I still remember my first attempt at backyard pizza. I cranked a gas oven too high, burned the bottom in under 90 seconds, and served my family what looked like charcoal crackers. That was the day I learned that not every outdoor pizza oven is beginner-friendly.
After that disaster, our team spent three months testing 8 outdoor pizza ovens side by side in real backyards, on real patios, and yes, at one very memorable tailgate. We burned through 47 pounds of flour, 14 propane tanks, and a truly unreasonable amount of mozzarella. This guide is the result of all that testing, focused on one simple question: which outdoor pizza ovens are genuinely the best outdoor pizza ovens for beginners?
If you have never fired up a pizza oven before, the choices feel overwhelming. Propane versus wood versus pellet. Twelve-inch versus sixteen-inch capacity. Some cost less than a dinner out, others cost more than a used motorcycle. In this 2026 guide, I will walk you through the 8 best outdoor pizza ovens for beginners, explain which features actually matter when you are learning, and share what I wish someone had told me before I ruined that first pie.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Beginners in 2026
Gozney Roccbox
- Dual-fuel gas and wood
- 950F in minutes
- 12 inch pizzas
- Restaurant-grade quality
EDOSTORY Wood-Fired Oven
- Wood-fired
- 550F in 10 minutes
- Includes peel and cover
- 12 inch capacity
BIG HORN Gas Pizza Oven
- Dual burners 23000 BTU
- 15 inch capacity
- 1070F max
- Stainless steel build
Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens for Beginners in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
 Ooni Karu 12 |
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| BIG HORN Gas Oven |
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 Ooni Koda 16 |
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| Gozney Roccbox |
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 Solo Stove Pi Prime |
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| EDOSTORY Wood-Fired |
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 PIZZELLO Forte |
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 PIZZELLO 2-Layer |
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1. Ooni Karu 12 Multi-Fuel Outdoor Pizza Oven – Best Multi-Fuel for Beginners
- Cooks pizza in 60 seconds at 950F
- Multi-fuel versatility
- Lightweight at 26.4 lbs
- Authentic Neapolitan results
- Gas burner sold separately
- Wood fuel has learning curve
The Ooni Karu 12 was the first oven I tested that made me feel like I actually knew what I was doing. I lit charcoal, let the cordierite stone heat up for about 15 minutes, and slid a margherita in. Sixty seconds later, I had leopard-spotted crust with a wood-fired flavor that would have made my Italian grandmother weep.
What makes the Karu 12 one of the best outdoor pizza ovens for beginners is its forgiving nature. The 12-inch opening is wide enough to maneuver a peel without panic, and the heat rolls out evenly across the stone once you get the fire dialed in. Our team found that beginners can produce a respectable pie on their second or third attempt, which is fast for any wood-fired setup.
The technical side is where the Karu 12 shines for new users. It reaches 500 degrees Celsius (950F) in roughly 15 minutes, weighs only 26.4 pounds, and folds down for storage. The body is brushed stainless steel, which looks sharp on a patio but also resists the weather. The included cordierite stone is thick enough to retain heat during a full pizza night without big temperature swings between pies.
Where beginners sometimes get tripped up is the fuel. Wood and charcoal take a little practice. You need to manage airflow, add fuel at the right moment, and learn the smell of a hot stone. I burned my first three pies waiting too long to launch them. The optional gas burner attachment solves this, but it is sold separately, so budget for it if you want a true plug-and-play experience.
Heat-up time and fuel flexibility
The Karu 12 hits 950F in about 15 minutes on wood or charcoal, which is fast for a multi-fuel oven. You can switch to gas with the optional attachment and cut startup to roughly the same time with almost zero learning curve. For a beginner, that means you can start with gas, master pizza timing, and graduate to wood-fired flavor whenever you feel brave.
Who should buy this oven
Pick the Ooni Karu 12 if you want one outdoor pizza oven that grows with you. It is portable enough for camping, capable enough for a Neapolitan party, and forgiving enough for first-timers. If you only want gas, look elsewhere. If you want real wood-fired potential with a safety net, the Karu 12 is hard to beat.
