This article provides an in-depth look at what it takes to be an at-home pizza chef. It reviews three of the top 36-inch pizza ovens –
- Stanbroil Outdoor Pizza Oven,
- Stanbroil Outdoor Pizza Maker, and
- Cooler Depot PO31
each suitable for different cooking scenarios.
It also provides a buyer’s guide to help readers understand key factors to consider when shopping for an oven, such as type of fuel, construction, cooking performance, size and capacity, ventilation and safety, ease of use and cleaning, etc.
All in all, this guide will help you determine the best 36 inch pizza oven to purchase for your own needs.
I’ll be honest with you – I absolutely love cooking pizza. It doesn’t matter the size, flavor or topping – I can make a mouth-watering pizza in no time!
Of course, getting a good oven is of paramount importance for this purpose. And in my experience, the best oven for baking a good pizza is a 36-inch option.
It has ample space for baking multiple medium to large sized pizzas. Frankly speaking, it has saved my reputation several times in the past. The most recent one was when I hosted a party for my children and their friends. Thanks to my 36-inch oven, I was able to satisfy their sudden craving for pizzas.
So, if you are like me, and you want to cook delicious pizzas for everyone, you should check out this guide. Here, I have reviewed some of the best 36-inch ovens that you can use.
So, put on your chef’s hat, and read on!
Top Three 36-Inch Pizza Ovens
1. Stanbroil Outdoor Pizza Oven – Best Outdoor Oven For Cooking Large Pizzas
- PROFESSIONAL DESIGN: Built-in temperature gauge for easy tracking of oven temperature. The removable pizza stone is more convenient for cleaning. Handles on both sides are easy to move and place.
- PREMIUM & SAFE MATERIAL: This outdoor pizza oven is made of heavy-duty steel. The high temperature resistant powder coating on the surface makes it have high wear resistance and longer service life. This sturdy oven is safe for cooking all types of pizza.
- PIZZA ANYWHERE: Opened face pizza oven cooks like a traditional wood-fired oven, without cumbersome steps. With the adjustable heat on Blackstone flat top gas grill, you can cook several styles of delicious pizzas including artisan, pre-made and frozen pizzas.
- MULTI-PURPOSE OVEN: This outdoor pizza oven does more than pizza, perfect for baking breads, roasting meats, sausages or others. Cooking outdoors has never been so simple.
- COMPATIBILITY: Designed for Blackstone 22", 28", 36" flat top grill. Does not fit Blackstone 36" grill with hood such as Blackstone 1932 Culinary. For Blackstone 36" grills, please measure the depth of your grill's burner area before purchasing to ensure this pizza oven(17" depth) will fit on it. Turn on only 3 burners on a 36" grill.
The Stanbroil Outdoor Pizza Oven is a remarkable product that allows you to transform your backyard into a full-fledged pizzeria! This outdoor pizza oven can deliver mouth-watering pizzas with a crispy crust and perfectly melted toppings. Believe me – it is nothing less than the pizza baked in a traditional wood-burning oven.
Having used it for a while, I can confidently vouch for its cooking performance. It comes equipped with a built-in thermometer that provides accurate temperature readings, enabling precise control over the cooking process.
The oven’s interior can accommodate even the largest pizza sizes with ease. This allows you to experiment with different toppings and crust styles. In fact, I used it to come up with my own pizza recipes, with which I surprised my friends and family more than once!
It is made from heavy-duty stainless steel that can easily withstand the elements. Furthermore, the oven’s high-temperature powder coating keeps it safe from high temperatures. This coating can retain heat efficiently, resulting in shorter preheating times and consistent cooking. However, there are no heat diffusers, and the flame hits the pizza stone directly. So, the heat can be a bit dangerous if you’re not careful.
The Stanbroil Outdoor Pizza Oven is versatile. Apart from cooking pizza, it can be used for baking bread, roasting vegetables, or even grilling meats.
What’s more, the oven has been designed to make it convenient for the user. It has a simple assembly that you can put together in no time.
Its compact size allows for easy storage and transportation, making it perfect for camping trips or outdoor events.
What I Like
- Durable build quality
- Versatile usage
- Easy to use
- Portable design
What I Don’t Like
- No heat diffusion mechanism
Common Features
- Fuel type: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
- Usage area: Outdoors
- Material: Stainless steel
- Dimensions: 24.5 x 17 x 7.8 inches
2. Stanbroil Outdoor Pizza Maker – Best Oven For The Blackstone Griddle Cooking Station
- Compatibility - Fits Blackstone 36-inch propane fuelled flat top gas grill station and only uses 3 burners.
- Ideal Accessories - Convert your Blackstone gas griddle cooking station into a pizza oven.
- Long Lasting - Heavy duty heat-resistant powder coated steel, corrosion preventive stainless steel base and side panels ensure long service life.
- Easy Handling - Side panels for preventing heat loss and convenient handles on both sides. Built-in temperature gauge monitor internal air temperatures.
- Overall Dimensions - 21.8 x 18 x 5.3 inches, pizza stone: 17.7 x 13.7 inches.
If you have got a Blackstone Griddle cooking station, this is a cooking accessory that you must have. The Stanbroil Outdoor Pizza maker conveniently transforms the 36-inch griddle cooking station into a gas pizza oven that you can use for your outdoor parties. Whenever I hold a garden party for my friends, I use it to cook delicious pizza within minutes!
This option is made from durable steel that can withstand any outdoor weather conditions. Not only that, but it also has a heat-resistant powder coating to protect it from high temperatures. The pizza stone is made from Cordierite, which has high thermal shock resistance, ensuring that you can cook the perfect crust every time.
