Which? Magazine Names Top Three Pizza Ovens After Extensive Testing
Consumer advocacy group Which? has identified the best value, mid-range, and premium pizza ovens following rigorous testing of 45 models.
Consumer group Which? has revealed its top three pizza ovens after a comprehensive evaluation of 45 models, assessing everything from cooking performance to ease of use. The testing involved assessing how quickly each oven reached 400C (1400F), the ideal temperature for Neapolitan-style pizza, and then evaluating the quality of three pizzas cooked in each.
The evaluation criteria included the crispness of the pizza base, the melt of the cheese, and the charring of the crust. Practical considerations such as portability, stability, and assembly difficulty were also factored into the rankings. Prices for the tested ovens ranged from £99 to £995.
Best Value Electric Oven
The top-rated value option is an electric oven, measuring 32cm high, 59cm wide, and 42cm deep, weighing 11.9kg. This model can accommodate pizzas up to 11.5 inches and reached 400C in approximately 15 minutes. Its lightweight design makes it portable, and its electric power source means it simply plugs into the mains. The oven also features an 'air frying' mode suitable for cooking items like chips. However, the Which? experts noted that while pizzas were good, they were not exceptional, and the lack of live flame might be a drawback for some enthusiasts.
Best Mid-Range Oven
For a mid-range choice, a multi-fuel oven (compatible with wood, charcoal, or gas) was recommended. This model stands 75.4cm high, 41.7cm wide, and 76.1cm deep, with a weight of 15.5kg, and can cook pizzas up to 12 inches. It proved easy to set up and operate, reaching 400C in a swift 13 minutes. The cooking results were described as first-class, delivering sizzling toppings and crispy bases with a characteristic leopard-spotted crust. A potential additional cost arises if gas is the preferred fuel, as an Ooni Gas Burner attachment costs an extra £90.
Best Premium Oven
The highest-end recommendation is a gas oven, measuring 34.2cm high, 48cm wide, and 56.4cm deep, and weighing 21.5kg. This oven can handle pizzas up to 14 inches and produced what the testers called tip-top pizzas with exceptional ease of operation. A unique feature is the side-mounted gas burner, which allows for closer monitoring and rotation of the pizza compared to ovens with rear-mounted burners. The main drawbacks noted were the premium price point and a longer heat-up time, taking around 20 minutes to reach 400C.
Which?, a not-for-profit organization, states that all its revenue is reinvested into consumer advocacy. Further details and the full range of reviews can be found on the Which? website.