Building your own outdoor pizza oven allows you to make delicious wood-fired pizza anytime. With the right materials and techniques, you can create a quality oven that will provide great results for homemade pizza. This guide will walk you through the entire process of constructing an outdoor pizza oven from start to finish.
Introduction
Cooking pizza in a wood-fired oven results in an authentic, crisp crust with delicious, smoky flavor. Unlike indoor ovens, the high heat of an outdoor pizza oven can quickly cook the pizza dough while melting cheese and toppings. With temperatures reaching over 700°F, your pizza will be ready in just 2-3 minutes.
Building a DIY pizza oven is a fun project you can complete in your backyard. The materials are affordable and widely available. While it requires time and labor to build, the end result is an impressive, high-quality oven for cooking pizza. Even better, your homemade pizza will taste amazing with the smoky essence imparted by the real wood fire.
Benefits of Having an Outdoor Pizza Oven
There are many advantages that come with having your own outdoor pizza oven:
- Authentic pizza taste – The extremely high heat of a wood-fired oven produces pizza with an authentic flavor and texture. The quick, direct heat from the fire cooks the crust perfectly.
- Fun entertainment option – An outdoor pizza oven provides a fun way to entertain and bring people together. Make pizza nights a weekly tradition that friends and family look forward to.
- Cooking versatility – In addition to pizza, an outdoor oven can be used to cook meats, vegetables, bread, and more. The wood fire imparts a delicious smoky flavor.
- Enhance backyard ambiance – A brick or stone oven makes an impressive addition to your backyard landscape and décor. It can create a nice, cozy area for dining al fresco.
- Cost savings – Cooking your own pizza at home is much cheaper than ordering delivery. Baking your own bread can also save money.
With so many excellent benefits, building an outdoor pizza oven is a very rewarding project. Let’s look at how to construct one properly from start to finish.
Selecting the Oven Materials
The first step is deciding which materials to use in building the outdoor pizza oven. This choice affects factors like construction time, difficulty, durability, appearance, and cost. Here are some of the best options:
Brick
Brick is a classic choice for building an outdoor pizza oven. It provides an authentic look but requires more time and skill to lay the bricks correctly. Firebrick should be used inside the oven dome since it is more heat resistant. Expect the project to take 2-3 weeks with brick.
Concrete Block
Concrete blocks create a sturdier base for the oven more quickly and easily than brick. Use concrete blocks for the foundation and lower portions, then switch to firebrick on the dome. This combination provides stability while reducing costs.
Stone
Natural stone has a beautiful look that adds elegance to any backyard space. Granite, sandstone, and limestone are good options. Stone construction takes the most time and skill, but the end result is breathtaking. Purchase pre-cut stone veneers to simplify installation.
Stainless Steel
For a modern look, choose stainless steel for the entirety or just the oven door. Stainless steel assembles the fastest and is easiest to clean. However, it will show signs of wear over time from the high heat. Stainless steel kits are commercially available.
Refractory Cement
Special refractory cement binds firebrick or stone materials together. It can withstand oven temperatures up to 3000°F. Using refractory cement ensures your oven remains structurally sound over time.
Once you select the primary building materials, it’s time to start construction on the oven foundation.
Constructing the Base
A proper foundation is crucial for your outdoor pizza oven. It prevents cracking or crumbling over time while keeping the oven safely level. Here are the steps to follow:
Choose a Location
Select a spot in your yard that is flat, stable, and has at least 3 feet of clearance on all sides of the oven. The oven must be accessible but away from trees or structures.
Mark the Footprint
Outline the footprint where the oven will sit using chalk or lumber. The size depends on your design but should be at least 4 feet x 4 feet for a standard home oven.
Dig Trenches
Along the marked footing, dig two trenches 12 inches wide by 8-12 inches deep. These will hold the concrete blocks or brick base.
Fill and Level
Place a 4 inch gravel base in the trenches. Pack down the gravel and level using a tamper. This creates your foundation.
Lay Concrete Blocks
Arrange the first row of concrete blocks in the trench. Check level frequently using a spirit level as you stack additional rows, filling any gaps with mortar or refractory cement.
Allow Mortar to Cure
Let the mortar cure for 2-3 days before building upwards to allow maximum strength. Cover with a tarp if rain is expected.
The solid concrete block base provides essential support for your oven and should now be complete. Now it’s time to construct the oven dome itself.
Shaping the Oven Dome
The oven dome is where your pizza cooks, so its shape and dimensions are vital to proper heat circulation and airflow. Here’s how to build the dome correctly:
Determine Size
Standard home ovens are typically 3-5 feet wide and 1-2 feet deep. This size accommodates most pizzas. Customize dimensions if desired.
Build Sand Form
Pile damp sand on top of the cured concrete block base. Sculpt it into a dome shape using a trowel and measuring tape as guides. Leave an opening for the oven door.
Cover with Plastic
Drape heavy plastic sheeting over the sand dome, tucking it in at the bottom edges. This allows easy sand removal later.
Apply First Firebricks
Place full firebricks around the perimeter of the concrete base where the sides of the oven will be. Use refractory cement as mortar between bricks.
