Ooni Pro Pizza Oven Review
If you’ve ever dreamed of making your own fresh pizza at home, this Ooni Pro Pizza Oven review will tell you all you need to know to get started. I’ve used it myself, and I can tell you that it’s the closest thing to real Italian pizza outside of Napoli... and I've been there.
Home pizza ovens have become increasingly popular in the past few years, starting from when the pandemic closed up most of our favorite local pizzerias.
Home pizza ovens are relatively easy to use. Not only are they fun to have around, but they also allow you to make homemade pizza that’s even better than what you’d get at a pizzeria. And healthier
If you are thinking about getting an outdoor pizza oven, then keep reading to learn more about them; the various types, and how you can be making your own pizza at home faster than you can say, “Mangia, mangia!”
But before we dive into the technical details, let’s have a look at the good stuff… the end results! Here’s what I achieved in my own backyard patio:
Three Great Options for Outdoor Pizza Ovens:
OUR TOP PICK
The Karu 16 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven is the full package. It's big enough to cook an extra-large pie, but is still portable enough to be easily moved to whatever space you have in mind for a picnic or backyard party.
It also gives you the option to select one of three heat sources: wood, charcoal, or gas. No matter which one you choose, the pizza will be cooked perfectly. The main difference is in the flavor. The gas will be a "cleaner" flavor, allowing the toppings to stand out, while both the charcoal and the wood will impart a nice smokiness to the whole pie, if that's your preference.
Overall, this pizza oven is very hard to fault. In terms of price, quality, and practicality, this model ticks all of the boxes and is highly deserving of its impressive ratings.
Pros
- Great ventilation system
- Multiple options for heat source
- Large size for bigger pizzas
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
Cons
- The most expensive of the three units in this review
EDITOR'S CHOICE
The Koda 16 Gas Powered Pizza Oven is sturdy, well-built, and super convenient to transport. The propane heat source allows it to hit the high temps where you can bang out a real Neapolitan pie. If you love pizza and aren’t afraid of making your own dough, you can’t beat this oven for the price.
The quality and portability of the Ooni ovens are hard to beat. There is certainly a learning curve and some art to making pizza (that's the fun part!). Getting a wooden peel to insert the pizzas and using a small turning peel to spin the pizzas while cooking are both a must. Letting the pizzas cool a bit on a cooling rack keeps the crust crispy and avoids a soggy crust over time.
This model runs on your choice of propane or natural gas for ultimate ease. It heats to 950°F, which means you can cook fresh, stone-baked pizza in as little as 60 seconds. The innovative L-shaped flame for one-turn cooking
Pros
- Great ventilation system
- Large size for bigger pizzas
- User-friendly
- Lightweight
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Only one heating option (although it uses propane or natural gas)
BEST VALUE
The Fyra 12 Wood Pellet Pizza Oven is a brilliant value for money. It's fueled by hardwood pellets for consistently high heat and low maintenance. It reaches 950°F (500°C) in just 15 minutes and cooks stone-baked pizzas in as little as 60 seconds!
This unit is ultra portable at just 22lbs, so it fits into just about any outdoor space.
This is the best choice for those who want a live-fire experience and intense flavors. The innovative gravity-fed pellet hopper automatically feeds through hardwood pellets for effortless cooking. A 3kg bag of pellets is quite compact and will last for a good 2-3 hours of cooking. Keep the pellets topped up and your oven will stay at a consistent high temperature.
While it's a bit messier than the gas options, the pellets light up easily, burn cleanly, and leave little ash behind, making for a quick clean up. But of course the big advantage is that the wood adds a smoky, aromatic flavor to your pizzas... or whatever you cook in the Ooni Fyra 12.
Pros
- Great ventilation system
- Wood adds a nice flavor
- Fits easily in any outdoor space
- Lightweight
Cons
- For smaller pizzas only
- A little messy to clean
Outdoor Pizza Oven Buying Guide
There are a few different types of outdoor pizza ovens on the market, each with its own set of features and benefits. Here are the most popular types of outdoor pizza ovens to help you make your decision:
Wood-Fired Pizza Ovens:
Wood-fired pizza ovens are the traditional type of oven, dating back hundreds of years. These ovens use wood as the primary fuel source, giving the pizza a unique flavor. Wood-fired pizza ovens can reach extremely high temperatures, making them ideal for cooking pizza.
Gas Pizza Ovens:
Gas-fired pizza ovens are another popular option. They are easier to operate than wood-fired ovens and require less maintenance. However, they can be more expensive to purchase and may not provide the same flavor as a wood-fired pizza.
Electric Pizza Ovens:
Electric pizza ovens are the most convenient type of oven to use. With their adjustable thermostats, it is possible to obtain consistent temperatures for the desired amount of time, allowing for more control over the cooking process. BUT these do not get as hot as the other types, so you can't really make the Neapolitan style pizzas, only the U.S. styles.
Multi-Fuel Ovens:
Multi-fuel cooking options or “hybrid” ovens are also available. Fueled by real wood or charcoal out of the box — or with the optional gas burner — these ovens can cook authentic stone-baked pizza in any outdoor space in just 60 seconds! Perfect for a camping trip.
Outdoor Pizza Ovens - a great way to entertain guests
Looking to make pizza night even better? Add an outdoor pizza oven to your backyard and cook up delicious pies for the whole family to enjoy. But why stop there? Outdoor pizza ovens are a great way to entertain guests and make new friends! If you're thinking about getting an outdoor pizza oven, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
First, you'll need to choose the right location for your oven. It should be close to your kitchen so you can easily prepare the pizzas, but it should also be in a spot where guests can easily gather around.
Next, you'll need to choose the right type of oven. There are many different kinds of outdoor pizza ovens on the market, so do some research to find the one that best suits your needs.
Finally, you'll need to make sure you have the right accessories. Pots, pans, and pizza peels will all come in handy when making pizzas in your outdoor oven.
Tips for perfect pizza from your outdoor oven
1. Make sure the outdoor oven is properly preheated before cooking your pizza. The ideal temperature for cooking pizza in an outdoor oven is between 800-850 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Use a pizza stone or baking sheet to cook your pizza. This will help to evenly cook the crust and prevent it from sticking to the oven.
3. Be careful not to overcook your pizza. The cheese should be melted and bubbly, and the crust should be golden brown. And remember that it will continue to cook for a minute or two after removing it from the oven.
4. Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This will allow the cheese to set and make it easier to slice without making a mess.
Final Thoughts on Outdoor Pizza Ovens
Pizza ovens have been around for centuries, and their popularity has only grown in recent years. Thanks to the ever-growing popularity of outdoor cooking and entertaining, pizza ovens are now a must-have for many home cooks.
One of the great things about outdoor pizza ovens is that they are very versatile. You can use them to make pizzas of all different sizes and flavors, and also it can be used to quickly cook steaks and other meats. PLUS... you'll be the most popular house in your neighborhood!