How To Build A Wood-Fire Pizza Oven

An outdoor pizza oven offers a fun, unique way to make great-tasting pizza. While building a pizza oven requires some planning and manual labor, it is a great DIY project that can involve the whole family.

Step 1 - Choose a Size

The first step is to determine how big of an oven you will need. There is not really a standard size, though most outdoor pizza ovens range from about four to six feet wide.

Step 2 - Prepare the Foundation

Dig a hole in the ground where you want to place your oven. The hole should be six to eight inches deep and the same width of your oven.

Place the 2x6 pieces of lumber around the edges of the pit, and then fill it with concrete.

Step 3 - Build the Fire Encasement

Draw a line on the concrete foundation slab that is the width of one brick plus two inches from the outer edge or perimeter. Using the line as a guide, line three of the sides of the foundation slab with concrete blocks. On the front side of the oven, make sure there is enough open space for your oven door.

Next, place bricks on the outside of the concrete blocks. Stack the bricks so they are about two feet high, using plenty of mortar between the bricks and concrete blocks.

Step 4 - The Oven Floor

Using 2x4s to line the inside of the fire encasement. Lay a piece of plywood on top of the 2x4s, and then arrange another set of 2x4s on top of the plywood.

After you have placed all of the lumber, fill the area inside the top frame of 2x4s with concrete. Let it dry for several hours.

Step 5 - Finish Up

Once the concrete of the oven floor has dried, you can create the walls of the area where you will bake your food. Use bricks and mortar, and make the baking area as large as small as you like. Be sure to leave an area for a door that can preserve heat while the oven is in use and protect it while you are not using it.

If you want to create an arch for your pizza oven, construct an arch template from wood. Then place bricks sideways along the arch template and secure them with mortar. Let the mortar completely dry before you remove the wooden template.

Make sure to leave a small opening in the top of the oven for a chimney.