Add Lintels
Cut rigid steel lintels to lay horizontally on top of the door opening side bricks. Lintels reinforce the structure above the door.
Your oven dome now has a form and is ready for addition of the insulation layer.
Insulating the Oven Dome
Insulation is what retains the oven’s heat so your pizza cooks quickly and evenly. Here’s how to properly insulate the dome:
Mix Insulation Concrete
In a mixer, combine vermiculite or perlite with Portland cement and water. The consistency should be stiff but still pourable.
Pour Insulation into Form
Working in sections, pour the insulation concrete mix into the plastic-covered sand form. Smooth with a trowel between pours.
Allow Insulation to Dry
Let the insulation concrete fully cure for 4-5 days. Mist with water if it dries too quickly. The plastic will make removal easier later.
Remove Plastic and Sand
Once fully cured, peel off the plastic sheeting and scoop out the interior sand through the oven opening. Brush walls clean.
Your insulated dome is now ready for the inner firebrick layer.
Lining the Oven with Firebrick
Lining your oven’s interior with firebrick is crucial to withstand the direct heat of the fire. Here’s how to do it properly:
Cut Firebricks for Floor
Measure the floor diameter and cut solid firebricks to size. Cover the insulation concrete floor completely.
Install Floor Firebricks
Mortar the cut floor bricks in place, ensuring a level surface with no gaps. Slope gently away from the center.
Mix Refractory Cement
Combine refractory cement powder with water per package directions. It should have a thick, mortar-like consistency.
Apply Refractory to Walls
Trowel a 1 inch layer of refractory cement onto the insulation concrete walls and ceiling. Smooth evenly.
Arrange Wall Firebricks
While the refractory cement is still wet, press full firebricks firmly into place on the walls and ceiling to adhere.
Let the refractory cement cure fully according to package directions before lighting a fire in your oven. The firebrick lining needs to dry completely and gain strength before exposure to heat.
Building the Oven Door
A quality oven door keeps fire and heat safely contained. Follow these best practices when constructing and attaching your pizza oven door:
Cut Door Opening
Measure the intended width of your door arch. Cut any firebricks along the arch perimeter and remove them to create the opening.
Form Arch Support
Nail together plywood or lumber above the arch to create a support frame. This holds the weight of bricks above the door opening.
Install Lintel
Rest a steel lintel on top of the side firebricks above the arch opening. This reinforces the masonry above.
Prepare Door bricks
Cut thin firebricks to size for constructing the actual door. Cut out a damper hole near the bottom for airflow.
Assemble Door
Lay the door firebricks flat and attach together using hinges. Insert a steel handle on the exterior side for safe handling.
Attach Door to Arch
Mortar the assembled door bricks into the arch opening. Ensure it has a snug fit but can still open and close.
Building a quality oven door requires precision and masonry skills. Consider purchasing a pre-made oven door kit to simplify installation if desired.
Creating the Oven Vent
Proper airflow is essential for efficient cooking and a well-functioning oven. Adding a vent provides the air supply:
Determine Vent Size
A single vent 6-10 inches in diameter is sufficient for most home pizza oven designs. Larger ovens may require two vents.
Mark Vent Location
The vent should be near the top of the dome, above where the pizza cooks. Make sure it doesn’t obstruct interior work space.
Cut Vent Opening
Before adding the chimney, use a masonry blade on an angle grinder to cut a hole with smooth edges for the vent.
Add Chimney Exterior
On the outside of the oven, stack cinder blocks or brick around the vent opening to create a chimney for venting exhaust smoke.
Install Vent Pipe
Run stainless steel vent pipe through the hole to the interior oven space. Seal gaps with high-temp silicone.
Attach Rain Cap
Add a rain cap on the chimney exterior that allows smoke to exit but prevents exterior moisture from entering.
With your vent properly installed, you’re now ready to complete the oven landing and exterior finishes.
Creating the Oven Landing Area
The landing area around your outdoor pizza oven provides space for prepping and handling pizzas. Here are some tips for an optimal landing zone:
Select Material
Choose heat-resistant non-combustible materials for the landing surface such as stone, brick, or concrete pavers.
Surround Oven
Have landing surface extend at least 18 inches beyond oven opening on all sides with at least 36 inches in front.
Build Up Base
Elevate landing to around 6-12 inches above ground level using layers of concrete blocks or bricks.
Install Surface
Lay your landing surface material over the raised landing base. Mortar pavers in place or use exterior construction adhesive.
Incorporate Steps
Build steps up to the landing using concrete blocks or pavers. Have steps extend well beyond the landing.
Add Edging
Outline the landing perimeter with concrete blocks, bricks, or stone veneers for a decorative border.
Allow proper ventilation under your raised landing. A quality landing makes using your oven safer and more convenient.
Adding Finishing Touches
The final exterior details give your DIY pizza oven an attractive, complete appearance:
Smooth and Paint Exterior
Use mortar to fill any cracks or uneven areas on the oven exterior, then paint with high-temp paint.
Install Exterior Materials
Consider cladding the oven exterior with attractive materials like stone veneers or tiles.
Create Oven Opening Trim
Frame the oven opening with tile, stone, or bricks for an eye-catching accent.
