Who doesn’t love pizza? This yummy snack is enjoyed by people of all ages, and no matter where you live, you can find a place that sells it. If you’re someone who loves pizza as much as I do, you no doubt already know that the only thing better than a slice of pepperoni is making your own!
After all, who doesn’t love having total control over what goes into their food? Unfortunately, not everyone has the space or the money for a full-fledged pizza kitchen in their home.
This is where a pizza oven or a green egg come in. These are two different types of cooking equipment that can be used to make pizza at home. So, which is better? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each to help you decide.
What is a Pizza Oven?
A pizza oven is a large, heavy-duty heater used to cook pizza at high temperatures. The advantage of using a pizza oven is that the pizzas come out with a scorched or charred crust, which is what you want for a great pizza.
This type of oven is best for making large quantities of pizza at a time.
When you’re making pizza at home, you don’t have the luxury of stacking hundreds of pizzas in a warehouse.
Instead, you’ll have to make several pizzas at a time in a large, home oven. So, the only question that remains is, which is better for baking pizza at home: a pizza oven or a green egg?
What is a Green Egg?
A green egg is an outdoor oven that can be used to bake bread, cookies, and, of course, pizza. Green eggs are similar to cast iron cookware in that they can be used to make food with a crispy crust.
Unlike a conventional oven, however, a green egg doesn’t have a nonstick surface and can, therefore, be used only once.
Green eggs are great for camping or tailgating because they require no electricity and can be used almost anywhere outdoors. They can be placed directly on a campfire or used in a portable green egg cooker.
Pizza Oven vs. Green Egg: Which is Better?
I’ve heard it said that when it comes to pizza, you can’t please everyone, so which is better, a pizza oven or a green egg? The truth is that both appliances have their advantages and disadvantages and which one is right for you will depend on your specific needs. Let’s take a look at a few of these factors to help you decide.
Capacity – The average pizza oven can hold up to 10 pizzas, while a green egg can hold as many as six. This means that if you’re often in the habit of hosting parties, the pizza oven will be able to handle the demand while the green egg can only accommodate the smaller get-togethers.
Power Source – Many electric ovens are specifically designed to function with a pizza stone. These ovens typically use a more powerful 800-watt electric motor with an intensive heating element. On the other hand, a green egg relies on an open flame to generate heat. If you’re trying to keep your electric bill low, this might not be the best choice.
Bread Temperature – One of the main reasons pizza ovens are so popular is that they produce a hotter temperature for crisping the crust on your pizza. The average pizza stone temperature is about 500 degrees Fahrenheit, while the green egg produces less than half of that.
Heat Retention – The quality of heat a pizza oven produces is directly related to its ability to retain it. This is why pizza ovens are often vented, whereas a green egg does not have a fan to push the hot air out of the cooker.
Why Have a Pizza Oven?
Pizza ovens are great for making pizza at home because they let you cook pizza at a high temperature. This means you don’t have to worry as much about the thickness of the crust because the pizza is being cooked on a much higher temperature.
Traditional ovens, on the other hand, cook at a lower temperature, around 450 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that they can produce a thicker crust, but they don’t do as good of a job of crisping the toppings.
Why Have a Green Egg?
Baking with a conventional oven can be difficult because you don’t have the right shape or size of pan to bake the foods you want to make. This often results in burnt bread and treats that are hard as rock.
Fortunately, there are a few different options when it comes to baking with a green egg:
Green Egg Containers – You can use a pan that’s designed for an outdoor grill as an oven-top pan for your green egg. This works especially well when the green egg is placed over a campfire.
Cast Iron Pans – If you don’t want to use a pan that’s designed for an oven, you can use any cast iron pan you have in the kitchen instead.
Aluminum Pans – You can also use aluminum pans, but be careful not to use any nonstick coating, as this will ruin the surface of your pan.
Final Words: Is a Pizza Oven or a Green Egg Better for Baking Pizza?
The deciding factor in this debate will be what you’re planning to use the pizza oven or green egg for. If you’re looking for an appliance that can be used for many different cooking purposes, a pizza oven will fit the bill nicely. But if you’re mainly concerned about using it for baking pizza, a green egg is a better option.
Now that you know the pros and cons of both appliances, you can make an informed decision as to which one is right for you. After all, there are several options in both the pizza oven and the green egg markets, so it’s important to choose one that has all the right features to meet your needs.