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Authentic Pizza Ovens has become known in the industry for crafting exceptional, Portuguese-made pizza ovens that provide outstanding value for the money. And, the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Arena is a wildly popular choice among those looking for a good size, portable oven that doesn’t break the bank.
Giving you 3.8 square feet of cooking surface area to not only cook up to two 12-inch pizzas at a time but also a large amount of bread and other dishes, the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Arena is a true hand-made pizza oven that’s set up for anyone and everyone to reap the mouthwatering results of cooking perfection.
But, with its amazing price point, it’s reasonable to wonder if Authentic Pizza Ovens is actually any good. So, in this Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Arena review, we’ve put our experience, the specs, and other customer reviews together to give you the truth on this best-selling pizza oven to see if it’s right for you.
1. Features of the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Arena Pizza Oven
2. In-Depth Review of the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Arena Pizza Oven
3. Specs for the Maximus Arena Pizza Oven
4. FAQs About the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Arena Pizza Oven
5. Our Final Thoughts on the Authent Pizza Ovens Maximus Arena Pizza Oven Review
Construction
Ease of Use
Included Extras
When we first saw the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Arena pizza oven, we were impressed with the build quality of this affordable pizza oven. The aluminum shell with its thick, double wall stainless steel design looks amazing, it’s got an air of Portuguese engineering quality about it with its unique yet thoughtfully designed barrel-style dome, and, it's lightning-fast to assemble; getting you fired up and whipping up pies in no time upon delivery.
The eighteen 1.1-inch thick refractory cement floor bricks are a time-tested choice for a pizza oven because they’re so good at maintaining and distributing heat throughout the oven floor. Much more efficient than cordierite stone, which is very poor at holding heat. And, the quick-to-remove flue system is great for easily putting the cover on the oven after each use. It's a thoughtful design, having to screw and unscrew the chimney pipe whenever you want to use it is a serious pain in the butt.
Now if you're looking to buy this oven (or two) for your food truck or catering business, there are a few things you should be aware of. The first is that the oven face has to be modified/secured in order to prevent damage while in transit. It's easy to do it, especially if you’re comfortable with drilling a couple of holes and screwing some bolts into it. If you aren’t handy, no worries! We can provide in-depth, video instructions directly from the manufacturer. Just let us know when you purchase it that it’s going to be installed on a food truck or trailer and we can get you what you need.
In addition to the above, your truck or trailer must also have a full suspension (like a commercial car or truck) to prevent the oven from bouncing while driving down the road. If the oven is not properly secured from bouncing around while in transit, then it could damage the oven to an extent it's unusable. This will void your warranty immediately so make sure to have a well-built truck or trailer on a full suspension and ensure the face is secured to ensure your oven will be safe as you drive down the street.
But, the performance of the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Arena pizza oven is what’s got everyone talking. With a temperature range of up to 1,000°F, this oven can cook a pizza in under 3 minutes, bake bread low and slow, sear filets next to its open flame, grill juicy burgers, and even bake desserts. The comfortable 3.8 square foot (two 12" pizzas worth) of cooking space is great for entertaining medium-sized families (3-4 people) or a food truck owner who wants an oven with a compact footprint to fit in a tighter space.
When it comes to the cooking surface area, this oven is designed to be a perfect square. Making it simple to build and tend a fire because you have the ability to place your wood in any area you choose without affecting your cooking surface area. This is a big difference when compared to Italian-style pizza ovens, as they are typically built to be rectangular; wide as opposed to deep. This makes you have to choose which side to build your fire on. Is there a real difference in performance? Frankly, we haven’t seen any. But, each brand would beg to differ.
If you’ve done any outside research thus far on the Maximus Arena, then you simply can’t deny the amount of cooking surface area you get for the price. It’s an oven with stellar value. This makes it very sought after for people that want a good-sized oven floor for this price range; not to mention it has crazy good reviews to back it up. If you’re still in the early phases of your research, then just know, that the biggest gripe we hear from folks who own pizza ovens is that they didn’t get a pizza oven large enough to fit their needs. A larger oven is typically more desirable as you grow your skillset, so it’s best to save up and go big if you have any doubts.
However, the Maximus Arena isn’t the largest oven Authentic Pizza Ovens has to offer (its big brother, the Maximus Prime can cook up to four 12-inch pizzas at a time). It’s actually one of the smallest. But don't let that take fool you, for a portable oven, it's actually quite large. Most portable ovens can only cook one 10 to 12-inch pizza at a time, whereas the Maximus Arena can cook two 12-inch pizzas at a time. Double the capacity, it only weighs 130 lbs, AND it can fit in the back of most cars or trucks. Big win.
In terms of temperature gauge accuracy, the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Arena is reliable. The built-in thermometer does a good job of reading the internal temperature of the oven, but you should never fully rely on any oven's temperature gauge. Like the thermostat in your home can only measure the average temperature in your house, the temperature gauge can only give you an estimate of the temperature of the air within your oven. To cook reliably, you should always use an infrared thermometer heat gun to measure the true temperature of each area of your cooking floor so you know exactly when to put your pizza on. A cold pizza oven floor will yield you an undercooked, doughy pizza.
Speaking of pizzas, what’s extra worthwhile to know about the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Arena (and all of Authentic Pizza Ovens pizza ovens for that matter), is cooking restaurant-quality pizzas in your own backyard is more than possible. Once you've tasted the incredible flavors created by cooking with smoke and an open flame, you'll never look at pizza the same way again. It's truly life-changing.
I should point out, that cooking mouthwatering pizzas are to be expected in all pizza ovens but not every brand delivers on that promise. Authentic Pizza Ovens does just that and its promise to customers shines bright with this amazing oven.