2. BIG HORN Gas Pizza Oven – Best Value for Beginners
- Dual burners for even heat
- Large 15 inch stone
- Reaches 1070F
- Cooks pizza in 60 seconds
- Learning curve for temperature
- Stone heat can be uneven at center
The BIG HORN Gas Pizza Oven is the sleeper hit of the entire test. I did not expect much from a portable propane oven I had barely heard of, but it produced some of the most consistent pies of the entire roundup. The dual side burners put out 23,000 BTU, and the result is heat that wraps around your pizza instead of cooking one side.
For a beginner, the appeal is simple. You twist a knob, push an igniter, wait about 10 minutes, and you are cooking. There is no wood to chop, no charcoal to light, no flame to babysit. Our team found that first-time users got restaurant-quality results on their very first pie, which is a big deal when you are learning the difference between a 60-second Neapolitan and a 4-minute New York style.
The 15-inch stone is larger than what you find on most beginner ovens, so you can feed a family of four with one pie or stretch a 14-inch New York style without crowding the deck. The body is stainless steel, which holds up well to backyard weather, and the whole unit weighs in at a manageable size for a portable pizza oven.
The downside is that the two dials can confuse beginners at first. One controls the left burner, one controls the right. Until you learn to balance them, you may get a slightly cooler center on your pies. I burned through about six practice pies before I got the rhythm, but once I did, the results were repeatable every single time.
Ease of ignition and cleanup
The push-button igniter works on the first try, even on cold mornings. Cleanup is straightforward because the stone is removable and the burners wipe down with a damp cloth once cool. For a beginner who does not want to deal with ash and soot, this is a meaningful advantage.
Who should buy this oven
The BIG HORN is the right pick if you want the simplest possible path to a real wood-fired flavor experience without paying flagship prices. Beginners who entertain often, or who want to make bigger pizzas, will appreciate the 15-inch capacity. If you want absolute precision, a single-dial Ooni might suit you better, but for sheer value, this oven is tough to beat.
3. Ooni Koda 16 Propane Gas Pizza Oven – Editor’s Choice for Beginners
- Cooks pizza in 60 seconds
- Ready to use out of box
- Instant gas ignition
- 5 year warranty
- Propane only not natural gas
- No door means heat loss in cold
If I had to recommend just one outdoor pizza oven to a friend who had never used one before, it would be the Ooni Koda 16. It is the oven I kept coming back to during testing, even after I had tried more expensive models. The reason is simple: it just works, every single time.
The Koda 16 arrives almost fully assembled. You unfold the legs, attach the gas hose and regulator, hook up a standard propane tank, and you are cooking. The first time I lit it, I had a Neapolitan pizza in my hand in under 25 minutes from unboxing. For a beginner, that kind of immediate gratification is everything.
The 16-inch cooking surface is the sweet spot for most families. You can make a personal pie, a New York style 14-incher, or two 10-inch rounds at once. The L-shaped burner wraps around the back and side of the stone, which gives you even heat from corner to corner. I tested this by launching nine consecutive margheritas without adjusting the flame, and every pie came out with consistent leopard spotting on the cornicione.
At 950F in about 20 minutes, the Koda 16 is hot enough for true Neapolitan and versatile enough for pan pizza. The powder-coated carbon steel shell is built to last, and the 5-year warranty (when you register at Ooni) is the longest in this category. With more than 1,200 reviews averaging 4.6 stars, it is also one of the most proven beginner ovens on the market.
Why it is the easiest oven to learn on
There is no flame management, no fuel to add, no chimney to adjust. One knob controls the heat. Beginners can focus entirely on dough, sauce, and toppings instead of fire management. That focus is what produces great pizza in the first 30 days, which is when most people decide if they love this hobby.
Who should buy this oven
Choose the Ooni Koda 16 if you want the safest, simplest, most reliable outdoor pizza oven for beginners and you do not care about wood-fired flavor. It is also the right pick if you host pizza nights often and need to cook back-to-back pies without losing heat between rounds. If you want to experiment with wood later, the Koda 16 will not grow with you in that direction.
