Southern barbecue is the closest thing we have in the U.S. to Europe’s wines and cheeses; drive a hundred miles and the barbecue changes – John Shelton Reed 

Culture, as a concept and an idea, can mean a lot of different things to people. The conventional notion thrives on the proposition that culture is something that develops over an extended period of time, and gains significant substance and shape due to the collision of a multitude of similar ideas.

While that theory is fine in principle and works for places like Europe, it falls short when trying to explain historically younger nations, like  America.

We might not have the same amount of history under our belt as our older cousins across the pond do, but our culture is just as vibrant and rich as any European country’s culture is.

As far as culture is concerned the only model that really works, or has any real bearing or significance as far as we’re concerned, is a culture that’s shaped by people. We are the architects of our own culture, and our culture is doing just fine.

And the hidden, largely undiscovered beating heart of American culture is barbecue.

It’s an addictive, endlessly convoluted culinary artform that varies from place to place and State and State and everyone has their own idea about what makes good barbecue and where the most delicious, mouth-watering dishes originate and come from.

Opinions are as varied and individual as the people who have them, and honestly, we think the only thing you need to make great tasting barbecue is a good grill.

As barbecue is in our blood and we were raised on it, we’ve spent our lives searching for the grill that will make perfect barbecue regardless of where the said grill is located or what recipes you’re using.

The latest stop on our endless quest to find that perfect grill brought us to Pit Boss’ door and a grill that we’d heard a lot of good things about, but until recently had never had the pleasure of cooking with, or on; the Pitboss 820. 

Pit Boss Brand Overview

They may well be relative newcomers to the world of barbecue, having only been around for a little over two decades, but during their short history Pit Boss has already become a name that thousands of Americans have come to adore.

Constantly striving to push the boundaries of grilling technology and evolution, Pit Boss is a brand that pays close attention to what their customers and employees say, and when they talk Pit Boss listens, learns, and uses that information to make their grills better than they were before.

Claiming to make the best value, inch by inch, grills that are available domestically, Pit Boss have wholeheartedly embraced the growing trend for pellet fired grills.

And they decided that they and their grills need to become bigger, hotter, and heavier than their competition in order to finally become the undisputed Kings of the grilling and barbecuing scene.

It’s a pretty bold claim, and move, to make, and one that we knew we had to put to the test when we tried grilling the Pit Boss way by putting the 820 through its barbecuing paces. 

Pit Boss Sportsman 820 – Our Thoughts

Pit Boss Sportsman 820 Wood Pellet Grill

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The first thing we discovered about the Pit Boss Sportsman 820, was that the number didn’t refer to an individual grill, but rather a series of three slightly different wood pellet fired grills.

While we could have chosen any of the three to start barbecuing with, we elected to try our hand with the best selling and most popular model.

Experience has taught us that if you want to find out how, and why, a grill has started to develop its own mythology the best way to find out what all the hoopla and noise is about is by stepping up to the plate of, and cooking with, the grill that’s leading the charge.

And in the world of the 820, the Sportsman is the barbecuing big dog. 

All The Room In The World

The Sportsman 820, like the other grills in the 820 series, is a wood pellet grill, which means that you load the side hopper with pellets, set the pellets alight, dial the temperature and time in, and it’ll do the rest. 

Well, okay, there’s a little more to it than that and once the pellets are lit and start heating things up, that’s when the hopper transfers the heat to the main cooking chamber, which is where all of the barbecuing miracles happen. 

Inside the main chamber are two shelves which give you a combined cooking space of around 849 square inches, which means that you can barbecue and smoke more than you’ll ever need to in order to feed the average American family.

How much can you cook in it? Well, let’s put it this way, we tried the 820 on what we like to call an all-meat Sunday, and we managed to fit half a dozen burgers, a whole chicken, and a couple of steaks in it, all of which with a little careful grilling know-how on our part, were cooked to perfection by the 820. 

The heat was easy to dial in, from the straightforward and simple to use control pad (which also monitors the pellet consumption and how much fuel the hopper has left in its tank), and with an active and available heat range of just over three hundred degrees Fahrenheit, from one-eighty to five hundred degrees, we could easily raise and lower the temperature as and when we needed to, depending on what we wanted to serve and when. 

Next Stop Pellet City

All the heat and smoke that the Pit Boss makes comes directly from its rather grandiose hopper, which can hold up to twenty-one pounds of pellets at a time.

That’s a lot of wood to use at once, and while the Pit Boss can safely hold and burn that much fuel unless you’re going to embark on a mammoth all-day cook, we’d advise doing things the way did, and just using ten pounds of pellets and keeping an eye on the top-up gauge.

You won’t need to fill the Sportsman 820 any further than that for an average cook, but it’s nice to know that the 820 has the capacity to hold, and burn, more pellets if you need to use them. 

One of the things that we love about wood pellet grills like the Sportsman is that when you get the temperature just right, all of the smoke that the wood makes will infuse into whatever you’re grilling, and add an incredible dimension of flavor that you wouldn’t have dreamed was possible, and the Sportsman poured that flavor on like it was going out of fashion. 

And being the suckers for flavor that we are, we just let it do what it does and reaped all the benefits when it finished cooking.

Sometimes, even the best grills are difficult to clean when you’re finished, but that wasn’t the case with the Sportsman. The hopper is easy to remove and clean out, and the main cooking chamber is just as simple to wipe down, which made our least favorite part of grilling easier than we thought it would be.

When it comes to cleaning, we like to keep things quick and simple, and the Sportsman earned almost as many barbecue points during the clean-up as it did while we grilling.

A Hole In One. Or Maybe Eight.

Pit Boss likes everyone to know how versatile their grills are, and while the Sportsman subscribes to their eight in one model (it’ll bake, barbecue, smoke, grill, broil, roast, and more), as we’re die-hard grillers, we only used it to smoke and cook some mouth-watering, lip-smacking barbecue with.

And it did everything that we asked it to and more, and we’re pretty sure that with enough time and dedication, we could teach the Sportsman to sit up and beg and even play fetch. 

Limitations Of The Pit Boss Sportsman 820

Much as we loved the Sportsman, there were a couple of bumps in the road on it’s way to grilling paradise.

While it’s fitted with wheels and folding legs to give it the illusion of being portable and easy to move around, as it weighs around one hundred and fifty pounds, it’s so heavy that unless you spend all of your free time in the gym, once you’ve found a place for it in your yard, it’s going to stay put.

And then there’s the other thing that bothered us about the Sportsman, and yes we know it’s an incredibly minor and petty issue, but we’re going to talk about it because we feel like we should.

The other Pit Boss products in the 820 series have a thermometer on the front of the cooking chamber, but the Sportsman doesn’t.

Instead of a temperature gauge, it has a branded Pit Boss badge, which means that the only way you’ll know how hot it is is by checking the temperature on the control panel.

Would we rather have a gauge than a badge? You bet we would, but we guess that’s something that the grilling majority didn’t want, which is probably why Pit Boss didn’t include one.

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Final Thoughts

Did we like the Pit Boss? We absolutely loved it and would happily grill an endless series of weekends away with it, and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend that our nearest and dearest get themselves hooked up with a Sportsman to do the same. 

Is it the perfect grill that we’ve spent our lives searching for?

No, it isn’t. It fell short on a couple of points, namely the temperature gauge and its weight, but perfection is within its reach.

And given how innovative and forward-thinking Pit Boss is, we wouldn’t be surprised if one day soon, they achieved our idea of grilling perfection with their 820 range.  

The post Pit Boss 820 Sportsman Pellet Grill Review – Worth It? appeared first on Own The Grill.

Pizza is best cooked on grills using a pizza stone that is usually made of ceramic or cordierite. It makes your pizza taste fresh and like it was made in a brick oven. Most pizza stones are very affordable and can last for years and years to come if you take proper care of them.

We’ve created this resource to help you decide which pizza stone is the right one for your grill!

Best Pizza Stone for Grills – Our Top Picks

Cuisinart Deluxe Grilling Pizza Stone Pack

Cuisinart Deluxe Grilling Pack: Stone, Peel, Pizza Cutter

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Cuisinart is a pretty popular name when it comes to kitchen accessories and appliances.  They’ve done a really nice job with their Deluxe Grilling Pizza Stone pack – it’s functional, affordable, and comes with everything you need to make delicious pizza.

Specifically, it comes with a 15 inch diameter pizza stone that’s made of 0.5 inch thick cordierite.  It also comes with an aluminum pizza peel and a quick-cut pizza cutter.  At only 10 pounds, it’s not too terribly difficult to move around and store while it’s not in use.  All things considered, this pack provides excellent bang for your buck.

Napoleon 15-Inch Pizza Stone

Napoleon 15-Inch Pizza Stone

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If you have people in your family that prefer different pizza topics, the Napoleon 15 inch pizza stone perfect. You can cook two different pizzas at the same time to meet everyone’s needs. The 10-inch size is great for personal pan sizes so that everyone has enough to eat and even some for leftovers.

Making small breads and cookies is also easy with these small stones. Overall, it is the perfect way to compliment your outdoor cooking experience. It is also a great way to get a wide variety of pizzas and other food at the same time.  Napoleon is one of the best quality brands in grilling and their pizza stones are no different!

Napoleon Rectangular Baking Stone

Napoleon 70008 Rectangular Pizza Baking Stone, Multi

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This is a baking stone that is great for making large rectangular pizzas. It is 14” by 20” so you can easily fit two pizzas on it at the same time. The stone will naturally season over time and creates a non-stick surface. It also does not retain previous food odors.

It helps pull away unwanted moisture from the food so you can make perfect pizza, pastries, and breads. Since it doesn’t retain the flavors of previous foods, feel free to mix sweet and salty foods on the same pan.

Weber Pizza Stone Set

Weber Pizza Stone Set

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Weber is one of the biggest names in BBQ and they have been around since 1952. They are well-known for their outstanding customer services and tried and true cooking systems. If you already own a Weber grill, you know how amazing and classy they are.

This 2 set pizza stone kit is made of cordierite stone that absorbs moisture during cooking. This makes it ideal for lovers of light and crispy crust. It also comes with a carrying rack that makes it easy to transport your pizza from the grill to the table.

It is 14” X 4” and weighs 5 pounds. The set also comes with handles that make moving the pizza around easier and help to protect your hands from burning. The stone should be heated for about 20 minutes before use and will cook your homemade pizza quickly.

Weber’s pizza stones are fully warranted for 2 years.

Best Pizza Stones for Specific Grill Brands

There are a few brands out there that offer some of the best pizza stone products, but the catch is they are made as accessories for specific grills. You may have seen their brand names when it comes to grills or you may even own a grill by one of the brands.

