A piping hot comparison of the various Ooni pizza ovens models
Pizza connoisseurs, you’ve made the perfect choice with the Ooni brand. Your friends, family, and co-workers have been raving about them, and now it’s time to get involved.
An Ooni pizza oven will transform your outdoor kitchen into a rustic Italian pizzeria, delivering authentic wood-fired pizza right in the comfort of your backyard. (as long as you don’t mess up the dough 😂)
But, one burning question remains. Which Ooni model to choose?
Let's delve into the key features, pros, and cons of some of the top Ooni models to help you make an informed decision.
Ooni Models Snapshot
Current models available by Ooni.
- Frya 12 (wood pellets)
- Koda 12 and 16 (propane and gas with adaptor)
- Karu 12 and 16 Multi-fuels (wood, charcoal & propane gas [with optional adaptor])
- Karu 12G - (multi-fuel and newest model - not yet in stock)
- Ooni Volt 12 Electric (coming August 2023)
*Please check the relevant product page for stock availability
Models and Sizes.
You’ll notice models come as 12 or 16. That’s stone size, 12 inch and 16 inch.
(technically it’s 13” diameter (Ooni comparison guide), but because we’re all familiar with the standard pizza sizing conventions, they opted to call it a “12”.
‘12’, means it’s good to make a 12 inch sized pizza.
‘16’, it's good for 16 inch pizzas.
Koda and Kaur both have 12 and 16 models.
Frya model is 12” only.
What is the best seller of all time?
Ooni's top selling model is the legendary Ooni Koda 16, gas-powered pizza oven. (on sale right now actually). This pizza oven is simply the hottest ticket in town, sporting a showstopping design with the convenience of cooking with gas. Koda 16 boasts a wide opening, large cordierite stone baking board and innovative L-shaped burner.
What’s Cory's favourite? / The Cameron Favourite.
That's the Karu 12 wood pellet pizza oven!
Mmmm! Traditionally cooked wood oven pizza’s are so tasty! 🍕 🤤 The Ooni Karu 12 pizza oven is bringing you that all natural wood-fired flavour seeped into every bite! Plus it’s fast and easy to use.
We like to use charcoal over pellets. You'll get more stable temperatures and similar flavour with a good charcoal, and top it off with some hardwood for a bit extra flavour. And, that's also a more cost effective way of doing it.
Comparing the Models
Let's compare these pizza ovens side by side to help you pick the one that will revolutionize your culinary adventures.
| Specifications | Fyra 12 | Karu 12 | Karu 16 | Koda 12 | Koda 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel Source | Wood Pellets | Wood, Charcoal, Gas (with attachment) | Wood, Charcoal, Gas (with attachment) | Propane | Gas (propane or natural gas) |
| Max Temperature | 950ºF | 950ºF | 950ºF | 950ºF | 950ºF |
| Time to Reach Recommended Temperature | 15 to 20 minutes | 15 to 20 minutes | 25 minutes | 15 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Weight | 22 lbs | 26.4 lbs | 50 lbs | 29 lbs | 40.1 lbs |
| Stone Diameter | 12 inches | 12 inches | 16 inches | 12 inches | 16 inches |
| Price* | $479 | $549 (on sale $399) | $1,099 | $549 (on sale $399) | $825 (on sale $599) |
| Special features | Folding legs for easy transport / storage | with extra-thick Ooni Baking Stone | Innovative L-shaped flame for one-turn cooking |
Ooni Fyra
The Ooni Fyra, a successor to the original Ooni 3, is an excellent entry point into the world of pizza ovens. Its portable design and weight of only 22 lbs make it perfect for homeowners with limited outdoor space or those who enjoy taking their pizza-making on the go.
The Fyra utilizes hardwood pellets as its heat source, which imparts a unique, smoky flavor to your pizzas. The innovative gravity-fed pellet hopper automatically feeds through hardwood pellets for effortless cooking. However, this model doesn't offer the option of gas or charcoal, which might limit your flexibility in fuel selection.
Available at an attractive price of $479, it's a top pick for pizza enthusiasts seeking a high-quality, affordable wood-fired oven. While it requires some attention for optimal pellet burning, the incredible flavors and fast cooking times make it a worthy addition to any outdoor cooking setup. Discover the joy of pizza making with the Ooni Fyra 12!
Key features / Benefits
- Hardwood pellet fueled for consistently high heat and low maintenance
- Folding legs for easy transport and storage
- Innovative gravity-fed pellet hopper
Ooni Karu 12 and 16
If you enjoy the authenticity of wood or charcoal-fired pizzas but also appreciate the convenience of gas, the Karu is a stellar choice.
The first pizza oven to be ‘Recommended for Domestic Use’ by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, the acclaimed international authority on true Neapolitan pizza. Phenomenal large 16" pizzas, roasted meats, seared vegetables or even fresh bread. Flame-cook epic meals outdoors with wood, charcoal or gas.
With multiple fuel options, try using wood and/or charcoal for the joy of the pizza purist experience and a subtle wood-fired flavour, or opt for a low-maintenance cook with an Ooni Karu 16 Gas Burner (sold separately). Choose either the Karu 12 or the Karu 16, depending on your appetite.
Key features / Benefits
- Authenticity - Cooking with wood and charcoal gives food a wood-fired flavor that can't be replicated.
- Control - The Ooni Karu 16 Gas Burner gives you additional temperature control and convenience.
- Flexibility - Choose and change your fuel as you wish! Gas for consistency and low-maintenance cooking, and wood/charcoal for smoky, aromatic flavor.
Ooni Koda 12 and 16
Next up are the Ooni Koda 12 and Ooni Koda 16, two gas-powered beauties that stand out for their sleek design and ease of use. If convenience and speed are your top priorities, the Koda models are your best bet. Just turn the dial, and your oven will reach 932°F (500°C) in a mere 15 minutes. Slap in your creation, et voila! Authentic, stone-baked pizza in a lightning-fast 60 seconds.
Take charge of your outdoor cooking experience with Koda 16 a gas-powered outdoor pizza oven designed for stone baking epic 16-inch pizzas, and if you fancy it you can try some delicious flame-cooked steaks, fish and vegetables too. Decide between fuelling with a propane tank or a natural gas line for a maintenance-free cooking experience.
Koda 16 boasts a wide opening, large cordierite stone baking board and innovative L-shaped burner. Like all Ooni pizza ovens, Koda 16 reaches up to 950°F (500°C) – the blazing heat needed for cooking stone-baked, perfect pizza. Take control of your outdoor cooking experience and get yourself a Koda 16 pizza oven.
New Products.. coming soon
Ooni Karu 12G
This Multi-Fuel 12” Pizza Oven is the newest in the product line labeled as the ‘world’s most advanced portable pizza oven’ using over 36% less fuel than previous models.
Ooni Volt 12 Electric
The Volt is set to debut August 2023 and is the first of its kind. An all electric pizza oven, compact, powerful, and good for both Indoor and Outdoor Use. And it looks pretty neat too.
The Lowdown
To sum up, your choice of Ooni pizza oven depends on your fuel preference, need for portability, desired pizza size, and whether you want to cook dishes other than pizza.
It really boils down to two separate conversations in our opinion. The convenience of gas is awesome but the authentic flavour you get from wood or pellet fired pizza is pretty epic and a big bonus in our eyes. So the Karu 12/16 for the flavour/experience, or choose the Koda for quick convenience.
Go big or go home, kinda person? Choose the Karu 16 “the beast”, and add natural gas hook up!
Whichever you choose, each Ooni pizza oven will undoubtedly deliver delicious, restaurant-quality pizza to your home. Happy cooking!