Pizza Oven Advice

Emc2 Managed to source 15% discount so trigger has been pulled.

Late comer to this discussion. I built an oven about 15 years ago and while I love it, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the small gas or pellet options. I’ve used them at friends’ places and they certainly have aspects that improve upon the “real” thing. Quicker heat up time, easier to control temperature and less environmental impact to name a couple advantages. I’ve also never understood the debate about the flavor of wood smoke in a large pizza oven. The temperatures are too hot for aromatic smoke, not to mention the height of a dome generally eliminates smoke reaching anything on the oven floor.

Of course, a big oven is great for feeding crowds and it’s much easier to roast a whole chicken, make a large dessert or overnight a pot of Italian beans.

Bought a gas burner for my Ooni Pro. It’s convenient to use if you’re baking back to back but it doesn’t get as hot as using wood.

Systemic

That’s surprising. I would think that’s more of an insulation issue than a fuel issue, but they’re both variables on the same side of the equation. Are the gas burners really small?

The advantage (and disadvantage) of a big brick oven is that the amount of insulated mass retains heat really well. Takes forever to heat up though. I plan on 2 hours of lead time before cooking in my oven, but it will still be warm the next day.

If I had the money I’d get the best of both worlds and get the Gozney Dome - big enough to bake bread or a roast chicken but small enough to heat quickly. Looks cute like a baby full size Gozney too 😂

My friend also had the same issue with the gas burner on his Rocbox not getting up to as high temperatures. Having said that, having used his Rocbox I now prefer a slightly lower temperature to bake at.

I just cooked a pizza from scratch for the first time in my oven (290C). Fantastic.

The pizza dough was so much easier to do than I expected. Just throw it in a bowl, mix and let sit for 12+ hours.

Has anyone tried both the Ooni Koda 16 and 12?

I’ve had enough of faffing with the Fyra I have.

Amazing pizza under the perfect conditions but can be frustrating to keep it burning consistently, especially in any kind of wind.

So I’m going to buy a Koda and use gas. I’m not hugely fussed about the larger deck for bigger pizza but I notice the 16 has an L shaped burner vs a straight single burner on the 12. What I’m wondering is whether this benefits the cooking at all, other than making it quicker?

The trade-off is that it’s quite a bit larger (obviously) and I’ll probably be storing it indoors so the 12 will be much easier to store.

dutchy101

Thanks yeah definitely leaning towards the 16. Do you leave yours outside or pack it away?

dutchy101

Nice yeah I had the cover for the Fyra.

I think I’ll go with the 16, I’ll regret it if I get the 12 I reckon.

HarveyMushman I think I’ll go with the 16, I’ll regret it if I get the 12 I reckon.

Good choice - bigger the oven the better. I had the original Ooni 12 when it first came out. Found it too restrictive.

I won a 12″ Gozney Roccbox from Rave Coffee in the Black Friday/Cyber Monday raffles this year. Always wanted one. It’s not really the right weather, so I haven’t yet sorted it out. I’m going to need a garden table of some sort.

What are people doing about the gas cylinders? Any recommendations?

I use gas and wood with my Ooni. Gas is easier if cooking several pizzas back to back. Downside for gas is oven doesn’t get as hot as when using wood so pizzas take bit longer to cook.

Reviving this thread to ask if anyone’s used the Gozney ovens?

I’ve had enough of the Ooni. It’s great when the stars align, but too many times now it’s blown out in the slightest breeze.

I’m tempted by the Arc XL. Mainly for the size and side burner as I’ve launched the pizza into the burner a couple of times on the Ooni.

I know the Roccbox gets a great write up but I’m wondering if anyone’s used one of their dome style ones.

dutchy101

Yeah mine is the gas one. I used to have the Fyra which was pretty good but wanted gas for the ease of starting / holding temp etc.

Our Koda seems to go out regularly if there’s a bit of breeze.

I’d guess the Karu is much better with the door on the front.

Admittedly there is a part of me just looking for excuses to get the Arc XL…