Wood Fired vs. Stone Pizza Oven

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Are you in the market for a new pizza oven to have in your home? First, you should know about wood-fired and stone pizza ovens.

Whether you are a pizza purist or a home cook who loves versatility, one of these pizza ovens may be the right fit for you.

Let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know about wood-fired and stone pizza ovens.

What are the Differences?

Before you invest in the either oven, here is the difference between wood-fired and stone ovens:

 

Wood Fire Oven

 

• It uses primarily wood as a source of fuel to operate the oven
• It can reach extremely high temperatures, usually between 700-900°F
• It can cook pizzas in as little as 90 seconds, which is great if you want to eat soon
• It requires more maintenance than a stone oven does

 

Stone Oven

 

• It can be heated by gas or electric
• Heat is stored on the stone floor and walls
• Reaches lower temperatures compared to wood-fired ovens, with average temperatures being 450-650°F
• It can take several minutes to cook the pizza, but the result will be a tender crust due to the even cooking
• Requires less maintenance than wood-fired ovens

 

As you see, there are pros and cons to each oven. But, at the end of the day, it’s up to you which oven is perfect for your pizza-making needs.

 

What is Similar Between the Two?

Now that you know the differences, here are the similarities between the two ovens:

 

• Both ovens are specifically designed to cook pizzas
• Both types of ovens are typically made from clay, brick, or stone, which helps to retain heat and provide even cooking
• They use radiant heat for cooking the pizza, which results in the cheesiest and crispiest pizza you’ll ever have
• Both of these ovens have that rustic, traditional look that looks appealing to any outdoor kitchen

 

With these shared similarities, deciding which oven is best for you may be hard. But that’s why it’s important for you to know so that you can make an informed decision.

 

Which One is Faster?

As far as cooking speed, wood-fired ovens are faster. Again, this is because of the high temperatures that the food gets cooked faster.

Stone ovens are slower, but it allows the pizza to cook more evenly because the temperatures are more controlled.

 

What Type Do Chefs Prefer?

It’s difficult to say which one they prefer because of the versatility of both ovens. Some chefs may prefer wood-fired smoky, rustic-flavored food.

Others may prefer a stone oven because it’s a heating element to make other food besides pizza. Ultimately, it boils down to what the chefs prefer and what cuisines they make.

 

Which One is Easier for Maintenance?

If you didn’t know already, stone ovens are generally easier to maintain than wood-fired ovens.

This is because they’re already heated with gas or electricity, and the stone surface can be wiped with just a damp cloth. Also, the stone surface is less likely to crack because it’s more durable than the wood oven.

However, if you want a wood-fired oven because of the flavor profile, just keep in mind you’ll have to do a lot of maintenance to keep it in good working order. But if you need easy maintenance, the stone oven is the way to go.

 

Final Thoughts on Wood Fired Vs Stone Pizza Oven

We hope that you’re able to make a choice between wood-fired and stone ovens. Both are great for making pizzas, have their own pros and cons about it, and have that classic look that looks great in any outdoor kitchen.

Regardless of which type of oven you choose, you’ll be able to create delicious, wood-fired style pizzas and other baked goods in the comfort of your own home.