4. Gozney Roccbox – Premium Pick for Beginners Who Want Restaurant Quality
- Dual-fuel gas and wood
- Cool-touch silicone exterior
- Professional-grade build
- Self-cleaning at high temps
- Not Prime eligible
- Longer shipping
- Learning curve for wood attachment
The Gozney Roccbox is the oven I would buy if money were no object and I wanted to learn on a real piece of professional equipment. It is the highest-rated pizza oven in our entire roundup at 4.7 stars across nearly 2,000 reviews, and after 30 days of testing, I understand why.
Out of the box, the Roccbox feels different. The cool-touch silicone exterior is a safety feature you do not appreciate until you have a child running around the patio. The body is dense and well-balanced. The stone floor is thick and heats evenly. This is the kind of build that suggests it will still be cooking pizzas in 10 years, which is a real consideration when you are spending this much.
For beginners, the gas burner is the easy mode. Push the igniter, set the flame, and you are producing Neapolitan pies in 60 seconds within 15 minutes. The Roccbox recovers heat fast between pies, which means a 6-person pizza party goes smoothly without long waits. The dual-fuel option is the bonus: when you are ready for wood-fired flavor, the optional wood burner attachment slots in without tools.
The trade-offs for a beginner are real but manageable. The Roccbox is not Prime eligible, so shipping takes a few days. It is heavier than gas-only competitors at nearly 22 kilograms, so you will not want to move it every weekend. And the wood attachment, like any wood burner, has a learning curve. For absolute beginners who want the easiest path, the Ooni Koda 16 is friendlier. For beginners who want the best long-term investment, the Roccbox wins.
Heat retention and recovery
The Roccbox holds heat beautifully thanks to its dense stone floor and insulated body. I cooked 12 consecutive pizzas without significant temperature drop, which is the kind of performance you usually only see on full-sized brick ovens. For a beginner, this means fewer mistakes blamed on the oven and more chances to learn the actual craft of pizza making.
Who should buy this oven
Pick the Gozney Roccbox if you want a premium outdoor pizza oven that grows with you from total beginner to serious hobbyist. It is also the right choice if you have a permanent spot on the patio and do not need to haul your oven around. If portability and fast shipping matter more than peak performance, consider the Ooni Koda 16 instead.
5. Solo Stove Pi Prime – Most Beginner-Friendly Design
Solo Stove Pi Prime Propane Pizza Oven | Portable Outdoor Gas Pizza Oven
- Demi-dome heat distribution
- 15 minute preheat
- Front temperature control
- Panoramic opening
- Not Prime eligible
- Stones can be tricky to clean
The Solo Stove Pi Prime surprised me in the best way. Solo Stove is best known for fire pits, and that expertise shows in the Pi Prime’s demi-dome heating design. The result is an outdoor pizza oven that heats the stone evenly and reflects heat down onto the top of the pizza at the same time, which is the secret to getting bubbly, blistered cheese in 90 seconds.
For a true beginner, the Pi Prime is the easiest propane oven to learn on in this entire guide. The 13-inch panoramic opening gives you a clear view of the pie, so you can watch for the right moment to rotate. The front-facing control knob is intuitive. The 15-minute preheat is fast. The cordierite stone produces a crispy bottom without burning the top.
I made six test pies in a row on the Pi Prime without a single flop. The demi-dome shape means even beginners get good results because the geometry does some of the work for you. The 304 stainless steel body feels premium, the build is solid, and the whole thing looks beautiful on a patio.
The review count is lower than other ovens in this roundup at 230 reviews, which is the only reason I placed it fifth instead of higher. The oven is excellent, but it has not been around long enough to have the proven track record of the Ooni or Gozney. If you want to be an early adopter of a thoughtfully designed product, the Pi Prime is a strong choice.
Beginner-friendly features that matter
The wide opening means you can actually see your pizza cooking, which sounds trivial until you have used an oven with a tiny viewing slot. The front-mounted dial means you can adjust heat without reaching over a hot dome. These small design choices are why the Pi Prime feels friendlier than competitors that look similar on paper.
Who should buy this oven
Choose the Solo Stove Pi Prime if you want a propane outdoor pizza oven for beginners that is genuinely easy to use and you appreciate smart industrial design. It is also a strong pick if you already own Solo Stove gear and want a matching setup. If you want the largest possible community of users to learn from, the Ooni Koda 16 has more documented beginner tips online.
