How To Use a Pizza Oven: Tips for Achieving the Best Results

The perfect slice of pizza. What does it look like when you imagine it?

We bet the crust is fire-kissed, the perfect golden brown with hints of char and smokey flavor, and perfectly ooey-gooey, melty cheese and perfect toppings. Restaurant-quality pizza fresh from your own backyard can be easier than you think when you know how to use a pizza oven properly.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the top tips for achieving the best results for crunchy, crispy, perfect pizzas in wood-fired and gas pizza ovens—and share some answers to the most common issues people encounter to help enhance every slice you make.

Whether you’re cooking with one of XO’s precision-engineered, exceptional outdoor pizza ovens or not, we’ll guide you toward pie-making legendary status.

The Basics of a Pizza Oven: What You Need to Know

Before we head into the specifics of cooking in a pizza oven, let’s take a moment to understand what sets them apart from more conventional ovens.

A pizza oven is specifically designed to reach extremely high temperatures. These temperatures are typically between 700°F and 900°F, far hotter than our home ovens. This intense heat allows us to cook pizza in just 90 seconds to 3 minutes, producing a deep golden, crunchy crust with beautifully blistered toppings and cheese melted to perfection.

There are two main types of pizza ovens:

• Wood-fired. These ovens are ideal for those who adore the hand-made, artisanal experience. They offer a rich, woodsy smoke flavor that is difficult to replicate anywhere else.
• Gas Pizza Ovens. These are lightweight, sleek, and often very easy to control precisely. It is a perfect choice for the homeowner who wants the best of luxury, performance, and convenience all rolled into one.

How to Use a Pizza Oven for Beginners

If this is your first foray into outdoor pizza-making, we’ve got you covered.

1. Preheat Thoroughly. Preheating should be a non-negotiable step whether your oven is wood or gas. Give your oven at least 30-45 minutes, or the manufacturer’s recommendation, to reach its ideal cooking temperatures. You can use an infrared thermometer to make sure your cooking surface is between 700°F and 850°F.
2. Rotate Your Pizza. The side facing the flame will always cook faster. Use a pizza peel to rotate your pizza every 20-30 seconds for an even char.
3. Use a High-Hydration Dough. A dough with 65-70% hydration will yield a tender, airy crust that crisps flawlessly in high heat.
4. Don’t Overload the Pizza with Toppings. While it can be tempting to put all your favorite toppings on a single pizza, ‘less is more’ works in your favor here. Stick to 3 to 4 toppings at most to prevent sogginess or uneven cooking.

How Long to Cook Pizza in a Pizza Oven?

One of the most common questions is: how long to cook pizza in a pizza oven?

• Wood or Gas ovens, heated to 800°F+, a Neapolitan-style pizza should take 90 seconds to 2 minutes.
• For thicker crusts or lower temps closer to 600°F, allow for 4-6 minutes while monitoring constantly.

XO Tip: Always watch the crust’s underside and rotate often to avoid burning.

This fast-cooking time of a pizza oven makes them irresistible to so many, as dinner can be on the table in mere minutes.

Art Meets Fire: How to Use a Wood Pizza Oven

There’s a bit more to mastering how to use a wood pizza oven than lighting the logs. When you cook with wood, you’ll need to control heat, airflow, and flame direction.

How Do You Start a Fire in a Wood Pizza Oven?

1. Build a small teepee of kindling and natural fire starters but avoid lighter fluid.
2. Add hardwood logs like oak or maple once the kindling is burning strong.
3. Push the fire to the side or back of the oven, depending on your design. This creates room for your pizza and allows the radiant heat to circulate.

Where Do You Put the Wood in a Pizza Oven?

Place wood to the left, right, or back of the dome, never in the center. Keep a small flame going during cooking for consistent heat. Add wood gradually as needed to avoid smothering the fire with large logs simultaneously.

XO Tip: Before sliding your pizza in, use a long-handled brush to sweep embers and ash away from the cooking surface.

Precision and Simplicity: How to Use a Gas Pizza Oven

If you prefer the ease and speed of gas, here’s how to use a gas pizza oven effectively:

1. Turn on the gas burner and ignite using the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Allow 15-30 minutes to preheat to at least 700°F.
3. Use the temperature control knob to maintain consistent heat throughout cooking.
4. Monitor your pizza closely, rotating if needed for even browning.

Like XO’s, gas ovens offer the freedom and beauty of the outdoor cooking experience with the precision of a professional chef’s kitchen. Plus? When you use a gas-powered pizza oven, no fire-starting means less prep and more time to enjoy a succulent slice of pie.

Pro Tips for Cooking in a Pizza Oven like a Chef

• Use a pizza stone or steel to mimic the professional deck ovens of a pizzeria while retaining high heat.
• Dust your peel with semolina or fine cornmeal to keep the dough from sticking.
• Pre-cook your toppings like sausage or mushrooms to avoid undercooking and lower moisture.
• Let your dough rest at room temperature for at least one to two hours before baking. This can help you guarantee optimal stretch and structure.

Make Every Bite an Adventure with The Right Tools and Techniques

With the proper knowledge of heat, timing, and technique, you are well on your way to mastering the use of a pizza oven.

Whether you have a wood or gas-powered oven, success comes down to preparation, attention, and a little finesse. Once you have the fundamentals, your outdoor kitchen will become your family’s taste-making destination.

Are you tired of underwhelming conventional oven pizza? At XO Appliance, explore our curated collection of luxury pizza ovens where Italian tradition meets modern innovation. Shop our pizza oven selection now and start creating your next pizza that people will never forget!