A pizza oven is a great addition to any outdoor kitchen. It can be used to make pizzas, bread, and other delicious dishes. But if you are using an outdoor pizza oven, it is important that you cover it after each use…not so much for protection alone, but for a whole list of reasons.
I’ve put together a few articles covering different things I’ve found out about outdoor pizza ovens…in this one I’ve put together some common and not-so-common questions you might have about outdoor pizza oven covers.
Outdoor pizza ovens can be costly so you’ll want to protect them from the elements so that you and your family can enjoy them for decades!
Do I Need To Cover My Outdoor Pizza Oven?
In general, outdoor pizza oven covers are a great way to protect your outdoor kitchen from the elements while also providing many other benefits that will extend the life of your outdoor oven and add to its functionality as well.
Even if you plan to use your oven multiple times a week you will still want to cover it up overnight in case it decides to rain or a curious critter decides to take up residence inside…remember, you just cooked a meal in there and animals are attracted to food odors.
If your oven isn’t too heavy or if you only use it a few times a month, then you will not only want to cover it but also take it inside and store it in a clean, dry area. Just remember to give your oven a thorough cleaning before storing it so that and residual foods don’t rot and mold.
Can I Cover My Pizza Oven With A Tarp?
If you don’t have a proper cover, a tarp might be used to cover your outdoor pizza oven. However, it is not optimal. If the tarp’s material isn’t resistant to heat, it might melt if your oven hasn’t had enough time to cool down. Tarps aren’t generally form-fitting, so you may end up with moisture pooling beneath.
A heavy, canvas tarp might be a better solution since the weight of the tarp will make it settle more over the form of your oven and any breeze that picks up shouldn’t be strong enough to blow the tarp away (though you should still tie it off or weigh down the edges.
The downside to a canvas tarp is that water won’t run off of it, but will instead pool up on it and possibly soak through it.
Can You Use An Outdoor Pizza Oven While The Cover Is On?
In general, most pizza oven covers are just for protection and will not properly vent and regulate heat. If your cover is made from mesh or a breathable material, it may be ok to use with the cover on but is still not recommended in most circumstances.
A lot of the covers that come with a pizza oven are just there to provide a protective layer and some aesthetics when your oven isn’t being used. They are not meant to be used while cooking and should only be used for protecting the oven from debris such as leaves or other objects that might damage it if left out in the open.
Is There A Best Type Of Outdoor Pizza Oven Cover?
In general, you will want a durable cover for a pizza oven you plan to use outdoors. You will also want it to be waterproof, offer some protection from the elements, and will keep animals and insects out while you have it in storage.
For built-in or permanent structure pizza ovens, you may want to install them under a hard roofed covering similar to how a typical outdoor kitchen would be installed. This extra protection will keep debris from falling onto your oven and will keep the oven cooler since it will be under shade.
Not all covers are meant to withstand the same types of weather conditions though. Some outdoor pizza ovens will come with a cover when you purchase them but in most cases, these covers won’t be able to stand up against harsh weather conditions very well…if at all!
Most pizza ovens will either come with or offer covers that are sized to fit their products. For instance, Big Horn Piza Ovens have a very specific shape and need covers designed to fit their unique shape.
That brings us to grill and smoker covers. They are usually big enough to fit most pizza ovens and they are pretty ideal for dome-shaped pizza ovens. Blaze Grill Covers are a popular choice since they come in various sizes and they get a lot of praise for their durability.
What’s The Best Way To Cover An Outdoor Pizza Oven?
In general, the best way to cover an outdoor pizza oven is with a heat-resistant mesh material that can withstand high temperatures. Most ovens will come with a protective cover, but those are usually thinner and don’t offer as much protection as an after-market cover.
Some covers can attach directly onto your outdoor pizza oven while others will need to be placed over top like a tent.
Most outdoor pizza ovens should be taken inside, covered, and stored for maximum protection from the elements or animals that might want to get inside them. This is especially true if you live in an area where there are a lot of trees, leaves, squirrels, birds, etc…which can all cause damage without proper care and maintenance.
Of course, this is only meant for pizza ovens that are on carts or are portable and not for permanent structure ovens…meaning ovens that are built in place.
A permanent structure or built-in oven needs to be cleaned and covered with a heavy-duty cover or with a tarp or welders blanket if you plan to go long periods between uses or live in an area with harsher winter weather.
There are also universal outdoor pizza oven covers that will still keep your oven in good condition, but is not as specific or custom-made for the size and shape of your particular model.
These can be a more affordable option if you want something easy to install onto your oven. These are also ideal if you’ve custom-made your pizza oven so that it doesn’t fit particular brand or model dimensions.
If you don’t have a cover for your oven, it’s best to store the oven inside or in an open area where nothing can damage it. Though you should also make sure that there is not anything on the ground nearby such as dirt, ash from stoves and fireplaces, leaves from trees during the fall season, etc.
Final Thoughts
There are many options for covering your outdoor pizza oven…and you should definitely pick one (or multiple) to use so that you can keep your oven in great shape.
Remember to make an appropriate choice based on the size of your oven, how often you plan to use it, and what sort of weather conditions your area is prone to. There is no real “one-size fits all” cover but rather a variety so that everyone will be able to find something that is best for their own situation.
You’ve spent a lot of money on an oven and it’s a great way to get the family outside to prepare and have a meal together!
If you’re looking to get into pizza making in your backyard, here are a few recommendations (all under $400) to get you started.
Big Horn Outdoor Pizza Oven – This is a great portable model that uses wood pellets rather than logs or coals. It has a modern look, ultra-portable at just 25 pounds, and can cook a pizza in about 18 minutes. This model is affordable, usually coming in under $200, but check Amazon for current prices since it often goes on sale.
If you’re looking for a more traditional outdoor pizza oven but still has great portability, check out the U-Max Outdoor Pizza Oven. This model has an arched top that gives it a more familiar dome look and is also built into a cart, making rolling it in and out of the garage very simple. This model also uses wood logs as its heating source giving your pizza that delicious wood-fired taste.
When purchasing something that’s new to me I always try to find an “all-in-one” kit so that I know I have everything to get started without having to make multiple purchases on Amazon or multiple trips to the store. The all-in-one solution for outdoor pizza ovens is the Bertello Outdoor Piza Oven. This kit burns coal, gas, and wood and comes with a meat thermometer and a pizza peel.