Before buying a pizza stone, check that it is fully compatible with the grill that you own.

Blaze 14 3/4 Inch Ceramic Pizza Stone

Blaze Grills Pizza Stone

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Blaze is best known for its commercial quality grill bodies and burners. They also have a large selection of accessories including amazing pizza stones.

This pizza stone weighs 10 pounds and is 15” X 18”. It can be used for pizza, but also pieces of bread and cookies. It is made specifically to sit on the ledge of the cooking grates on Blaze Original or Blaze Premium LTE Grills.

It can also rest on top of the cooking grids of Blaze Professional LUX. The stone is fully thermal shock resistant and won’t crack when exposed to extreme temperature changes. It is made from high-fired refractory ceramics and has a stainless-steel tray that helps to elevate the stone.

Blaze Professional LUX 15-Inch Ceramic Pizza Stone

Blaze Professional LUX 15-Inch Ceramic Pizza Stone

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This ceramic pizza stone is designed for use with Blaze Professional LUX Grills. It should not be used with Blaze Original Grills, Blaze premium LTE grills, or Blaze Premium LTE2 grills.

This stone is 15 inches and has a stainless-steel tray to help elevate the stone for better cooking. The tray is made to sit on the ledges inside the grill where the searing rods are. Note that the searing rod needs to be removed before putting the stone on the ledge.

This stone can get up to 500 degrees and the crust also comes out crispy and tasty. It is affordable and easy to clean when you’re done.

All of Blaze pizza stones are fully warranted for one year

Fire Magic Pizza Stone Kit

Fire Magic Grills 3514 Pizza Stone Kit

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Fire Magic is known for its high performance, versatility, and durability. They have an extensive line of cooking accessories that offer you all the convenience you need, especially when it comes to cooking pizza.

This full kit comes with a 14” x 14” stone with a stainless-steel frame. It is made of cordierite stone which evenly distributes heat to make the perfect pizza or baked good. It can be used with any Fire Magic or AOG grill. It includes everything you need to get started making homemade pizza right in your own backyard.

It also comes with a wooden pizza peel. The stone and the frame will cover two burners on your grill when you’re using it.

Primo Natural Finished 16-Inch Pizza Stone

Primo Pizza Stone, 16-Inch

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Primo is known for its amazing oval-shaped ceramic grills that offer more cooking flexibility and efficiency than any other ceramic grill. All their grills and accessory products are made in the USA. They have 3 of the best pizza stone options.

This stone by Primo is ceramic and fits the Primo Oval XL and the Oval Large and Large Round Kamado Grills. This stone is perfect for baking traditional pizza, desserts, or homemade bread. The crust cooks evenly every time ensuring that you always get the perfect pizza for yourself and your guests.

Kamado Joe Pizza Stone For Big Joe II & III

Kamado Joe Pizza Stone

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Kamado Joe grills are known for their endless versatility. They offer some of the best backyard BBQ experience and some of the most well-known grilling accessories on the market. They have the widest options of pizza stones, including options for deep-dish pizza.

This pizza stone comes ready to use and doesn’t need any seasoning or cooking oil. It is best used with the Big Joe II and III 24-inch grills. The ceramic stone keeps your pizza cooked evenly while also keeping moisture in your pizza to keep it crispy and full of flavor.

It can also be used to bake bread and casseroles. The stone is extremely easy to clean. Simply brush it off with a wire BBQ brush and keep it in a dry area after washing it. Don’t use any cleaning solutions as they can be absorbed by the stone.

The stone also needs to be used with the Kamado Joe Heat Deflector so that your pizza doesn’t burn easily.

Kamado Joe Deep Dish Pizza Stone

KamadoJoe Deep Dish Pizza Stone

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This is a great option if you plan to make deep-dish pizza or if you want to cook something else like paella, casseroles, or bread. This dish gives you even more options than a normal stone pizza.

The stone can absorb heat and excess moisture which means all your food is cooked perfectly every single time. This stone will also need the Kamado Joe heat deflector to keep the pizza from burning.

It is normal if the ceramic darkens over time so don’t be alarmed. Make sure to keep it clean with just water and a brush, cleaning solutions are not necessary. Get ready to have restaurant-quality deep dish pizzas right from your own home.

Kamado Joe Pizza Stone For Classic 18-Inch Grills

Kamado Joe’s classic pizza stone is the best choice for a basic stone that can make great flavorful pizzas. It is made of ½ inch heavy-duty ceramic that keeps your pizza and other food hot, crispy, and full of flavor.

It can be used to make anything you would make in an indoor oven. You can use it as soon you buy it because it does not need cooking oil or any seasoning. You will need to clean any residual food off it by just flipping it over so the heat from the fire will naturally burn away any remaining food particles. Never use cleaning solutions.

The stone is specifically designed for Kamado Joe Classic 18-inch grills. It is great for baking wood-fired flavored pizza on the Kamado grills.

How Do I Clean My Grill Pizza Stones?

Unlike regular dishes, pizza stones should only be cleaned with warm water. You can also use a special BBQ brush that won’t scratch or damage the surface. For residue, let the natural heat from the grill burn it off and then gently remove it.

Try not to scrap or press on the surface too hard. Also never cleaning solutions or dish detergent. You don’t even need mild soap; warm water is the best way to clean it.

Final Thoughts

A quality pizza stone is a fantastic way to make pizza at home without needing to invest in an entire pizza oven. A good stone will be high-quality ceramic and will be specially fitted for the grill you own. It is best to buy a stone by the same company as your grill but isn’t completely necessary. Always check what kind of stone is best for your grill before buying.

Stones come in small and large sizes, so you can get one that’s just for you or the entire family.  Stainless steel frames are also better for some grills and will allow you to move the grill easily without burning your hands or arms.

The post Best Pizza Stone for Grill – For Epic Pizza Nights Outdoors appeared first on Own The Grill.

Hand crafting your own pizza at home is a great way to make delicious food and memories with your family and friends.  There isn’t a better way to run a make your own pizza night than with your own outdoor pizza oven.

In this post, we’ve pulled together our picks for the best outdoor pizza oven, so you can have the research all in one place!  After some product reviews, we’ll get into buying tips and what to look for when shopping for the right fit for your home.

Best Outdoor Pizza Oven Reviews

Ooni Koda 16 Outdoor Pizza Oven

Ooni Koda 16 Outdoor Pizza Oven

Ooni's flagship portable outdoor pizza oven is fueled by propane and can heat to a whopping 900ºF in less than 15 minutes.

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Ooni is one of the premier names when it comes to outdoor pizza ovens, and the Ooni Koda 16 Outdoor Pizza Oven is their flagship portable outdoor oven.

Fueled by a 20 lb propane gas tank, it can heat up to over 900 degrees Fahrenheit in less than 15 minutes, with the pizza stone capable of being heated to around 750 degrees.  From there, it can crank out Neapolitan style pizzas is as little as 60 seconds.

This oven comes in a second size that’s a little bit smaller, the Ooni Koda 12.

Set up and use of this oven also couldn’t be easier.  It’s basically ready to go out of the box, and thanks to a slim profile it’s easy to handle while being sturdy at the same time.  At under 30 pounds, it’s perfect for outdoor cooking or for taking on the go.

The shell is insulated steel, which is what makes the oven capable of reaching such high temperatures.  Foldable, yet sturdy legs anchor the oven on whichever flat surface you choose to cook on outdoors.

I would add that with this outdoor pizza oven probably more than others, you have to pay close attention while cooking since the heat gets so high!  If you stop paying attention, that delicious golden crust can quickly burn.

Check out our post on Ooni vs Napoli Pizza Ovens if you want to see how these ovens stack up to other popular brands.

Things We Like:

• Great price point for the level of performance.
• The oven can get up to 930 degrees Fahrenheit in 15 minutes.
• Capable of making Neapolitan style pizzas in as little as 60 seconds.
• Adjustable valves let you have complete control over temperature.
• Insulated steel shell does a fantastic job with heat retention.

Things We Don’t:

• The opening is a tiny bit narrower than we’d like, it’s not a deal breaker but it can take a few tries before mastering how to perfectly navigate your pizza cook!

CBO 750 Countertop Wood Fired Pizza Oven

Chicago Brick Oven 750 Countertop Wood Fired Pizza Oven

• Cooks two 12" pizzas at once
• Certified for indoor and outdoor use
• Commercial grade refractory cement interior can hold heat in excess of 1000ºF

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If you are in the market for a commercial grade, high end outdoor pizza oven, the Chicago Brick Oven 750 Countertop pizza oven is an excellent choice.

It’s big enough to accommodate two 12″ pizzas at once, and potentially three smaller pies at the same time. The hearth cooking surface measures 38″ x 28″.

On the temperature front, this oven can get up to a whopping 1,000ºF thanks to a commercial grade refractory cement shell – so you can easily cook a pizza in less than a minute.

The shell is designed with Chicago Brick Oven’s FlameRoll technology, which ensures even temperatures throughout the oven while you cook.

It’s important to point out that this specific unit is a wood fired pizza oven, although a similar product is available that is both a gas and wood fired hybrid pizza oven.

Ooni Karu 16 Pizza Oven

Ooni Karu 16 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven

• Operates with both wood fired and gas fired heat
• Reaches 950ºF in only 15 minutes
• Hinged oven door with viewing window

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The Ooni Karu 16 is king when it comes to portable multi-fuel pizza ovens.  The base unit is ready to use for wood fired pizzas, but you can also add on a gas attachment that lets you easily switch back and forth between wood and gas fired pizza.

This really is a great feature when you consider the differences between the two fuel types.  Wood fire means you get access to that authentic, delicious, hint of smoke flavor on your pizza.  Gas sacrifices a little bit of flavor in exchange for ultimate convenience and no clean up.  Sometimes it’s nice to be able to switch between both.

As with other Ooni ovens, the Karu can get up to 950ºF in just 15 minutes, which is hot enough to cook a pizza in about a minute.

A new feature with the Karu 16 is the hinged oven door that includes a viewing window.  Doors are nice because they keep uniform heat inside the cooker, but the problem is that with most doors you can’t see inside to determine whether or not you pizza is done cooking.

That’s not a worry with the Karu 16 as you get the best of both worlds – heat stays inside and you can visually monitor your pizza while it cooks through the viewing window.

Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven

Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven

• Great price to quality ratio
• Heats up to 700ºF in about 15 minutes

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Camp Chef is a very well known and reputable brand in the world of cooking.  They also happen to make one of the best outdoor pizza ovens with their Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven.  What I especially love about this product is that it comes at an extremely reasonable price for how high quality it is – you can make some spectacular artisan pizza with this unit.

