Many people think an outdoor wood fired pizza oven is a one-trick pony, destined to do nothing but churn out pizzas. While it certainly excels at that, its true potential is so much greater. Think of it as the most versatile tool in your outdoor kitchen. The intense, roaring heat is perfect for searing steaks and roasting vegetables, while the long-lasting residual heat is ideal for baking crusty artisan bread or slow-roasting a whole chicken. This guide will not only show you how to pick the right oven but also unlock its full culinary range, turning you into a true master of the flame.
Key Takeaways
- Embrace the authentic cooking experience: A wood-fired oven is about more than just pizza; it's about the incredible smoky flavor, the high-heat cooking that creates a perfect crust, and the engaging process that turns any meal into an event.
- Prioritize quality construction for better results: Look for an oven with excellent insulation and durable materials like stainless steel and refractory brick. These features are the key to achieving and maintaining the intense, even heat needed for a perfect cook, from a 90-second pizza to slow-roasted meats.
- Plan for safety and longevity from day one: Your oven's performance depends on a solid, level foundation and protection from the elements. Proper setup and consistent maintenance, like using a cover and regular cleaning, will ensure your oven remains a safe and reliable centerpiece for years.
Why Go with a Wood-Fired Pizza Oven?
Choosing a wood-fired pizza oven is about more than just what you cook; it’s about how you cook. It transforms your backyard into a gathering place and connects you to a more traditional, hands-on way of preparing food. From the incredible flavor to the impressive versatility, a wood-fired oven offers an experience that other cooking methods simply can’t match. If you’re passionate about authentic taste and creating memorable meals, this is the perfect centerpiece for your outdoor kitchen.
The Unique Experience of Wood-Fired Cooking
There’s something special about cooking with a live fire. It’s an engaging, sensory experience—the crackle of the wood, the warmth of the oven, and the delicious aroma filling the air. A wood-fired oven becomes a natural hub for entertaining friends and family. This style of cooking offers a unique culinary experience that enhances the flavor and texture of your food, turning a simple pizza night into a memorable event. It’s a hands-on process that feels both rustic and refined, making every meal feel like a celebration.
How They Achieve Perfect Heat
The secret to that perfect, crispy-chewy pizza crust is intense heat, and wood-fired ovens are masters of temperature. These ovens can reach up to 900°F, cooking a Neapolitan-style pizza in as little as 90 seconds. The dome-shaped design is brilliant in its simplicity: it absorbs heat and radiates it evenly down onto your food. At the same time, the hot oven floor, or deck, cooks the base. This combination of radiant and conductive heat creates the signature leopard-spotted char and puffy crust that’s impossible to achieve in a conventional oven.
Get That Authentic, Smoky Flavor
If you’re after true authenticity, the flavor from a wood-fired oven is unbeatable. The burning wood imparts a distinct, subtle smokiness that infuses everything you cook. This is a complex flavor profile you just can't replicate with gas or electricity. You can even customize the taste by your choice of wood, with hardwoods like oak providing a classic, mild smoke and fruitwoods like apple or cherry adding a hint of sweetness. This layer of flavor is what separates a good pizza from a truly great one.
It's Not Just for Pizza
While they are called pizza ovens, their capabilities go far beyond that. A common misconception is that they are only for making pizza, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Think of your wood-fired oven as a versatile outdoor cooking appliance. You can use the roaring high heat to sear steaks or roast vegetables perfectly. As the fire mellows and the oven retains its heat for hours, it’s ideal for baking crusty bread, slow-roasting chicken, or even making desserts. This versatility makes them a fantastic investment for any passionate home cook.
What to Look for in a Wood-Fired Oven
Once you’ve decided a wood-fired oven is right for you, the fun part begins: picking one out! It can feel a little overwhelming with all the options available, but focusing on a few key features will help you find the perfect match for your backyard and cooking style. Think about how you plan to use it, where it will live, and what features matter most to you. A great wood-fired oven is an investment in years of delicious food and amazing memories, so it’s worth taking the time to choose wisely. We’ll walk through the most important factors to consider, from the materials it’s made of to how easily you can fire it up for a weeknight dinner.
