Okay, so, a while back, I got this idea stuck in my head that I wanted an outdoor brick oven. You know, the kind you see in those fancy Italian restaurants where they make the best pizzas? Yeah, that’s the one. I thought, “Why not bring that to my backyard?” Sounds cool, right?
So I started looking around. I went to Lowe’s, checked out some ready-made outdoor pizza ovens. They looked pretty slick, easy to install, and came in different styles. But, man, were they pricey! We’re talking a few thousand bucks for some of these. I mean, I like pizza, but not that much.
Then I stumbled upon these Ninja Woodfire Pizza Ovens. They were a bit more affordable, around $400, and had all these extra features. 8-in-1, 700F, smoker, the whole nine yards. They even had one on display that caught my eye. Still, I wasn’t completely sold. I wanted something more… authentic, I guess?
I saw a bunch of other brands too, like Ooni and Bertello. The Bertello one was kinda neat, it was portable and all. There was even a video showcasing how to use it, which was kinda helpful. But again, the price. Plus, I wanted something more permanent, something I could build myself.
That’s when I started thinking about building one from scratch. I mean, how hard could it be? Just a bunch of bricks, right? I found out that the best bricks to use are fire bricks. They can handle high temperatures without cracking, which is exactly what I need. Apparently, regular cured bricks still have water in them and they can explode when heated. No, thank you.
I did some more digging and found out that building a brick oven yourself can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000, depending on the size and the materials you use. That’s still a hefty chunk of change, but I figured I could probably do it cheaper if I was smart about it.
So, I started gathering materials. I hit up some local suppliers, got some used stuff, and even scored some fire bricks. The cost was a fraction of buying a pre-made one.
- First step: I cleared a spot in my backyard. It took a whole day, just digging and leveling the ground. It was tiring, to say the least.
- Next, I laid the foundation. I used concrete blocks and some leftover pavers I had. It wasn’t perfect, but it was solid.
- Then came the fun part: stacking the bricks. I started with the base, then slowly built up the walls, forming the dome shape. It was like playing with adult LEGOs. It took a few weekends, and a lot of sweat, but I got it done.
- After that, I needed to let the oven cure. This means letting it dry out completely before firing it up. It took about a week.
- Finally, the moment of truth. I lit a small fire in the oven, slowly increasing the temperature over a few hours. I was so nervous, hoping it wouldn’t crack or fall apart.
But guess what? It held up! My homemade brick oven was a success! The first pizza I made in it was amazing. The crust was crispy, the cheese was bubbly, and the taste was out of this world. It was way better than any pizza I’d ever bought.
It was not easy, I have to tell you. My back hurt, my hands were rough, and I spent way more time than I thought I would. But you know what? It was totally worth it. I’ve got my own brick oven, and I made it with my own two hands. Now, I use it all the time, to bake pizza or anything else, it is just a cool place for my family!
So, if you’re thinking about getting an outdoor pizza oven, don’t be afraid to try building one yourself. It’s a lot of work, but it’s also a lot of fun. And the pizza? Don’t even get me started. It’s the best!