The ceiling is double layered, which makes the oven cook like a brick oven with enhanced heating dynamics.  Stainless steel is the primary material used for construction, which heats up well and is super easy to clean after you’re done cooking.

Oven temperatures can reach up to 700 degrees, so it can handle any of your pizza firing needs.  A valve control and micro adjust system is built in so you have complete control over how hot you want to go when cooking.

The unit is also well ventilated and features a ceramic pizza stone which helps to distribute heat evenly across your pizza.

Read our full review of the Camp Chef Pizza Oven here if you would like a more detailed look at this cooker!

Things We Like:

• Great price point considering performance, features, and quality.
• The oven can get up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit in 15 minutes.
• Good ventilation and double layered construction to emulate a brick oven.
• Micro adjust valves let you have complete control over temperature.
• Fueled by a standard propane connection to a 5 lb tank.

Things We Don’t:

• At 47 pounds, it’s a little bit of a hassle to move around.

Roccbox Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven

ROCCBOX Gozney Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven

• Heats as high as 950ºF
• Unique rolling flame flow creates incredibly even heat
• Silicone outer body skin reduces danger of burns

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The Roccbox Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven is about as premium as it gets.  To be transparent about it up front, this is the most expensive product on our list, and is most definitely an option for those that have a little more of a budget.

The thing that makes the Roccbox stand out the most to me is that it’s designed with safety in mind.  We are talking about temperatures nearing 1,000 degrees when we talk about pizza ovens, and the thought of a curious kid touching the shell of a pizza oven keeps me up at night.

Roccbox by far has the safest design.  Their unit’s body insulation and outer silicone skin greatly reduce the danger of skin burns that come into play on other pizza ovens (you still should try to avoid touching the outer shell as a good practice).

Beyond that, the Roccbox is built as a turn-key portable outdoor pizza oven.  An inbuilt thermometer, retractable legs and detachable dual-fuel burners make it easy to transport and set up – all you have to to is flip the switch to begin cooking.

All in all, it’s a fantastic product, and if the price is in your wheelhouse you most definitely won’t be disappointed.  Note that we’ve done a deep dive comparison of Roccbox vs Ooni pizza ovens for a closer look at these brands!

Things We Like:

• Safety first.  The body insulation and outer silicone skin greatly reduces the danger of skin burn.
• 60 second Neapolitan pizza results are achievable with temperatures reaching 932 degrees Fahrenheit.
• General ease of use.  The design is intuitive and ready to go right out of the box.
• Choose between gas or wood as your fire’s fuel.
• Detachable fuel burners and retractable legs make the Roccbox incredibly easy to store and transport.

Things We Don’t:

• Price.  There’s no way around it, it’s an expensive oven.  But many who have bought are still quite pleased, despite the high price tag.

Ooni Pro Outdoor Pizza Oven

Ooni Pro Multi-Fuel Outdoor Pizza Oven

• Multiple fuel options (wood or charcoal ready out of the box, can also use gas with a separate attachment)
• Reaches 950ºF in under 20 minutes
• Can cook a 16" pizza in 60 seconds

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Ooni takes the second spot on our list too, because their Ooni Pro Outdoor Pizza Oven is an exceptional pizza cooker too – it’s just a little more expensive than some of our other picks.

As the old saying goes though, you get what you pay for.  Just because the Ooni Pro is more expensive than products doesn’t mean you still aren’t getting great value.

It’s similar to the other Ooni ovens in that it heats up to 932 degrees Fahrenheit and can cook delicious pizza in less than 60 seconds.

The Pro version begins to separate itself with an extra 3 inches of opening, meaning you can cook a 16 inch pizza.  While that might not sound like a lot, there’s actually a pretty big difference in surface area between a 13 inch pizza and a 16 inch pizza.

Size isn’t the only consideration though.  What makes the Ooni Pro truly special is its versatility.  If you’re looking for an easy set up, you can fuel your pizza oven with a propane connection.  If you want a little more flavor and have the time, you can fuel your fire with charcoal, wood, or wood pellets.  All in the same unit.

Check out our Ooni Pro pizza oven review for a more detailed look at this cooker.

Things We Like:

• All components and the general design is extremely well made.
• Versatility.  With the Ooni Pro, you can take the easy route and use gas for fuel, or you can go the flavorful route and use charcoal, wood, or wood pellets.
• Temperature cranks to up to 932 degrees Fahrenheit.  60 seconds is all it takes for delicious cooked pizza.
• Custom made cordierite stone baking board is perfect for baking pizzas.

Things We Don’t:

• The price is higher than the other options on this list.  The value is still 100% there with this oven, but we recognize that the Ooni Pro might be out of budget – and you might find better bang for your buck elsewhere.
• At 67 pounds, it’s not really a portable grill.  It’s easy enough to move if you need to, but it’s probably better off remaining in place.

Bertello Wood Fire and Gas Outdoor Pizza Oven

Bertello Outdoor Pizza Oven

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The Bertello Wood Fire and Gas Outdoor Pizza Oven checks all of the boxes that you want checked when it comes to a great cooker.  It’s compact, lightweight, and versatile.  Most notably, it offers the ability to fuel with charcoal, wood, or wood pellets for traditional flavor, or with propane gas for a more hands off approach.

Temperature wise, the Bertello can reach temperatures over 900 degrees Fahrenheit.  That’s more than enough to achieve quick and delicious results in less than 60 seconds.

The opening for pizzas is 12.5″ wide x 13.5″ deep, which is perfect for a personal sized pizza.  Also included as accessories with this oven are a cordierite pizza stone, wood chip/pellet scoop, and wood/charcoal/pellet tray to help make the experience as easy as possible.

Things We Like:

• Very reasonable price point relative to other ovens.
• The oven can get up over 900 degrees Fahrenheit – which lets you achieve delicious pizza in 60 seconds.
• Choose which fuel you use.  A gas input is more of a hands off approach.  If you want to maximize flavor, you can use wood, charcoal, or wood pellets as your fire’s fuel source.
• Under 30 pounds and has a compact frame, so it’s easy to take on the go or to stow when not in use.

Things We Don’t:

• Same as the Ooni Koda, the opening is ideal only for pizzas up to 13″.

Pizzacraft Pizzeria Pronto Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven

Pizzacraft Pizzeria Pronto Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven

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When it comes to pizza ovens, you want a product that makes creating delicious pizza as easy and hassle free as possible.  That’s exactly what you get with the Pizzacraft PC6000 Pizzeria Pronto Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven.

Fueled by propane, there’s an easy ignite system built in that lets you get up and running in just minutes.  In fact, you can preheat this oven to 700 degrees Fahrenheit in less than 10 minutes.  From there it only takes around 5 minutes to cook your pizza, and potentially less depending on the type and thickness of your crust.

A common frustration with pizza ovens is that if they aren’t designed properly, you could end up with a soggy center or uneven heating across the pizza.  Pizzacraft included specific design elements into the PC6000 to make these factors a non-issue.

First, the lid has a concave curve to reflect heat back onto the pizza.  In the center of the lid, there’s a vent which lets moisture escape during the cooking process, which is a HUGE help to avoid soggy results.

Second, a flat built in pizza stone heats evenly and distributes that heat across the entire pizza.  The stone does wonders in ensuring an even cook and helps your pizza get that delicious, crispy crust.

On top of all of this, it’s lightweight, has a small profile (it’s only 16 inches tall) and is quite safe to use.

Things We Like:

• Pizza stone perfectly distributes heat and helps to achieve a crispy crust.
• The unit heats quickly, it can get up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit in 10 minutes.
• Lid design includes a vent which helps to eliminate soggy results.
• Lightweight, portable design (only 26 pounds).  Incredibly easy to take on the go, or store when not in use.
• Fueled by a standard propane connection to a 20 lb tank.  You can also use a 1 lb tank with the included adaptor.

Things We Don’t:

• Some customers have reported inconsistent temperatures

BBQSTAR Outdoor Wood Fired Pizza Oven

BBQSTAR Outdoor Wood Fired Pizza Oven

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BBQSTAR is a relative newcomer to the pizza oven scene, but as it turns out their Outdoor Wood Fired Pizza Oven is one of the most affordable on the market.  It’s without a doubt one of the most price friendly options on this list for those shopping on a budget.

The BBQSTAR is fueled by either charcoal, wood pellets, or both.  It can achieve temperatures up to 900 degrees and has a compact design, weighing only 19 pounds.

The fire box on the back is an incredibly easy way to manage your pellets or charcoals, and the opening is capable of wood firing an 11 inch pizza.

Things We Like:

• The price is right.  If you’re shopping on a budget, you’d be hard pressed to find a better price point than this.
• Wood pellet or charcoal fuel means more flavor on your food.  Not ideal if you’d prefer the convenience of gas.
• You can achieve temperatures up to 900 degrees which is more than enough for home pizza.
• Weighs less than 20 pounds, so it’s very easy to move around.

Things We Don’t:

• Only cooks 11 inch pizzas.  That’s the smallest cooking stone by a fairly wide margin of all the choices on this list.
• With a newer product that lacks reviews, I worry about quality of build and how well it insulates.  It may be worth waiting to see if additional reviews pop up with comments on how well this oven retains heat.

Pizzacraft PizzaQue Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven

Pizzacraft PC6500 PizzaQue Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven

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We wanted to include one more budget option on this list, the Pizzacraft PC6500 PizzaQue Portable.  At under $150, you really aren’t going to find a better price for a pizza oven.

Temperature wise, it maxes out around 700 degrees, which means you won’t be able to have 60 second pizzas like some of the other products on this list.  But if you have the extra patience, the PC6500 will cook delicious pizzas in 6 minutes or less.

It operates on a standard 20 lb gas tank, and has a 14 inch pizza stone which does a great job of distributing heat evenly.  At 25 pounds, it’s also a great choice to take on the go.

Things We Like:

• The cheapest price of any oven on this list.
• The 14″ pizza stone is actually quite wide, especially considering the price point.
• Pizza stone does a great job of evenly distributing heat.
• Weighs around pounds for easy transport.

Things We Don’t:

• Max temperature is only 700 degrees Fahrenheit, so the 60 second Neapolitan style pizza isn’t achievable.
• It’s not insulated, which might make heat retention and evenness when cooking difficult.

How to Choose the Best Outdoor Pizza Oven

Choosing the right product for you is a process.  I wanted to list out some helpful tips in this guide to be on the lookout for during your search!

