Golden brown crust. Melting cheese. There’s nothing quite like the perfect slice of homemade pizza.
But the perfect slice of pizza can only come from the perfect baking process. And the perfect baking process is all about the temperature of the oven in which it was baked.
In this article, we will explore considerations for the ideal pizza oven temperature.
The Perfect Pizza Oven Temperature
Let’s get this out of the way up front: there is no perfect pizza oven temperature. After all, no two types of pizza are exactly alike. Consider a thicker Detroit-style pizza compared with a classic thin crust. If you were to bake both pizzas in the same pizza oven at the same temperature for the same amount of time, you’d end up with an empty stomach.
So, when considering the best pizza oven temperatures, consider first the kind of pizza you plan to make.
Style and Substance
Each pizza style has its own personality. And as a result, each pizza style requires different pizza oven temperatures. Let’s break it down:
Neapolitan Style: Hot and Fast
Traditional Italian pizza, with an airy crust and scant toppings, is typically cooked at a high temperature. This is because the high heat creates a blistered crust and perfectly melted cheese. Neapolitan style pizza is typically cooked at temperatures between 800 and 950 degrees Fahrenheit.
New York Style: Easy Does It
The pizza typically sold in and around New York has a denser , chewy crust. It also features more toppings. As a result, it is cooked at a lower temperature of between 450 degrees and 550 degrees Fahrenheit.
Chicago Style: Low and Slow
According to legendary Chicago pizza house Giordono’s, deep dish pizza, also known as Chicago style, requires a low temperature. Set your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 30 minutes. This long bake time will allow the heat to penetrate your massive concoction of cheese and sauce.
Eye on the Clock
Not all pizzas cook for the same length of time. Remember our notes about temperatures above? That temperature is directly correlated with how long you should cook your pie. Consider the following guidelines for the ideal cooking time:
- New York Style: this middle-of-the-road pizza requires a middle-of-the-road bake time. Out of a pizza oven, 8 to 10 minutes will net you a perfect crust every time.
- Italian Style: the light, airycrust of this pizza requires only one or two minutes in the oven. Yes, you read that right!
- Chicago and Detroit Style: these thicker, denser styles of pizza require up to 30 minutes in the oven.
If you’re feeling unsure, it never hurts to check on your crust as it cooks. Just remember to check your stone temperature with an infrared gun so that it’s within that 650-750 degrees Fahrenheit range!
It’s All in the Dough
Crust style isn’t everything. It’s also important to consider the type of dough being used when determining the ideal oven temperature for pizza. Different doughs require different cooking temperatures and times to achieve the desired texture and flavor.
For example, a sourdough pizza dough may require a lower temperature and longer cooking time to develop the right chewy texture. Conversely, a quick-rise pizza dough may require a higher temperature and shorter cooking time to achieve a crispy crust.
When in doubt, refer to the ingredients list on your dough to determine which temperature will serve it best.
Cut Slices, Not Corners
You may be wondering: can I just turn up the heat to cook my pizza faster? The answer is: you could, but it would affect your end result. Higher temperatures may result in faster cooking times for thinner elements on your pie, like pepperoni slices or veggies. However, a higher temperature is also likely to burn your crust, dry out your cheese, and worse.
Rather than trying to cut to the chase, just focus on the basics. Knead the best dough, find the best ingredients, and just let your pizza oven handle the rest.
Launch It and Watch It
The best way to maintain the right temperature for pizza oven cooking is to rely on the right pizza oven. Home ovens are great for general cooking, but the heat they deliver is often inconsistent. In contrast, a pizza oven is the best tool to level up your pizza game. After all, perfectly cooked pizza requires perfect heat.
With the Versa 16 Outdoor Pizza Oven or Versa 16 with Cover, simply set your ideal temperature, preheat the oven, and boom! In just a few minutes it’s pizza time. Its generous size can accommodate pizzas up to 16 inches. Further, its variable baking temperatures can handle everything from the densest deep dish to the wispiest thin crust.
Perfect, hot pizza doesn’t need to be a mystery any longer. Find the perfect temperature to cook pizza in an oven with the perfect pizza oven. Explore accessories that complement our pizza oven including our Cook + Serve Pizza Kit and Pizza Stone Cleaning Kit.