# Do you need a pizza oven cover? Storing an oven over winter

Source: https://peelandflame.co.uk/blog/storing-a-pizza-oven-in-winter
Published: 2026-10-12
Publisher: Peel and Flame

**In short:** Yes, a fitted cover is worth having for any pizza oven left outside, but over a British winter the best protection is to let it cool, clean it, cover it and store it somewhere dry such as a shed or garage, with the gas bottle disconnected and kept outdoors. A damp stone can crack if heated too fast, so the first firing in spring should be gentle.

Portable pizza ovens are built for outdoor use, not for months of rain, frost and damp. Water gets into the stone and insulation, steel parts can rust, and spiders and mice like a quiet burner tube. A little care in autumn saves trouble when the weather warms up. This guide covers when a cover is enough, when to bring the oven inside, how to deal with the gas bottle and fuel, and how to fire the oven safely for the first time in spring.

## What winter does to a pizza oven

Pizza stones are usually made of cordierite or a similar porous ceramic. They absorb moisture from rain and humid air. If a wet stone is heated quickly, the water turns to steam inside it and can crack the stone. Frost adds to the risk if water in the stone or oven body freezes and expands.

Painted and powder-coated steel can chip and rust if it stays wet for long periods, and even stainless steel can stain. Insulation inside the dome can take on damp, which slows heat-up. On gas ovens, small insects sometimes build webs or nests in the burner and gas tubes when an oven sits unused, which can affect the flame.

## Cover outside or bring it in?

A fitted, waterproof cover keeps rain, leaves and bird droppings off the oven and is useful all year round between cooks. Several ovens in our guides come with one, including some Mimiuo and NutriChef models, according to their listings. Makers such as Ooni and Gozney sell covers made for each model; check the fit list on the maker's site.

A cover alone is not a full winter solution. Condensation can build up underneath, and wind can work under the edges. For the coldest, wettest months, bringing the oven into a dry shed, garage or outbuilding is better. Make sure it is completely cold and that the gas bottle is disconnected and stays outside.

| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fitted cover outdoors | Between cooks, mild spells | Condensation, wind lifting the cover |
| Cover plus sheltered spot | Ovens too heavy to move | Damp stone; check before use |
| Dry shed or garage | Winter storage | Never store or use gas bottles inside |

Cover versus indoor storage

[See portable pizza ovens](https://peelandflame.co.uk/best/best-portable-pizza-oven)

## Getting the oven ready for winter

Pellets left in a hopper absorb moisture and can swell and clog it, so empty them and store the bag sealed. Keep the hose and regulator dry and away from rodents, which sometimes chew rubber. Our guide on [how to clean a pizza stone](https://peelandflame.co.uk/blog/how-to-clean-a-pizza-stone) explains how to clean the stone without water damage.

1. Let the oven cool completely after the last cook.
2. On a gas oven, turn off the bottle, disconnect the regulator and hose and store the bottle upright outdoors.
3. Empty all ash, unburnt wood and pellets from wood or pellet ovens.
4. Brush the stone clean; do not soak it in water.
5. Wipe the outside and dry any damp parts.
6. Remove the stone if your manual suggests it and store it somewhere dry.
7. Fit the cover, or move the oven into dry storage.

Note: Store gas bottles upright, outdoors, in a ventilated place away from drains and heat, never in a house, garage or shed. Check the hose and regulator for wear before reconnecting. If you suspect a gas leak, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

## Cooking through the winter

Many people keep using their oven on dry winter days, and it works well with a little planning. Propane copes with cold far better than butane, so use propane on cold evenings. Expect a longer heat-up when the oven and stone start cold, as our guide to [how long pizza ovens take to heat up](https://peelandflame.co.uk/blog/pizza-oven-heat-up-times) explains, and shield the mouth from the wind with a safe windbreak.

Bring the stone up to heat gradually rather than at full blast, especially if it may be damp. After cooking, let the oven cool fully before covering it. For pizza when it is too wet or cold outside, an indoor electric oven is a practical alternative; see our [best electric pizza oven for indoors](https://peelandflame.co.uk/best/best-electric-pizza-oven-for-indoors) guide.

## The first firing in spring

Before the first cook of the year, inspect the oven. Look for cracks in the stone, rust or damage on the body, and loose parts. On a gas oven, check the hose for cracks or stiffness, clear any webs from the burner and air inlets as the manual describes, reconnect the bottle and do a soapy-water leak test on every joint before lighting.

Then do a gentle burn. Light the oven on a low flame, or a small wood fire, and let it run for a while to drive moisture out of the stone and insulation before turning it up to full heat. This reduces the risk of cracking a damp stone. If the stone has cracked, see [pizza stone cracked](https://peelandflame.co.uk/blog/pizza-stone-cracked) for what to do next.

## Frequently asked questions

**Do I need a cover for an Ooni Koda?** A fitted cover is a good idea for any oven kept outside. Ooni sells covers for its ovens; check the maker's site for the one that fits your model.

**Is a Gozney Roccbox cover enough over winter?** It protects from rain and dirt, but for a long, wet winter a dry shed or garage is better. Keep the gas bottle outside.

**Can I leave the stone in the oven over winter?** You can if the oven is stored dry. If it lives outside, removing the stone and keeping it indoors reduces moisture and frost risk.

**Why did my stone crack in spring?** Moisture trapped in the stone turned to steam when it was heated quickly. A slow first firing helps avoid this.

## Buying guides on this topic

- https://peelandflame.co.uk/best/best-portable-pizza-oven
- https://peelandflame.co.uk/best/best-gas-pizza-oven
- https://peelandflame.co.uk/best/best-outdoor-pizza-oven-uk

## Sources

- [Ooni](https://ooni.com)
- [Gozney](https://www.gozney.com)