Temperature Range

Most wood fire pizza recipes call for temperatures around 800 degrees or higher.  That’s also the temperature range where the coveted 60 second pizza becomes possible.  If time spent cooking isn’t a concern for you, this may not matter, but I will say from personal experience that the flow of a pizza making party with family or friends just goes a lot smoother when you can do a pizza in 60 seconds.

Many of the units on this list have a maximum temperature of 932 degrees Fahrenheit, but some top out in the 700 degree range.  Just be sure that the oven you end up with fits your needs in this regard!

Insulation

Insulation does wonders in the cooking process of your pizza.  We always recommend insulated pizza ovens to people, as the experience will just be easier and better.  With insulation, heat retention and even cooking become a lot easier and simpler.

Stainless steel and ceramic material are probably the most common and best materials when it comes to retaining heat.

Portability

All of the ovens on this list are portable to a degree, with some more-so than others.  Think about the space you would use your outdoor pizza oven in, and how often you’d use it.  If you have a tight space or don’t think you’ll use it super frequently, it might be worth looking at a more portable and lightweight unit.

On the other hand, if you want the pizza oven to be the centerpiece of your outdoor cooking space, you may want something that’s more of a cornerstone and a statement piece, like the Ooni Pro.

Price

Obviously, price is a major factor in any purchase decision.  When it comes to the best outdoor pizza oven, you could be looking anywhere between $200 and $2,000.  Generally speaking, the more expensive the unit, the better the construction and more feature rich it will be.

As we pointed out above, quality construction is important for good insulation, which leads to more consistent results.

That being said, there are some great pizza ovens for $300 or less.  It just depends on what your budget is, how often you’ll use the oven, and what your goals are.

Fuel Source

As with grills it goes with pizza ovens.  Which fuel source is best?  Purists might argue that the classic taste of a wood fire pizza is better.  Some might prefer the convenience of gas.

At the end of the day, you need to think about whether you value the wood fire flavor that comes with wood or charcoal more.  Or do you prefer the quick start, press and go convenience of gas?  Both fuel sources make absolutely delicious pizza, but there is a small difference.

If you’re stuck in between, then consider purchasing a pizza oven that can switch back and forth between both.  That way, you get the best of both worlds and can fuel with gas or wood/charcoal depending on what kind of mood you’re in.

Note – check out our article on the best types of wood for pizza ovens right here!

Pizza Stone Size

How big do you want the pizzas you make to be?  For me personally, anything 13 inches or above is a perfect size for make your own pizza nights.  You might want something a little bigger, or you might also be ok with a smaller size.  Most of the ovens on this best outdoor pizza oven list range between 13 inches and 16 inches wide on the pizza stone.

Wrap Up

My mouth is watering just thinking about all of this delicious pizza!  An outdoor oven might seem like a splurge or an unnecessary appliance, but I can assure you it’s a fantastic addition to your outdoor cooking space, and you’ll undoubtedly make some great memories firing up the pizza in your back yard.

Which one did you end up with?  We want to know!  Let us know which one you got in the comments section below.

The post Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens – Our Picks For Epic Patio Pizza appeared first on Own The Grill.

It gets a little more complicated when you start looking for a good pizza oven for yourself. After all, the big restaurant models are too large and too hot to use at home and cheaper home models don’t always perform the way they’re supposed to.

Having a great outdoor pizza oven at home takes a relatively high-quality and high-performance design. There are a few brands to choose from, but Napoli and Ooni pizza ovens both stand out from the crowd. The question is, which of these oven brands offers the better value?

Napoli vs Ooni – Company Profiles

Both of these companies offer high quality, extremely high temperature, backyard pizza ovens. That means you have to look a little closer to start seeing the difference between the two brands. Let’s start with the companies themselves.

Napoli By Bertello

Napoli pizza ovens are the product of Bertello, though the name Napoli still gets better recognition in most pizza circles. This company first rose to fame after their appearance on Shark Tank, where the owners were able to make a deal with Mr. Wonderful (Kevin O’Leary) to get their company off the ground.

They’d started in 2017, and were also able to get a significant Kickstarter campaign going to help launch the company. Even that early, it was clear that Napoli had a high-quality in-demand product on their hands.

Fortunately, the company has always committed to using high-quality products that produce incredible pizza ovens, and they consistently work to push their innovative designs further.

Right now Bertello only offers the one pizza oven, but in a variety of packages so you can customize its performance as well as the fuel types it works with. That means you get a fair amount of cost flexibility, but their simplest packages don’t come with a lot of accessories or cooking options.

Overall though, it’s clear that Bertello has a great product and that they are focused on maintaining quality while also making a high-end pizza oven accessible for the average family.

Ooni

Ooni is known for producing the world’s first pellet pizza stove back in 2012. Since then the company has had a dual commitment to producing fantastic backyard pizza ovens for a global market and to having great company culture and benefits for their multi-national staff.

Ooni offers a wider range of ovens than Napoli does, each with slight performance and power source tweaks so you can get the exact kind of oven you’re looking for.

The company also tests their product consistently, so they know that they’re getting the same high-end performance from newer models and designs as they were getting from the original wood pellet fueled pizza oven. The company also has a serious eye for flavor, between their pizza and the small in-house microbrewery they also run. That means that the recipes Ooni supplies are consistently top-notch.

Ooni also tests to make sure the flavor of their pizzas doesn’t change with different fuel types and oven designs, so you can expect a high level of consistency from every oven, especially when you’re using their pizza recipes.

Napoli vs Ooni – Oven Selection

Oven selection isn’t necessary, but it’s worth comparing the options these two companies give you to help you decide which brand of oven is the right choice for you.

Ooni Ovens

Ooni ovens offer a little more selection, but they mostly have a couple of identical designs that have been adapted for different fuel sources.

Right now there are three basic models, Fyra, the wood pellet model, Koda, the gas-powered model, and Karu which is a multi-fuel oven. They also offer a slightly more advanced model of Karu, their Pro multi-fuel oven which allows for you to choose between gas or wood fired fuel.

Ooni Karu 16 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven

• Operates with both wood fired and gas fired heat
• Reaches 950ºF in only 15 minutes
• Hinged oven door with viewing window

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That means that you can get a specialized oven if you already know that you need a wood-fired oven, or would prefer a gas hookup, or you can get their multi-fueled version that’s a little more similar to the Bertello Napoli.

One thing that is worth noting here is that these ovens tend to be a bit more expensive than the Bertello Napoli ovens, which means they can be a little more cost-prohibitive. That said, Ooni does have a longer track record on the market, so their ovens have had more time to be consumer tested for durability.

These ovens are also portable, for the most part. The easiest way to transport them is to use the carry covers made by Ooni, but the covers are an additional accessory. You’ll need to spend a little more if you need the carry cover to protect the ovens or to move them from place to place.

Ooni Koda 16 Outdoor Pizza Oven

Ooni's flagship portable outdoor pizza oven is fueled by propane and can heat to a whopping 900ºF in less than 15 minutes.

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Napoli Ovens

Bertello Outdoor Pizza Oven

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Bertello’s Napoli oven is currently the only model of pizza oven they offer. That’s not necessarily a bad thing though since that one design is incredibly versatile. The oven works with multiple different fuel sources to provide the heat necessary for cooking pizzas.

That’s a big advantage because you can work with whatever fuel source you have available. Not everyone is going to have a good source of wood pellets or an affordable gas supplier, so having an oven that can work with several different fuel sources will make it easier to keep your pizza making tools on hand.

However, one thing that’s worth noting with Napoli ovens is that the more accessories you need, the bigger package you’ll likely need to buy. Their basic kit comes with the oven itself, a cooking stone that helps Distribute heat more evenly across the bottom of your pizza, and a steel pizza peel.

More advanced setups come with additional accessories, like the gas-burning kit, and charcoal compatibility.

One of the biggest advantages of the Bertello oven is that it’s actually a very portable oven. You don’t have to leave this model outside when you aren’t using it, which is great since outside weather can damage your oven relatively quickly. This oven can be moved into a storage shelf inside or moved around your yard to wherever is most convenient for cooking.

Still, the lack of oven selection does mean that you’re stuck with one design with this brand. Eventually, they might offer a second model, but for the moment this design is the only option.

Overview of the Accessories

This category is less important overall than the ovens themselves but having the right tools for your oven can make a big difference in your results, so we wanted to cover the accessories offered by each company as well as the oven themselves.

Ooni definitely outshines Bertello in this category. They have a wider range of oven peels, in both steel and wooden designs than Bertello. Ooni also offers a griddle plate, for their pizza oven which allows you to cook other kinds of food in the oven as well.

Their carry bags and modular tables are a fantastic option for people who don’t already have a set location for their pizza ovens, or who want to have a little more mobility, like professional caterers.

Pizza cutters, oven scrubbers, and even recipe books are also available through Ooni to help you get started making delicious traditional (and not so traditional) pizzas at home.

Bertello is a lot more sparing in the accessory category. They mostly just offer additional peels and their gar burner add-on for people who buy their oven without it to start with.

They do also offer an infrared thermometer to help you tell when your oven is ready. That’s a helpful enough tool that it’s worth considering regardless of which oven you decide to buy in the end.

Oven Performance

Now let’s get to the real meat of this comparison. We’ve talked about fuel options and the portability of these ovens. Both brands have similar stats in both of these respects, so it really comes down to price and performance to decide which oven is the best option for you.

Napoli Pizza Oven Performance

One of the things that makes the Napoli oven stand out from other pizza oven designs is its high heat output and the concentrated heat it produces. Both are key to making a great pizza. High heat won’t do the job if the heat isn’t concentrated where it needs to be, it’ll just dissipate into the surrounding air.

Napoli Ovens don’t have any problems in either respect, the oven can reach an impressive 932 degrees Fahrenheit, the perfect temperature for quickly cooking traditional pizzas. That temperature, especially with the Napoli oven Cordierite Baking Stone will fully cook the dough, forming a crust sturdy enough to hold the other ingredients and with a lot more texture and tooth than your average pizza. It’s a real traditional experience.

The heat on top also helps fully heat the ingredients, including melting the cheese, without losing the crisp texture and flavor of the vegetable and herb toppings. The heat also helps bring out the bright acidic flavor of tomato-based pizza sauces.

The 12.5″ wide x 13.5″ cooking surface is perfect for single-serving pizzas and even pizzas for couples. It mimics the cooking behavior of a traditional wood-fired brick oven, helping bring more traditional flair to a very modern looking metal oven.

From a cooking experience standpoint, the heat is well concentrated in this oven. You don’t need a super long peel to keep from overheating while you’re cooking.

