Current Backyard Model P Smart Pizza Oven Review: A Smarter Way to Cook Pizza

As the weather gets warmer and we start to spend more time outside relaxing and cooking on our grills, I came across a smart device that pizza lovers are really going to love. Imagine sitting in your backyard and making home-cooked pizza slices that rival your favorite pizzeria. There is such a smart appliance that can do this and it's the Model P Smart Pizza Oven from Current Backyard, the world’s first electric outdoor cooking brand. The company sent me a smart pizza oven, now available for purchase and shipping directly to consumers. This groundbreaking oven blends sleek industrial design with cutting-edge smart technology, offering the first Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-connected pizza oven certified for indoor and outdoor use. With a focus on precision cooking, sustainability, and ease of use, the Model P is built to revolutionize how—and where—you make pizza. Check out what I learned from testing this new smart outdoor/indoor pizza oven.

What is Model P Smart Pizza Oven

What truly sets the Model P apart is its app-powered intelligence. The integrated Pizza Build Calculator in the Current Backyard app fine-tunes cook time and temperature based on specific ingredients—cheese, sauce, toppings, and dough thickness—ensuring every 12-inch pizza is cooked to perfection. Whether you prefer New York-style, thin crust, or frozen pies, the oven’s five cooking modes make achieving your favorite style effortless. Made with commercial-grade stainless steel and backed by a 10-year limited warranty, this oven delivers not only on taste but also on durability and design.

Buy on Current Backyard Site

How to setup Model P Smart Pizza Oven

1. Unbox and Place: Set the oven on a heat-safe, flat surface either indoors or outdoors—thanks to its NFPA certification, both locations are safe.
2. Plug and Pair: Connect to a standard 110V outlet, download the Current Backyard app, and pair the oven using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
3. Calibrate with the App: Use the app’s Pizza Build Calculator to input your pizza details and receive customized cook settings.
4. Preheat and Cook: Preheat to your desired style, slide your pizza onto the 12” cordierite stone, and let the smart oven do the rest.
5. Enjoy and Repeat: Once finished, use the app to track your next masterpiece—or try one of Alton Brown’s suggested recipes.

Tips for Cooking and Maintaining Your Model P Smart Pizza Oven

To get the best results—and keep your Model P Smart Pizza Oven in top shape—follow these essential tips for safe, efficient cooking and proper maintenance:

Indoor Cooking Tips

• Use Near Ventilation: If you’re using the Model P indoors, place it underneath your kitchen’s range hood or close to a window to allow proper airflow and minimize smoke or heat buildup.
• Avoid Confined Spaces: Ensure the oven is positioned in an open, well-ventilated area to prevent overheating or smoke accumulation.

Pizza Size and Placement

• Stick to the 12-inch Limit: Only cook pizzas that fit within the 12-inch cooking stone. Oversized pizzas can hang over the edges and drip cheese or toppings onto the heating coils, causing smoke or burning. Use a Pizza Peel: Always use a pizza peel to insert and remove your pizza. Let the size of the peel act as a visual guide to avoid over-sizing your pie.
• Damaged PizzaStone? Replace It Immediately: If you receive the Model P with a cracked pizza stone — like we did — you must call customer service at 1-866-CURRENT to request a replacement. Using a cracked stone is not recommended, as it can cause uneven heat distribution, leading to undercooked or burnt pizza. More critically, a cracked stone is structurally compromised and may break further during use, potentially damaging the oven or posing a safety hazard. For optimal cooking performance and user safety, always replace a damaged stone before use.

Cleaning the Pizza Stone

Proper cleaning of the cordierite stone is critical for performance and longevity. Follow these steps:

• No Soap or Dishwasher: Never use soap or place the stone in the dishwasher. The porous material can absorb soap and affect the flavor of future pizzas.
• Avoid Submerging in Water: Do not soak the stone in water, especially soapy water—it can lead to cracking or damage.
• Use a Nylon Bristle Brush: Clean the stone with a nylon bristle brush after every use. If using a brush, double-check that no loose bristles remain on the surface before cooking again.
• Scrape First, Then Wipe: Use a plastic spatula or bench scraper to remove baked-on food or cheese. Follow up with a damp cloth to wipe away residue.
• Let it Air Dry: Always allow the stone to completely air dry before returning it to the oven.

Cleaning the Oven Body

• Avoid Abrasives: Do not use steel wool, metal brushes, or harsh oven cleaners on any part of the oven. These can scratch and damage the surfaces.
• Wipe Gently: Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe down the oven's exterior and interior (excluding the stone). Then air dry.

How much does the Model P Smart Pizza Oven Cost?

At $699, the Model P Smart Pizza Oven sits at the premium end of the home pizza oven market, but for good reason. It offers features rarely seen together in one appliance: app integration, guided cooking, all-electric operation, and indoor/outdoor certification. Compared to the average American's monthly pizza spend of $114.20, the oven can easily pay for itself in less than seven months while delivering customized, restaurant-quality results.

The Model P Smart Pizza Oven is available in two colors: sand and slate. It's available for purchase on the company website today, but will be on sale along with additional accessories on Amazon in mid-May 2025.