Check the Build Quality and Materials
The first thing to look at is how an oven is built. The materials and construction quality are the biggest factors in how well your oven performs and how long it lasts. Premium ovens, like those from Alfa Forni, often use a combination of stainless steel exteriors and refractory brick floors. This duo provides excellent durability against the elements while ensuring the cooking surface gets and stays incredibly hot. Cheaper models might cut corners with thinner materials, which can lead to heat loss and a shorter lifespan. When you’re shopping, pay attention to the thickness of the metal, the quality of the welds, and the density of the insulation. A well-built oven is a heavy oven—it’s a sign of quality materials that will serve you well for years.
Find the Right Size for Your Space
Next up, let’s talk about size. It’s easy to get drawn to a massive, impressive-looking oven, but bigger isn’t always better. You need to find the right fit for your outdoor area and your needs. Start by measuring the space where you plan to put the oven, leaving plenty of clearance for safety. Then, think about how many people you’ll typically be cooking for. Are you planning intimate family dinners or hosting the whole neighborhood for a pizza party? An oven’s capacity is usually described by how many pizzas it can cook at once. A smaller oven is perfect for a couple or small family, while a larger model that can handle two to four pizzas at a time is ideal for entertaining.
Why Insulation and Heat Retention Matter
Insulation is the unsung hero of a great wood-fired oven. Without it, you’d be constantly feeding the fire to keep the temperature up, resulting in unevenly cooked food and wasted wood. High-quality insulation, often made from ceramic fiber, is packed around the oven dome. This traps the heat inside, allowing the oven to reach and maintain scorching temperatures of 750°F or more with incredible efficiency. Excellent heat retention means the oven floor and dome stay hot long after the flames die down, creating the perfect environment for baking bread or slow-roasting meats using the residual heat. It’s the key to a crispy, leopard-spotted pizza crust and perfectly cooked toppings every single time.
Look for Easy Temperature Control
One of the biggest myths about wood-fired ovens is that they’re only good for one thing: cooking Neapolitan pizza at blazing-hot temperatures. While they excel at that, a versatile oven allows for a wide range of cooking styles. The best ovens give you simple, effective ways to manage your fire and control the temperature. Look for features like a built-in thermometer on the oven face, which gives you an accurate reading of the ambient heat. Some models also include adjustable dampers or vents that let you control the airflow to the fire, making it easier to raise or lower the temperature. This flexibility means you can go from searing a steak one night to baking a delicate focaccia the next.
Do You Need a Portable Oven?
Finally, consider how you want to use your oven. Are you looking for a permanent, built-in centerpiece for your outdoor kitchen, or do you want the freedom to move it around? If you like flexibility, a portable wood-fired pizza oven could be a fantastic choice. These ovens are typically smaller and lighter, often set on a wheeled cart, so you can easily move them from the patio to the driveway or even take them to a friend’s house. They offer the same authentic wood-fired flavor in a more convenient package. If, however, you’re designing a dedicated outdoor cooking space, a larger, stationary model will provide a more substantial presence and higher cooking capacity.
Our Favorite Wood-Fired Pizza Oven Brands
With so many great pizza ovens on the market, picking the right brand can feel like a tough choice. The good news is that there are fantastic options available for every type of chef and every budget. We’ve spent years working with the best ovens out there, and we’ve learned what separates a good oven from a great one. Whether you’re aiming for professional-level pies in your backyard or just want a reliable oven for family pizza nights, we’ve got you covered.
To make things easier, we’ve broken down our favorites into a few key categories. Think about what kind of pizza enthusiast you are—are you chasing the perfect Neapolitan char, or do you want a versatile workhorse for all kinds of outdoor cooking? Are you ready to invest in a forever oven, or are you looking for an excellent starting point that won’t break the bank? Below, you’ll find our top picks from brands that consistently deliver on quality, performance, and design. Let’s find the perfect oven for you.
For the Ultimate Pizza Enthusiast
If you’re serious about pizza and want an oven that performs at a professional level, this is your category. For the absolute best in Italian craftsmanship and performance, look no further than Alfa Forni. These ovens are the real deal, imported directly from Italy and designed for incredible heat retention and efficiency. They are the gold standard for a reason. Another fantastic option for the dedicated enthusiast is the Gozney Dome. It’s a beautifully designed, restaurant-grade oven that gives you precise control over your cooking environment. While it excels at many styles, its user-friendly design makes it especially great for crafting perfect New York-style pizzas. These ovens are an investment, but their performance is unmatched.
Great All-Around Performers
Looking for an oven that delivers amazing results without requiring a professional-level commitment? These brands offer the perfect balance of performance, versatility, and value. The Gozney Roccbox is a standout in this category. It’s a portable, restaurant-grade oven with a dual-fuel design that lets you cook with either gas or wood, giving you incredible flexibility. We also love the Ooni Karu series, which are multi-fuel ovens designed specifically for home cooks who want authentic, wood-fired flavor. These ovens heat up quickly, are relatively easy to use, and consistently produce delicious, beautifully cooked pizzas. They are the perfect workhorses for anyone who wants to host memorable pizza parties.
Excellent Ovens That Won't Break the Bank
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a fantastic wood-fired pizza oven. If you’re looking for an entry point into the world of outdoor pizza making, there are some incredible value-packed options. The Bertello hybrid pizza oven is a top contender here. What makes it so unique is that it’s one of the only ovens in its price range that can cook with gas and wood at the same time. This gives you the convenience and steady heat of gas along with the smoky flavor of real wood. It’s a feature usually found on much more expensive models, making the Bertello an amazing deal for aspiring pizzaiolos.
Understanding the Price Points
As you shop, you’ll see that pizza oven prices can vary quite a bit. This difference comes down to a few key factors: build quality, materials, size, and insulation. Premium ovens from brands like Alfa Forni use high-grade stainless steel and commercial-grade refractory materials that hold heat for hours. The best outdoor wood-fired ovens have thick, multi-layered insulation, which is crucial for maintaining screaming-hot temperatures and ensuring an even cook. Less expensive models might use thinner materials and have less insulation, meaning they may not get as hot or retain heat as well. When you invest in a higher-end oven, you’re paying for superior performance, durability, and efficiency that will last for years.
Setting Up Your Oven Safely
Bringing a beautiful wood-fired oven into your backyard is incredibly exciting, but before you fire it up for the first time, let's talk about safety. A little planning goes a long way in creating a secure and enjoyable cooking environment. Proper setup not only protects you and your home but also ensures your oven performs its best for years to come.
Where to Place Your Oven
Choosing the right spot for your oven is the first step. Because wood-fired ovens naturally produce smoke and fumes, you’ll want to place yours in a well-ventilated area where smoke can easily disperse without bothering your neighbors or wafting back into your house. Avoid placing it under low-hanging branches, awnings, or any covered patio that isn't specifically designed for a high-heat appliance. Most manufacturers recommend at least three feet of clearance on all sides to prevent overheating and give you plenty of room to work safely.
Ensure Proper Ventilation
Even though your oven is outdoors, good airflow is still essential. Outdoor pizza ovens are designed to be very safe—in many ways, they're safer than an indoor oven because they are detached from your home. However, proper ventilation is what keeps them that way. Placing your oven in an open area prevents any potential buildup of smoke or carbon monoxide. Think about the prevailing wind direction in your yard and try to position the oven so that smoke blows away from your seating areas and open windows.
Protect Your Oven from the Elements
Your pizza oven is a significant investment, and you’ll want to protect it from harsh weather. Rain, snow, and extreme temperature shifts can cause moisture to seep into the masonry, which can lead to cracks over time. The best way to prevent this is by using a high-quality, waterproof protective cover whenever your oven isn't in use. A good cover will keep it dry and shield it from debris, ensuring it’s always ready for your next pizza night.
Build a Solid Foundation
A stable oven is a safe oven. Your wood-fired pizza oven needs to sit on a solid, level, and non-combustible surface that can support its weight. A reinforced concrete slab or a properly constructed masonry base are excellent choices. Never place your oven directly on a wooden deck or grass. A sturdy foundation prevents the oven from shifting or tipping, which is crucial for safe operation, especially when you have a roaring fire inside. This is a key part of any outdoor kitchen design.
Key Safety Tips to Remember
Once your oven is set up, a few simple habits will keep every cooking session safe and fun. First, always supervise the oven when it's lit—never leave a live fire unattended. Keep a fire extinguisher rated for wood fires nearby, just in case. After you’re done cooking, let the oven cool down completely before you attempt to clean it out or put the cover on. This prevents burns and makes handling the ash much easier. Finally, establish a safe zone around the oven to keep curious kids and pets from getting too close to the hot surfaces.
How to Master Your Oven's Temperature
Getting that perfect, crispy-chewy pizza crust with beautifully blistered spots isn't about luck—it's about heat. A wood-fired oven is a dynamic cooking environment, and learning to control its temperature is the most important skill you can develop. Unlike your kitchen oven, you can't just set it and forget it. Instead, you get to work with three types of heat: radiant heat from the hot dome, conductive heat from the oven floor, and convective heat from the circulating hot air.
Mastering this dance of fire and heat is what separates good pizza from truly unforgettable pizza. It might sound intimidating, but it’s actually one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. Once you understand the fundamentals of choosing your fuel, building your fire, and reading the oven's temperature, you'll be in complete control. Let's walk through the key steps to becoming the master of your flame.
Pick the Perfect Wood for Your Fire
The wood you choose is more than just fuel; it's a key ingredient that affects both the temperature of your oven and the flavor of your pizza. For the intense, sustained heat needed for pizza, you’ll want to use seasoned hardwoods. Woods like oak, hickory, and maple are fantastic choices because they burn hot and clean for long periods. Avoid softwoods like pine or fir, as they can produce a lot of smoke and resin, which won't do your pizza (or your oven) any favors. The type of wood can also add a subtle, smoky essence to your food, so feel free to experiment to find your favorite flavor profile.
Create and Manage Heat Zones
How you build your fire is just as important as the wood you use. A common mistake is packing the wood too tightly, which chokes the fire by restricting airflow and leads to uneven heating. Instead, build your fire on one side of the oven. This creates distinct heat zones: an intensely hot area right next to the flames for searing and cooking quickly, and a slightly cooler area on the opposite side. This setup gives you more control, allowing you to rotate the pizza for an even bake. You can move the pizza closer to the fire for a final blast of heat or pull it away if the toppings are cooking too fast.
Tools for Monitoring Temperature
While you can learn to read an oven by sight and feel, a little technology goes a long way. Guessing your oven's temperature is a recipe for inconsistent results. Your most valuable tool will be an infrared thermometer. This handheld gadget lets you point a laser at any surface to get an instant temperature reading. You'll want to check two key spots: the oven floor (or hearth) where the pizza sits, and the dome. A hot floor ensures a crispy, cooked-through crust, while a hot dome melts the cheese and cooks the toppings perfectly. Aim for a floor temperature of around 750°F for a classic Neapolitan-style pizza.
Troubleshoot Common Heat Problems
Even with practice, you might run into a few snags. Don't worry—most issues are easy to fix. If you're getting a soggy base, it's almost always because the oven floor isn't hot enough. Let the fire burn longer to fully heat the hearth before launching your first pizza. If the crust is perfect but the toppings are undercooked, your dome might not be hot enough. If the crust is burning before the toppings are done, you're likely cooking too close to the fire. Many of these common pizza oven problems come down to fire management and patience.
Gear Up: Your Essential Pizza Oven Tools
A beautiful wood-fired oven is the heart of your outdoor kitchen, but the right tools are what bring your pizza-making to life. Having the proper gear not only makes the process smoother and safer but also helps you get consistently amazing results. Think of these tools as your trusted kitchen crew—they handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on crafting the perfect pizza. Let's walk through the essentials, from the absolute must-haves to the extras that will make you feel like a true pizzaiolo.
The Absolute Must-Haves
Let's start with the non-negotiables. First, you'll need a good pizza peel to slide your creations in and out of the heat. A long-handled oven brush and scraper are also essential for keeping your cooking surface pristine. Sweeping away ash and scraping off any burnt-on bits ensures a clean, perfect crust every time. For your safety, a pair of high-quality, heat-resistant gloves is a must for handling hot tools and doors. When it comes to cleanup, always stick with food-safe products to keep your oven ready for your next meal. These core pizza oven accessories are the foundation of any great setup.
Helpful Extras to Consider
Once you have the basics covered, a few extra tools can make a world of difference. An infrared thermometer is a game-changer, allowing you to get an instant, precise reading of the oven floor temperature so you know exactly when to launch your pizza. A smaller, round turning peel makes it much easier to rotate pizzas inside the oven for an even bake. To protect your investment from the elements, a durable, weatherproof cover is a smart choice. It shields your oven from rain and snow, preventing damage and extending its life for years of delicious meals.
How to Store Your Tools
Taking care of your tools is just as important as taking care of your oven. The golden rule is to always let your oven cool down completely before you start cleaning or putting anything away. This is a crucial safety practice that prevents burns and makes handling ash and debris much easier. For storage, consider a dedicated cart with hooks or a nearby weatherproof box. Keeping your peels, brushes, and other tools clean, dry, and organized means they’ll be in great shape and ready to go the next time you fire up the oven. A little organization goes a long way.
Keep Your Oven in Top Shape
Your wood-fired pizza oven is an investment in incredible food and unforgettable experiences. To make sure it performs beautifully for years to come, a little regular maintenance goes a long way. Think of it like caring for a quality cast-iron skillet; consistent attention is the key to its longevity and performance. Keeping your oven clean and protected from the elements not only ensures every pizza tastes its best but also prevents small issues from turning into bigger problems down the road. Don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds. Let’s walk through a simple routine to keep your oven in prime condition, from quick clean-ups after a pizza night to getting it ready for a new season of cooking.
Your Regular Cleaning Checklist
After the fire has died down and the last slice has been enjoyed, a quick clean-up will set you up for success next time. The most important rule is to always wait for the oven to cool completely before you start cleaning. This is crucial for your safety and prevents damage from sudden temperature changes. Once it’s cool, your main goal is to clear the cooking surface. Use a sturdy oven brush with brass bristles to sweep out all the ash and any stray bits of food. For any stubborn cheese or toppings, a metal scraper will do the trick. Keeping the pizza stone clean is the foundation of great pizza. Finally, give the exterior a quick wipe-down with a damp cloth to remove any soot or dust.
How to Prep Your Oven for the Season
If your oven has been sitting unused through the colder months, it’s smart to give it a little extra attention before firing it up for the first time. Start with a thorough cleaning, following the regular checklist but being a bit more meticulous. Take the time to inspect the oven inside and out. Look for any new cracks in the dome or hearth and check that the chimney flue is clear of any debris, like leaves or animal nests. Before you plan your first pizza party, it’s a good idea to build a small, low-temperature fire. This helps to gently burn off any moisture that may have accumulated inside the oven’s insulation, ensuring it heats efficiently and safely for your first big cook of the season.
Prevent Problems Before They Start
The best maintenance is proactive. Protecting your oven from the elements is the single most effective thing you can do to extend its life. Rain, snow, and freeze-thaw cycles can be tough on masonry and metal. Using a high-quality, waterproof protective cover is essential, especially during the off-season. This simple step helps prevent moisture from seeping into the materials, which can lead to cracks over time. Also, ensure your oven is sitting on a solid, perfectly level foundation. An unstable base can create stress on the oven’s structure. Taking these preventative steps will protect your investment and keep your oven looking and performing its best.
Tips for Long-Term Durability
Beyond regular cleaning, a few key habits will ensure your oven lasts a lifetime. First, master the art of patience. Never try to speed up the cooling process with water, as the sudden temperature drop—known as thermal shock—can crack the cooking stone and damage the dome. Always let it cool down naturally. When you first get your oven, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for curing it. This process of building a series of small, slow fires is critical for removing residual moisture and strengthening the oven for high-heat cooking. Finally, make a habit of inspecting your oven regularly. Catching and sealing a small hairline crack early is much easier than dealing with a major repair later.
How to Choose the Perfect Oven for You
Picking the right pizza oven is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Think of it less like a purchase and more like choosing a new centerpiece for your backyard gatherings. It’s about matching an oven to your space, your lifestyle, and your pizza-making dreams. By walking through a few key questions, you can narrow down the options and find the perfect fit that will bring you joy—and amazing pizza—for years to come. Let’s break down what you need to consider to make a choice you’ll be happy with.
Assess Your Outdoor Space
First things first: where will your new oven live? Take a good look at your patio, deck, or backyard. Do you have a large, dedicated area, or are you working with a cozier spot? The amount of available space is one of the most important factors in your decision. A larger oven can cook multiple pizzas at once, which is fantastic for parties, but it needs a significant footprint. If space is tight, a more compact or portable model might be a better fit. Also, think about mobility. Do you want an oven that stays in one place, or would you prefer one you can move around? Answering these questions will help you find an oven that complements your outdoor living area perfectly.
