There are countless situations where having a portable oven is not only helpful but actually advantageous. They can go places larger ovens simply can’t, cost less, and are easy to use. With options for the kitchen, outdoors, patio, traveling, and even emergency situations the large variety of portable ovens have every need and scenario covered. We’ve compiled a list of the leading choices to help you learn which type will serve you best.
Top Portable Oven Options
Portable Pizza Ovens
Just about everyone who loves pizza has thought about making it themselves. However, until fairly recently this required buying a very expensive outdoor brick pizza oven or building your own. Luckily for consumers today there are quite a few fantastic options that won’t break the bank and are also portable.
For The Kitchen: While most people think of portable pizza ovens as units that are used outdoors, and they are correct, there are also small home kitchen options that can be considered portable as well. These are fairly light in weight and don’t take up too much space on the kitchen countertop. Unlike models used outdoors these plug into your wall socket just like other appliances and most but not all, look fairly similar to toaster ovens.
They typically allow you to bake up to twelve-inch pizzas on a baking rack or tray. Some like the one shown below may even have a rotating tray. Of course, the pizzas that are cooked can be homemade or frozen. In fact, this type is particularly useful for those who will be cooking frozen pizzas but want them to taste a little more like ones that are made at home.
For The Outdoors: Outdoor options let you enjoy the art of pizza making on your patio, in your outdoor kitchen, and in many other places too. Depending on their size and weight some units are more portable than others. There are two basic types, those that use gas and wood-fired ovens. Both types can be used for much more than pizza.
Bread, biscuits, pies, pretzels, chicken, pork, steak, fish, vegetables, and pasta are just some of the foods commonly made in portable outdoor pizza ovens. You will notice that both types typically have curved or rounded tops and this is to allow the flame to circulate around the cooking chamber creating a temperature that is not only very hot but even.
Portable Pizza Ovens That Use Propane Gas: Most portable pizza ovens which use propane gas actually are built to function just like wood-fired brick ovens, which is a huge plus. This means high cooking temperatures and fast cooking times, some can cook a pizza in as little as three minutes. They are also made to be highly portable and the majority can be brought to the park, the game, friends’ parties, or even with you when camping in the woods.
It’s up to you! There are a lot of models that can simply be used right on your tabletop while you are eating. You can usually also purchase stands made by the manufacturer for extra storage if you need them. Some come with a detachable stand. The majority will include a pizza stone just like brick ovens use, to help you get the perfect crust.
A few models even have a rotisserie on which the cooking stone is placed so that the pizza is actually spinning while it is cooking to guarantee even temperatures throughout the entire pie. Other convenient features include an igniter button to light the oven up without any risk of injury, easy-to-carry handles, and temperature gauges.
A lot of pizza fans actually prefer this type over portable wood-fired pizza ovens since you can control the temperature of the oven with a turn of the dial. And many units can be used with a smoke chip cup containing wood chips so you can get the flavor of a wood-fired pizza while using gas. A smaller and even more portable type of portable pizza oven, are ones that are placed right on top of your propane camping stove.
They use the heat from your burners, not the pizza oven itself, to cook the pizza inside a chamber with a pizza stone. These are a great choice for tailgating and camping or any other time you would use your camping stove and want to treat yourself, friends, and family to a pizza pie.
Portable Wood-Fired Pizza Ovens: You don’t need to spend tens of thousands of dollars to be able to cook your pizza in an authentic wood-fired oven. Portable options can give you the same unique smoky taste, high cooking temperatures, and crispy toppings that true pizza connoisseurs crave because they cook with wood.
While they are more expensive than units that use gas, they are much cheaper than purchasing a larger stationary wood-fired oven. Even though they are portable they are usually larger and heavier than other choices. The majority are made more for being able to be moved around your patio or outdoor living area but there are options that can be taken with you on trips as well.
Some come with casters or wheels while others may need to be lifted by two people and can be placed on a table or countertop. Most are made from stainless steel, unlike larger ovens which are made from brick and mortar. There are a few portable wood-fired pizza ovens that have insulated walls for even faster heat-up times and a small number that even use decorative brick on the face to make it look just like a portable brick oven.
If you will be cooking large numbers of pizzas or just demand the best-tasting ones possible without the price tag and inconvenience of a much larger stationary oven, a portable wood-fired pizza oven is for you.
Portable Electric Ovens
Different from other portable choices in this article, portable electric ovens are not made for outdoor or emergency use since they do use electricity. However, they are made to be used in the kitchen and can be easily transported to another location if the need be. The biggest misconception about these is that they are simply toaster ovens.
And while they can be used to toast items, and do look similar, they are actually high-end but small, convection ovens. This is why they are often also called portable convection ovens because simply that’s what they are. Portable convection ovens, unlike typical toaster ovens which use radiant heat, are able to create uniform temperatures using their internal fans which circulate hot air.
