Electric pizza oven buying guide (UK)
Countertop electric pizza ovens have become one of the easiest ways to make pizzeria-style pizza at home, without a gas bottle or a wood-fired oven in the garden. Here's what matters when you choose one.
Maximum temperature
Heat is everything. Traditional pizza is baked at very high temperatures for a short time, which gives a crisp base and an airy, blistered crust. Look for an oven that reaches well above a normal home oven's 220-250°C. The Yibake 12" is rated up to 420°C.
A real pizza stone
A ceramic or cordierite stone stores heat and draws moisture from the dough, which is what makes the base crisp. Check that the stone is removable for cleaning and large enough for the pizzas you want to make.
Separate top and bottom heat
Independent controls let you balance the base and the toppings. Without them, you often get either a burnt top or a pale bottom. Two dials, as on the Yibake, give you much more control.
Viewing window and thermometer
Every time you lift the lid you lose heat. A window lets you judge the bake by eye, and a thermometer gauge tells you when the oven is ready for the next pizza.
Size and footprint
Most countertop ovens take pizzas up to around 12 inches. Measure your worktop and check you'll have clear space around the oven while it's in use.
Safety features
Look for heat-resistant handles, stable anti-slip feet and clear safety instructions. Use any pizza oven on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from cupboards and curtains.
What's in the box
A pizza peel is essential for getting pizzas in and out. Extras like a reusable baking sheet and a dough scraper save you buying them separately. The Yibake comes with a two-piece bamboo peel, a non-stick baking sheet and a stainless steel scraper.
Electric vs gas vs wood
- Electric: plug in and bake, indoors or out. No fuel to buy or store, and no smoke.
- Gas: can run hotter but needs a gas bottle and is outdoor-only.
- Wood: great flavour, but slow to heat, needs fuel and constant attention, and is outdoor-only.