ProCook outdoor pizza oven review: a budget-friendly model that brings the pizzeria home
This review from the Guardian's Filter section assesses the ProCook outdoor pizza oven, a budget-friendly gas-powered model priced at £249. Unlike most pizza ovens on the market, which tend to come from specialist brands, ProCook is a broader homeware retailer, yet the reviewer found the oven punches above its weight, delivering solid basic performance that should satisfy most casual users looking to make restaurant-style pizza at home.
The oven features foldable legs, a 12in pizza capacity, and a manual rotating stone that helps achieve an evenly cooked crust without needing a separate turning peel. In testing, it heated from cold to 430C in around 25 minutes, roughly average for a compact gas oven, and lit successfully on the first attempt via its built-in ignition. At 12kg, it is portable enough for camping or visiting friends, though it lacks a protective cover and offers few accessories beyond a £10 pizza peel. Pizzas cooked well overall, with the salami topping performing best, though results showed slightly less rise than pricier ovens and some charring on thicker toppings.
- ProCook's £249 gas pizza oven offers solid performance at a budget price
- Heats to 430C in about 25 minutes with manual rotating stone
- Good for most users, though lacks accessories like a cover
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Outdoor pizza ovens use high heat to cook pizzas quickly, aiming to recreate some of the conditions of a restaurant pizza oven at home. Gas models heat up using a burner, while a rotating stone can help cook the base more evenly.
ProCook is a British homeware retailer rather than a specialist pizza-oven maker. Its compact model holds pizzas up to 12 inches across and has foldable legs, making it easier to move or store than a fixed outdoor oven.
These ovens are aimed at people who want to make pizza outdoors without buying a larger or more expensive setup. How quickly an oven heats, how evenly it cooks and how easy it is to carry can all affect whether it suits occasional home use.