There’s an integrated thermometer that allows you to control the temperature precisely. Thanks to that, you don’t have to worry about overcooking or undercooking the pizza. Likewise, the side panels prevent heat loss so that you can maintain the internal temperature.
On that note, I only need to use three burners at a time when using this oven. This means that you can save the natural gas fuel of your cooking station. As such, it is a lot more efficient than other gas or wood-fired pizza ovens.
The gas-powered pizza oven includes handles on the side so that you can carry it easily. However, there is one drawback of using this option, and that is its lack of versatility. It gives the best results only when used with the Blackstone griddle cooking station. So, if you don’t have it, you may find yourself at a disadvantage.
What I Like
- Convenient to use
- Precise temperature control
- Fuel efficient
- Safe to carry around
What I Don’t Like
- Works well only with the Blackstone griddle cooking station
Common Features
- Fuel type: Propane
- Usage area: Outdoors
- Material: Stainless steel
- Dimensions: 21.8 x 18 x 5.3 inches
3. Cooler Depot PO31 – Best Indoor Oven For Cooking Multiple Pizzas Simultaneously
This one was recommended to me by a close friend. I’ll be honest – given its size and cost, I was a bit skeptical about it initially. But I am glad that I decided to try it, for it managed to exceed my expectations! As someone who appreciates authentic pizza flavors, I can confidently say that the Cooler Depot PO31 is a powerful and efficient oven that delivers outstanding results.
One of the standout features of this pizza oven is its spacious 36-inch cooking surface, providing ample room to bake multiple pizzas simultaneously. The oven’s natural gas operation ensures consistent and even heat distribution, resulting in delicious pizzas with crispy crusts and perfectly cooked toppings. Moreover, its NSF certification adds an extra layer of reliability, guaranteeing that this oven meets strict sanitation and safety standards.
The construction of this oven is sturdy and durable, built to withstand the rigors of both home and commercial use. Its stainless steel exterior not only enhances its durability but also adds a sleek and professional look to any kitchen setting.
This oven can generate up to 25,000 BTUs of heat, which makes it as powerful as a wood-burning pizza oven. On top of that, the oven’s temperature control is precise, allowing for accurate adjustments to achieve the desired cooking results.
However, one drawback of this indoor pizza oven is its size. Due to its large footprint, this oven may not be suitable for those who have smaller kitchens. Besides, its larger size makes it a lot more challenging to install than other indoor pizza ovens.
What I Like
- Highly durable steel exterior
- It can be used in home and commercial settings
- Comes with NSF safety certification
- Delivers authentic pizza flavors
- High heat output with precise temperature controls
What I Don’t Like
- Difficult to install
Common Features
- Fuel type: Natural gas
- Usage area: Indoors
- Material: Stainless steel
- Dimensions: 31.5 x 19.6 x 14.2 inch
Buyer’s Guide
So, that was my list of the top three 36-inch pizza ovens. In this section, I have mentioned some key factors that you need to consider before purchasing an oven.
1. Type
There are different types of pizza ovens available today, but some of the most common types are gas, wood-fired, and electric pizza ovens. A gas pizza oven offers convenience and quick heating, while a wood-fired oven provides an authentic, smoky flavor to the pizza. An electric pizza oven, on the other hand, is easy to use and requires minimal maintenance.
2. Construction
The construction of the oven is another crucial factor that determines its overall durability and usage scenario. You need to ensure that the oven is well-constructed and designed to withstand high temperatures and frequent use.
Look for a pizza oven made from high-quality materials, such as stainless steel or refractory bricks. Stainless steel ovens are easy to clean and heat up quickly. Moreover, they can withstand weather elements, which makes them suitable for outdoor use. Conversely, refractory brick ovens are excellent for heat retention and provide a traditional indoor cooking experience.
3. Cooking Performance
You should check the oven’s heating capacity and temperature control capabilities before purchasing, as these affect the overall cooking performance. A reliable temperature control system allows for precise adjustments and consistent cooking results. I would recommend looking for features like multiple heating zones, which would allow you to cook pizzas with different heat requirements simultaneously.
4. Size And Capacity
Next, you’ll need to consider the available space in your kitchen or outdoor area and ensure that the 36-inch pizza oven will fit comfortably. After all, you do not want to run out of space in the cooking area, right?
Additionally, evaluate the oven’s capacity to accommodate multiple pizzas or larger-sized pizzas if needed. Some ovens come with extra racks or shelves for versatility.
5. Ventilation And Safety
It is a well-known fact that proper ventilation is crucial for pizza-making. So, you have to ensure that the oven has adequate ventilation options, such as vents or chimneys, to release smoke and gas. You should also check for safety features like heat-resistant handles, insulated doors, and automatic shut-off systems, all of which add extra layers of protection.
6. Ease Of Use And Cleaning
When looking to purchase a 36-inch pizza oven, you should prioritize options that have easy installation, user-friendly controls, and an intuitive interface. It should be easy to maintain as well, which will subsequently improve its lifespan.
Features like removable drip trays, removable cooking stones, or non-stick surfaces can make cleaning easier. Some ovens may have self-cleaning features, which can save time and effort.
Editor’s Pick
If you ask me which one is my favorite from the above list, then I’d pick the Stanbroil Outdoor Pizza Oven.
This option not only has an excellent cooking performance, but it is also one of the most user-friendly and portable pizza ovens available today. Besides, it is quite versatile, and you can cook some pretty large pizzas with it, which makes it the perfect pick for social events.
Of course, if you are still not sure about which one to pick, then be sure to check out my buyer’s guide. It contains additional information that will help you come to a decision.