How to Build an Outdoor Brick Pizza Oven: A Complete DIY Guide (CBO 750)

Transform your backyard into a culinary hotspot with a custom outdoor brick pizza oven. Perfect for baking wood-fired pizza, artisan bread, roasted vegetables, and more, a DIY pizza oven combines authentic flavors with professional-grade performance. Using the CBO 750 system, even first-time DIYers can achieve a high-quality, handcrafted oven.

Whether you're designing a complete outdoor kitchen or a standalone backyard pizza oven, this guide covers everything from foundation to final curing, so you can confidently build your own wood-fired oven.

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Why Build Your Own Outdoor Pizza Oven?

A wood-fired oven delivers unique cooking results you can’t achieve with indoor ovens:

Crispy pizza crusts and artisan bread
High, consistent temperatures for optimal cooking
Even heat distribution thanks to the CBO 750 low-dome design
Radiant, convection, and conduction cooking

Building your own also allows full customization of:

Oven base and support structure
Stone layout and aesthetic design
Wood storage compartments
Countertops and surrounding surfaces
Chimney and oven arch

You get professional results, handcrafted finishes, and the satisfaction of cooking in an oven you built yourself.

Step 1: Choose Your Oven Type

Understanding oven types is crucial for planning your DIY project. The main categories include:

Modular Ovens – Pre-assembled dome, minimal customization, typically installed by contractors
Prebuilt Ovens – Smaller units, pre-assembled dome with customizable base
Custom Ovens – Prefabricated dome + insulation, complete control over base, surround, and chimney (ideal for the CBO 750)
Grill Inserts – Easy open-flame cooking, but doesn’t replicate true wood-fired flavour

For this guide, we focus on a custom CBO 750 pizza oven, the best combination of performance and personalization.

Step 2: Build the Foundation

A sturdy foundation ensures long-term stability and performance. Key steps include:

Build a 5×5 ft. framed base with 2×6 lumber
Dig six-inch deep frame perimeter and four footing holes (per local code)
Install rebar for reinforcement
Pour reinforced concrete pad, level, and let cure for 48 hours

This foundation supports the oven, stone base, and chimney for years of outdoor use.

Step 3: Construct the Oven Base and Wood Storage

The base provides both support and storage:

Stack Belgard Weston wall stones to form the main structure
Add Indiana limestone slabs for the wood-storage roof
Dry fit and level carefully; use composite shims for precision
Complete base with enough space for practical wood storage

A strong base ensures proper oven support and a functional, visually appealing design.

Step 4: Position the Oven Dome

The CBO 750 dome is heavy and insulated:

Place insulation boards on the cured base
Lift and position the dome with help
Insert chimney anchor and insulation blanket
Install the oven arch and door
Protect stone surfaces with cardboard during assembly

Step 5: Build the Oven Surround

Surround the dome with stone to complete the structure:

Stack five courses of wall stone, using high-heat adhesive
Install decorative bluestone pieces around the oven arch
Place limestone roof pieces and cut chimney opening
Build three courses around the chimney pipe
Seal with mortar and high-heat silicone to prevent water damage

A sealed, insulated surround improves heat retention and oven longevity.

Step 6: Cure the Oven Before Use

Proper curing prevents cracks and ensures optimal performance:

Start with low-heat fires (under 212°F) for a few days
Gradually increase heat until fully ready for cooking
Oven is now ready for wood-fired pizza, artisan bread, roasted meats, vegetables, and desserts

Final Results: A Backyard Culinary Centerpiece

Building your own outdoor pizza oven gives you:

A versatile cooking appliance for your backyard
Professional-quality wood-fired results
Aesthetic and functional integration into your outdoor space
Endless opportunities to host friends and family with freshly baked meals

With the CBO 750 system, building a custom oven is achievable and rewarding, giving you both style and performance.

FAQs

1. How long does it take to build a CBO 750 outdoor pizza oven?
Building a custom CBO 750 oven typically takes 3–7 days for the base and stone surround, depending on your experience. Curing the oven before full use takes an additional 3–5 days. Proper curing ensures longevity and prevents cracking.

2. What materials are required to build a DIY pizza oven?
You’ll need:

Prefabricated CBO 750 dome with insulation
Wall stones (e.g., Belgard Weston)
Limestone slabs for the base and roof
Concrete and rebar for the foundation
High-heat adhesive and mortar
Oven arch and door
Chimney pipe and cap

3. Can I cook bread and pizza in the same oven?
Yes! A wood-fired oven reaches high temperatures (up to 900°F) and distributes heat evenly, making it perfect for pizza, artisan bread, roasted meats, vegetables, and even desserts.

4. How do I cure a new outdoor pizza oven?
Curing involves building low-heat fires (under 212°F) for a few days to gradually remove moisture from the materials. Slowly increase heat over several sessions before cooking at high temperatures to prevent cracking and ensure consistent performance.

5. Can I customize the design of the oven and base?
Absolutely! With a custom CBO 750 oven, you can personalize: