Building a Backyard Pizza Oven: A Step-by-Step Guide

At Robert Kline Art, we’re passionate about handcrafted creations, and what’s more satisfying than a delicious pizza baked in your own wood-fired oven? This project combines artistry, craftsmanship, and the joy of cooking.

For years, I dreamt of building my own pizza oven, envisioning delicious, smoky pizzas enjoyed with friends and family. After years of planning, researching, and finally, building, my dream became a reality. Now, I’m excited to share my experience and guide you through building your own backyard clay pizza oven.

Step 1: Laying the Foundation

Every great creation needs a strong base. For my oven, I opted for a sturdy foundation using concrete lintels topped with four square flagstones. Underneath, I created a storage space for firewood.

Expert Tip: Consider leaving the back of the wood storage area open to enhance airflow and keep the wood dry.

Step 2: Mapping Out the Heart of Your Oven

With the base ready, I laid out fire bricks, sourced from a local supplier recommended by the fantastic UK Wood Fire Oven Forum, to visualize the oven floor’s size. This step is crucial for ensuring ample space for all the layers.

Step 3: Insulation – The Wine Bottle Method

For insulation, I chose the unique and environmentally-friendly method of using recycled wine bottles. After months of diligent “research” (drinking wine, of course!), I had a stockpile ready. The bottles, placed with gaps for heat expansion, were packed with a mixture of clay slip and sawdust.

Step 4: Creating the Oven Floor

A layer of builder’s soil mix under the fire bricks provides a level base. Carefully choose the best-fitting bricks for the center, where your pizzas will bake to perfection.

Step 5: Sourcing and Preparing the Clay

Finding suitable clay can be tricky. Luckily, my parents’ garden, blessed with clay-rich Cheshire soil, came to the rescue. We dug a sizeable hole (much to my mother’s delight, as it improved her garden soil), yielding enough clay for the project.

Key Takeaway: Remember to test your clay! Mix it with sand in various ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4), create small brick shapes, and allow them to dry. This helps determine the ideal mix for minimal shrinkage and cracking. For my oven, a 1:1 ratio worked perfectly.

Step 6: Building Day – A Family Affair

Building the oven’s dome was a team effort. We used a sand form as a mold, ensuring a perfect dome shape and the correct height for optimal heat efficiency. Damp newspaper layered atop the sand form helped with removal later.

The building mix, a well-combined blend of clay, sand, and water, was applied in handfuls, compacting each layer to create a 4-inch thick wall.

Step 7: Shaping the Dome

The initial rough shape of the dome was refined using a plastering trowel, resulting in a smooth, aesthetically pleasing form.

Step 8: Patience is Key – The Drying Process

Drying the dome took patience, especially during a particularly wet summer. I covered it with a tarpaulin for protection, allowing it to dry slowly and evenly for about three weeks. Once dry, I removed the sand form, added a brick arch entrance, and smoothed any imperfections on the oven’s inner surface.

Important Note: Gradual heating is crucial. I started with tea lights, then larger candles, and finally small kindling fires, slowly increasing the heat to avoid cracks.

Step 9: A Roof for Your Masterpiece

To protect the oven from the elements, I built a removable roof using fence posts. This added a charming, rustic touch and kept the oven dry.

Step 10: Crafting a Custom Door

A well-fitted door is essential for heat retention. I crafted a door using leftover fence posts, adding a routed gully for stove rope to create a tight seal.

Step 11: The Moment of Truth – Firing Up the Oven

With the oven complete, it was time to bake! Mastering fire management and cooking times takes practice, but the results are well worth the effort.

Step 12: A Pizza Recipe to Impress

Here’s a simple yet delicious Neapolitan pizza recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• Dough:

  • 637g Flour
  • 10g Salt
  • 3.15g Instant Yeast
  • 450ml Cool Water

• Sauce:

  • 400g Crushed Tomatoes
  • 1 Clove Garlic
  • 1/2 Tsp Red Wine Vinegar
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 1/2 Tsp Oregano
  • 1/2 Tsp Basil

• Toppings:

  • Fresh Mushrooms
  • Garlic
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Artichoke Hearts
  • Feta Cheese
  • Olives
  • Capers
  • Chilli Flakes

Instructions:

1. Combine flour, salt, and yeast. Add water and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
2. Knead for 10 minutes, or until the dough passes the windowpane test.
3. Divide into four balls, place in oiled containers, and let rise for 30 minutes. Refrigerate overnight.
4. An hour before baking, bring the dough to room temperature.
5. For the sauce, lightly blend or crush all ingredients.
6. Prepare your desired toppings.
7. Preheat the oven to high heat.
8. Stretch the dough and add toppings.
9. Bake in the preheated oven until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.

Building my backyard clay pizza oven was an incredibly rewarding experience. It brought family and friends together, allowed me to explore my creative side, and, most importantly, resulted in countless delicious pizzas.

I encourage you to embark on this fulfilling journey and experience the satisfaction of creating something truly unique and functional for your backyard. Don’t forget to share your creations and experiences with us at Robert Kline Art!