, it can be hard to know which fuel type and oven size is best for your setup.

Luckily, our team of testers has made over 40 pies (plus quite a few biscuits, cookies, tortillas, and even steaks) using 14 different pizza ovens. After enjoying the fruits of our labor and scoring each oven’s performance, we selected the Halo Versa 16 Outdoor Pizza Oven as our top pick for its user-friendly design, excellent cooking performance, and overall value. 

To help you choose the best option for your backyard, this guide breaks down everything you need to know before you buy an outdoor pizza oven, from fuel types and temperature ranges to portability and ease of use. It also walks you through each of our home-tested top picks, giving you the inside scoop on the best outdoor pizza ovens for serving up restaurant-quality pies at your next patio gathering.

1. BEST OVERALL: Halo Versa 16 Outdoor Pizza Oven
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2. RUNNER-UP: Gozney Arc XL Pizza Oven
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3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Cuisinart 3-in-1 Grill, Griddle, and Pizza Oven
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4. UPGRADE PICK: Ooni Koda 2 Pro 18″ Gas-Powered Outdoor Pizza Oven
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5. BEST COMPACT: Gozney Arc Lite Pizza Oven
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6. MOST USER-FRIENDLY: All-Clad 16″ Outdoor Rotating Stone Gas Pizza Oven
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7. BEST DUAL-FUEL: Gozney Dome Gen 2 Propane Gas/Wood Outdoor Pizza Oven
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8. BEST GRILL-TOP: OnlyfirePizza Oven Kit for Most Gas Grills
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9. BEST FIRE PIT: Solo Stove Pi Fire Pit System
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Outdoor Pizza Ovens Comparison

Our Top Picks

Each model on our list of the best outdoor pizza ovens on the market stood out for its performance and consistent results. Read on to learn more about these ovens and how they can help you create a homemade pizza worth craving.

Our Ratings

The Halo Versa 16 won our top award for its impressive performance, thoughtful design, and ease of use. It was incredibly simple to set up and operate, and the pizza it produced was phenomenal. That’s likely due in part to its dual-burner system, which uses infrared to evenly cook the crust and an open flame to crisp the toppings. Also, it has an automatic rotating stone that eliminates the need to manually turn the pizza mid-bake, which is something many models still require.

This oven is also perfectly sized to handle larger pizzas and offer better handling. The 18-inch opening easily fit our standard pizza peel, unlike smaller models that forced us to buy a narrower one. The tall opening and interior height made it easy to slide pies in and out without scraping the top, something that was especially helpful as we got used to the launching and retrieving processes. 

While the Halo outdoor propane pizza oven isn’t the cheapest model available, it offers excellent value for its quality design and solid construction. It has a hinged lid that makes cleaning a breeze (once everything cools), and when we flubbed a launch during testing, we simply opened the lid and folded the pizza into a delicious calzone. If you’re after an oven built for many summers of pizza nights and weekend cookouts, the Versa 16 is worth every penny.

Read our full review: Halo Versa 16 Outdoor Pizza Oven

What our tester says: “I’ve been making pizza in this oven for over a year now, and I’ve only liked it more as time has gone on. Even as beginners, our pizza came out great, but it’s gotten even better as we’ve learned how to dial in the temperature. Also, it’s still one of the only hinged-lid models I’ve ever tested, which is a major miss by other brands.”—Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer 

Get the Halo outdoor pizza oven at Amazon, Lowe’s, Walmart, BBQ Guys, or Halo.

Our Ratings

The Gozney Arc XL came closer than any other model we tested to claiming our Best Overall award. Combining premium construction, impressive cooking performance, and a spacious cooking chamber, it offers much of what we love about the larger Gozney Dome 2 in a more practical gas-powered package.

During testing, the Arc XL consistently delivered restaurant-quality results (even at the hands of a novice home pizza cook). After a 20- to 30-minute preheat, the oven maintained temperatures approaching 950 degrees Fahrenheit and produced evenly cooked pizzas with crisp crusts, airy interiors, and attractive char. The larger cooking chamber made it easier to maneuver pizzas than many smaller ovens, while also providing enough space for larger 16-inch pies and other foods, including steaks and roasted vegetables.

One feature we particularly appreciated was the built-in thermometer. Unlike many pizza ovens that require a separate infrared thermometer, the Arc XL provides an easy way to monitor temperatures at a glance, helping reduce guesswork during cooking.

