Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven

For pizza lovers who want to make restaurant-quality pies at home, the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven is an excellent option to consider. This charcoal-fired outdoor oven can reach temperatures over 700°F to bake authentic wood-fired pizza, along with other foods like meats, vegetables, and more.

In this comprehensive buying guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven, including how it works, key features, cost, where to buy, assembly, size capabilities, accessories, tips for usage, comparisons to other models, and more. Let’s get started!

What is the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven?

The Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven is a specialty outdoor cooker designed specifically for making pizza. It uses charcoal as fuel to create the ultra-high temperatures needed to quickly bake thin crust pizzas with crispy crusts and melty, bubbly cheese.

This pizza oven has a durable stainless steel body construction with thick insulation to hold in heat. The cooking surface is made from commercial-grade cordierite stone that absorbs and distributes heat evenly. There’s enough room to fit a 16-inch pizza.

How Does the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven Work?

The Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven works by heating up and retaining extreme temperatures using charcoal as the fuel source. You fill the charcoal bed underneath the pizza stone, then light it and let the oven fully preheat before cooking.

The charcoal burns extremely hot, allowing the internal temperature to reach over 700°F. The insulated walls trap the heat and the pizza stone absorbs and radiates it evenly across its surface. This rapid, intense heat cooks pizzas in just 2-3 minutes with crispy, charred crust and melted cheese.

Key Features of the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven

Here are some of the standout features of this charcoal-fired pizza oven:

• Reaches temps over 700°F for fast pizza cooking
• Durable stainless steel construction
• Commercial grade cordierite pizza stone
• Fits 16-inch pizzas
• Insulated walls retain heat
• Built-in thermometer
• Adjustable ventilation system
• Removable ash catcher
• Compact and portable

How Much Does the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven Cost?

The Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven has an MSRP of $299.99, but it can be commonly found for $100 less on sale at $199.99. This puts it on the more affordable end for specialty charcoal pizza ovens.

Where Can I Buy the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven?

This pizza oven is sold through various online retailers including Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, and Jet. It’s also available in-store at Walmart.

Be sure to check for any sales or discounts before purchasing. The price fluctuates regularly between $199.99-$299.99.

How Do You Assemble the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven?

Assembling the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven is straightforward. It comes with an instruction manual that walks you through each step.

All of the parts are pre-assembled at the factory. You’ll just need to attach the legs, handle, chimney top, and thermometer. The tools required are included.

Plan for about 30-45 minutes for assembly. Be sure to carefully follow the directions.

What Size Pizzas Can the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven Cook?

This oven can accommodate 16-inch pizzas, which is the most common large size people make at home.

You can stretch and shape even larger pizzas up to 18 inches, but they might hang over the cooking surface slightly. Smaller 6-12 inch individual pizzas will fit with room to spare.

Can the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven Be Used for Other Foods?

Absolutely! While the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven excels at pizza, its high heat makes it extremely versatile for cooking many different foods.

The pizza stone will sear mouthwatering steakhouse-quality steaks and you can roast whole chickens and veggies to perfection. It’s also great for cooking fish, lamb, pork chops, kebabs, and more.

How Do You Clean the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven?

After each use, allow the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven to fully cool. Remove the pizza stone and brush off any food debris with a stiff brush. The stone can also be rinsed with water if needed – just be sure it’s completely dry before replacing.

The interior walls can be wiped down with a dry cloth or brush. Empty ashes from the catcher. Never use abrasive cleaners on the cooking surface.

Deep cleaning the stone annually with a specialty pizza oven cleaner will keep it in top shape.

What is the Temperature Range of the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven?

This charcoal-fueled pizza oven can reach temperatures between 700°-850°F, making it hot enough to create authentic wood-fired pizza.

The built-in thermometer lets you monitor the internal temp, so you know exactly when it’s ready for pizza making. The vent system also allows temperature control.

Does the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven Come with a Pizza Stone?

Yes, the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven comes with a high-quality cordierite pizza stone measuring 16 inches.

This durable stone evenly distributes the oven’s heat to bake perfect crusts. It provides great crisping on the bottom without burning.

How Long Does it Take to Cook a Pizza in the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven?

At its top temperatures, the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven can cook a 16-inch pizza in just 2-3 minutes. Smaller pizzas may only take 1-2 minutes.

The exact cooking time will depend on factors like dough thickness and toppings. But expect your pies to be ready in a fraction of the time of your regular oven!

How Portable is the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven?

This pizza oven features a compact and portable design perfect for use on-the-go. It weighs just over 60 pounds fully assembled.

The sturdy built-in handles allow you to carefully move the unit. It takes up minimal space for storage. You can easily transport it for camping trips, tailgating parties, or bringing over to a friend’s house.

What Type of Charcoal is Best for the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven?

For best results, use lump hardwood charcoal like maple, oak, or hickory. Lump charcoals burn hotter and more evenly than standard briquettes.

Stay away from chemical-laden quick-light charcoals, which can impart an unpleasant flavor. All-natural fire starters are the best choice for lighting.

Does the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven Come with a Warranty?

Yes, the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven is backed by a 1-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.

This covers defects in materials and workmanship when used properly for one year from the original date of purchase. Be sure to register your pizza oven online to take advantage of the warranty if needed.

How Does the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven Compare to Other Pizza Ovens?

Here’s how the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven stacks up to some other popular models:

• Less expensive than wood-fired pizza ovens
• Larger capacity than most propane pizza ovens
• Heats up quicker than electric pizza ovens
• Reaches higher temps than pellet grills with pizza oven attachments
• More portable than many brick oven styles

It provides an affordable option for excellent wood-fired style pizza at home. The only limitation is it can’t match the ultra-high temps of over 900°F like pricier wood and gas ovens.

Can You Control the Temperature in the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven?

Yes, there are a couple ways to regulate the internal temp of the pizza oven:

• Adjusting the ventilation by opening/closing the chimney flue
• Letting the fire burn down after preheating before cooking
• Starting with more/less charcoal

Use the built-in thermometer and make vent adjustments as needed to maintain your target cooking temp.

What Accessories are Available for the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven?

Expert Grill offers a range of accessories to enhance your pizza making experience:

• Stainless steel pizza peel – For easily placing and retrieving pizzas
• Cordierite pizza stone – For replacing worn stones
• Cover – Protects the oven from elements when not in use
• Carry bag – For transporting the oven

There are also common accessories like infrared thermometers and insulated gloves that are useful for monitoring temps and handling hot pizzas safely.

Are There Any Tips for Making the Best Pizza with the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven?

Here are some tips for maximizing results with your charcoal pizza oven:

• Use high-quality lump charcoal
• Allow oven to fully preheat before cooking
• Quickly swap pizzas to maintain oven temp
• Opt for thinner neapolitan-style dough
• Use a pizza peel for easy handling
• Preheat your pizza stone before putting dough on it
• Experiment with unique toppings
• Have all ingredients and tools ready before cooking

Is the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven Suitable for Beginners?

While it may take a couple tries to master, the general consensus is that the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven is totally beginner-friendly.

The process of preheating, assembling pizzas, and managing the airflow takes some practice but is fairly straightforward. There are lots of online resources for beginner tips too.

As long as you follow the instructions, you can make restaurant-worthy pizzas at home even with no prior experience!

Well, that covers everything you need to know if you’re considering the Expert Grill Charcoal Pizza Oven for your outdoor cooking needs! From performance to price to usage, this versatile oven is a budget-friendly way to step up your pizza game and impress your family and friends.