How Often Will You Use It?
Be honest with yourself—are you planning to fire up the oven every weekend, or is this more for special occasions? There’s no wrong answer, but your expected usage can help guide your investment. If you see yourself becoming the go-to host for neighborhood pizza nights, investing in a high-performance oven with excellent heat retention and durability is a smart move. These models are built for frequent use and will deliver consistent results. However, if you’re more of a casual pizza maker, you may not need all the bells and whistles of a professional-grade oven. Understanding how often you plan to cook will help you find a balance between features and price that makes sense for you.
Consider Your Local Climate
The weather where you live plays a surprisingly big role in choosing an outdoor oven. An oven that works great in a dry, mild climate might need extra protection to withstand snowy winters or humid, rainy seasons. Look for models with weather-tight construction and durable materials like stainless steel and refractory concrete that can handle temperature fluctuations and moisture. A good, weather-resistant cover is also a must-have accessory to protect your investment. Considering your local climate from the start ensures your oven will perform beautifully and stand the test of time, no matter what Mother Nature throws its way.
Plan Your Budget
When you’re thinking about cost, it’s helpful to look beyond the initial price tag of the oven itself. Your total investment will also include a few other key items. You’ll need to account for potential installation costs, especially for larger, stationary models. Don’t forget the fuel—you’ll need a steady supply of quality hardwood. You’ll also want to budget for essential accessories like a pizza peel, a turning peel, and a cleaning brush. Thinking through these extra costs upfront will give you a realistic picture of your total budget and help you choose an oven that fits comfortably within it, without any surprises down the road.
Think About Long-Term Value
A high-quality wood-fired pizza oven is an investment in your home and lifestyle, so it’s worth thinking about its long-term value. A well-built oven from a reputable brand will not only cook better but will also last much longer. Regular cleaning and proper maintenance are key to extending its lifespan. For outdoor models, protecting the oven from the elements with a good cover is crucial. When you choose a durable, well-made oven and take good care of it, you’re not just buying an appliance; you’re investing in countless future meals and memories with family and friends. This focus on long-term performance ensures your oven remains a beloved part of your home for many years.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a wood-fired oven to get hot enough for pizza? This really depends on the size and insulation of your oven, but a good rule of thumb is to plan for about 45 to 60 minutes. You're not just heating the air inside; you're allowing the oven floor and dome to absorb and store that intense heat. This process, often called heat soaking, is what gives you that perfectly crispy crust. The best way to know for sure is to use an infrared thermometer to check the temperature of the cooking floor—you're aiming for around 750°F before you launch your first pizza.
Can I put a wood-fired oven on my wooden deck? For safety reasons, you should never place a pizza oven directly on a wooden deck or any other combustible surface. These ovens are incredibly heavy and generate intense heat that can create a serious fire hazard. The best foundation is a non-combustible surface like a concrete patio or a dedicated masonry stand. If your deck is your only option, you must use a proper stand designed for the oven that provides significant clearance and heat protection, and it's always a good idea to check your local fire codes first.
What's the difference between a wood-fired oven and a hybrid one? A traditional wood-fired oven uses only hardwood as its fuel source, which is what creates that classic, smoky flavor. A hybrid oven gives you more flexibility by allowing you to cook with either wood or gas, and some models even let you use both at the same time. This can be a great option if you love the convenience and consistent heat of gas for a weeknight cook but still want the authentic wood-fired taste for weekend pizza parties.
Do I really need a special pizza peel, or can I just use a baking sheet? A proper pizza peel is one of those tools that is absolutely essential. Its long handle is designed to keep your hands and arms safely away from the oven's intense heat, which can reach over 900°F. The thin, flat surface is also specifically designed to slide cleanly under a delicate, uncooked pizza. Trying to use a baking sheet is not only unsafe due to the lack of a long handle, but its raised edges make it nearly impossible to launch a pizza into the oven without making a mess.
Is it difficult to learn how to manage the fire and temperature? There is a bit of a learning curve, but it's one of the most enjoyable parts of the experience. Think of it like learning to grill with charcoal instead of gas. It takes a few tries to get a feel for how to build your fire, when to add more wood, and how to create different heat zones inside the oven. Don't be intimidated by it. After a few cooking sessions, you'll start to understand how your oven breathes and responds, and managing the fire will become second nature.