The Arc XL is also one of the best-built pizza ovens we’ve tested. Everything from the oven body to the controls feels thoughtfully designed and durable. However, that quality comes at a cost. It’s significantly more expensive than many competing gas pizza ovens, and its larger footprint requires a dedicated outdoor space.

For buyers who want premium performance without stepping up to a full outdoor-kitchen centerpiece like the Gozney Dome, the Arc XL is an outstanding choice that delivers exceptional results with minimal effort.

Note from the tester: “Get the off-black color, not the bone (unless you want to be constantly cleaning soot off the white enamel).”—Paul Rankin, Product Reviews tester and writer.

Read our full review: Gozney Arc XL and Lite

Get the Gozney Arc XL pizza oven at Amazon, The Home Depot, Ace Hardware, BBQ Guys, or Gozney.

Our Ratings

The Cuisinart 3-in-1 grill, griddle, and pizza oven is making its debut in our pizza oven guide, but it’s such a solid cooking tool that it wouldn’t be surprising to see it featured in a grill or griddle guide, too. This propane-powered workhorse lets you swap between a cast-iron grill grate, a cast-iron griddle, and a 13-inch pizza stone, and it delivers surprisingly good results with all three, especially considering its very reasonable price point.  

In our tests, the cordierite stone (the same material used in professional pizza ovens) that comes with this small pizza oven did an excellent job absorbing moisture from the dough to create a crispy crust, and the dual-hinged lid trapped plenty of heat to cook toppings evenly and bubble the cheese beautifully. Though it only reaches 700 degrees Fahrenheit on high, that was hot enough to bake a pizza in about 10 minutes. Plus, we didn’t accidentally burn any pies, and you only need a fraction of that heat to sear a steak or sauté vegetables. 

As much as we liked the versatility offered by this type of grill, griddle, pizza oven combo unit, the pizzas it makes are pretty small. While we consider that a downside, it might be perfect if you’re looking for personal-sized pizzas so everyone can customize their own. Also, the compact footprint won’t dominate your deck, and it has built-in storage slots to keep everything organized.

What our tester says: “I’ll admit I wasn’t sure whether such a budget-friendly multi-purpose pizza oven would be any good. But I’m happy to say it was great! The pizzas are small but delicious, and being able to swap in the grill or griddle top means we use this little guy all the time.”—Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Cuisinart outdoor pizza oven at The Home Depot or Cuisinart.

Our Ratings

The Ooni Koda 2 Pro 18-inch propane pizza oven takes the standard outdoor pizza oven design and turns it up a notch. As the most spacious model on our list, its cooking surface is 21 inches at the front and 18 inches at the rear. It heats up to a scorching maximum temperature of 950 degrees Fahrenheit to cook pizzas quickly, but also drops to a versatile 320 degrees Fahrenheit to accommodate baking and roasting other foods. In addition to its onboard digital temperature display, it’s Bluetooth-compatible, allowing you to monitor ambient and food probe temperatures remotely. 

As much as it’s sometimes nice to step away from what you’re cooking, you probably won’t need to. The Koda 2 Pro’s tapered flame gas burner gets the cooking stone up to temp 25 percent faster than previous Ooni models. That design also helps direct heat right where it’s needed to keep the temperature consistent so that the crust cooks all the way through. We also really appreciated that this pick came fully assembled, that its legs fold down for easy storage, and that it uses pyrolytic cleaning to turn baked-on food and grease into ash. 

The only real downsides to this model are that it takes a bit of practice to get the temperature settings and your pizza-rotating skills dialed in so that you don’t burn your pies, and that it’s a bit higher priced than most other options. But if you’re after restaurant-quality results in your backyard, this oven delivers the goods. 

Get the Ooni outdoor pizza oven at Ace Hardware, BBQ Guys, or Ooni.

Our Ratings

The Gozney Arc Lite proves that you don’t need a massive outdoor kitchen to make amazing pizza at home. During testing, we found this compact gas-powered oven delivered the same premium build quality and high-temperature performance that Gozney is known for, but in a more patio-friendly package.

Setup was super simple, and the unboxing experience was second to none (think Apple product packaging, but for pizza ovens). After connecting a standard propane tank and allowing the oven to preheat for about 20 to 30 minutes, it was ready to cook. The Arc Lite consistently reached high temperatures and produced beautifully blistered crusts with the leopard spotting typically associated with authentic Neapolitan-style pizza. Most pizzas cooked in just a few minutes, making it easy to keep hungry guests fed.