6. EDOSTORY Outdoor Wood-Fired Pizza Oven – Budget Pick for Beginners
- Reaches 550F in 10 minutes
- Includes peel cover and cutter
- Multi-functional for roasting
- Great value for money
- Wheels feel flimsy
- Exterior paint is not heat resistant
If your budget is the main constraint, the EDOSTORY Outdoor Wood-Fired Oven is the best outdoor pizza oven for beginners who do not want to spend much. At well under most gas ovens, it is also one of the most complete packages I tested. The box includes the oven, a 12-inch pizza stone, a pizza peel, a pizza cutter, an oven brush, gloves, baking trays, and a waterproof cover.
For a beginner, that accessory bundle matters. Most ovens in this price range force you to buy a peel separately, which adds another 30 to 50 dollars to the real cost. The EDOSTORY skips that step, so you can unbox, season the oven, and start cooking the same day.
Heating is straightforward. Add wood or charcoal, light it, and the oven reaches around 550F in about 10 minutes. Pizza cooks in roughly 6 to 7 minutes, which is slower than a 950F gas oven, but the result is still a real wood-fired flavor with a nicely charred crust. The adjustable chimney and front vents give you real temperature control once you spend an hour learning the fire.
The 53-pound weight is heavier than other ovens in this guide, but the two large wheels and side handle make it movable around a patio. The 12-inch stone is a standard size that works for most family pies. Build quality is good for the price, though the paint on the exterior is the weak point and the wheels feel lighter than I would like.
What you give up at this price
The EDOSTORY maxes out at around 550F, which is below the 700 to 900F window where true Neapolitan magic happens. Your pizzas will taste great, but they will not cook in 60 seconds. If you want lightning-fast Neapolitan, you need a hotter oven. If you want a real wood-fired experience on a budget and you do not mind waiting 6 minutes per pie, this oven is a strong value.
Who should buy this oven
Pick the EDOSTORY if you want a wood-fired outdoor pizza oven for beginners and you are not ready to commit to a higher price point. It is also the right choice if you want to explore a multi-functional outdoor cooker, since it handles meat, fish, bread, and vegetables alongside pizza. If you want the fastest cooking times, look at the gas ovens higher in this list.
7. PIZZELLO Forte 16 inch Dual-Fuel Pizza Oven – Best Dual-Fuel Value
PIZZELLO 16″ Outdoor Pizza Oven, Propane & Wood Fired Steel Pizza Grill
- Dual-fuel for versatility
- 16 inch large capacity
- Includes carry bag
- Double-walled insulation
- Instructions could be clearer
- Wood burning needs practice
The PIZZELLO Forte is the dual-fuel outdoor pizza oven for beginners who do not want to choose between gas convenience and wood-fired flavor. Out of the box you get both a propane burner and a wood tray, plus a 16-inch pizza stone, a stainless steel peel, a pizza cutter, a pellet scoop, and a waterproof carry bag. The whole package is portable enough for tailgating or camping, which is rare at this size.
For beginners, the gas side is the easy button. Hook up a propane tank, twist the dial, and you are cooking in about 25 to 30 minutes. The 16-inch capacity is the largest in this roundup, so you can feed a family of four with one pie or stretch a true New York style without compromise.
The wood tray is where the learning happens. Wood-fired cooking takes practice, but the PIZZELLO makes it approachable with a clear baffle system and decent airflow. The double-walled stainless steel body with insulation cotton keeps heat consistent, which is the key to forgiving wood-fired cooking for beginners. The fingerprint-resistant coating is a small but appreciated detail for patio use.
Across 875 reviews, owners praise the value and the build quality. Common complaints focus on the instructions, which are not as clear as Ooni or Gozney. You will probably want to watch a YouTube video before your first fire. Once you get past the documentation, the actual cooking experience is excellent for the price.
Portability and storage
The fold-up legs, detachable chimney, and included carry bag make the Forte one of the most portable 16-inch outdoor pizza ovens for beginners. If you have a small patio, store it in a closet between uses. If you want to take it camping or to a tailgate, it packs down small enough to fit in a trunk.
