Fontana Wood Fired vs Dual Fuel Pizza Ovens: Which Should You Choose?

June 16, 2026

Choosing a premium Fontana Forni pizza oven is about more than selecting the right size. One of the biggest decisions you'll make is choosing between a traditional wood-fired oven or the flexibility of a dual fuel pizza oven.

Both options deliver the exceptional cooking performance Fontana is famous for, but each offers a different outdoor cooking experience.

In this guide, we'll compare wood-fired and dual fuel Fontana ovens to help you decide which is right for your garden.

If you're still exploring the full range, start with our Fontana Forni Pizza Ovens Buying Guide.

At a Glance

Feature	Wood Fired	Dual Fuel
Authentic Experience	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Convenience	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Temperature Control	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Traditional Cooking	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Everyday Use	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flexibility	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fontana Wood Fired Pizza Ovens

A wood-fired pizza oven offers the most traditional Italian cooking experience.

Cooking with real hardwood creates the atmosphere, aroma and theatre that many people associate with authentic outdoor cooking.

Fontana wood-fired ovens are perfect for:

✔ Pizza enthusiasts

✔ Traditional cooking

✔ Weekend entertaining

✔ Outdoor chefs who enjoy the process

Popular models include:

Marinara
Margherita
Mangiafuoco
Lorenzo

Browse our Wood Fired Pizza Oven Collection.

Advantages of Wood Fired Cooking

A real wood fire creates an experience that's difficult to replicate.

Benefits include:

Traditional cooking style
Incredible atmosphere
High cooking temperatures
Excellent heat retention
Authentic Italian feel

A Fontana wood-fired oven is about more than cooking — it becomes the centrepiece of outdoor entertaining.

Fontana Dual Fuel Pizza Ovens

Dual fuel ovens offer the best of both worlds.

You can enjoy the speed and simplicity of gas during the week, then switch to wood when you want the traditional experience.

Ideal for:

✔ Busy families

✔ Frequent use

✔ Entertaining guests

✔ Maximum flexibility

Popular dual fuel models include:

Margherita Dual Fuel
Mangiafuoco Dual Fuel
Volta Range

Explore our Dual Fuel Pizza Oven Collection.

Why Choose Dual Fuel?

The biggest advantage is flexibility.

Gas provides:

Fast start-up
Easier temperature control
Consistent heat
Convenience

Wood provides:

Atmosphere
Traditional cooking
The enjoyment of managing a real fire

For many customers, dual fuel removes the need to compromise.

Which Cooks Better Pizza?

Both.

A common misconception is that only wood-fired ovens can produce restaurant-quality pizza.

The reality is that temperature, oven design and heat retention are far more important.

Fontana's insulation, cooking floor and airflow design allow both wood and gas models to achieve exceptional results.

If you're comparing different oven brands, read our Best Pizza Ovens UK guide.

Which is Best for Outdoor Kitchens?

For built-in outdoor kitchens, dual fuel is often the most practical choice because of its convenience.

However, many customers still prefer the traditional experience of a dedicated wood oven.

Looking for inspiration? Explore our Outdoor Kitchen Ideas guide.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Wood Fired if:

✔ You love traditional cooking.

✔ You enjoy managing the fire.

✔ You want the authentic Italian experience.

✔ Cooking is part of the entertainment.

Choose Dual Fuel if:

✔ You want maximum flexibility.

✔ You cook regularly.

✔ You want quick weekday meals.

✔ You entertain often.

Our Recommendation

For pure tradition, nothing beats a Fontana wood-fired oven.

The process of lighting the fire, managing the temperature and cooking with real flames is what outdoor cooking is all about.

However, for many UK homeowners, we believe dual fuel offers the ultimate combination.

You get the convenience of gas whenever you need it, while keeping the option of authentic wood-fired cooking for special occasions.

Why Buy Fontana from The Garden Flame?

At The Garden Flame, we specialise in premium outdoor cooking equipment designed to transform your garden.

Whether you're choosing a traditional wood-fired oven or a versatile dual fuel model, we can help you select the right Fontana oven for your space and cooking style.

Explore our complete Fontana Forni Collection.