So you’re ready to make the most of your outdoor living space. Great decision! Now it’s time to decide what your focal point will be – a pizza oven or an outdoor fireplace.
Depending on your priorities, both options have pros and cons. Before you settle on one, consider the following factors:
- Functionality
- Aesthetics
- Purchase costs
- Maintenance
- And importantly, return on investment
In this article, we cover each of these points in detail to help you decide which is right for your property and lifestyle.
Pizza oven NZ
An outdoor pizza oven will turn your home into a social hub, no matter what the season. More versatile and permanent than a barbecue, a pizza oven makes it easy to churn out crispy pizzas, succulent roasts, or slow-cooking stews. Even two hours after the fire goes out, high heat retention allows you to keep cooking.
Pros of a pizza oven
- Wide range of cooking options
- High heat retention
- Restaurant-quality pizzas at home
- Aesthetically appealing
Cons of a pizza oven
- Does not heat the surrounding area
Types of pizza ovens
There are various types of pizza ovens on the market, varying in size, price, and style. Common examples include portable pizza ovens, DIY pizza oven kits, fully-assembled pizza ovens, and custom-made pizza ovens.
We recommend opting for a professional and durable wood-fired pizza oven that will add to the value of your property.
Bambino Elite
Our Bambino Elite pizza oven is perfect for smaller outdoor areas. The unit is compact and comes with a freestanding steel base, enabling you to make top-quality pizzas in limited space.
This way, you can achieve the same authentic taste but in a space-conscious package. This oven is ideal if you want to focus on mainly cooking pizzas.
Grande
Our Grande pizza oven features a thermally-engineered concrete shell and a steel stand with castors. This makes it easy to store away when not in use, or you can build the unit into a permanent stand to create an enduring focal point.
Given the size of the Grande, it's popular with people wanting to use it as a ‘wood-fired oven’ rather than just for cooking pizzas.
Maintenance
Every pizza oven has different care guidelines but it is generally recommended to clear out the ash that accumulates. Too much ash can limit the efficiency of your oven and may contaminate your food. We recommend giving it a full clean every few months.
If you can’t cover the pizza oven, you should cure it from time to time. This involves burning the oven at low heat to eliminate accumulated moisture. If you heat the oven to extreme temperatures while moisture is trapped inside, it may weaken and crack.
To avoid moisture getting into the oven, speak with the team at Trendz about painting or sealing it.
How much does a pizza oven cost?
Pizza ovens start at a few hundred and can range up to several thousand, depending on the quality, longevity, materials, and functionality. If you opt for a cheap unit, you could spend hundreds or even thousands on upkeep.
That’s why we recommend investing in a durable model that increases your property value and keeps your guests fed for years to come.
For example, the Bambino Elite starts at $3,995, including a wrought iron stand, granite bench, door, pizza paddle, flue, and a recipe book. The Grande comes as a completely built oven starting at $5,495 including a steel stand, door, pizza paddle, flue, and a range of recipes for you to try.
Aesthetic appeal
Wood-fired ovens are a fantastic way to add an elegant and rustic touch to an outdoor dining area. There are a variety of styles to choose from and, if you choose a built-in design, you can also choose from various cladding types:
- Plaster and paint
- Schist
- Brick
- Riverstone
- Mixed materials
Whether it be the flicker of a flame, the curved shapes, the chimney, or the cladding, there’s something about a pizza oven that will catch the eye of anyone who visits.
Functionality
If you’ve ever cooked pizza in a conventional oven, you’ll know the taste is nothing like authentic wood-fired pizza. With the crisp dough, perfectly melted cheese, and the smell of woodsmoke, it’s a captivating experience for the senses.
Pizza should cook for 2 to 5 minutes in an oven heated to 350-400°C, which isn't possible in most domestic ovens.
The thermally-engineered dome enhances heat retention inside the oven, which makes cooking easier and tastier. However, this means that pizza ovens do not provide ambient heat to the surrounding area and are not an effective heat source on cold evenings.
If you want an outdoor feature that provides heat and cooking functions, an outdoor fireplace may be the better choice.
Outdoor fireplace NZ
An outdoor fireplace transforms your backyard into a usable space all year round. Multi-functional and capable of pumping out plenty of heat, a fireplace makes it easy to entertain large crowds or enjoy a quiet night with your family.
Maintenance
If you choose a high-quality outdoor fireplace, it will be relatively low maintenance. With our Corten steel wood boxes, all you need to do is apply Rust Inhibiting Penetrating Oil (RIPO) every 3-6 months. This will form a rust barrier to protect against condensation and corrosion.
To keep your firebox insert looking its best, you may also like to spray a quick coat of paint every 6 months. See our full blog for more advice on how to care for an outdoor fireplace.
How much does an outdoor fireplace cost?
Depending on the fireplace you choose, it could cost from a few thousand to tens of thousands. For example, our Mini Burton starts from approximately $5,995 while a statement design like the Twin Peak may cost around $44,995.
We recommend investing in a quality outdoor fireplace from the start as it will not only increase the value of your property but will stay looking its best for a lot longer.
Aesthetic appeal
An outdoor fireplace will instantly elevate your backyard and provide a striking focal point. You can even choose from a wide range of cladding materials and silhouettes to complement your landscaping style. For example, fireplace cladding ideas include:
- Plaster and paint
- Custom schist
- Custom brick
- Custom riverstone
- Mixed materials
Functionality
Outdoor fireplaces serve more than one purpose, making them a wise investment and strategic use of available space. Fireplaces produce sufficient ambient heat to keep you warm all evening. The ideal size and heat output will depend on your space, so speak to our experts for tailored advice.
Some wood-fuelled fireplaces also have cooking capabilities. This means you can serve delicious meals without having to go into the house. For example, our swinging grill is mounted on a hinge, making it safe and easy to make all kinds of impressive meals.
You can also incorporate a range of accessories into your outdoor fireplace, including:
- A polished concrete hearth
- A GRC hearth
- Corten steel woodboxes
- GRC wood boxes
- Front door covers
Outdoor fireplaces and pizza ovens NZ
At Trendz, our pizza ovens and outdoor fireplaces provide safe cooking features and a stunning focal point all in one. Key benefits include:
- They’re easy to install.
- They’re built to last.
- They add to your property’s value.
- Our fireplaces also supply powerful heat all night long.
- We offer customisable shapes and claddings.
- We deliver to New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.
- All models are designed and manufactured in Taranaki.
Check out our guide to creating the ultimate outdoor space for more landscaping tips, project inspiration, and industry insights to transform your space.
If you’re interested in an outdoor fireplace or pizza oven, browse the range and contact our friendly team to get started.
Have a question? Contact us