Add Decorative Chimney Top
Choose a chimney cap that enhances aesthetics, like pre-cut stone or metal.
Incorporate Lighting
Install accent lighting focused on the oven to allow nighttime use and provide ambiance.
Take time making the exterior finishes look their best. Your DIY pizza oven will become a backyard focal point for years to come.
Heating Up Your Oven
Once construction is complete, follow these tips for properly heating up your pizza oven for first use:
Fuel Options
Use hardwoods like oak or maple for fuel. Avoid resinous softwoods that produce excessive smoke.
Starting a Fire
Place kindling and newspaper in the oven, then add larger fuel logs. Use fire starters or a blowtorch to ignite the fire if needed.
Get up to Temperature
Bring the oven up to around 700°F, monitoring with a pizza oven thermometer placed inside the dome.
Maintain the Fire
Keep adding more wood fuel to hold the target cooking temperature, about every 20 minutes. Adjust the vent opening accordingly.
Preheat Floor and Dome
Let the fire run steadily for 1-2 hours preheating the oven floor and dome surfaces before cooking.
With proper firing, your oven will reach an ideal cooking temperature. Now it’s time to start making amazing homemade pizzas!
Cooking Your First Pizzas
Cooking pizza in your new outdoor oven is exciting after completing construction. Follow these tips when baking your first pizzas:
Prep Ingredients
Get all your pizza ingredients ready before firing up the oven. This includes dough, toppings, pans, and paddles.
Manage the Fire
Maintain consistent heat by adding more fuel at regular intervals, about every 15-20 minutes. Check temperature frequently.
Heat Pizza Stone
Place a pizza stone inside the oven to heat up. The stone cooks the crust bottom evenly. Rotate periodically.
Shape and Top the Dough
Gently stretch and press dough out onto a floured wooden pizza peel to form the crust. Top with sauce and desired toppings.
Slide Pie into Oven
Quickly slide the pizza from the peel onto the preheated pizza stone. Turn with a paddle halfway through baking.
Monitor Doneness
Use the oven light to check bottom crust color. Typically takes 2-3 minutes to fully bake at 700°F.
Repeat the process baking pizzas until you get the results you want. Have fun showcasing your DIY oven with family and friends!
Common Problems and Solutions
Despite best efforts, issues can sometimes arise when building and operating your outdoor pizza oven. Here are some common problems and how to address them:
Problem – Smoke or fire escaping from oven door or openings
Solution – Allow oven temperature to stabilize fully before cooking. Check that door seals tightly. Add more fuel to fire if temperature drops.
Problem – Uneven cooking or hotspots in oven
Solution – Ensure you built dome shape correctly. Rotate pizza periodically. Maximize heat retention with tighter insulation.
Problem – Cracking or crumbling in masonry materials
Solution – Use refractory cement instead of mortar. Pre-dampen bricks before use. Keep outdoor oven protected from elements.
Problem – Low oven temperature
Solution – Add more fuel and fully preheat oven before cooking. Check that vent is properly sized. Use hardwood fuel only.
Problem – Condensation or moisture inside oven
Solution – Cover oven when not in use. Ensure vent allows moisture to escape. Use only seasoned hardwood for fuel.
Being prepared to troubleshoot helps resolve any issues promptly should they appear. Reach out to experts for assistance if major problems occur.
Maintaining Your Outdoor Pizza Oven
With proper care and maintenance, your homemade pizza oven will provide delicious pies for years to come:
- Inspect masonry and seal any cracks immediately with mortar or caulk to prevent damage.
- Cover the oven opening when not in use to protect interior from weather.
- Avoid placing cold food into a hot oven, which can crack stones.
- Keep the oven interior clean by removing ash and food debris regularly.
- Always use seasoned hardwoods for fuel. Softwoods and green wood cause more smoke.
- Install an oven cover or insulation blanket for the winter if living in a cold climate.
- Heat up oven slowly, avoid extreme temperature changes to minimize cracking.
- Wipe down oven exterior periodically with a damp cloth. Avoid hosing down the oven.
- Check that landing surface drains properly and doesn’t allow water pooling near the oven.
- Monitor for any signs of deterioration and address immediately.
With proper construction methods and ongoing maintenance, your homemade pizza oven will hold up nicely outdoors for maximum enjoyment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about building and using outdoor pizza ovens:
What temperature does an outdoor pizza oven reach?
A properly constructed outdoor pizza oven will reach temperatures from 700-800°F, sometimes higher. This high heat is key for quickly baking authentic pizza.
What is the ideal size for a DIY pizza oven?
For residential backyard use, a pizza oven around 3-5 feet wide and 1-2 feet deep is typical. This accommodates 12-14 inch pizzas.
How long does a pizza take in an outdoor oven?
At around 700°F, a pizza will be fully baked in 2-3 minutes. The exact time depends on factors like dough thickness and toppings.
What materials should I use to build the oven dome?
Firebrick and high-temperature concrete are good primary oven dome materials. Use refractory cement as the bonding mortar.
Is mortar OK for outdoor oven construction?
Standard mortar should only be used on exterior non-he