Speaking of pizzas, what’s extra worthwhile to know about the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Arena (and all of Authentic Pizza Ovens pizza ovens for that matter), is cooking restaurant-quality pizzas in your own backyard is more than possible. Once you've tasted the incredible flavors created by cooking with smoke and an open flame, you'll never look at pizza the same way again. It's truly life-changing.
I should point out, that cooking mouthwatering pizzas are to be expected in all pizza ovens but not every brand delivers on that promise. Authentic Pizza Ovens does just that and its promise to customers shines bright with this amazing oven.
Because who doesn’t love a great deal, it’s worth noting that the Maximus Arena comes with a lot of cool extras not typically included in pizza ovens of this stature. It's an often looked over perk in choosing this oven over similar models from different brands.
Quick to assemble and secure venting system with stainless steel chimney pipe and cap
10-inch pizza peel for making pizzas, turning bread, and serving other delicious meals
Stainless steel wood/ash holder for keeping the surface area clean of unnecessary ash and wood
Ceramic Portuguese style baking dish for cooking at high temperatures without the fear of cracking
The Maximus Arena is very easy to clean. Once you’re done cooking and the fire has been exhausted, grab your brass bristle brush, ash shovel, and a bucket. These are the only tools you'll need to get it back to sparkling clean.
Given you're cooking with wood, you'll have ash accumulated in the area of the oven the fire was located. To clean it, remove the wood/ash holder from the oven and begin to brush it out with your brass bristle brush. Use the brush to sweep all the ash to the center of the oven. Once it's all piled up, use the ash shovel to shovel the ash from your oven into the bucket. And that's it!
One common question we get asked all the time is, "can you use a cleaning solution on the floor of the oven to clean it?" The answer is no, never. Those chemicals will soak into your cooking floor and could cause safety concerns for you and your family. Plus, they're not necessary.
Pizza oven type: Countertop
Pizza oven material:Aluminum exterior with double wall stainless steel interior
Floor material: 1.1-inch thick refractory cement floor tiles
Cooking surface dimensions:23.5" (W) x 23.5" (D)
Pizza capacity: Two 12" pizzas
Heat up time: 25 minutes
Max temperature: 1,000° F
Fuel type: Wood only
Price guide: $$
Models: MAXR (red) & MAXB (black)
Exterior dimensions:27.5″(W) x 27.5″(D) x 38.5″(H)
Weight:130 lbs
Warranty: 3 years to be free from major defects in materials and craftsmanship on the structural components of the oven
According to the manufacturer, Authentic Pizza Ovens states that the Maximus Arena must be placed on a non-combustible surface to prevent it from being a fire hazard. The oven must also be at least 8 inches from the wall or other appliances.
According to the manufacturer, Authentic Pizza Ovens states that the Maximus Arena must be placed on a non-combustible surface, so granite and other stone countertops are okay to place it on. One thing to consider with granite, prolonged exposure to heat may discolor it over time.
It's also worth noting that the oven must be at least 8 inches from the wall or other appliances when installed.
The Maximus Arena Pizza Oven will be shipped via freight delivery. When it gets to a freight terminal nearest you, the freight company will give you a call to set up a delivery appointment. They will not deliver the oven without you setting the appointment.
When they come to your home, your oven will most likely be in a box truck with a liftgate on the back. They will then lower the oven down to the ground and set it either in your driveway or next to your driveway, and you'll be responsible for moving it from there.
The oven will be sitting on a wooden pallet, so if you have access to a forklift, small tractor, or pallet jack, that'll be the easiest way to move it. You can also remove all the bricks within the oven (drops the overall weight significantly), and you and some strong friends could move it from there.
Just remember, safety first!
The Maximus Arena Pizza Oven comes with a 10-inch pizza peel and wood/ash holder.
This oven does not come with a cover. The cover will need to be purchased separately and can be found on the product page in the "Frequently Bought Together" section.
The Maximus Arena can fit up to two 12-inch pizzas inside it at a time, or one 14-inch pizza.
According to Authentic Pizza Ovens, the recommended non-combustible clearance is a minimum of 3 feet below the roof.
It's also important to ensure you position the Maximus Arena so it's at least 8-inches away from the nearest wall or appliance.
No. The Maximus Arena cannot be converted to gas burning or to have a gas burner installed separately. This will void your oven's warranty immediately and could cause serious safety concerns for you and your family.
No, the Maximus Arena is not designed for use with charcoal. It's best to use hardwoods like apple, cherry, and oak wood in wood-fired pizza ovens to achieve the best results.
Authentic Pizza Ovens has helped to make quality, Portuguese-made pizza ovens affordable. And there’s no denying that the Maximus Arena pizza oven is simply a great value for the money.
A truly hand-made pizza oven with a blistering 1,000°F temperature range, solid fuel efficiency, and the ability to cook up to two 12" pizzas at a time, it almost makes this oven a no-brainer! And, with a 3-year warranty covering the oven to be free from major defects in materials and craftsmanship on the structural components of the oven, you can’t go too wrong with this choice.
Ideal for anyone who’s looking for a pizza oven with a solid cooking surface area that won't break the bank and weighs in at a portable 130 lbs, the Authentic Pizza Ovens Maximus Arena is a quality oven you won't regret adding to your backyard or food truck.
Still looking for a wood-burning pizza oven or want to upgrade your existing one but don't know where to start? I'd recommend reading our in-depth Wood Fired Pizza Oven Buying Guide to know exactly what to consider before purchasing one. It'll save you a ton of time and potentially wasted money.
