Wood-Fired or Gas?
Wood-fired ovens reach very high temperatures and give that smoky, blistered crust. They take time to heat up and need firewood and ash cleanup. Gas ovens light quickly, hold an even temperature and are easier for everyday use, but need a gas line or propane supply. Some models can use either fuel. We help you pick based on how often you will cook and how much hands-on time you want.
Why Kits Often Struggle Here
Inexpensive kits and stand-alone units placed on a deck or thin slab run into trouble in North Mississippi. Damp air and heavy rain soak into poorly sealed masonry, and the heat cycles of each fire then crack the dome or the veneer. A base that settles on clay soil can twist the oven out of level. A built-in installation addresses each of these problems.
How We Install an Oven
- Design and fuel planning: placement, clearances, chimney height and gas routing
- Footing: a reinforced concrete pad sized for the oven’s full weight
- Base structure: block or steel framing with space for wood storage
- Oven and insulation: refractory core set on an insulated hearth and wrapped in high-temperature insulation
- Finish: stone, brick or stucco veneer with a weatherproof top
A typical installation takes about two to three days of on-site work, depending on the oven and finish.
Fitting the Oven Into Your Kitchen
Pizza ovens work best with counter space for prep on one side and a landing spot for hot peels on the other. Many homeowners place the oven at the end of an island built by our outdoor kitchen team, with stone countertops nearby. Putting the oven under a roof, as in our covered outdoor cooking areas, protects it and lets you bake in the rain if the chimney clearance allows.
Common Questions
Can I cook more than pizza in an outdoor oven?
Yes. Bread, roasted vegetables, meats, casseroles and desserts all cook well. As the oven cools after a pizza session, the retained heat is ideal for slow roasting.
How much upkeep does a pizza oven need?
Sweep out ash after wood fires, keep the oven covered or under a roof when not in use and inspect the exterior for cracks each season. Gas burners should be checked periodically.
Do I need a permit for an outdoor pizza oven?
Gas lines and some masonry structures may need a permit depending on location. We confirm requirements before we begin.
Where should the oven go in my yard?
Away from overhanging branches and combustible walls, with the chimney clear of eaves, and close enough to your prep area to be practical. We evaluate this during the design visit.