With over a decade of experience as a chef, I’ve crafted pizzas to perfection at my restaurant, Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston. Throughout my career, I’ve tested numerous pizza ovens, and after using the Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven for several months, I’ve gained valuable insights into its functionality and performance.
It’s fueled by propane, giving a modern spin to the classic oven. It is designed to mimic a wood-fired brick oven, it has features like double-walled construction, custom burners, ventilation, and a cordierite ceramic pizza stone.
In my review of the Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven, I evaluated its quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and performed a real pizza cooking test to see how quickly it cooks. For a comprehensive look at my testing process and expertise, check out my article: “How I Test Pizza Ovens.”
Disclaimer: This review contains affiliate links to the Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven. If you decide to purchase through these links, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, my review is entirely based on my hands-on experience as a professional chef with over ten years in the restaurant industry. The affiliate links have not influenced my honest opinions or the feedback I’m providing here.
Features Of The Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven
The Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven has several features that help it stand out:
- The Double Layered Ceiling enhances heating dynamics and bakes like a brick oven.
- The pizza stone made of cordierite ceramic extracts moisture from the dough to help create an ideal crust.
- Oven can heat up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit, making it good for real pizza cooking.
- Micro-Adjust Valves allow for very accurate temperature control and quick reactions, making sure that your handmade pizzas are cooked perfectly.
Product Specifications
| Overall Dimensions w/out Shelf: | 15 IN x 26 IN x 16 IN |
| Stone Dimensions: | 13.25 IN x 20 IN |
| Oven Opening Dimensions: | 22.25 IN x 4.25 IN |
| Shelf Dimensions: | 5 IN x 23 IN |
| Total Output: | 17,000 BTUs/HR |
| Overall Weight: | 47 LBS |
Assembly And Usability Of The Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven
I found that putting together the Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven was quite easy. First, I attached the thermometer on top of the oven, then fixed a handle onto the door meant for pizzas, set up a shelf at its front and made it stable there, finally placing in it the pizza stone. All this took me slightly less than 30 minutes and did not require too much technical knowledge.
After putting it together, turning on the oven was easy. I only had to link the gas regulator, which was fixed to the firebox already, with a propane tank. After I made sure it was secure and tight, the Camp Chef instructions said to use soapy water to check if the gas connection has any holes. To light the Camp Chef oven, you turn a big knob at the front until you hear a click that tells you the oven has started. You can also hear when the burner begins to work. The manual for the oven suggests warming it up with the closed door for 10 to 15 minutes until it gets between 700 and 725 degrees Fahrenheit, but when I tried, it needed much more time to get that hot. The oven, after being warmed up for 40 minutes, reached just 600 degrees. I let it warm more for another 10 minutes and then started to cook when it was about 700 degrees.
Unboxing And First Impressions Of The Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven
The oven is made with a thinner metal which could impact how long it lasts. But still, its appearance isn’t too bad. The cooking space is a little small compared to other ovens in the similar price range, which might restrict the size of pizzas that can be made. However, the cordierite ceramic stone is good for baking pizzas consistently.
Quality And Materials Of The Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven
The Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven is made of stainless steel and has a solid base, with a smooth curved top.For stability it sits on big rubber-coated feet, its have a double-layer ceiling for extra rigidity. The oven has a door you can take off so that you don’t get too busy with heat, and there is a regulator at the back which connects to your propane tanks.
A red knob in front is for adjusting the gas fire, and above there’s a thermometer control to keep an eye on how hot it is getting. The heaters below where you put the pizza stone warm up slowly, but once it is time for baking they get it very hot.
Shape And Its Importance For Pizza Cooking
The Camp Italia Artisan Pizza Oven has a smooth dome top which is very important for cooking pizza. This rounded shape makes the hot air move all around in the same way, so it cooks everything evenly and well.
Temperature Control Of The Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven
This oven has a special feature that makes it similar to what professional pizza places use. It can get very hot, more than 750 degrees Fahrenheit. Not every type of pizza needs this much heat, but it helps in making the temperature steady and spread evenly on the baking stone. Also, after you open the door, it gets back to high temperature fast and there are fewer areas where it’s too hot or not enough. After trying different pizza ovens, I usually have to watch and change the temperature a lot with those ones. But with this oven, you just choose high, medium or low setting and then check the temperature on top of it. To get the same outcomes each time, I suggest you use an infrared thermometer to check how hot the stone is.
Using The Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven For The First Time
I discovered that although the oven has enough size to cook different kinds of food, it’s hard to move 12-inch pizzas inside for them to be cooked evenly because there isn’t much room. Also, this propane-powered oven does not give Italian pizzas the special smoky wood flavor which you would get from old-style brick ovens.
And because it’s an outdoor oven, the Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven could have problems when it’s windy; this can cause changes in temperature and make pizzas not bake evenly. I saw that when it is windy, the oven struggles to keep the right temperature and this can change how well you cook with it.
Power source of the Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven and what makes the best pizza?
This pizza oven runs on propane, eliminating the need to deal with the mess associated with using wood chips. You can use either a small 1-pound propane bottle or the standard-sized propane tank, as the oven comes with a hose and regulator included.
For me, the best pizza is known for its delicious flavor, especially when cooked in a wood-fired oven. Unfortunately, the Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven uses propane instead of wood, missing out on that distinct taste that makes pizza so special.
Size Of Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven
The oven has a good size. But it’s hard to rotate big pizzas for even cooking, and the low roof makes it tough to fit large or stackable items. Still, it cooks faster than regular ovens, so you can make several batches of food.
How to clean the Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven?
