I have been cooking and baking since I could walk (I was always helping my mom in the kitchen). However, I have always been in the kitchen, but with the new Gozney Arc Lite pizza oven, I can finally take my culinary journey outdoors.
In the past, I have been put off trying an outdoor oven because of the size and significant investment, but the Arc Lite changes things, offering a more compact cooking experience for under $400.
It is shaping up to be one of the best pizza ovens for summer. Here's why I'm so excited to set it up for review.
I Just Got My Hands on the Compact Gozney Arc Lite
Don't be fooled by the compact size. The Arc Lite outdoor pizza oven features a lateral rolling flame system that replicates a traditional wood-fired oven. It delivers evenly distributed heat for a crispy, restaurant-quality 12" pizza in just 60 seconds.
I have been slowly collecting pieces to turn my backyard into the ultimate entertaining space, and what better way to do that than a pizza oven? We reviewed the original Gozney Arc a few years ago and gave it 4.5 stars, setting it as our top pizza enthusiast investment, so I have very high hopes for its smaller sibling.
The exterior of the oven measures 16.9” W x 18.9” D x 11.7” H, making it still large enough for 12-inch pizzas, but not so large that I am struggling to find storage for it in my shed. The extra Gozney Arc Lite cover also helps with this, tucking neatly around the unit to protect it from dust, debris, bugs, and UV, too.
I am waiting for a warm, sunny day to finally put the smaller model to the test, but I have unboxed it all early in my excitement. The gas oven can be used for everything from pizza to desserts, and with the extra Gozney Pizza Volume 01 Cookbook, I don't think I will run out of inspiration to put to the test. My friends are certainly already lining up to be my taste testers.
The oven promises ‘unboxing to first fire in minutes’, so when the next good day arrives, I’ll be timing exactly how quickly I can get it up and running using the included quick-start guide.
As a first-time gas tank user (outside of scuba diving), I’m particularly curious to see how seamless the setup feels. That said, with little more required than attaching a tank to the regulator, I have high hopes the process will be every bit as straightforward as promised.
I can't wait to put it through its paces, but if it is anything like the Gozney original we reviewed and loved, I know we will be onto a winner with the latest more compact offering.
What Else to Shop
A pizza oven is a sizeable investment, so I've curated six essential accessories (plus a larger model worth considering) to help transform your backyard setup into a five-star pizzeria.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
Arc Lite Cover is designed to fit perfectly over Arc Lite, protecting it all year round. Tailored and water repellent, it shields your oven from rain, wind, frost, UV, salt, insects, and wildlife.
Gozney's first cookbook features over 75 pizza recipes and essential how-tos, plus 20 outdoor recipes. You can learn how to make 8 styles of dough, create a range of restaurant-worthy pizza, and learn outdoor cooking methods to harness your pizza oven’s full potential.
Know exactly when your pizza oven’s thick stone floor is ready to cook a perfect pizza. It features an LED backlit screen, the ability to switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit measurements, and single or continuous temperature read options.
Designed for 12" pizzas, this naturally non-stick pizza peel is perfect for rustic cutting and serving, adding an authentic touch to your home pizza evenings.
If you are hosting a much larger crowd and have more storage space, the Gozney Arc XL might be more your speed. The lateral gas burner recreates traditional wood-fired rolling flame, and reaches and holds 950°F/500°C, pizza after pizza.
No matter if you are a beginner looking for a good baseline or a pro home cook wanting to simplify pizza prep, the Gozney dough mixes require no measuring of multiple ingredients; simply add water to create professional-grade pizza dough at home.
Still not sure which model works best for you? Check out our guide to indoor pizza ovens vs outdoor pizza ovens to select the perfect model for your home.
