This review dives into the Big Horn Outdoors 16” Wood Pellet Pizza Oven, a portable outdoor pizza oven offering convenience and delicious results. Priced affordably at around $200 (prices may vary), this oven comes with essential accessories including a handle, chimney, and a cap to control airflow and prevent excessive fire. The built-in thermometer and viewing window provide convenient monitoring of the cooking process, although soot buildup on the glass may limit visibility over time. Construction includes a sizable cooking stone, capable of baking larger pizzas. While it doesn't include a pizza peel or turner, it does come with a scooper, ash poker, and a grate. The oven features adjustable air vents for controlling burn speed and an automated pellet feed system, surpassing expectations in terms of efficiency.
Beyond its core features, additional accessories enhance the user experience. The reviewer notes purchasing a convenient cover for protection, along with a specialized pizza dough cutter, all readily available and easily integrated with the oven. A comparison is made with a smaller, less versatile model, highlighting the Big Horn's superior size and capacity for larger pizzas. Ultimately, this review offers a comprehensive look at the oven's performance, ease of use, and overall value, examining both its strengths and shortcomings to help potential buyers make an informed decision.
Pros And Cons
- Comes with handle, chimney, cap, thermometer, and window
- Window allows viewing of cooking process
- Auto-feeding works well
- Adjustable burn speed
- Soot gets on the glass window, obstructing view
- Does not come with pizza peel or turner
Read more: PIEZANO Crispy Crust Pizza Oven: A Comprehensive Review
Unboxing and Initial Impressions
Upon receiving the Big Horn pizza oven, I was immediately impressed by its size. It's significantly larger than I anticipated, promising ample space for pizzas. The packaging included all the necessary components: a handle, chimney, cap, thermometer, and even a small grate. The included tools, like the ash poker and scooper, seemed sturdy and functional.
The oven boasts a convenient window, allowing for visual monitoring of the cooking process. However, I noticed that soot accumulates on the glass, potentially obscuring the view over time. This is a minor drawback, easily manageable with regular cleaning.
Features and Functionality
The Big Horn oven features an adjustable air intake, allowing for control over the burn rate. This is a welcome feature for precise temperature regulation. The pellet hopper feeds automatically, a surprising and convenient aspect I hadn't expected. The overall build quality feels solid and well-constructed.
It's important to note that the pizza peel and turner are sold separately, requiring an additional purchase. While the oven itself comes with a stone base, consider purchasing a cover to protect it from the elements when not in use. I purchased a cover from Big Horn and found it to be a perfect fit.
Pizza Making Process
I typically use 'Simona flour' to prevent sticking. I apply olive oil to my hands for easy dough manipulation. The process involves stretching and shaping the dough, creating a thin crust. The sauce and cheese are key components; I prefer a specific brand of cheese which makes a huge difference to the taste and texture of the pizza.
The pizza is cooked until the crust is golden brown. I monitor both the top and bottom to ensure even cooking. The entire process is quite straightforward, even for someone with less experience making pizza.
Performance and Observations
The Big Horn oven maintains a consistent temperature, making it simple to bake a well-done pizza. The stone heats up efficiently, providing a crispy crust. However, the soot buildup on the oven window is still a minor annoyance, reducing visibility during the cooking process.
I found the automatic pellet feeding to be remarkably reliable, requiring minimal intervention. The oven's size allows for larger pizzas, a significant upgrade from smaller models. The only significant issue is the soot build-up on the window.
Conclusion
Overall, the Big Horn Outdoors 16” Wood Pellet Pizza Oven is a robust and efficient pizza oven. Its larger size, automatic pellet feeding, and adjustable air intake provide excellent control and convenience. While the soot buildup on the window is a small drawback, the oven’s performance and features outweigh this minor inconvenience.
The oven's impressive size allows for baking large pizzas. While some accessories need to be purchased separately, the oven’s quality and performance make it a worthwhile investment for pizza enthusiasts seeking a superior outdoor cooking experience. I highly recommend it.