Cleaning up after making pizza is easy. Once it’s done cooking, I let the oven run for around 15 minutes to ensure any leftover flour and cheese get crispy and burn off. Then, I simply use a stainless steel bench scraper to scrape away the burnt bits. After that, I give the outside of the oven a quick wipe with a damp cloth. It usually takes about an hour for the stone to cool down before I can put it away.
Is it possible to use the Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven inside the house?
Yes, you could use it inside, however it is quite heavy at 47 pounds and does not move easily. Although capable of being used indoors, because it uses propane gas it is intended for outdoor use.
How much time does the Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven take to make a Margherita pizza?
The manual for the oven suggests baking thin-crust pies in four to seven minutes. I made Margherita pizza with homemade dough and found that it took nine minutes to cook. Both homemade fresh and pizzeria doughs were fully cooked after seven minutes, browned slightly but not burnt. However, frozen and refrigerated dough needed closer to ten minutes and had a crispy crust that did not bake through all the way to the center.
Pre-Heating Time On The Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven
The Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven uses a powerful burner to heat up quickly – in 20 minutes or less,to reach over 700°F.
What else can you cook in the Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven?
The different kinds of pizza I’ve made have been really great, and the more I use it the more I find out about it. I also tried to cook foods like pizza, chicken wings, garlic knots, lasagna, barbeque ribs, and they all tasted amazing. It preheats quickly so I use it as much or more than my regular oven. Cooking outside is also fun; and afterwards there’s less mess to clean up in my kitchen.
Drawbacks Of The Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven
My biggest concern is that the oven’s metal frame is quite thin. However, one advantage is that it’s small so it is easy to carry around. This design can be difficult to get used to if you are not familiar with a pizza oven. It may take a few tries before you get the hang of using your pizza around for even cooking. When baking for a party, I suggest making several small batches instead of one big pizza, or tray of a dish. The oven’s low roof limits how much can be piled on top, so I suggest using these more for pizzas or pastries. And, with this oven you won’t get a wood-fired flavor.
Price Of The Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven
It’s gonna cost you $399.99, without delivery on their official site. Though it may not be the top choice for casual users, I still think it’s a good option. But for people who like a little luxury and find it both exciting and practical -so long as they’re game to play around with temperatures -it can offer quite a lot. With a bit of experience and an infrared thermometer, this process is a doable one. View the price now on Amazon.
How does the Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven compare to other outdoor pizza ovens?
One thing I keep experiencing with the Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven was keeping it hot. After each pizza I made, the temperature would fall below 500 degrees. So I had to put the oven door back on and heat it up for about ten minutes before making the next one. If you don’t want to spend a lot on a professional outdoor oven or construct your own, tabletop models are a good choice. Some cheaper ovens from other brands may not heat up satisfactorily, leaving pizzas with a soft crust. Some similar ovens, like those from Ooni, can get much hotter – up to 900 degrees or so. The Camp Chef brings it up to 750 degrees; that was sufficiently hot for me, and I still got an okay crust. It wasn’t like with the hotter ovens where I just had to keep turning the pizzas, still the ovens did cook a bit faster. But in the long run you would probably be better off investing more into a better-quality oven.
User Reviews Of The Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven
Guy Fieri, a well-known chef, has used Camp Chef products for over 20 years. He introduced the Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven in 2019 on a pizza showdown with other chefs: Antonia Lofaso and Christian Petroni from Food Network, Aaron May who frequents AZTV 7 in Phoenix – where Fieri lives also with his son Hunter Fieri. According to them “The pizzas we cooked turned out great and they had the perfect char.”
Despite a little uneven performance on temperature, people across a wide range of platforms seem to love this product. One common complaint is that the oven is very thin, but because of it you can move it around easily when going camping. And if you’re looking for the wood taste in your pizza, this oven won’t give it to you. Don’t expect the same taste as from a wood-fired brick oven. Nevertheless, despite these points to consider, Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven is still a great product.
Read more reviews on Amazon; many are full of great experiences.
My Cooking Tips For The Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven
- Lower the heat to medium after preheating the oven on high.
- The oven’s built-in thermometer is quite accurate, but it’s a good idea to consider getting an infrared thermometer.
- If you’re storing the oven outside, think about getting a cover to protect it from the weather.
- When using lots of toppings, remember that the pizza might cook slower and unevenly. Keep an eye on it and rotate it if needed.
- Remember to clean the peel and stone after each use to help with the cooking process.
Is The Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven Worth It?
Pros:
- Easy to maintain
- Easy to set up
- Affordable
- Big cooking area
Cons:
- Pizzas take longer to cook
- Not as effective at achieving charred tops on pizzas
- Front and exterior of the oven become excessively hot to touch
- Temperature control is challenging
Chef’s Opinions
If you’re getting a pizza oven, I prefer Gozney Roccbox pizza ovens to the Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven. Gozney Roccbox ovens in general heat up faster and cook pizzas quicker, offering a better cooking experience. However, if you still choose the Camp Chef Italia, be aware that it may take longer to heat up and cook pizzas than you had thought. But the oven’s greater cooking surface and versatility, which even accommodates larger items have its appeal.
Beginners to pizza making would prefer the modern design and ease of using Gozney Roccbox pizza ovens. Nonetheless the Camp Chef Italia isn’t a bad choice. With a little practice and a good cooking strategy you’ll still be able to produce many delicious pizzas and other dishes.
Whether at home, in the garden or on a camping trip, the Camp Chef Italia pizza oven cooks great pizzas, and if you’re on a tight budget this is not that expensive either.
If you make a purchase, please consider using my referral link.