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Question DetailsAsked on 4/3/2017

cost to install a 220 volt receptacle

I want to add a 220 Volt receptacle outside for a pizza oven, the panel has plenty of spares

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2 Answers


Here is a previous similar question with several links to other answers in general about this type project - for the electrical supply only -

Note that even if the panel has lots of breaker slots open, many are rated for 220V service only in the top 2-4 rows so you might not have 220V tap slots available. Also panels are limited in total "rated" load going through them (which is computed, and is usually a lot less than the total of the installed breakers), so if you have a largely electric house a panel can be to capacity with half the slots in a larger box still unused. I remember one house I worked in with only 5 general outlet and lighting circuits, then the 220V circuits and it was to capacity on a 200A rated box - because it had electric radiant heating and tankless water heating, electric range and dryer, A/C, pool circuit (including electric pool heater) which filled out the box capacity with less than half the 40 slots taken up, so your electrician needs to check both limitations. Also, of course, the main breaker capacity has to be up to the added load too - so actually three types of capacity need checking.

Outdoors you will need to add probably $100-200 above what the other answers say to allow for a GFCI weather protected outlet (NEMA 3 or NEMA 4 exposure probably) - and of course the oven itself is going to need serious protection from the elements, unless this a portable one like Cuisinart makes which you intend to take outside only for parties - though the ones I have seen that are small enough to move in and out regularly are 110/120V, not 220V. With a 220/240V oven you definitely do NOT want to be having short circuits from dampness or insects or such getting into the electrical.

Personally, with an outdoor electric pizza oven - if left outside all the time, I would get REAL worried about condensation and corrosion leading to eventual shorting out, but for some reason (a couple of nasty experienced helped) I just have a real adversion to 30-50A 220V short circuits - they can do real nasty things before the breaker trips.

If I was doing this, I would be looking at a "chef's alcove" - which is basically a bumpout built onto the house, but sided and insulated around the outside (with weatherstripped full-opening insulated doors or bifold front-and-side panel doors so the oven is well exposed when they are open, but built so the bumpout is closed to weather and wide open to the house on the inside (though that means the back of the oven would be visible unless mounted sideways in the alcove or concealed with louvers or such) and that the bumpout be part of the household "conditioned space" to avoid condensation issues in the electrical during foggy or cold periods.

Wherever you put this, be sure you have good fire rated protection between it and the walls/floors/roof, that you know how to put out grease fires, and that you have good washable or throw-away floor protection against grease and tomato stains.

Also - and I might be falsely anticipating here - pay attention to minimum clearance between appliances and things like hot tubs and saunas and such - I don't think you are not going to legally be able to put it where you can reach out and grab a pizza out of the oven from the hot tub or pool or such.

Anticipating one more thing - are you going to want additional wiring put in at the same time for lighting, mini fridge or canned drinkk cooler, etc ? Ditto to for entertainment - TV, stereo, CD player, digital device plug-in etc ? Household phone port if you use landline phone ? A lot of people jump into an outdoor activity/recreation center and don't consider how popular a hangout place it might be for them or the family, and end up calling for additional wiring several times rather than roughing it all in at once.

Ditto to plumbing (bearing in mind freezing issue is applicable) if you are going to want a sink or minibar out there.

Note also you are going to need Heating and A/C contractor also probably - for the venting - unless a small portable unit you will need permanent venting duct for this, with grease collection and probably grease fire suppression screening if against the house.

Have you considered a gas pizza oven (though still needs the venting) - gas is MUCH more common in outdoor kitchens, and as long as all stainless and protected from the direct weather do a lot better outside. Or put it inside somewhere near to the door from the porch/patio ?

I am worried about finding a contractor to actually install this thing for you, because I can't imagine any electric pizza oven NOT having the usual warning about it being for indoor installations only. To be legal, you might have to get a Marine Service one - designed for use on boats/yachts which are designed for limited incidental spray and splashing on them, and condensing conditions - though even there except on large yachts or liners, they are gas because most pleasure boats do not have the heavy duty electrical supply available.

Nother possibility - cook the pizze in your regular oven, then have an outdoor warming oven or heatlamp shelf outside to keep it hot till wanted - gas, or 120V portable electric warming oven that you bring in and store away somewhere between parties (unless this is for your personal use), or heat lamp rack protected from the weather.

Answered 2 years ago by LCD

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