This oven takes about 30 minutes on average to reach the ideal cooking temperature. That’s plenty of time to prepare several different pizzas to be ready for cooking when the oven is ready. You might even have time to do some of your prep work, like making a fresh pizza sauce or chopping some of your ingredients while the oven is heating.

These ovens are designed to cook an average pizza in 1-2 minutes. Pizzas that are lighter on ingredients, like a traditional Pizza Marguerite might take even less time to cook. Assuming you’ve gotten your prep work done ahead of time, you can pump a lot of pizzas in and out of this oven.

The oven also holds heat reasonably well. You might need to pause briefly between pizzas to maintain your ideal cooking temperature, but you might not.

Ooni Pizza Oven Performance

Ooni offers similar cooking performance in terms of the speed and heat of the oven. Their ovens will also reach an impressive 932 degrees Fahrenheit, which is perfect for crisping the pizza crust and melting mozzarella without overcooking any vegetable and herb toppings.

One of the big differences with this brand is that there are a couple of different oven sizes which means you have more options in pizza size whether you want to make single-serve pizzas or if you’re looking for an oven that can make a larger pizza to share.

Like the Bertello ovens, these ovens do have baking stones that will help mimic the taste and appearance of a traditional brick oven. This brand also offers its stones in several different sizes, and you can buy them as an additional accessory for each oven.

The griddle option also makes these ovens a good option for fast grilling and other high-heat cooking. That means that all of their ovens are just a touch more versatile overall.

But the real advantage offered by Ooni ovens? They are incredibly efficient and reach the ideal temperature much faster than the Bertello ovens. Ooni ovens average only about 15 minutes before they reach their ideal temperature. That also means that Ooni ovens are more fuel-efficient on average, meaning you won’t need to use a ton of wood fuel for your pizza oven every single time you fire up your oven.

Since these ovens reach the same temperature as the Bertello ovens, they also cook a 12” pizza in 60 seconds or less, once they’ve reached ideal temperatures.

Final Thoughts

Looking at these two very similar ovens and very similar brands it’s difficult to call a clear winner. However, focusing on the differences that are there, we have to give the definite edge to Ooni ovens.

The greater versatility of their ovens combined with the faster heating time and a wider range of accessories just make their ovens a little more efficient and consistent at making that delicious artisan pizza.

That said, Ooni is a good bit more expensive than Napoli ovens. So, if you’re looking for an effective and traditional-tasting pizza oven at more affordable prices then you might be better served by the Napoli than a more expensive Ooni oven.

If you want to check out more pizza oven brand comparisons, head on over to our resource on Ooni vs Roccbox next!

The post Napoli vs Ooni Pizza Ovens – Which Is Better? appeared first on Own The Grill.

Thankfully, this blissful scenario has become a fairly easy reality to achieve with the abundance of outdoor pizza oven options that are available nowadays.

Two such options are Roccbox and Ooni.  If you’ve spent time comparing the top pizza oven brands, odds are you’ve come across one or both of these names.

Both of these brands have a great reputation, and for very good reason.  They produce quality pizza ovens that are highly functional, and reasonably priced for what you get.

But it might not be clear which out of the two is the best choice for you and your needs.  That’s why we’ve created this resource dedicated to comparing Roccbox vs Ooni pizza ovens.  By the end, you should have a better idea about which brand is the right choice for your patio set up.

Gozney (Roccbox) Brand Overview

The Roccbox pizza oven is manufactured by Gozney, a brand that specializes in manufacturing commercial grade pizza ovens for use in restaurants and high end outdoor kitchens.

The founder, Tom Gozney, created his first pizza oven on his own without any special help – just a passion for food and connecting with others over delicious pizza.  His first successful brand was launched in 2010 and focused on providing pizzerias with quality, commercial grade pizza ovens.

In 2016, the Roccbox was launched as Gozney’s first residential pizza oven.  The Roccbox was developed to address a gap in the market – there was clear demand for at-home pizza ovens but very few, if any, manufacturers offering quality residential ovens.

The Roccbox saw instantaneous success after launch and to this date is one of the most popular residential pizza ovens on the market, which has led to Gozney developing additional styles of ovens for residential use.

Ooni Brand Overview

Ooni was founded by a husband and wife team out of the UK (Kristian Tapaninaho and Darina Garland) in 2012.  Frustrated by his inability to recreate an excellent restaurant quality pizza at home, Kristian set out on a quest to find a wood fired pizza oven that would make great pizza at home.

Kristian was disappointed to find that most pizza ovens at the time were either way too big or way too expensive, or both.  However, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to design, prototype, and test multiple styles of outdoor pizza oven until he had created a winner.

Ultimately, Kristian, Darina, and Ooni created the first portable wood fired pizza oven in the world – and the best part?  It made perfect pizzas without breaking the bank.

After the success of their first pizza oven, Ooni has since continued to grow, develop, and expand their product line in the residential pizza oven space.  Nowadays, they offer multiple quality residential pizza ovens with different options for your ideal size and fuel type.

Roccbox vs Ooni – Pizza Oven Comparisons

When it comes to comparing the Roccbox vs Ooni brands, there are quite a few things to consider.  At the end of the day, the goal is the same – make great pizza!

But there are some important differences between the two brands, how they cook pizza, and what they cost.  Here’s a breakdown of what we think are the most important things to consider when comparing the two:

Heat Range and Performance

One of the main reasons pizzeria pies are so good is because commercial operations cook their pizzas at scorching hot temperatures – often upwards of 700ºF.  So when we look at the performance capability of an oven, temperature range is the key attribute to consider.

There are a few reasons why cooking pizza at hotter temperatures is better – but there are three main reasons that are particularly important.

First, the higher the temperature, the crispier your crust will be on the outside while ensuring the inside of the dough is cooked through.  Second, the high heat makes certain that your cheese melts thoroughly and evenly.

The last reason is simply that you can cook more pizzas in less time on high heat – which might sound obvious, but it’s an important point.  With temperatures over 700ºF, you can cook pizzas in a minute to a minute and a half!  It’s a great way to keep the show on the road and make sure nobody has to wait too long for their pizza to finish.

When it comes to temperature range and performance, Roccbox and Ooni are neck and neck.  Both the Roccbox and all Ooni models are designed to reach and sustain temperatures up to a whopping 950ºF.

Size Options

It’s important to consider the size of pizza you envision yourself making in your oven.  Are you exclusively making personal sized pizzas or do you plan to make larger pies to share at bigger gatherings?

Generally speaking, most portable pizza ovens on the market have an opening wide enough to make up to a 12″ pizza or a 16″ pizza.

In the case of Roccbox, they ONLY offer models that have an opening wide enough to make 12″ diameter pizzas.  Ooni on the other hand offer a selection of both traditional sizes – so you can scoop an Ooni that is wide enough for either 12″ or 16″ pizzas.

So in our mind, it’s pretty clear that Ooni has the edge when it comes to size options.  If you see yourself making larger pizzas, you’re going to be better off with one of their 16″ models.  And of course, you can easily cook smaller sized pizzas on the larger Ooni ovens as well!

Price

Thankfully, we can make an apples to apples comparison of the Ooni Koda 12 vs Roccbox with respect to each brand’s gas fueled pizza ovens.  On the multi-fuel side, we can compare the Ooni Karu 12 vs Roccbox’s dual fuel model.

Obviously, there isn’t really a great price comparison to be made for Ooni’s line of 16 inch ovens simply because Roccbox doesn’t offer a similar sized option.

Comparing 12″ gas fueled ovens, the Ooni Koda 12 currently runs at $399 and the Roccbox Gas Only is priced at $499.  It’s worth pointing out, however, that the Roccbox comes with a pizza peel included, whereas you’ll have to buy one extra with Ooni (most of their pizza peels run around $40).  So for comparison’s sake, the Ooni Koda 12 is priced at $439 – still well below the Roccbox.

For the dual fuel options, the Ooni Karu 12 is currently $399 and the Roccbox Dual Fuel is $599.  Similarly here, you need to buy extra accessories to make the Ooni bundle comparable.  Out of the box, the Karu works with wood or charcoal fuel, but you need an extra gas burner ($89) to make it truly dual fuel.

So with the gas burner and pizza peel, the Koda 12 is effectively $529 for proper comparison to the Roccbox.

If you’re purely comparing Ooni vs Roccbox prices, Ooni pretty clearly takes the cake when you compare 12″ portable outdoor pizza ovens.

Fuel Options

We’ve already touched on gas and wood/charcoal fueled ovens, but there is one more type of fuel that can be used to fire up a perfect pizza – wood pellets.

And if you happen to also own a pellet grill, odds are you have a stash of wood pellets at home already.  Even if you don’t, pellets are cheap, widely available, and easy to get ahold of.

Roccbox does not currently offer a wood pellet fueled oven – but Ooni does, and it’s an excellent product (see below)!  So if wood pellets are your top fuel choice, Ooni is the best option.

Warranty

Any time the price point of a product gets higher than a couple hundred bucks, I start to pay attention to warranties.  Even if it’s unlikely that it will happen, you want to be covered in case something breaks down.

In the case of these two pizza oven brands, Gozney offers a 5 year warranty on the Roccbox, and Ooni offers warranty coverage for 3 years.  Both are reasonable coverage periods, but obviously the 2 extra years of coverage on the Roccbox is better.

Roccbox vs Ooni – Pizza Oven Reviews

Ooni Koda Gas Pizza Oven

Ooni Koda 16 Outdoor Pizza Oven

Ooni's flagship portable outdoor pizza oven is fueled by propane and can heat to a whopping 900ºF in less than 15 minutes.

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Ooni’s flagship portable cooker is the Ooni Koda gas powered pizza oven.  It’s offered in two sizes, one that is wide enough for 12″ diameter pies and another that’s wide enough for 16″ diameter pies.

The name of the game is ease and simplicity with the gas models.  Simply connect the oven to a propane tank and fire it up!  You can literally be on your way to great pizza within minutes after opening the box.  It takes roughly 20 minutes for the oven to heat to proper temperature after you’ve started your fire.

It’s also easy to control your temperature, so you can customize the level of heat you cook at.  Simply turn the built-in heat control dial up or down to set your ideal temperature.

A unique design feature of this oven is that the flame is L shaped – note the photo above how the flame rolls in on the left and back side of the oven.  Practically this means that you only have to turn your pizza ONE time 180º to cook it evenly.  Unlike some other ovens on the market where the heat source only comes from one side.

The baking board is made of strong and durable cordierite stone that is an ideal surface to cook pizzas on – you’ll end up with crispy crusts in no time at all.