What impressed us most was how approachable the oven felt. There is no wood management, ash cleanup, or complicated learning curve. Simply turn the dial, let the oven heat up, and start cooking. While the Arc Lite is designed primarily for pizzas up to 12 inches, we also used it for steaks, roasted vegetables, and desserts with excellent results.

The biggest compromise is size. The compact cooking chamber limits you to smaller pizzas and single-item cooks, and unlike the Arc XL (or the gorgeous Dome Gen 2), there is no built-in temperature display. Still, for buyers who want premium performance without dedicating a large portion of their patio to a pizza oven, the Arc Lite strikes an excellent balance between size, convenience, and cooking capability.

Get the Gozney Arc Lite at Amazon, The Home Depot, Ace Hardware, BBQ Guys, or Gozney.

Our Ratings

The All-Clad 16-inch gas pizza oven is an impressive entry into the world of outdoor cooking from a brand that has built its reputation on quality kitchen gear. Its heavy-duty steel body is insulated to hold in heat and stand up to long-term outdoor use, and it sits atop four folding legs that make it easy to store or transport. It includes a high-quality folding pizza peel, the internal pieces come out for cleaning, and the opening is nice and big, which makes it easy enough for beginners to use. While the company doesn’t specify the oven’s exact maximum temperature, the built-in thermometer indicates the inside could reach up to 950 degrees Fahrenheit, and our tests proved that’s definitely the case.

During testing, we actually scorched the back of our first pie because this oven gets so hot (and we’d forgotten to pop in the four AA batteries necessary to power the rotating stone). Once we realized we needed to dial things down to about 750 degrees Fahrenheit and added the batteries, we were blown away by the consistent brick-oven-style results. In fact, in a head-to-head taste-off with our old propane pizza oven, the All-Clad’s pizza was truly better in every way. The crust was bubbly and chewy, and the center was solid enough not to flop, yet nowhere near overcooked. Even with the exact same ingredients, there was an indescribable quality just that made the All-Clad pizza outstanding. 

What our tester says: “This is my new favorite pizza oven. It’s the easiest to use of any of the ovens I’ve tested, and it also produces better pizza than all the others (though I’m still not sure why). If you’ve got the space and the budget, this is the oven to get.”—Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the All-Clad outdoor pizza oven at All-Clad.

Our Ratings

The Gozney Dome Gen 2 propane gas and wood outdoor pizza oven is a premium dual-fuel pick for passionate pizzaiolos. Its quality build and modern design do much more than look good—they also allow the oven to reach and maintain temperatures up to 950 degrees Fahrenheit for authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas in about a minute. Thanks to its dual-fuel capability, it’s easy to switch between the convenience of propane and the traditional smoky flavor of wood.

During testing, it took a bit more time and effort to get the oven up to temperature when using wood, but the added flavor was worth the wait. Pizzas cooked over wood developed a lightly charred crust with a crisp exterior, airy interior, and subtle smoky notes that were difficult to replicate with gas alone. It was easy to tell when the oven was ready thanks to the large, easy-to-read digital temperature display, and while it includes two food probes, we didn’t need them since pizzas cook so quickly. The wide opening and huge oven floor make sliding pizzas in and out easy while providing plenty of room for family-size pies.

At nearly 140 pounds, the Dome Gen 2 is still more semi-permanent than portable, but once you get the hang of cooking with wood, you probably won’t want to put it away—especially considering you can also roast, smoke, steam, and bake in it. While the price is on the high side, the professional-grade construction, versatile performance, and restaurant-quality results make it a worthwhile investment for serious outdoor cooks.

Get the Gozney Dome Gen 2 pizza oven at Ace Hardware, BBQ Guys, or Gozney.

Our Ratings

The Onlyfire pizza oven kit is a unique option in that it looks a bit like a countertop pizza oven but it actually turns a grill into a pizza-making machine. Rather than including its own fuel source, you simply place it on a grill large enough to accommodate its base, which measures 17 inches wide by 17 inches deep. The oven includes a ceramic pizza stone that holds a 14-inch pizza, retains heat, and pulls excess moisture for crispy crusts. 