This in turn gives them many advantages such as cooking the food more evenly and a lot faster. You can also cook multiple racks of food at the same time without having to worry about the food itself getting in the way of or blocking some of the heat. Portable electric ovens are very popular in the UK, Europe, and other countries and are slowly gaining more and more fans in the United States as more Americans realize their many benefits.
They are a smart choice for someone who may be having problems with their larger oven and is in the process of deciding whether or not to replace or repair it, but still wants to be able to cook. Students, people who rent, live in a small space, and those who just don’t want to spend the cash on full-size convection or gas oven will really get the full benefit from these.
Using one can also just be a pleasant break from firing up your existing oven since they are easier to clean, use less energy, and heat up faster. And for those who live in warm areas or places that have hot summers they let you cook without raising the temperature of your house which can be a real help, especially when having guests.
Portable electric ovens can be used to cook and bake just about anything that larger ovens can such as cookies, bread, cakes, steak, fish, pizza, or just frozen dinners depending on your needs. Most can actually fit surprisingly big items, as well as multiple foods at the same time making them ideal for families; people who love to bake and cook, or even light commercial use like in small restaurants or cafes.
The majority of these ovens look pretty sleek making them an attractive countertop addition, especially in silver stainless steel or silver and black. More often than not they have easy-to-use manual control knobs for time and temperature, which are what a large number of consumers prefer, but some have digital controls too.
Features like cooking timers with audible tones, automatic shut-off, a power-on indicator, and pre-set cooking functions are all extra helpful. A few models will even include a rotisserie for making things like pork roast, beef roast, or of course roasted chicken.
Portable Gas Ovens
When it comes to being able to enjoy the outdoors to the fullest, having great food can play a huge part. And while a camping stove does have its place and can make the basics, for taking it to the next level portable gas ovens are the way to go. Because the gas they use is actually propane you’ll often see them advertised as portable propane ovens as well.
Being able to cook just like when you’re in your home kitchen, opens up a world of possibilities and delicious meals in a huge range of situations. You can bake cookies; make pizza, casseroles, or anything you could cook in your home oven. For this reason, they are ideal for camping, hunting, and fishing, letting you enjoy your favorite dishes no matter how far you are from civilization.
But, of course, they are also an excellent choice for people who have an RV, love picnicking, road trippers, and owners of country cabins. Using one on the patio, yard, or on the deck is also an easy way for home and trailer owners to cook outdoors in the summer months keeping extra heat outside where it belongs.
You can use one as a budget outdoor kitchen that won’t cost you thousands of dollars as permanent ones do, and that can be taken with you wherever you go. Some brands such as the well-known Camp Chef and Coleman portable ovens are durable enough to be used on a daily basis or even multiple times a day as a primary oven for years into the future.
Since they don’t require electricity they are the best choice for people “living off the grid.” They also just make a fantastic backup for homeowners who like to be prepared and don’t want to miss a meal during power outages or even a serious disaster. Using your portable gas oven to cook for your family in an emergency situation pays for itself the first time around.
There are a few features that can make a really big difference when owning one. Being easy to carry is a must, and that means having a handle and being fairly light in weight. Also, they of course need to be weatherproof so they can deal with the elements without a problem.
Some portable gas ovens will also conveniently have a range with burners on top which can save you from having to buy a separate camping stove and let you do all your cooking in one place. Simple features like a built-in igniter and temperature gauge are always very helpful too. One very important item not to forget when purchasing a portable gas stove is a carrying case. Think of it as insurance.
Many ovens will have glass front which would be smart to protect when traveling to and from where you will be using it, or just during storage. A case will also help prevent dents and scratches that otherwise could have been avoided and shield it from the weather.
Thieves are always on the lookout for easy targets and having a case can keep your oven from being stolen by making sure it is concealed when in your car or truck. Good cases will have quality handles to make carrying your oven much easier and safer for the unit and your back.
Portable Warming Ovens
Unlike other options that are used to cook food, these are used to heat up or keep pre-cooked food warm. A portable warming oven is a simple setup that consists of a hot plate inside of a bag that has a special heat-reflective interior which both maintains and amplifies heat.
It’s meant to be used with flat bottom containers with sealable tops made from glass, plastic, metal, cardboard, or foil and requires only to be plugged into an electrical outlet. These are an incredibly useful and popular microwave alternative for office workers who want to save money and time by bringing leftovers or homemade foods to work.
Using the office microwave can not only waste a lot of valuable lunch time especially if you are the last one in line but sometimes can be downright nasty if it is left uncleaned. Since the food being heated is done so in sealed containers you won’t have to worry about it being in an unsanitary environment. Because it is heated slowly, it also means evenly, so you don’t end up with a meal that is frozen in the center.
And of course, you won’t have to worry about your meal exploding like what often happens in the microwave. By using one your food will be cooking while you’re working, earning you extra minutes to enjoy on your lunch hour.
