Outdoor cooking has been part of the human experience since the discovery of fire. For thousands of years, humans have refined the process of using fire and indirect heat to cook meats and other foods. Down through the ages we have designed and built devices like ovens to bake our foods, using an indirect heat source. From early man to todays sophisticated backyard kitchens, outdoor cooking has risen to the status of a culinary art form. The newest and hottest trend in backyard cooking is the outdoor pizza oven.

Outdoor pizza ovens and pizza grills are the latest craze in outdoor cooking and patio cooking. The basics of an outdoor pizza oven are not much different than any other modern oven, including a heated chamber and a heat source.

Americans have always enjoyed cooking outdoors. In the years following World War II, many Americans migrated to the suburbs. Backyards, patios and decks provided space for outdoor activities and the backyard barbeque became fixture in Americana. Now the same tastes, smells and warmth of an indoor pizza oven have moved outside to the backyard, patio or deck. The big difference is the heat source.

In cultures and countries around the world, baking is still an outdoor activity. For many people, lack of petroleum fuel necessitates the use of wood for cooking. Placing the oven or fireplace indoors can be problematic, either because inadequate ventilation, lack of space or too much heat generation. In some cultures, cooking is a communal affair. A single wood-fired oven is used for baking and cooking, often by many families. Cooking has been always been somewhat of a social affair and in familiar and communal cultures it is a vital part of everyday life.

For many years, pizza lovers have flocked to restaurants that feature wood-fired ovens. Many pizza chains and individual restaurants have sprung up which feature these unique ovens. In addition to pizza, breads and other dishes can be prepared using what Italians call al forno or oven. Though wood-fired pizza ovens can take up to an hour to reach the temperature, internal temperatures of between 500 and 900 degrees Fahrenheit allow the pizza or other baked dishes to cook very quickly, usually in a matter of minutes.

There is a variety of designs for wood-fired ovens but there are two basic configurations. A black oven is one in which the fuel, usually wood, shares the baking chamber with the food. Whether the heat source is removed before baking or remains in the baking chamber, it is still considered a black oven.

A white oven relies on a dual chamber design. The fuel is fired in a combustion chamber with a flue that allows the products of combustion to vent off without coming in contact with the food. The baking chamber stays free of ash and smoke. A common kitchen oven is a good example of a white oven.

As the trend in backyard wood-fired ovens grows, so have the options available to homeowners. Manufacturers are offering a variety of products, including some based on centuries-old designs. Whether you choose a brick and mortar design or one of the new self-contained stainless steel models, outdoor cooking will never be the same. For those homeowners who enjoy a challenge, there are plans available that allow for the construction of traditional outdoor ovens.

A terrific compromise between building your own wood-fired pizza oven and buying one completely assembled is the kit. Kits for wood-fired pizza ovens vary by design and manufacturer but all contain the same basic elements. The floor of the oven is usually made up of several sections, as is the oven dome. Vents and flues are usually included as are the doors. Assembly time will vary with the size and design of the oven. Many kit manufacturers provide technical support and still others will do the installation for an extra charge.

Wood-fired pizza ovens are available for indoor use, making the perfect addition to any gourmet kitchen. Indoor installations can be tricky and require consultation with professional installers to ensure compliance with local building codes and safety practices.

A properly designed wood-fired pizza grill will provide years of service and a truly unique culinary experience.