The Onlyfire’s double-walled ceiling helps the oven retain heat, so it gets hot enough to cook pizza faster than a standard indoor oven. The lid locks in place for safe cooking but is removable for easier cleaning and storage. In addition to the pizza stone, the kit includes an aluminum pizza peel and a food thermometer.

To be honest, we thought the Onlyfire outdoor pizza oven kit was going to be a gimmick, but we sort of fell in love with it. To test it, we got a charcoal grill that was nice and hot, then placed the oven on top to make calzones. Not only was the outcome delicious, but it also cooked quickly and evenly since the heat comes from underneath. 

The stone did take a bit longer to heat to a consistent temperature than the directions suggested, and the pizza door is small, so this pick may take some time to learn how to use. Also, our oven changed color after use (it darkened and blued), so it may not match other stainless steel appliances perfectly. 

Get the Onlyfire outdoor pizza oven at Amazon or Onlyfire.

Our Ratings

With the best smokeless fire pits showing up in more backyards, companies like Solo Stove are finding inventive ways to add accessories that make a night around the fire even more fun. We tested the Solo pizza oven sold as a kit to fit the original Bonfire and newer Bonfire 2.0, but Solo Stove also makes Ranger-, Yukon-, and Canyon-compatible (coming soon) Pi Fire versions. 

The almost 20-pound unit stands on three legs above the fire pit with enough space to feed the fire throughout cooking. It’s engineered to balance top and bottom heat for an even cook and crispy crust. Unlike the other stainless steel options we tested, the Solo Stove Pi’s attractive and durable ceramic-coated stainless steel housing didn’t discolor after use. Plus, it comes with a zippered carrying case for convenient storage between cooks. 

One note on using this Solo pizza oven: We got the best results by building a fire and then allowing it to die down enough for the baking stone to be just below 650 degrees Fahrenheit. This generally takes about an hour, so you’ll want to start your fire well before you want to eat. The kit doesn’t come with a laser thermometer, but we found one to be all but imperative to ensure we launched our pizzas at the right temp. Once we got the hang of letting the fire peak and start to fall, our pizzas came out perfect nearly every time. 

Read our full review: Solo Stove Pi Fire Pit System

Get the Solo Stove outdoor pizza oven at Amazon or Solo Stove.

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Tested the Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens

*plus biscuits, cookies, naan, focaccia, tortillas, and more!

First off, it’s important to note that pizza is basically a religion in the area where our main tester lives. He’s been perfecting the art of homemade Neapolitan-style pizzas for more than 10 years, making his own dough and sauce and buying only high-quality cheeses. Our other testers may not make quite as strong claims, but we all take it very seriously and wanted to make sure the top-rated outdoor pizza ovens we include truly have what it takes to earn our recommendations. 

The first step for testing each oven was putting it together. Some were easier than others, but most were relatively straightforward. We then tested each with whatever fuel sources they could use, whether gas, charcoal, pellets, or wood. We checked to see how easily they lit, how quickly they heated, how hot they could get, and how well they maintained temperature while cooking. Once the ovens reached the temperatures suggested by their individual instructions, we tested how long the ovens took to cook a pizza.

Finally, we had some “test subjects” (otherwise known as our families) taste the pizzas and rank them based on flavor and texture. Some ovens didn’t make the cut, but those that did were given awards based on their strengths or abilities. 

What to Consider When Choosing an Outdoor Pizza Oven

Outdoor pizza ovens rely on various fuel types, come in a range of sizes, and offer differing levels of portability. Some models even boast extra features like built-in temperature gauges or automatically rotating stones. Read on for the most important features to keep in mind when choosing the best outdoor pizza oven for your preferred fuel, outdoor space, or family size. 

Fuel Source

Outdoor pizza ovens require a fuel source to reach a minimum cooking temperature of up to 950 degrees Fahrenheit. Different fuel sources have their pros and cons, some offering more convenience and some that can affect the pizza’s taste.

