What Kind of Wood Should I Use for My Pizza Oven — and Where Do I Get It?

You’ve got the pizza oven. The dough’s proofed. The toppings are prepped. But what kind of wood are you using?

It might seem like a small detail, but the wood you burn directly impacts how your food tastes, how evenly your oven heats, and how enjoyable your whole cooking experience is. Here’s what you need to know to keep the fire (and flavor) just right.

Best Types of Wood for Pizza Ovens

For wood-fired cooking, dense hardwoods are your best friend. They burn hot and clean, with minimal smoke and long-lasting heat.

Top Picks:

• Oak – The gold standard. Burns hot, steady, and clean. Easy to find.

• Maple – Burns similarly to oak with a slightly sweeter aroma.

• Hickory – Strong, savory smoke flavor. Great for meats and heartier dishes.

• Fruitwoods (like Apple, Cherry, or Pecan) – Lighter, slightly sweet smoke. Beautiful for pizzas, vegetables, and bread.

Avoid:

• Softwoods like pine, fir, or cedar. They burn fast, pop and spark, and contain resins that create off-flavors and sticky creosote buildup.

• Treated or painted wood – Always a no-go. Toxic fumes and food don’t mix.

Kiln-Dried vs. Seasoned Wood

• Kiln-dried wood has been oven-dried to remove moisture. It lights easily, burns hotter, and has minimal smoke. Ideal for smaller pizza ovens like Ooni or Gozney where consistent heat is key.

• Seasoned wood is air-dried naturally. It can work great too — just make sure it’s fully dried (look for cracks on the ends and a light feel).

Where to Buy Pizza Oven Wood

You don’t need to go full lumberjack. These options make it easy:

For Los Angeles Locals:

• Whitt’s Wood Yard
  11189 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
  Known for quality hardwoods, including oak and fruitwood splits.

• South Bay Firewood BBQ and Charcoal
  4881 Rosecrans Ave, Hawthorne, CA 90250
  A great local stop for BBQ and cooking-grade wood, often used by our WWOO clients.

• Royal Firewood
  8624 Crocker St, Los Angeles, CA 90003
  Reliable for kiln-dried firewood and bulk orders. Ask for pizza oven wood!

Online Delivery Services

Many companies now offer pizza oven-specific wood delivered to your door. A few options:

• Ooni Wood Pellets or Hardwood Logs (available on their site or Amazon)

• Cutting Edge Firewood – Premium cooking wood, kiln-dried and ready to go

• Smokey Woods, Hot Box, or Firewood by BTU – Regional brands with high-quality hardwood bundles

Home Improvement Stores

Stores like Lowe’s, Home Depot, or Ace Hardware sometimes stock hardwood firewood — just make sure it’s food-safe and untreated.

What Size Wood Do I Need?

• Ooni or Gozney Dome/ROCCBOX: Small splits, chunks, or pellets.

• Alfa Forno, Sole Gourmet, or Forno Piombo: Full splits, typically 12–16 inches in length.

Always check your oven’s specs before ordering.

Final Tip: Store It Right

Even great wood can underperform if stored wrong. Keep your wood:

• Dry and off the ground

• Covered (but with some airflow)

• Close to your oven, if possible — because once you’re in the pizza zone, you don’t want to go far

Ready to Fire It Up?

Using the right wood is one of the easiest ways to upgrade your pizza game. Whether you're keeping things simple with oak or adding a twist with applewood, a well-built fire is the foundation for everything delicious.

Need help sourcing wood or choosing the right oven for your outdoor kitchen? Reach out — we’re always happy to share what’s worked for our clients (and what hasn’t!).