They are also used quite often by anyone who stays in hotels frequently, such as airline staff for example, and wants to be able to eat nutritious home-cooked meals without having to zap them in the microwave sacrificing taste, texture, and nutritional value.
Anyone who works long hours in a car or truck such as truck drivers, police officers, paramedics, etc. also can benefit from having a hot meal ready to go at all times and save a ton of cash even in a fairly quick time span. Some brands may not be able to plug into the cigarette socket of your car, if this is the case with the model you want don’t let this stop you, all you need to do is purchase an AC to DC car inverter and you’re ready to go.
Portable Lunchbox Ovens
Similar to personal warming ovens but a little bit different, are portable lunch box ovens. Like their name suggests they have a hard plastic case just like a lunchbox and not only reheats foods but can cook them as well. These are designed to be portable ovens used in cars and trucks and therefore can plug right into their cigarette socket. For home use, many will also come with an adapter.
Lunch box ovens usually can reach higher temperatures than warming ovens somewhere around three hundred degrees Fahrenheit and do not need to be used with sealed containers. As you could imagine these are great for anyone who works on the road or takes frequent long trips in their car or truck and are a long-time favorite of truck drivers.
They save money, and time, let you eat healthier foods, and of course leftovers. Some of the most popular food items to use them with are pizza, sandwiches, canned foods, soups, hot dogs, chicken, and whatever you ate last night for dinner! But of course, the possibilities are almost endless.
Most lunch box oven owners do use disposable aluminum pans however to heat their food inside the unit since they can be simply thrown away after use and let them get away with little or no cleaning. Another way to go is to simply line the oven with aluminum foil, dispose of it when you’re finished cooking, and give the inside a quick wipe down.
To save money, you could also just purchase a meatloaf pan and clean it in your dishwasher or sink after using it. Regardless of what you use to cook the food inside of the oven, they are best used in conjunction with a cooler. Just put your meals in the cooler and keep them there until you’re ready to heat them up.
Solar Portable Ovens
Probably the least well-known, but one of the most useful tools for cooking, particularly in emergency situations are solar portable ovens. While most people assume these are ovens that use power from solar panels, they are mistaken. These require no panels, gas, electricity, controls, or open flames.
Instead, they use a reflective surface that is shaped to perfectly gather and hold the sun’s UV rays which are then converted into infrared rays that produce heat in the cooking chamber. The heat generated by these infrared rays is what cooks the food. Most models will use a metal heat conducting tray that absorbs UV rays as a base for whatever cookware you will be using.
Typically when heating food they will also use either a zip-up clear plastic cover to enclose the entire cooking chamber or a special clear plastic bag to enclose the cookware itself. Which method is used depends on the brand and model. Solar portable ovens can cook any food which can be prepared in a conventional oven and many stove-top meals too. You can even bake cookies.
These ovens can also be used to effectively pasteurize water by killing bacteria making it safe to drink. They simply need to be placed in a sunny spot and they will heat up, regardless of the outside temperature. Using one in the winter is just as easy as in the summer. And while you can cook when the sky is slightly cloudy you’ll have the fastest results on a clear day and when the sun is higher in the sky as opposed to lower.
Normally when cooking with a solar portable oven, there are two methods: setting the unit ahead of the sun and leaving it unattended or adjusting its position around every forty-five minutes or so. Expect it to take around double the time to cook in a normal household oven. Slow cooker recipes work very well with this type of cooking.
In fact, many people find that food cooked in a solar portable oven is more delicious than using other cooking methods since the food retains its natural moisture and nutrients, therefore, keeping it from drying out. Since these ovens are lightweight only weighing a few pounds at most, and normally fold or collapse down for easy traveling and carrying, they really can work amazingly well for quite a few uses.
Of course, they are ideal for emergency situations such as long and short-term power outages since they require no electricity. This makes them a smart backup to keep “just in case,” and a favorite of preppers, survivalists, and people “living off the grid.” A solar portable oven is also considered by many to be a must-have item in a “bug-out bag”, which is a portable kit that contains all the necessary items needed to survive for 72 hours in case of an emergency evacuation.
They can also just be a convenient cooking option when tailgating, picnicking, camping, hunting, fishing, or for use in areas where an open flame is not permitted such as beaches and national parks. And of course, are always a simple way to save on expensive electricity bills.
Using a solar portable oven can save you cash in other ways too because you won’t need to pay for wood, propane, or charcoal. Since they don’t use any of these, they are not only a “greener” option but one that also keeps you from ingesting harmful carcinogens too.
Being able to enjoy first-rate food in virtually any location has never been so easy. Portable ovens give you the chance to eat your favorite foods whether they are used on a mountaintop or on your kitchen countertop. Simply pick the one that suits your needs and the place you will be using it and start cooking!
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