Consumer Reports has settled the backyard debate. After cooking more than 50 pizzas with identical store-bought dough, sauce, and cheese, they found the outdoor pizza ovens that actually deliver restaurant-quality results. Taking the top spot is the Solo Stove Pi Dual Fuel Pizza Oven at $500. It produced consistently excellent pies across every test, making it the best option for anyone who wants reliable, great-tasting pizza at home.
For those who want the wood-fired experience without the premium price tag, the Ooni Karu 12 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven at $250 is the recommended budget pick. It handles wood and charcoal beautifully, giving you that authentic blistered crust and smoky flavor that’s hard to replicate with gas. But Consumer Reports’testing experts, including trained chef Paul Hope, are quick to point out that gas ovens are significantly easier to use and deliver more consistent results. If you’re new to this, gas is the forgiving route. If you love the craft and the ritual, wood-fired is worth the learning curve.
Whichever oven you choose, Hope has one critical tip: preheat for up to 30 minutes and have all your toppings ready before you start cooking. A hot oven is your best friend when it comes to crispy crust. And if you’d rather skip the backyard smoke entirely, the Frigidaire GCFI3070BF induction range with a pizza function that reaches 750 degrees also impressed the testers. Ready to upgrade your pizza game? Which type would you pick for your patio, gas or wood-fired?
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