• Wood: Wood gives pizza a slightly smoky flavor. It heats quickly but requires close attention to maintain the correct temperature. A wood-fired pizza oven can impart distinct flavors by burning different types of wood, like cherry and maple. However, temperature adjustment isn’t as precise as it is with a gas, charcoal, or pellet oven.
• Propane/gas: Most outdoor gas pizza ovens use propane. Propane provides better control over the cooking temperature, allowing for precise adjustments. These models typically have an ignition knob with a dial to adjust the flame. They’re also more likely to include a built-in thermometer, though many outdoor ovens may have this feature as well.
• Wood pellets: Wood pellets offer many of the same benefits as wood. For example, pellets made from different woods, like hickory, add smoky flavor to the pizza. Some users find pellets easier to store and manage; instead of splitting wood, just pour the pellets into the oven.
• Charcoal: Like wood and pellets, charcoal gives the pizza a smoky flavor. It takes more time than the other fuel types to reach the necessary cooking temperature, but it can be easier to manage than wood. Charcoal doesn’t have to be split, and it comes in a convenient storage bag.

Many outdoor pizza ovens offer the versatility to accommodate two or three fuel types. For example, a wood-fired oven may also work with charcoal or pellets. Some models are even outfitted for use with wood, propane, and pellets. 

When deciding on a fuel source, consider the fuel’s price, its availability, and the level of convenience for your lifestyle. Propane is typically the least expensive, but the other sources offer more control over the pizza’s final flavor. 

Size

When evaluating the size of a pizza oven, consider both the size of the pizza it can hold and the size of the oven itself. Some outdoor ovens limit pizza size to 10 to 12 inches, while others are large enough to hold 16-inch pizzas. We ran into an issue with this during testing when our large pizza peel for one model wouldn’t fit into the opening of a smaller unit, so be aware of what size your accessories are as well!

If you have a big family or want to use your oven to entertain, you may want a larger oven to accommodate cooking for more people. However, some users may only need a small grill-top outdoor pizza oven that cooks a 10-inch pie. 

Also, remember that built-in and freestanding models generally take up more space in your yard or on your deck. Even a portable pizza oven can be surprisingly large, but since it won’t be attached to a cart or meant to be built into a fixed setting, it will generally be relatively easy to set up and take down.

Design

Outdoor pizza ovens are available in several designs that affect ease of use and performance.

• Built-in: Outdoor kitchens are far more common now than in the past, as many are looking for ways to cook outside. Outdoor kitchen pizza ovens will fit into an existing (often brick) structure or require building a permanent, nonportable structure. 
• Freestanding: Though these models are technically portable in that they typically have wheels, they tend to be quite large. Freestanding outdoor pizza ovens often have space underneath for storing cooking utensils or fuel. 
• Portable: A portable outdoor pizza oven will generally have short (potentially collapsible) legs to sit on a table in the backyard, truck bed, or campsite. Many do not have chimneys at all, but others will feature a removable stovepipe to increase portability.
• Grill-top or fire pit: All the outdoor pizza oven designs described above provide their own fuel source. Grill-top and fire pit pizza ovens do not. Instead, they sit atop a gas or charcoal-fueled outdoor grill or smokeless fire pit and use that tool’s fuel source to cook the pizza. Generally speaking, these designs are a bit less expensive since they are accessories rather than stand-alone units.

Within these designs, certain features will impact the quality of the cook and how easy the oven is to use. For example, wood, pellet, and charcoal-fueled outdoor pizza ovens perform better when the ventilation opening is near the front of the oven. This causes the heat and smoke to circulate over the entire pizza as it moves toward the opening. Some models also feature built-in temperature gauges, and gas-powered ovens typically include dials for quick, precise heat adjustments.

Insulation

Outdoor pizza ovens need to reach around 400 degrees Fahrenheit and then maintain that temperature to cook the pizza safely and thoroughly, though many manufacturers recommend a baking stone temp between 550 and 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Models with efficient insulation offer more consistent cooking temperatures and yield better results when cooking multiple pies. Lack of insulation renders the oven susceptible to outdoor temperatures and heat loss, resulting in extra fuel consumption and a potentially unevenly cooked pizza.

Though pizza ovens with double-wall insulation and doors generally retain heat more effectively, you can still get good results using options with less robust builds. We found we got the best results by ensuring the oven had time to return to its maximum temp between pizzas. This allows the pizza stone to heat back up, which is integral for pulling moisture away from the pizza for a crispier crust. 

Maximum Temperature

Pizzas usually cook in a standard oven at 400 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they can cook at even higher temperatures in an outdoor pizza oven, with some models reaching up to 950 degrees Fahrenheit. 

