Creating an outdoor pizza oven allows you to make authentic wood-fired pizza at home. With the right materials and techniques, you can construct a high-quality oven that will provide delicious results for years to come. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to build a pizza oven in your backyard from the ground up.
Choosing a Location
When deciding where to build your outdoor pizza oven, consider the following:
Sun Exposure
Select a spot that gets ample sunlight. This helps the oven retain heat. South or west-facing locations work best.
Wind Protection
Shelter your oven from prevailing winds, which can disrupt the airflow. Position it near a structure, fence, or shrubbery.
Ventilation
Leave room around the oven for air to freely circulate. This ventilation prevents smoke from getting trapped inside.
Distance from House
For safety, locate the oven at least 10 feet away from your home or garage. This prevents fires from spreading.
Accessibility
Pick a convenient spot you can easily access. Having a clear path to transport tools, materials, and pizzas makes construction and use easier.
Level Ground
Choose a flat, stable surface. This prevents cracking and makes building simpler. If needed, create a level foundation with sand or gravel.
Drainage
Ensure rain and snowmelt can drain away from the oven. A slight slope or grade change helps prevent water damage.
Choosing Materials
Constructing an outdoor pizza oven requires various materials. Choose products designed to withstand high heat and outdoor elements.
Bricks
Use fire bricks rated for temperatures above 2000°F. Regular clay bricks may crack. Refractory bricks have the best durability.
Mortar
Select high-temperature mortar, which is heat-resistant. Standard mortar will weaken and crumble due to heat exposure.
Insulation
Perlite, vermiculite, and ceramic fiber provide excellent insulation. They hold in heat and improve cooking performance.
Cement
For structural elements, use high-heat concrete mix. It is more heat tolerant than standard concrete.
Steel
Choose stainless steel for oven doors and chimneys. It resists rust and adds durability.
Required Tools
Having the right tools makes building a quality oven much easier. The following equipment is essential:
- Trowel for applying mortar
- Masonry chisel for cutting bricks
- Mason’s string and line blocks to check level
- Pointing trowel for smoothing mortar joints
- Stiff bristle broom for sweeping dust
- Tape measure and 4 foot level for alignment
- Safety gear like gloves and eye protection
Optional time-saving tools include a concrete mixer and an electric masonry saw. Consider renting this type of specialized equipment if needed.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps to construct a wood-fired pizza oven from the ground up:
Step 1: Create the Foundation
Build your oven on a solid concrete foundation to provide stability.
- Dig a hole 12-16 inches deep to below the frost line. The hole should be a few inches wider than the oven footprint.
- Fill the hole with a gravel sub-base and compact it down.
- Build a form for pouring concrete into the hole. The form maintains the shape.
- Mix concrete per the manufacturer’s instructions and pour into form.
- Level and smooth the surface. Let concrete fully cure for 1-2 days before building on it.
Step 2: Build the Oven Floor
The oven floor consists of two layers of fire bricks mortared together.
- Apply a 1/2 inch layer of mortar and place fire bricks side by side on top. Tap bricks gently to level.
- Let mortar dry. Mix up more mortar and repeat with a second layer of bricks for added durability.
- Allow mortar to fully cure for two days before moving on.
Step 3: Create the Oven Opening
Frame the pizza oven entrance next.
- Mark the center point of the oven floor and draw a 32-35 inch circle. This will be the oven opening.
- Cut fire bricks to fit around the curved perimeter of the opening. Customize angles and shapes as needed.
- Mortar custom cut bricks into place around the circle. Allow to dry overnight.
Step 4: Build the Oven Interior
The interior walls contain high-temperature insulation between double brick layers.
- Apply mortar and install a first layer of fire bricks around the interior perimeter. Maintain 1/4 inch gaps between bricks.
- Let the mortar cure overnight before proceeding. No gaps should remain between bricks.
- Mix insulation material with water to create a spreadable consistency.
- Spread insulation 1-2 inches deep across interior brick wall, filling all gaps.
- Install a second layer of fire bricks around the interior oven walls on top of insulation.
Step 5: Construct the Oven Arch
The arch helps retain heat and structural integrity. Use temporary wooden centering to shape it.
- Build up vertical bricks along the sides until they overlap across the top.
- Place a wooden post horizontally between brick sides as a wedge.
- Begin laying bricks above wedge to form an arch shape. Remove wedge when row is complete.
- Repeat process with smaller wedge each row until arch is closed off at the top.
Step 6: Install Chimney and Door
Adding a chimney and door complete the main pizza oven structure.
- Frame a 12-16 inch square chimney hole above the oven arch using bricks and mortar.
- Install prefabricated chimney pipe sections over chimney hole. Use mortar to seal gaps. Extend chimney above oven roofline.
- Affix stainless steel oven door to front opening with masonry nails anchored in mortar. Install handle.
Step 7: Apply Oven Render
Apply a layer of render (stucco) around the exterior oven walls for a finished look and added insulation.
- Mix render material per manufacturer’s directions. Consistency should be thick but spreadable.
- Use a trowel to apply 1/2-3/4 inch render around full exterior oven surface.
- Smooth render once applied. Be sure the oven entrance and chimney remain clear.
- Allow render to dry for 48-72 hours before lighting oven.
Step 8 (Optional): Construct Oven Roof
Adding a concrete roof protects the oven from weather damage.
- Build brick walls up from oven surface to desired height, leaving a 2-4” gap for insulation fill.
- Install rebar rods into the walls to reinforce the roof. Mortar rods into holes.
- Build wooden roof form, fill with insulation, and place atop walls.
- Mix concrete, pour into roof form, and smooth off top. Allow concrete to fully cure before using oven.
Your DIY pizza oven is now ready for firing up! Slowly start curing it to season the materials and prevent cracking. Then invite friends over to enjoy the magical experience of crafting pizzas with real wood-fired heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about constructing outdoor pizza ovens:
How long does it take to build a pizza oven?
Expect the DIY building process to take 2-4 weeks working on weekends, depending on size. Creating the foundation requires the most time. Building the oven components goes quicker with practice.
What temperature does a pizza oven reach?
Pizza ovens reach 600-900°F temperatures. Well-designed ovens maintain even heat distribution for optimal cooking performance.
What shape should a pizza oven dome be?
A rounded igloo-style masonry dome works best. This evenly circulates heat and helps trap infrared radiation emitted by the fire or cooking floor.
Can you build a pizza oven out of regular bricks?
We don’t recommend it. Standard clay bricks can crack or explode when exposed to high heat. Invest in fire bricks or refractory bricks specifically designed for ovens.
Is mortar necessary for a brick pizza oven?
Yes, mortar is essential. It bonds the bricks into a sturdy structure and seals gaps between them. Be sure to use high-heat mortar, not standard stuff.
Should I insulate my pizza oven?
Definitely. Insulation containing perlite, vermiculite, or ceramic fiber maintains heat efficiently. This lowers cooking fuel consumption substantially.
What fuel can you use in a pizza oven?
Wood is the most common heat source, providing an authentic flavor. Some ovens accommodate gas burners too. Avoid charcoal briquettes or lighter fluid, which impart an unpleasant taste.
How long does a DIY pizza oven last?
A quality homemade pizza oven will provide a lifetime of use if properly maintained. Protect it from weather damage and avoid excessive overheating.
Conclusion
Constructing an outdoor pizza oven is an achievable DIY project that yields delicious rewards. With the right materials and proper preparation, you can enjoy professional pizza results from the comfort of home. Be sure to review zoning regulations and follow safety precautions when firing up your new oven. Happy pizza making!