Roccbox Gas Only Pizza Oven

ROCCBOX Gozney Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven

• Heats as high as 950ºF
• Unique rolling flame flow creates incredibly even heat
• Silicone outer body skin reduces danger of burns

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The Roccbox Gas Only pizza oven checks all of the boxes you like to see in a quality outdoor cooker.  It’s relatively lightweight, durable, and most importantly makes excellent pizzas.

It comes with a built-in thermometer, retractable legs, and a quality pizza peel – all of which make the experience of transporting, setting up, and making pizzas as simple as possible.

Similar to the Ooni Koda, all you need to do after removing the Roccbox from it’s packaging is connect it to a propane tank and turn on the heat!  From there you can crank the temperature as high as 950ºF and get to cooking your artisan pizzas.

The Roccbox has a unique flame flow, which is influenced by the cooker’s ceiling height, dome shape, and baffle plate.  Essentially, the flame “rolls” from back to front and ultimately creates incredibly even heat distribution that is ideal for cooking pizzas.

A very thoughtful feature of the Roccbox is its silicone outer body skin, which greatly reduces the danger of burns if you or somebody in your family accidentally touches the oven while it’s in use.

The baking board here is also made of cordierite stone, which is ideal for pizza making.

Ooni Karu Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven

Ooni Karu 16 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven

• Operates with both wood fired and gas fired heat
• Reaches 950ºF in only 15 minutes
• Hinged oven door with viewing window

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The Karu 16 is Ooni’s newest and most impressive oven (note it’s also sold in a 12″ configuration that hasn’t been updated as recently as the 16″ model).  This impressive oven can reach 950ºF in only 15 minutes.

Out of the box, you can fuel the fire with either wood or charcoal (just like the Ooni Pro), but you can buy a compatible gas burner to give you the additional option to bake your pizzas with a gas powered flame.

The hinged oven door design helps to cook more consistent pizzas without compromising on functionality.  The glass door opens easily and is highly visible through the viewing window.

This oven comes with an increased focus on insulation and weather resistance, which make pizza creation easy even if you’re outdoors in the cold and/or wind.

You can precisely manage your temperature thanks to a mounted digital thermometer which brightly displays the oven’s ambient temperature.

It’s hard to overstate how much cooking surface area you’re afforded with this oven –  making a 16″ pizza is a breeze.  In fact, some customers use the space to cook large roasts, steaks, and much more – so there are quite a few other functions for this cooker in addition to just pizza.

Roccbox Dual Fuel Pizza Oven

ROCCBOX Dual Fuel Portable Pizza Oven

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For all intents and purposes, the Roccbox Dual Fuel oven is the same as their gas powered oven, with the addition of a detachable wood burner that allows you to heat your cooker with a wood fire.

The burner system is incredibly easy to use – so you can switch back and forth between wood or gas fire without hassle.

All of the other features you like to see are there.  There’s a built-in thermometer, a pizza peel, fold away legs, silicone safe touch outer shell, and a cordierite stone cooking surface.

Similarly, Roccbox’s rolling flame technology is present here which creates an ideal flow of heat to cook your pizzas.

Ooni Fyra Wood Pellet Pizza Oven

Ooni Fyra 12" Wood Pellet Pizza Oven

• Fueled by wood pellets
• Heats to 950ºF in less than 15 minutes
• Weighs only 22 pounds

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Pellet grills have been something of a craze over the last decade and have exploded in popularity.  As such, wood pellets have become a widely available and reliable fuel source for cooking that is 1) easy to use and 2) provides that wood fired flavor we love so much.

So it’s no surprise that a pellet fueled pizza oven came about over the last few years.  The Ooni Fyra 12 is the leader in the industry when it comes to wood pellet fueled pizza ovens.

The fire is fueled by a gravity fed pellet hopper that automatically feeds pellets into the firepot.  The hopper system runs so effeciently that you don’t have to sacrifice any performance compared to other Ooni ovens – this one can reach up to 950ºF and can be ready to cook a pizza in as little as 15 minutes.

The door is wide enough to cook a 12″ pizza and is incredibly portable.  At only 22 pounds, combined with the fact that you don’t need to haul a propane tank with it, it might be the most portable oven on the market today, period.

Final Thoughts on Roccbox vs Ooni

I hope this resource comparing and contrasting Ooni vs Roccbox pizza ovens was helpful!  At the end of the day, both brands make world class residential portable pizza ovens, and you really can’t go wrong with either.  Both are in the same class at the top of the market.

But for our taste, we give Ooni the slight nod from an overall perspective.  In our mind, they produce just as good pizzas as the Roccbox, at a little bit of a better price.

And that’s not to mention the fact that Ooni has a wood pellet fueled oven and 16″ wide ovens, whereas Roccbox does not!

That’s not to say we aren’t fans of Roccbox – if you’re in the market for a 12″ oven then their offering is hard to beat.

What are your thoughts on these two brands?  Which did you end up with?  We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below!

The post Roccbox vs Ooni Pizza Ovens – Our Complete Brand Comparison appeared first on Own The Grill.

Making restaurant quality pizza at home has never been easier with a recent influx of affordable outdoor pizza ovens onto the market. Pizza ovens are great because they let people cook delicious meals without having to spend hours in the kitchen. 

There are several types of pizza ovens out there, each with their pros and cons. Some are expensive, some are cheap, some are slow, some are quick. What makes one better than another? Is the Ooni Pro the best pizza oven for home use? 

We have reviewed the Ooni Pro pizza oven to help you decide whether it is the right pizza oven for you. Keep reading to find out more:

Ooni Pro 16 Overview

Ooni Pro Multi-Fuel Outdoor Pizza Oven

• Multiple fuel options (wood or charcoal ready out of the box, can also use gas with a separate attachment)
• Reaches 950ºF in under 20 minutes
• Can cook a 16" pizza in 60 seconds

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The Ooni Pro 16 is a large pizza oven that is relatively easy to carry around despite it’s size. Ooni Pro 16 has a large cooking area and is made out of brushed stainless steel with ceramic fiber insulating material.

It is very easy to clean. It has ceramic fiber insulation so it keeps heat well. Ooni is a compact oven that comes with three different types of fuel options: wood, charcoal, and gas.

Briquettes are not recommended because they block air flow and cause an inefficient burn. The oven measures 28.8 inches by 19.2 inches by 30.7 inches and weighs about 48 pounds. It takes approximately twenty minutes to pre-heat the pizza oven.

Unboxing and Setup

The Ooni Pro 16 arrives with a sturdy box made of heavy-duty cardboard. Inside, the oven body was expertly packaged in styrofoam and packing cardboard. There were no defects due to shipment, so the packing was clearly effective.

It took about 15 minutes from unboxing to fully setting up the Ooni Pro. One of its many advantages is how easy it is set up, as you can get started straight away. Once the legs are unfolded, you insert the pizza stones and fuel trays, attach the chimney and your chosen door, and you’re ready to bake.

The instructions were straightforward, and the videos help you to understand what you need to do. Ooni also has a how-to tutorial video showing you step-by-step how to install the pizza oven on your first theme.

A Note on Build Quality

The overall build quality for the oven is very good- not only the oven body, but the accessories as well. The steel feels sturdy and the insulation gives the unit a heavier feel, so it’s difficult to dent or break.

There are no wobbles or loose parts. The cooking chamber is well calibrated and does not move around when you’re using the oven. The fuel trays and pizza stones slide easily in their respective places.

This is a good example of a product being described as having been designed for perfection. It was designed to be used by professionals who want a high-quality tool that is easy to use, yet it is also perfect for amateur or hobbyist pizza makers who want to be able to create delicious pizza at home. 

Ooni Pro 16 Performance

One of the good things about the Ooni Pro is that it is practically impossible to get it too hot. You want the oven to be as hot as possible so that the pizzas cook quickly- as long as you keep an eye on them then you don’t need to worry about letting the oven get too hot. Your pizza can cook in as little as 60 to 90 seconds!

The oven is advertised to heat up to 950ºF in 20 minutes. This is definitely the case when you are using gas. If you are using charcoal or wood then you can expect it to take longer, maybe even double this time.

However, once the stones are hot, they retain their temperature even if the overall oven temperature dips. This means that the pizza will still cook evenly and quickly. 

Using gas is much more convenient and produces more consistent pizzas. However, using wood or charcoal tends to give the pizzas that extra bit of flavor that is more reminiscent of a traditional pizza restaurant. You can also use a combination of charcoal and wood for the perfect browning of the crust and smoky flavor. 

The type of pizzas that you cook in this pizza oven will be light, with crispy crusts and a soft middle. The flames lick the crust as it cooks, creating brown charred spots called ‘leoparding’. This adds a lot of flavor. 

Cooking with Charcoal and/or Wood

If you decide to cook with charcoal or wood instead of gas then you need to make sure that you have the right set up. You can use just wood, or just charcoal, or a combination of the two.

Charcoal is great for keeping the temperature of the oven high, whilst wood adds a very authentic smoky flavor to the pizza. 

Start by removing the chimney cap and opening the vent, along with the ceiling vent. Add the door that you are going to be using. Put your fuel in the fuel hatch and light it using your choice of fire starter.

Ooni has an all natural fire starter that they recommend using but it is up to you what you choose. 

Once the fire is going you can add more fuel to make sure that you have enough to cook your pizza and to bring the oven up to the right temperature.

You will need to leave the oven alone for around 20 minutes or up to 30 minutes to preheat. Come back and check the temperature to see if it is ready to start cooking. You can use the Ooni infrared laser thermometer to check the temperature accurately. 

Once the oven is at the right temperature you will need to add a bit more fuel to make sure you don’t run out while you are cooking. However, if you add too much fuel at this point you could end up snuffing out the fire so be careful. 

If the oven is at the right temperature then your pizza should take no more than 90 seconds to cook. To achieve an even amount of browning you should rotate the pizza every thirty seconds using a pizza peel. Rotate it a quarter turn each time. 

Cooking With Gas

Cooking with gas is a lot easier – and less messy than cooking with wood or charcoal. 

First you need to make sure that the chimney vent and the ceiling vent are close and switch to the pizza door rather than the regular oven door. To light the gas burner, turn the dial on the attachment until it clicks.

Make sure the fuel hatch is open as you are lighting the burners, then close it again immediately afterwards. Leave the oven to preheat, which should take around 20 minutes. 

The pizzas tend to cook more consistently when you use gas, but you don’t get as much browning or leoparding on the crust. There is also less of a smoky flavor, though the pizza still tastes really good.

It is much more convenient because you don’t need to keep topping up the fuel and the oven temperature remains steady so you don’t have to monitor it as much. Gas is perfect for if you make a last minute pizza and you haven’t given yourself enough time to let the oven preheat with wood or charcoal. 