At the highest temperatures, some outdoor ovens can cook a pizza in just a few minutes. However, the thickness of the crust, the amount of sauce, and the number of toppings all factor into cooking time. During our tests, we enjoyed watching the pizzas cook so much that we didn’t care much whether they took 2 minutes or 10. 

FAQs

Cooking in outdoor pizza ovens for home use takes practice, but it’s a great way to enjoy outdoor living all year round. If you’re still unsure whether buying a pizza oven is worth it or whether you can leave one outside, the following answers may help.

Q. What wood do I need for an outdoor pizza oven?

One of the fun things about wood-fired outdoor pizza ovens is the variety of wood options you can use to create different smoky flavors. For example, food cooked with cherry wood doesn’t taste the same as food cooked with maple or hickory. Finding the wood that infuses the pizza with a flavor you like might take some trial and error, but we’ve found it’s fun to experiment.

Q. How do I use an outdoor pizza oven?

-Set up the outdoor pizza oven in a well-ventilated area on a noncombustible surface like an outdoor pizza oven table. Because the pizza oven gets very hot, the area should also be surrounded by plenty of walking space.
-Preheat the oven. While some wood-burning ovens can reach the appropriate cooking temperature in as little as 5 to 10 minutes, you’ll get better results if the entire oven has maintained that temperature for 20 minutes or more. 
-Slide the pizza in using a pizza peel. Some pizza ovens cook quickly (less than 5 minutes), while others take 10 to 15 minutes. 
-Rotate the pizza while it cooks, if necessary. 
-Remove the pizza with the pizza peel. 
-Let the oven reach optimal temperature again before putting in another pizza.

Q. Can I leave my pizza oven outside?

Yes, but if you’re leaving your pizza oven outside, it’s best to enclose it with a weather-resistant cover. Some outdoor pizza ovens come with covers, but many manufacturers sell them separately. During testing, we opted to move our ovens indoors during storms or if we didn’t intend to use them for an extended period. 

Q. Do I need a permit to install an outdoor pizza oven?

It depends. State, county, and city laws and regulations vary, but many do require a permit to install an outdoor pizza oven, especially something built in, like an outdoor brick oven. It’s smart to check with your homeowners’ association as well, as they may also have guidelines.

Q. Is an outdoor pizza oven worth it?

Yes, outdoor pizza ovens are worth it if you want authentic flavor and fast cooking. Plus, they’re fun to use, easy to clean, and much better for baking pizza on a hot summer night than cranking up the oven. While they do add to your overall outdoor kitchen cost, you can get more bang for your buck by looking for a multi-function model that includes additional cooking surfaces or operates across a range of temperatures for baking breads or roasting meats.

Q. Do outdoor pizza ovens work in winter?

Yes, pizza ovens for outside work in the winter. Whether you have an outdoor brick pizza oven, an electric pizza oven, a gas outdoor pizza oven, or a pellet pizza oven, be sure to use it in a dry location and let it warm up gradually to avoid thermal shock. 

Q. Do outdoor pizza ovens need to be covered?

The durable construction of most outdoor pizza ovens means you don’t need to cover them for short periods in good weather. If you intend to go more than a couple of days between making pizzas, however, enclosing them with a high-quality cover is a good idea. Covering a pizza oven will protect it from moisture, UV rays, dust, and debris, which will help prevent rust and cosmetic damage.

Q. What is the best shape for an outdoor pizza oven?

The best shape for an outdoor pizza oven is dome-shaped. Domed ovens are good at distributing and retaining heat while allowing air to circulate, which is ideal for producing well-cooked pizzas with less need for rotation.

Meet the Testers

Michelle Larson joined the cult of sourdough starter in 2020 and hasn’t looked back. The one thing missing in her sourdough pizza making was a super-high cooking temp, but that’s no longer an issue after testing pizza ovens. 

Paul Rankin, originally from Scotland, is a product tester and pizza novice until early 2026, when he tested the full suite of Gozney pizza ovens, and is now a fully converted fan of the brand. 

Mark Wolfe is one of Bob Vila’s top writers in the world of outdoor-living goods. He’s tested just about every Solo Stove product, and his review of the Pi Fire Pit system is featured in this guide. 

Tom Scalisi has been perfecting the art of homemade pizza for more than 10 years. He makes his own dough and sauce, uses only the finest cheeses, and is always looking to share his knowledge. 

Additional research provided by Stacey L. Nash. 

 

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