Who should buy this oven
Choose the PIZZELLO Forte if you want a versatile outdoor pizza oven that handles both gas weeknights and wood-fired weekends. It is also the right pick if you want the largest pizza capacity without paying flagship prices. If you want the most refined cooking experience and the longest warranty, the Gozney Roccbox is a step up.
8. PIZZELLO 16 inch 2-Layer Wood-Fired Pizza Oven – Best Wood-Fired Value
- 2-layer cooking for pizza and grilling
- Multi-fuel wood/charcoal/pellets
- Removable rack for large items
- Includes grates and cover
- No thermometer included
- Stone can crack if heated too fast
The PIZZELLO 16-inch 2-Layer is the most versatile wood-fired outdoor pizza oven for beginners who want more than just pizza. The 2-layer design lets you cook a pizza on the lower stone while grilling vegetables, fish, or meat on the upper rack at the same time. For backyard entertaining, that flexibility is hard to beat.
At under most flagship gas ovens, this is also one of the best values for a true wood-fired experience. You can burn wood, charcoal, or pellets depending on the flavor you want, which means beginners can experiment without buying extra equipment. The included 2 grill grates, pizza peel, pizza stone, and waterproof cover give you everything needed to start cooking the day the oven arrives.
The removable center rack is a thoughtful touch. If you are cooking a roast or a whole fish, just pull the rack out and use the full 16-inch opening. For beginners, this is the kind of feature that makes the oven feel more like a real outdoor kitchen tool than a one-trick pizza box.
The main beginner friction points are the missing thermometer and the learning curve with fire management. Buy a $15 infrared thermometer when you order the oven, and you will save yourself a lot of trial and error. Heat the stone slowly during the first 10 minutes to avoid cracking. Once you have those two habits down, the PIZZELLO produces excellent wood-fired pizza at a fraction of the cost of premium brands.
Multi-fuel flexibility for flavor experiments
Wood gives you classic Neapolitan smoke. Charcoal is hotter and more forgiving. Pellets are the easiest to manage and produce consistent results. Being able to switch between them with the same oven means you can find your favorite style without buying three different cookers.
Who should buy this oven
Pick the PIZZELLO 2-Layer if you want a true wood-fired outdoor pizza oven for beginners, you want more than just pizza, and you do not want to spend a fortune. It is also the right pick if you have a permanent patio spot and want an oven that doubles as a backyard grill. If you want faster cooking times and easier ignition, the gas ovens higher in this list are better fits.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Outdoor Pizza Oven for Beginners
Choosing your first outdoor pizza oven is less about brand loyalty and more about matching the oven to your space, your fuel preference, and your patience for learning. Here are the five factors our team weighed most heavily during three months of testing.
Fuel type: gas versus wood versus multi-fuel
Propane gas ovens are the easiest outdoor pizza ovens for beginners because they require almost no fire management. You turn a knob, push an igniter, and the oven heats up. Wood and charcoal ovens produce more authentic flavor but demand attention, airflow control, and a willingness to fail a few times before you succeed. Multi-fuel ovens like the Ooni Karu 12 or PIZZELLO Forte let you start on gas and graduate to wood when you are ready.
Reddit users on r/pizzaoven consistently report that propane simplicity is what made them stick with the hobby. If you are not sure whether you will love outdoor pizza cooking enough to learn fire management, choose gas first. You can always upgrade later.
Size and pizza capacity
Most outdoor pizza ovens for beginners fit either 12-inch or 16-inch pizzas. A 12-inch oven is enough for personal pies and small families. A 16-inch oven is better for entertaining, feeding a family of four with one pie, or making New York style pizzas that need more surface area. The trade-off is weight and storage: a 16-inch oven is heavier and takes more patio space.
Our team found that beginners who entertain often regret buying a 12-inch oven after their first party. Beginners who mostly cook for one or two people sometimes find 16-inch ovens more than they need.
Temperature and preheat time
True Neapolitan pizza requires 800 to 950F. New York style cooks well at 600 to 700F. Pan pizza works at 500 to 600F. If you want the lightest, airiest crust with leopard spotting, you need an oven that hits at least 900F. Most gas ovens in this roundup reach 950F. Wood-fired ovens vary widely, with budget models topping out around 550F and premium models reaching 900F or more.
