By Al Contarino, KettlePizza president and co-founder
What better time to highlight some of the benefits of a KettlePizza vs. a traditional brick or stone pizza oven than on 
National Pizza Day.
If you’re reading this post, you’ve likely thought about having a brick or stone pizza oven in your back yard. Who wouldn’t want one of these beauties gracing their lawn? And what better way to make new friends or rekindle relationships with long lost relatives:).
Many of you already know that George Peters and I had a similar dream, a dream that ultimately led to the establishment of KettlePizza. Since KettlePizza was founded, we’ve heard from many adventurous pizza lovers who thought it would be fun to build a backyard pizza oven, in part, due to the high cost of purchasing one. While I admire their passion and ambition, many have called me back to express their frustration about the inability to find the time to finish what they started.
For these folks, who may be price-sensitive and pressed for time but still insist on outstanding craftsmanship (USA craftsmanship, I should add) and excellent pizza, a KettlePizza is the perfect fit.
If you have looked at the alternatives, from a home-made brick or stone pizza oven for your yard to one you could buy assembled and installed, this post is specifically for you. You’ll see that KettlePizza is a great way to get started with an inexpensive pizza oven that doesn’t compromise quality and will deliver heavenly creations.
KettlePizza vs. a Traditional Backyard Pizza Oven
- Cost — KettlePizza kits with a Weber Kettle Grill costs between $200.00-$500.00, depending on the selected setup. The entry cost for a traditional pizza oven is no less than $1000.00, and that’s if you do the install yourself. Expect to pay $2500.00-$5000.00 and up if you have an oven professionally installed.
- Mobility — Because it’s light weight and on wheels, a KettlePizza and Weber Kettle Grill combo can be easily moved around a yard. If you’re taking the family on a summer vacation and renting a cottage for a week or two, don’t leave home without your outdoor wood-fired KettlePizza oven.
- Startup Time/Use — The KettlePizza takes about 20-25 minutes to get the charcoal/hardwood and the stone ready to start cooking pizza. Most traditional pizza ovens take an hour-and-a-half to get to temperature, so plan accordingly.
- Versatility – Since a KettlePizza is an oven, you can cook in it just about anything that you would cook in a standard oven. Traditional pizza ovens are great for cooking other foods as well, once you get past the learning curve.
If you can afford the cost, space requirements and the time to use it, a traditional pizza oven is a fantastic backyard addition for any pizza aficionado. But for those who may want to budget their money and time, but who value convenience and high quality, then the KettlePizza is an outstanding solution. And don’t forget — the KettlePizza is Made in the USA. If you’re interested in more information, please visit us at www.kettlepizza.com.