Cleaning the Ooni Pro

 It is important that you keep your Ooni pro clean to make sure that it lasts. The inside of the oven gets so hot that any food is burnt to ash – there is no stuck cheese or anything to remove. Once the oven has cooled down you can sweep the ash out using a non-abrasive brush. 

To clean the outside of the Ooni pro, use a non-abrasive stainless steel cleaner or a damp cloth. 

Ooni Pro Accessories

Ooni offers a fantastic range of accessories to make your pizza cooking experience more fun and convenient. They even have a cookbook with great artisan pizza recipes and much more!

The oven comes with heat resistant gloves which can come in very handy and help you to stay safe when you are cooking. A pizza peel is a must have to get the pizza in and out of the oven.

You can turn the oven with a pizza peel, or you can get a dedicated turning peel which has a different shape for moving the pizza around in the oven whilst it is cooking. 

The infrared thermometer is a good accessory to get as it helps you to make sure that the oven is at the correct temperature before you start cooking your pizza.

You simply point the laser into the oven and it will tell you the temperature. This means that you can check the surface temperature of the pizza stone as well as the temperature of the internal walls. 

A cover for the pizza oven lets you leave it outside for extended periods of time rather than bringing it in whenever you are not using it. However, you should still bring the pizza oven indoors in adverse weather conditions or over the winter. 

If you aren’t sure which fire starter you want to use then Ooni offers a great natural fire starter for the wood and charcoal fuels. 

You can choose between a traditional pizza cutter wheel or a rocker blade to cut your pizza. The rocker blade tends to give you a cleaner cut and doesn’t drag the toppings over the pizza. 

Not all of the accessories come included with the oven and you will need to buy some of the separately. This means that you can purchase your accessories elsewhere if you prefer.

The Ooni accessories are not the cheapest, but they are well made. They are also designed to fit with their ovens. If you buy your accessories from somewhere else then you will need to make sure that they are compatible with the oven in terms of size, material and heat-proofing.

Pros and Cons of the Ooni Pro

Pros

The Ooni pro is very easy to use because it heats up quickly and cooks pizzas quickly. This means that you will get lots of use out of it as it won’t feel like a hassle to set it up. 

Another great feature of the Ooni pro is it’s versatility. For starters, it has multi-fuel capability. You can use charcoal or wood for a more authentic flavor, or use gas for convenience and a steady cooking temperature.

You can also use the pizza oven to make bread, roast up some vegetables, or cook joints of meat. Once you become familiar with how to use the Ooni pro you will be amazed at how much you can do with it. 

The Ooni Pro comes with a great range of cooking accessories which make it much easier for you to create some really impressive pizzas. The accessories are of a really high quality so you won’t need to replace them with alternative products.

They offer pizza peels to get the pizzas in and out of the oven and turn it around while cooking, cooking pans for different styles of pizza, prep tables for working with the dough, and digital thermostats to make sure the oven is at the right temperature. 

The pizza oven is really easy to clean and requires little maintenance, which makes it much more convenient than a BBQ or grill. 

Cons

There are a few downsides to the Ooni Pro pizza oven. 

First of all, the fuel chamber is quite small. This means that you have to frequently add more wood in order to maintain the temperature of the oven, which can get quite frustrating if you are making multiple pizzas.

However, the fuel burner tray fits really nicely onto the back of the Ooni Pro. If you are using gas then you won’t have the same problem. 

Whilst it only takes 20 minutes to preheat the oven when you are using gas, it can take up to double that amount of time if you are using wood or charcoal. This makes the cooking process longer and is not true to how the product is advertised. 

Another issue with the Ooni Pro is the price. It is at the higher end of the scale compared to other similar products. What you are paying for is the versatility, so if this is not important to you then you might be better off with a cheaper product that only offers one type of fuel.

However, it is a very good quality pizza oven that provides consistent results.  

Ooni Pro Alternatives

Ooni offers a pizza oven that only cooks with gas – the Ooni Koda. It is cheaper, so if you want to save a bit of money and you aren’t interested in cooking with wood or charcoal then this could be a good option for you.

Ooni Koda 16 Outdoor Pizza Oven

Ooni's flagship portable outdoor pizza oven is fueled by propane and can heat to a whopping 900ºF in less than 15 minutes.

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There are also some other great companies offering competitive products. Gozney makes a pizza oven called the Roccbox which is similar to the Ooni pro in terms of price and functionality.

It has a very clever feature to protect you whilst you cook – a safe touch silicone shell. This means that if you touch the outside of the pizza oven you won’t burn yourself, even if the oven temperature is really high.

This is great if you have children in the garden. It can reach a similar oven temperature to the Ooni Pro but is a little smaller so you won’t be able to cook a 16 inch pizza in it. 

Another great product is the Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven. It is a portable 16 inch pizza oven. However, it only offers gas compatibility and it doesn’t reach temperatures as high as the Gozney Roccbox or the Ooni Pro. It is a similar price, which means you are getting less for your money.

Note: you can check out our brand comparison of Ooni and Gozney Roccbox pizza ovens for a deep dive on these two brands.

If you don’t need a portable pizza oven then you could consider the Bella Medio 28 inch outdoor wood fired pizza oven. It is quite expensive and is more of a permanent feature in your garden, but it is a very good product. You can cook up to three 12 inch pizzas at one time which is perfect for parties or large gatherings. 

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a pizza oven that will give you restaurant quality pizzas from your own garden then you can’t go wrong with an Ooni Pro. It is durable, portable and very versatile with an excellent build quality. 

You will need to spend a bit of time getting to grips with the different cooking styles and using the various fuel types, but once you get the hang of it you will be able to knock out incredible pizzas in no time. You will also be able to cook other foods like bread, meat and vegetables. 

Remember, with the kind of pizzas you will be cooking on your Ooni Pro it is very important that you use top quality ingredients. Your toppings should be fresh and simple, and you need to make sure you use the right kind of flour and proofing methods to get the dough just right. 

Overall, this is a fantastic product and you won’t be disappointed.

The post Ooni Pro Pizza Oven Review appeared first on Own The Grill.

Ooni is one of the most popular portable pizza oven brands on the market – and their Karu line specifically is a multi-fuel option, meaning you can choose to cook your pizzas with either wood fire heat or with propane gas.

With Ooni Karu Pizza Ovens, you will get a quality pizza every time. The wood-fired option gives you access to an amazing restaurant-quality flavor.  The gas option still makes incredible pizza and couldn’t be easier to use.

They also have a sleek and modern design which will be a great addition to any outdoor living area.

Their original multi-fuel pizza oven is the Ooni Karu 12, but the 16 is a newer model that released in early 2022 and has many pizza fanatics jumping to get it.

You might be wondering which model is right for you and better for your outdoor kitchen. We will go over an in-depth Ooni Karu review in this article to make sure you get the perfect outdoor pizza oven for you.

Ooni Brand Overview

Ooni specializes in portable outdoor pizza ovens and is based out of Edinburgh Scotland. All the pizza ovens are designed by the team in Scotland – in 2012, they launched the first portable wood-fired pizza oven which is outlined in greater detail in this article.

They specialize in making ovens for residential areas so that every homeowner has the ability to make amazing pizza right in their backyard. They also aim to make the pizza-making process easy with their many grill options as well as some pretty stellar accessories.

All their pizza ovens use ultra-high heat (most can go up to 950ºF or 500 ºC) and make incredible restaurant-quality fire and stone-baked pizza. With their pizza ovens and tools, you can become a master pizza chef right in your outdoor kitchen without leaving your backyard.

When it comes to the Karu series, a lot of the features of the 12 and the 16 are the same, although since the 16 is newer it does come with a few new features that really elevate the product.  The biggest and most notable difference between the two is the size of the oven – as the names suggest, the Ooni Karu 16 is wide enough to fit a 16″ pizza and the 12 is wide enough to fit a 12″ pizza.

Ooni Karu 16

Ooni Karu 16 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven

• Operates with both wood fired and gas fired heat
• Reaches 950ºF in only 15 minutes
• Hinged oven door with viewing window

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The Ooni Karu 16 offers everything that the 12 does but with a few extra additions that make your pizza-making experience much more enjoyable. Instead of being made with stainless steel, it has a powder-coated carbon steel shell. It can also fit the 12 inch and 16-inch cordierite stone baking boards.

The Ooni Karu 16 can reach 950ºF or 500ºC in just 15 minutes.  With temperatures that high, you can completely bake a pizza and have it ready to eat in just 60 seconds.

One fantastic feature that’s new to this oven specifically is the hinged oven door design. Oven doors are ideal because they keep all of the hot air inside of the cooking chamber, but at the same time you want to be able to see your pizza while it cooks to check in on it.

Ooni solved for both of these needs by designing an easy-to-open door with a viewing window – a feature you don’t see on many portable pizza ovens currently.

Since this option is larger than the 12 models, it also weighs a lot more. It’s still portable like the other model – but it weighs almost double at 63 pounds, so it may be a little bit more of a hassle to take on the go.

With a generous amount of cooking space, this model is a great choice to leave in your outdoor kitchen – you can even cook things other than pizza (like steak!) on this pizza oven.

The base Karu 16 comes configured to cook with wood fire, but you can easily switch to propane gas cooking with an Ooni gas burner that’s sold separately.

Some specifications to keep in mind:

• 63 lbs
• 33″ x 32″ x 2-“
• Only to be used outdoors
• Gas compatible if you buy the converter, but usually fueled by real pizza oven wood or charcoal.

Ooni Karu 12

Ooni Karu 12 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven

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The Ooni Karu 12 only weighs 26.5 and is extremely portable. It’s the number one choice for people who want to travel with their pizza oven or people who want to bring the pizza oven to summer cookouts. Despite the small size, you will still get a powerful pizza oven.

You can use the oven with wood or charcoal as these are the preferred methods. You can still use gas if you want to, but you will need to buy the Ooni Gas Burner to convert into gas.

This pizza oven will give you incredible heat up times being able to reach 950ºF or 500ºC within just 15 minutes. If you preheat the oven, you can have a ready-to-eat stone-baked pizza in just 60 seconds. This oven is fantastic for making pizzas for large groups of people or cookout events where you need to have many pizzas done in a short period of time.

With this pizza oven, you get a 13″ cooking surface and a 0.6″ cordierite stone baking board. This oven should last for years and years to come even if you bring it everywhere as it comes with durable 430 stainless steel and glass-reinforced nylon construction.

