The ProCook outdoor pizza oven has quickly become a favorite for home pizza enthusiasts, delivering professional-level results in a compact, backyard-friendly design. In our tests, it produced perfectly charred, crispy-bottomed pizzas in under two minutes, rivaling pizzas from dedicated pizzerias.
Design and Build Quality
The oven features a sturdy stainless steel body with a double-walled insulation layer, ensuring even heat distribution and efficient fuel use. The stone baking surface sits at the heart of the oven, absorbing and radiating heat to create that authentic wood-fired crust. The thermometer on the door allows for precise temperature monitoring, and the adjustable chimney helps control airflow and heat.
Assembly is straightforward, with clear instructions and all necessary tools included. The oven weighs in at 18 kilograms, making it portable enough for moving around the garden or taking to a campsite. The foldable legs and carry handles add to its portability, and the included weatherproof cover protects it when not in use.
Performance and Cooking Results
We fired up the ProCook oven with a mix of hardwood lump charcoal and a few oak chunks. It reached 400°C in about 20 minutes, which is on par with other premium outdoor ovens. The stone surface held its heat well, even when we loaded multiple pizzas back-to-back.
Our first margherita came out with a leopard-spotted crust, a slightly chewy interior, and a blistered, smoky char. The base was crisp and held its shape, with no sogginess in the center. We also tested a pepperoni pizza and a white pizza with ricotta and caramelized onions; both cooked evenly and quickly, each taking roughly 90 seconds to finish.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
Lighting the oven is simple: we used a chimney starter to get the charcoal going, then transferred it into the oven’s firebox. The oven’s design allows for easy fuel addition during cooking, and the ash drawer simplifies cleanup. After the oven cooled, we brushed off the stone and wiped down the exterior with a damp cloth—no stubborn residue remained.
The only minor gripe is that the thermometer probe sits a bit high, so the reading reflects the top of the oven rather than the stone surface. But with a little practice, you learn to adjust cooking times accordingly. The oven also comes with a 12-month warranty, which is standard for this price range.
Value and Verdict
At £399, the ProCook outdoor pizza oven sits in the mid-to-upper price bracket, but its performance justifies the cost for serious pizza makers. It produces excellent results consistently, is well-built, and is easy to maintain. If you’re looking for a reliable outdoor oven that can also roast vegetables or bake bread, this is a strong contender.
We were impressed by the overall quality and the pizzas it produced. For anyone who loves making pizza at home and wants a dedicated outdoor setup, the ProCook oven is a worthy investment that will deliver delicious results for years to come.
