How to Build an Outdoor Pizza Oven: A Step-by-Step Guide

An outdoor pizza oven allows you to make wood-fired pizza anytime without heating up your kitchen. Plus, impress your family and friends with your culinary skills.

Constructing your own oven has many advantages over purchasing a pre-made one:

• Cost savings – A DIY pizza oven costs a fraction of a pre-made oven
• Custom design – Tailor it to perfectly fit your space
• High quality – Use premium materials to ensure optimal heat retention
• Great project – Building it yourself is hugely rewarding

This guide will provide step-by-step instructions for constructing an insulated brick pizza oven powered by wood-fired heat. Anyone with basic DIY skills can complete this project. Let’s get started!

Materials and Tools

Constructing a wood-fired pizza oven is an ambitious project. Proper planning and sourcing high-quality materials guarantees successful results.

Materials

• Fire bricks
• High temp mortar or refractory cement
• Insulation – perlite or vermiculite
• Concrete and bricklaying materials
• Stainless steel pizza peel
• Infrared thermometer
• Chimney flue or venting system

Suggested Dimensions

• Internal floor – 26” x 26” (650 x 650mm)
• Cooking floor – 32” x 32” (800 x 800mm)
• Internal height – 15-18” (450-550mm)
• Door opening – 15” x 8” (400x 200mm)

Adjust dimensions to suit your space and usage requirements.

Tools

• Trowels for mortar
• Masonry hammers and bolsters
• Bricklayer’s tools – floats, levels, etc.
• Metal pizza peel
• Bulk mortar mixer (optional)

Refer to the tools list before starting your project to ensure you have everything needed. Renting specialty masonry tools can save costs.

Read More: The ultimate guide to oven settings for homemade pizza

Choosing the Right Location

Selecting the optimal site is crucial when installing an outdoor pizza oven. Consider the following factors when deciding on placement:

• Convenience – Easy access from house and entertainment areas
• Wind – Avoid excess wind that can disrupt ventilation
• Ventilation – Ensure proper chimney venting location
• Weather protection – Overhangs to prevent rain collection
• Fire safety – Position safely away from trees and structures
• Utilities access – Nearby power and water for preparation
• Building codes – Review regulations in your neighborhood

Ideally, position your oven in a covered spot that is centrally located near entertainment spaces. Ensure good wind protection but don’t obstruct chimney ventilation.

Foundation and Base

A proper foundation is key to increasing the longevity of your outdoor pizza oven. Pour or build a concrete slab base:

Instructions

1. Excavate area – minimum 26″ x 26″
2. Fill with gravel and compact
3. Lay rebar grid for strength
4. Build timber formwork
5. Pour concrete to 4” depth
6. Smooth and level surface
7. Allow 1 week to fully cure

Ensure you have at least a 4” concrete pad for constructing your oven. The slab should be flat and level prior to bricklaying.

Building the Oven Floor

With the concrete base fully cured, you can begin laying the oven floor bricks:

Materials

• Fire bricks
• High temperature mortar
• Refractory concrete for edges

Instructions

1. Apply mortar to concrete base
2. Begin laying fire bricks
3. Use spirit level frequently
4. Maintain small mortar joins
5. Lay bricks as tightly as possible
6. Allow to fully cure

Build your floor slightly larger than the interior dimensions to allow space for insulation. Ensure the bricks are level and mortar joins are consistent.

Constructing the Oven Dome

The oven dome is responsible for retaining and circulating heat. Use fire bricks and specialty mortar:

Instructions

1. Apply first layer of mortar
2. Shape initial arch using support form
3. Build upwards, working in a circle
4. Remove from once arch self-supporting
5. Check frequently with spirit level
6. Allow to cure fully before next step

Take care of shaping the dome, ensuring an even thickness on all sides. Building the arch slowly and allowing proper curing makes later insulation easier.

Insulating Your Oven

Insulating your oven correctly guarantees efficient heat retention and fuel savings:

Materials

• Vermiculite or perlite
• Refractory mortar
• Support mesh

Instructions

1. Mix insulation and mortar
2. Apply first insulation layer to 2” thickness
3. Smooth with a trowel for an even surface
4. Allow to partially cure
5. Apply support mesh
6. Build second 2” insulation layer
7. Smooth surface for consistent thickness

Proper curing between layers prevents cracking or sliding. Thicker insulation further enhances heat retention.

Weatherproofing and Sealing

Care should be taken to properly waterproof and protect your outdoor oven structure. Use these materials:

• Refractory cement
• Weatherproof masonry sealer
• Metal flashing
• Silicone caulking

Fully seal all joints, doors, chimney intersections, and ventilation flues from moisture ingress. Properly applied weatherproofing prevents winter weather damage or mold growth issues.

Adding the Chimney Vent

Correct ventilation is critical for proper air circulation and managing exhaust smoke:

Materials

• Stainless steel chimney pipes
• Adjustable vent cowl
• Flashing

Instructions

1. Determine vent size based on oven dimensions
2. Install chimney pipe sections
3. Add adjustable cowl
4. Flash and waterproof intersections
5. Check airflow direction

Position the vent cowl to face prevailing winds in your location to improve oven draw. The chimney exit should be 12-18 inches from the oven exterior.

Constructing the Oven Door

The door is crucial for controlling airflow and accessing your pizza. Use firebricks and high temp materials:

Instructions

1. Build door frame to dimensions
2. Attach hinges to oven front
3. Insert layers of insulation
4. Test fit door into opening
5. Attach handle tightly
6. Check seal with paper test

Ensure a tight fit and seal to prevent excess air entering the oven and heat loss. The handle should have a long enough leverage arm for a tight closure.

Adding the Cooking Surface

The oven floor cooking surface should maximize heat transfer for optimal pizza results:

Materials

• Thermal shock resistant tiles
• High temp grout

Instructions

1. Ensure surface is fully cured
2. Apply first layer of grout mortar
3. Set tiles tightly together
4. Apply more grout between joins
5. Allow to fully cure
6. Confine tiles to cooking surface area

Use light-colored tiles to ease checking pizza bottom doneness. Ensure tiles are thermal shock and fire resistant to withstand 700°F+ temps.

First Firing

Before cooking your first pizza, the oven requires a slow curing and drying process:

Instructions

1. Gradually bring up temp over 24 hrs
2. Maintain low temps for 8+ hours
3. Slowly increase heat in intervals
4. Repeat firing process for 3 days
5. Max temp final firing 750°F
6. Cool oven completely between each

Firing loosens residual moisture and minimizes cracking risk. Re-check oven for any damage after curing and make repairs before cooking.

Conclusion

Congratulations! After proper curing and firing, your DIY pizza oven construction is now complete. Enjoy impressing your friends and family with your specialized outdoor cooking skills. Certain to become a popular entertainment space in your yard for years to come. This oven construction project is very fulfilling and cost-effective way of leveling up your backyard cuisine.