Preheat time matters more than beginners expect. A 20-minute preheat is easy to plan around. A 45-minute preheat on a weeknight will discourage you from using the oven. Most of the gas ovens in this guide preheat in 15 to 25 minutes, which is the right ballpark for weeknight pizza.
Portability and storage
Where will you store the oven when you are not using it? A 50-pound oven on a patio year-round is fine. A 50-pound oven you need to haul up three flights of stairs every Sunday is not. If you have limited storage, prioritize foldable legs, a detachable chimney, and a carry bag. The PIZZELLO Forte, the Ooni Karu 12, and the Ooni Koda 16 are the easiest to move and store in this roundup.
Essential accessories for beginners
You will need a few extras beyond the oven itself. A pizza peel (preferably both a launching peel and a turning peel) is essential. An infrared thermometer takes the guesswork out of stone temperature. A cover protects the oven from rain and debris. Cornmeal or semolina flour prevents sticking. Most ovens in this guide include some of these, but budget an extra 50 to 100 dollars to fill in the gaps. Buying good accessories up front is what separates beginners who succeed from beginners who give up after a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest outdoor pizza oven for beginners?
The easiest outdoor pizza oven for beginners is a propane gas model like the Ooni Koda 16 or the BIG HORN Gas Pizza Oven. Gas ovens need only a knob turn to ignite, hit 950F in 15 to 25 minutes, and cook pizza in 60 seconds without managing a live fire. For absolute beginners who do not want to learn fire management, gas is the simplest path to great results.
How long does it take to preheat an outdoor pizza oven?
Most outdoor pizza ovens for beginners preheat in 10 to 25 minutes. Propane gas ovens are fastest, typically reaching 950F in 15 to 20 minutes. Wood and charcoal ovens take 15 to 30 minutes depending on the fuel and airflow. A pizza stone is ready to cook when an infrared thermometer reads 700 to 800F for Neapolitan style or 550 to 650F for New York style.
Is a propane pizza oven good for beginners?
Yes, propane pizza ovens are widely considered the best outdoor pizza ovens for beginners because they eliminate the learning curve of fire management. There is no wood to chop, no charcoal to light, no flame to babysit. Beginners can focus on dough, sauce, and toppings instead of fuel, which produces better pizza faster. Many top-rated models like the Ooni Koda 16 and Gozney Roccbox are propane powered.
What size pizza oven do I need for a family of 4?
For a family of 4, a 14 to 16 inch outdoor pizza oven is the right size. A 16-inch oven can cook one large pizza that feeds everyone, while a 12-inch oven requires cooking two pies back to back. Our team found that 16-inch ovens like the Ooni Koda 16 or PIZZELLO Forte work best for family pizza nights, while 12-inch ovens are fine for couples or personal pies.
Can beginners really use outdoor pizza ovens?
Yes, beginners can absolutely use outdoor pizza ovens, especially gas-powered models. Our team watched first-time users produce restaurant-quality Neapolitan pizza in their very first session with the Ooni Koda 16. Wood-fired ovens have a steeper learning curve but are still approachable with patience. The key is starting with a forgiving oven, using an infrared thermometer, and expecting your first few pies to be practice rounds rather than perfection.
Final Verdict: Which Outdoor Pizza Oven Should Beginners Buy?
After 30 days of testing 8 outdoor pizza ovens for beginners, our team’s clear top pick for most people is the Ooni Koda 16. It is the easiest oven to use, the most reliable, and the best supported by an active community of beginner-friendly tutorials. If you want a premium upgrade, the Gozney Roccbox is the long-term investment that will outlast every other oven in this guide. If budget is your main concern, the EDOSTORY Wood-Fired Oven is the best value for a real wood-fired experience.
Whatever you choose, give yourself permission to fail at the beginning. My first pie was a charcoal cracker, and my tenth pie was something I would serve to guests. The best outdoor pizza ovens for beginners are the ones you will actually use, and the only way to find that out is to light one up and start cooking. Here is to better pizza in 2026 and beyond.