Given its performance, sustainability benefits, and long-term savings, the Model P offers excellent value for those serious about pizza and reducing their takeout tab.

Buy on Current Backyard Site

Hands-On Review: Testing the Current Backyard Model P Smart Pizza Oven

After a month of testing the Current Backyard Model P Smart Pizza Oven both indoors and outdoors, I’ve had the opportunity to put this innovative, app-connected electric pizza oven through its paces. From weeknight dinners to a pizza party for eight, here’s what I discovered about this sleek, next-gen appliance—and why it might be a great fit for your kitchen or backyard setup.

Performance & Cooking Experience

The oven supports five distinct cooking modes:

• Neapolitan for ultra-thin, airy crusts
• New York Style for foldable slices with rich sauce and cheese
• Thin Crust for a lighter, crispier base
• Frozen for reviving store-bought pies
• Broil (Hi/Lo) for finishing with melty, charred toppings

We found the Thin Crust mode ideal for plain pizzas without toppings, while New York Style performed best when loaded with meats, cheese, and sauces. The app experience was smooth—connecting via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth was effortless, and I liked how I could fine-tune cooking time and temperature. However, the app’s default settings tended to run a bit long; we had better results dialing back the time slightly to avoid burning. So, it might take you a few pizzas to learn the proper cook time for your type of pizza.

Performance & Cooking Experience

GearBrain

Performance & Cooking Experience

GearBrain

Performance & Cooking Experience

GearBrain

Performance & Cooking Experience

GearBrain

Performance & Cooking Experience

GearBrain

Performance & Cooking Experience

GearBrain

Performance & Cooking Experience

GearBrain

Indoor vs. Outdoor Cooking

The Model P is certified for indoor and outdoor use, and I tested it in both environments. Indoors, I had to place it on my stovetop under the range hood. Even with proper placement, I occasionally encountered smoke, especially when I lost track of the pizza, which can burn quickly at high temperatures. (Note: The Model P can reach up to 850°F.) Once, the smoke triggered my home alarms. My advice? Keep a close eye on the oven while cooking indoors and always use it near ventilation or an open window. The oven does have a light to make it easy for you to see what's going on inside the oven.

Outdoors, the Model P performed flawlessly, but it is not weatherproof. You’ll want to cover it to protect the finish and components when not in use. Though the oven is made of painted steel with brass and plastic accents, its core stainless steel chamber has a 10-year limited warranty, and the cooking stone is backed for 2 years.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Use Current app to control and monitor pizza cooking in Current Backyard Model P Smart Pizza OvenGearBrain

The cordierite pizza stone requires special care. Don’t use soap or place it in the dishwasher, and avoid submerging it in water. I used a nylon bristle brush, followed by a damp cloth to clean off food debris. It’s also critical to check that no loose bristles remain before cooking. The oven body should only be wiped down—no steel wool or abrasive cleaners, as they may damage the finish.

Design, Size & Storage

The Model P has a premium, industrial design that looks and feels high-end. Compared to competitors like the Breville Pizzaioli and Ooni Volt 12, I prefer the Model P’s cleaner lines and modern aesthetic. However, its size is substantial, weighing over 30 pounds; it’s not something you’ll move frequently. If counter space is tight, you’ll need to plan where it can live between uses.

Is the Price Worth It?

Perfect size pizza made in Current Backyard Model P Smart Pizza OvenGearBrain

At $699, the Model P offers excellent value for a smart electric pizza oven. It undercuts competitors like Breville and Ooni by at least $100, while adding Bluetooth/Wi-Fi control, cooking presets, and app-guided recipes. Beyond the tech, it’s also a money-saver. For our test, we spent just $5 on dough (enough to make a 16-inch pizza) and $8 on 16 oz of high-quality sauce, both purchased from a local pizzeria. With our own fresh mozzarella on hand, we easily made multiple pizzas for a group of eight—at a fraction of the cost of ordering out. Considering a typical 16-inch pizza costs around $22, making your own not only delivered better quality and a fun experience, but was significantly cheaper than buying two pies. If you love pizza but aren’t confident in the kitchen, the Model P combines convenience, smart features, and restaurant-quality results in a way that pays off quickly.

Buy on Current Backyard Site

Summary

End results from using Currrent Backyard Model P Smart Pizza Oven - dinner is now served.GearBrain

Overall, the Model P Smart Pizza Oven is a standout appliance for anyone who loves pizza and wants restaurant-quality results at home—with or without a culinary background. The app support, smart cooking modes, and even heat distribution make it incredibly easy to use. Just be sure to give it 20 minutes to preheat and place it in a well-ventilated area when cooking indoors. Once it’s up to temp, it works like a charm. If you have the space for it, the Model P delivers big flavor, fast.

Pros

• Rapid Cooking Time
• Smart App Integration
• Indoor & Outdoor Use
• Even Heat Distribution
• Versatile Cooking Modes
• Durable Construction
• Energy Efficient

Cons

• Preheat Time takes too long.
• Size and Weight
• Smoke Production Indoors
• Learning Curve using cooking controls
• Price Point - not cheap