The main complaint with the Ooni Karu 12 is that the fire basket is pretty small, but you have to remember the pizza oven is portable, so it would be hard to carry around with you if the fire basket was any larger.

Just make sure to keep an eye on the fuel as you are cooking so you don’t run out mid-pizza cooking. Other than that, most users don’t have any issues and they love their pizza oven for years and years to come.

Some features to keep in mind:

• 26.5 lbs
• 31.5″ x 15.7″ x 30.3″
• For outdoor use only, don’t use inside
• Durable and sleek 430 stainless steel
• Can be fueled by wood, charcoal, or even gas with a converter

If you are still stuck between the 12 and 16 models, remember that the 12 is more portable and should be a solid choice if you plan to travel with the pizza oven. You will get a lightweight and portable pizza oven that can still bake amazing pizza in just a few minutes.

If you want a larger oven and don’t plan to travel a ton with the pizza oven, you might want to go with the 16 models. The larger capacity allows you to make larger pizzas.

Both models will allow you to make more than just pizza including desserts, fish, meat, and unique flatbreads. The major difference between the two ovens is the size, so you can base your choice on what size you want and how much food you plan to cook at the same time.

Benefits of Multi-Fuel Pizza Ovens

The main benefit of multi-fuel pizza ovens is that you have maximum cooking flexibility. You can fire up the oven right out of the box with wood or charcoal. Most of the multi-fuel pizza ovens also allow you to use gas, but you will need to buy the converter separately. Ooni has a burner that they sell that works perfectly with their pizza ovens.

If you want the convenience of cooking with gas, consider buying the converter if you have extra money. Many people choose to use wood or charcoal though because the taste is so much better when it comes to having quality restaurant pizza.

Benefits of Wood Fire Pizza Ovens

Wood fire pizza ovens are often the most popular because you get a pizza that tastes like it was made at a classic restaurant. Wood-fired pizzas have a better taste and flavor giving you an authentic pizza taste. There are many other advantages though when it comes to using wood fire pizza ovens.

Wood-fired ovens often cook pizza much quicker than the charcoal or the gas options. Wood-fired pizza can reach higher temperatures much faster than its counterparts. This cuts your pizza cooking time down by almost half. The exact cooking time will depend on the dough thickness though.

Wood-fired pizza ovens will also retain more nutrients than if you use gas to cook. Cooking with wood allows the fruits and vegetables you put on the pizza to retain more nutrients and antioxidants. Longer cooking processes such as those seen with gas cookers can cause more depletion of nutrients which can cause your diet to be lacking in certain areas.

Wood-fired ovens also save energy. They don’t require any electricity to operate as the only energy source is heat from the fire. This also reduces air pollution in your neighborhood.

Benefits of Gas Pizza Ovens

Gas ovens are usually easier to operate because you don’t need any wood or charcoal supplies. Gas pizza ovens also offer a unique flavor, although it’s different from wood-fired pizzas. They are sometimes more expensive because you might need to buy a converter or additional supplies if you are starting with a wood-fired oven.

Gas ovens are also easier to control in terms of controlling the temperature and the heat that’s cooking the pizza. For people that are used to cooking with gas, this can often be easier because you don’t need to learn how to use wood or charcoal and there is added convenience.

Final Thoughts

Both the 12 and 16 Ooni Pizza Ovens have amazing features that make baking artisan pizza right in your backyard extremely easy. The 12 is often a better option for those who want something portable, but other than that the two basically function the same despite the different sizes.

Want to see how Ooni stacks up to the competition?  Head on over to our comparison of Ooni vs Roccbox pizza ovens next.

The post Ooni Karu Pizza Oven Review (16 & 12 Models) – The Best Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven? appeared first on Own The Grill.

Read on to learn more about the Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven including the pros, cons, features, performance, and some tips on how to get the most out of your pizza oven.

Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven Features

Camp Chef is a brand dedicated to creating the best and most practical outdoor cooking equipment.

They are big players in the pellet grill market, and they also make excellent portable camping stoves that allow outdoorsmen and women to prepare fantastic food while enjoying the outdoors.

It’s important to note that Camp Chef pizza ovens come in a few shapes and sizes.

Many might be looking at attachments for an existing Camp Chef cooking system.  They sell pizza ovens as an attachment for their pellet grills (see the Woodwind WiFi) and camping stoves.

• 1 Burner Sidekick Pizza Oven Attachment (for pellet grills and single burner cook systems)
• 1 Burner Pizza Oven Attachment (for 2 burner cook systems)

Here, we are specifically taking a closer look at the Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven.

Take a look at some of the key features of the Camp Chef Pizza Oven. It was designed to have the feel of a wood-fired brick oven, without the mess of maintaining a wood oven. The dome shape and double-layered lid work to help improve the cooking and create results similar to what you would expect from a brick oven.

Temperature

Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven

• Great price to quality ratio
• Heats up to 700ºF in about 15 minutes

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This oven can actually reach 700 degrees Fahrenheit because it has a 17,000 BTU burner. These high temperatures help you create great pizza each and every time you use the oven. The oven does have heat plates, which also enhance the cooking experience and promote even cooking throughout the oven and the pizza.

You are going to be able to cook quicker than if you used a conventional oven, since this oven can reach high temperatures in just 10-15 minutes. If heating time is a factor for you, you will not be disappointed with this oven.

There is also a built-in ignition along with a micro-adjust value, which lets you have total control over the temperature and cooking speed. The thermometer is accurate, so there is no need for a special tool to determine the temperature. You can also easily chance the temperatures in the oven if you happen to be cooking something else instead of pizza. The ventilated door also works to evenly control the temperature.

Heat Source

This pizza oven is fueled by propane, meaning you don’t have to deal with the mess that comes with using wood chips. You will be able to use either a small 1 pound propane bottle or the standard sized propane tank, since there is a hose and regulator included with the oven.

Quality of the Oven

You are getting a durable oven mostly due to its high-end stainless steel construction. While some would say the stainless steel might take away from its aesthetics, you are getting a quality oven that can work under extremely high temperatures. Honestly, it doesn’t look that bad, and we think the oven still looks just fine.

The biggest downside to the construction is that there could be a tad more cooking space. You are fairly limited to making just pizzas of a certain size. If the oven space were a little bigger, you would have more options and recipes available to you when you are cooking.

There is nothing not to like about this oven, including the cordierite ceramic stone, which really works to evenly cook your pizza so everything comes out the same temperature and crispness. The ceramic stone is the best choice for cooking pizza on at high temperatures.

This oven is built with high-quality materials and you will have no trouble hosting a pizza party with dozens of your nieces, nephews, and friends and family. You can rely on consistency and get the same pizza cooked the same way over and over again. Mix up the toppings and sauces and you can add some variety!

The Performance of the Oven

This oven is so easy to use! Set up is a breeze, as the only part of connecting your oven that might pose a challenge is hooking up the gas. Once you figure it out, it’s easy to connect. Once you connect the propane the first time, you won’t have to do it again until you change the propane tank.

Remember to watch the thermometer when you are pre-heating and cooking your pizza, so you can get a feel for how the temperature changes throughout the cooking process. All you have to do is wait for the temperature to get to what you want it and then you are all set to start cooking.

Using a pizza paddle that is floured or has corn meal on it, you can put the pizza on that and slide it right onto the stone. You are going to want to rotate the pizza some times to make sure it doesn’t burn and that it cooks evenly.

It won’t take long to be able to enjoy your pizza, since most cook well in just about 10 minutes. While pizza is best in this oven, you could also use it to warm up hot sandwiches, calzones, or strombolis. You are not limited just to pizza.

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A Few Issues We Noticed When Using This Pizza Oven

Nothing in life is perfect, including this pizza oven. There are just a few issues you should be aware of before you get started with cooking.

The biggest complaint we have is the size of the oven just because it is so thin. The good news is, the smaller size makes this oven portable, so you can take it with you camping or tailgating without much of an issue.

But this can cause trouble if you aren’t used to using a pizza oven – it can take a few tries to get good at moving your pizza around in the oven to get an even cook.

If you are cooking for larger groups of people, just plan on making many different pizzas instead of one big one. The roof is a little low, so you won’t be able to cook foods in this oven that are tall in size. Stick to flat foods like pizzas or sandwiches.

If you are looking for a wood flavor on your pizza, you won’t get that with this oven. Don’t be confused into thinking you will get the same taste from this oven as a wood-fire brick oven.

We also don’t love the user’s manual, as it is a little limited. You are better off going to YouTube for instructions on setting up and using your oven than you are using the manual. The good news is once you figure it out and get all set up it is a super easy oven to use. You shouldn’t need to constantly reference the manual or the internet to use your oven and find recipes.

Camp Chef Pizza Oven Pros

The team at Camp Chef spent a lot of time creating a great outdoor oven. Take a look at these pros:

• The simple design makes it easy to assemble and get started making pizza with ease
• High quality cooking and can cook the perfect pizza at high temperatures
• Heats up quickly, reaching maximum temperature in as little as 10 minutes

Camp Chef Pizza Oven Cons

No pizza oven is perfect, take a look at the cons of the Camp Chef Pizza Oven:

• It is a little small in size and not great for cooking pizzas that are bigger than 12 inches or for cooking more than one item at the same time
• There is no wood flavor, which you could get using a wood oven

Tips to Follow to Get the Most From This Oven

To get the most out of this oven, here are a few tips for you:

• While the thermometer on this oven is pretty accurate, you might want to get an Infared thermometer. You can aim it directly at the stone and get an instantly accurate temperature reading.
• Other great gift ideas are things like pizza peels and pizza cutters. There are a lot of tools that go with this oven that would make life easier for the chef.
• Consider getting a cover if you will store the oven outside, as this will keep it protected from the elements.
• If you use a lot of toppings, the cooking process might be slower and the pizza might cook unevenly. If you are making a big Supreme pizza with all the fixings make sure you monitor it closely and rotate it to help it cook.
• Make sure you keep the peel and stone clean in between uses as this will help the cooking process.

Final Thoughts

This is a great pizza oven! While the Camp Chef Italia is not perfect, if you follow a few tips and have a game plan for cooking, you will make many enjoyable pizzas.

Whether at home, in your backyard, or on a camping trip, you can now make your favorite pizza anytime you want to. You should also find that this is relatively affordable, so you can enjoy pizza while on a tight budget.

If you want authentic, homemade artisan pizza, there really is no better option on the market today. Just keep in mind that it is a little small in size, so you don’t want to plan to make gigantic pizzas. Besides, it’s more fun to make many different smaller pizzas so you can mix up the toppings and flavor of the pizzas!

The post Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven Review – How Does It Stack Up? appeared first on Own The Grill.