Spoiler alert: Pizza never tasted so good with both the outdoor pizza oven and the indoor pizza oven.
Living in New York, where the perfect slice is just around the corner, I never thought I'd say this, but I can't imagine dining out again now that I have this pizza oven at my fingertips. Not to brag, but I just made the best pizza I've ever tasted -- and I'm definitely not a cook. I rely on takeout almost every night, so believe me when I say my cooking skills are far from "Yes, Chef" level.
I had the opportunity to test the Ooni Koda 16 Gas-Powered Pizza Oven on my outdoor patio and the Ooni Volt 2 Culinary Bundle from the comfort of my tiny New York kitchen. Both were massive hits with my guests and tasted better than takeout, which in New York is hard to beat.
Indoor Experience
Ooni Volt 2 Culinary Bundle
Having tested the Ooni Volt 2 Culinary Bundle, I am more impressed with this indoor version than the outdoor versions. While outdoor ovens are iconic and a fun way to host guests on the patio, the Volt 2 has become my go-to simply because it removes the weather barrier when I don't want to brave the snow to bake pizza.
One of the biggest hurdles with wood-fired ovens is the intimidation factor; managing a live flame can be stressful -- at least for me. The Volt 2 feels significantly safer and more approachable. Thanks to the Pizza Intelligence system, an adaptive control system that adjusts temperatures in real-time. I found it much easier to launch and retrieve my pizzas without them getting crumpled or burnt.
With a temperature range spanning from 70 degrees Fahrenheit (perfect for the Dough-Proofing Mode) to a blistering 850 degrees Fahrenheit, it can legitimately replace a standard oven in smaller spaces. In New York, I've shopped for apartments that don't have ovens, and I've never seriously considered them until now.
It can be used for everything from roasting vegetables and meats to baking cookies. If you're in a rush, the Boost function can deliver a restaurant-quality Neapolitan pizza in just 90 seconds.
If you can only buy one pizza oven, this is my recommendation. The bundle comes with the Ooni Volt 2 Electric Pizza Oven, Ooni Pizza Oven Brush Sheet Pan & Rack for the Ooni Volt 2, Ooni 12-inch Compact Peel.
Outdoor Experience
Meet the Ooni Koda 16 Gas-Powered Pizza Oven, the adult version of the Easy-Bake-Oven and perhaps even easier to use with much better results. After unboxing, I literally popped open the legs, set it on my outdoor table, screwed in my propane tank and flipped a switch.
It only takes a couple of minutes to reach 400 Fahrenheit (and can reach 950 Fahrenheit), but for first use, Ooni recommends heating it up for 30 minutes, allowing it to cool, and then wiping it down. Why? In case there are any leftover oils and other various remnants from the manufacturing process.
It heats up really fast, and although extremely safe, I'm a huge believer in keeping a fire extinguisher handy. The 16-inch oven felt like the right size for families that have two to four people and compact enough to store easily out of sight, even in my 600-square-foot apartment. It's perfect for homes with back patios or small decks like my New York outdoor space, now turned pizza kitchen.
But if you'd like this oven to have more of a permanent space to gather around and share stories with the fam, I suggest looking at the new Koda 2 Max. It holds two pizzas at once, so there aren't any fights over whose pizza gets fired up first. Don't have an outdoor space? Not to worry, Ooni has thought of everyone, creating an indoor and outdoor Volt 12 Electric Pizza Oven.
The oven I tried fits a standard 20-pound propane tank or natural gas line.
Although this oven hose is not compatible with a one-pound gas tank (nor endorsed by Ooni), I used a converter to connect one to align with New York City regulations for outdoor cooking. If you want to connect this to a natural gas line, you'll need this conversion kit.
Ooni Koda 16 Gas-Powered Pizza Oven
This versatile oven runs on your choice of propane or natural gas, offering ultimate ease and control.
It heats up to an impressive 950 Fahrenheit and can cook fresh, stone-baked pizzas in as little as 60 seconds, although I found it needed a little more time. It varies depending on the size of the pizza, the thickness of the dough, and the density of your toppings.
I'll be the first to admit I'm not a professional, so my pizza comes out more like a Salvador Dalí-inspired creation, but it tastes incredible.
With an extra-large cooking area, it accommodates 16-inch pizzas, meat joints, breads, and more. The innovative L-shaped flame design ensures efficient one-turn cooking, making it both convenient and effective for a variety of culinary needs. Just be sure to have plenty of cornmeal or flour beneath the dough so it turns easily in the oven.
I decided to make a savory pizza, but I found it a bit tricky to cook. I overloaded it with toppings, which made it too heavy and hard to rotate without scrunching it up into lasagna mush. For better results, I recommend either making a smaller pizza to make turning it in the oven easier or pre-baking the dough to firm it up before adding your toppings. Once you've added the ingredients, finish baking it in the oven.
When you purchase from Ooni.com, this oven comes with a 5-year warranty.
For accessories, I recommend the Ooni Digital Infrared Thermometer to check the oven's temperature to ensure ideal crispiness. You'll also need the tools to bake the pizza, such as a seven-inch turning peel to keep the pizza from sticking and an evenly baked crust, a 16-inch peel to slide in and out of the oven, and , of course ,a bamboo boardfor presentation.If you're trying to impress your dinner guests,don't be shy,add all the necessary toolsto createthe perfect pizza.I promise you,you'll never want to order another pizza again.
I know adding on all of these accessories can really drive up the cost,so if you can only add one,I suggestthe 16-inch peelto safely placethe pizza in and out of the oven,but honestly,all the tools feel essential,especiallythe turning peel.
Butthe one accessory that really made a difference that I didn't know I needed wasthe Ooni Folding Table.I originally placed it on two folding tables on my small patio,not wanting to add more equipmenttothe micro New York deck,but it tucks away folding flatand creates a solid base for my pizza.
Overall,I cannot recommend this oven enough;it has made cooking dinner a new beloved activity.
Ooni Folding Table
This durable table,made from powder-coated carbon steel and stainless steel,measures 22.64 inches by 27.56 inches by 35.43 inchesand supports up to 110 pounds,making it perfectly sized for 12- and 16-inch Ooni ovens.It has a 77-pound top surface limit and a 33-pound shelf capacity.
When I pushed my pizza into the oven and retrieved it,the oven remained sturdy,and the table held strong with zero back-and-forth movement.
Is it worth it?
I truly enjoyed both ovens,but I must say that buying the bundle is my top recommendation;it ensures you have all the tools you need to bake the perfect pizza right away.When I bought my outdoor oven,I added accessories piece by piece,but the indoor oven bundle was much more convenient,providing all the cooking assistance I needed from the start.
If you have an outdoor patio for entertaining guests or feeding your family,the outdoor experience is unbeatable.Betweenthe fire and the oven,the cooking process itself becomes the entertainment.
However,since you are limited by weather conditions outdoors,I found the indoor pizza oven to be an essential year-round kitchen tool.I lovethe indoor oven because it feels very manageable;launching and retrieving the pizza is a breeze.Becauseit's a 12-inch oven,it encourages you to make a smaller pizza,which acts as a helpful "guardrail" for me to stay within my limits while cooking.
Overall,I absolutely love the electric cooking experience -- it truly felt like cooking over a wood-burning fire.I highly recommend this as a kitchen essential because it is so versatile,handling everything from roasting vegetables to baking pizzas.Ooni has proven once again that they produce high-quality,luxury products.If you can swing the price,it is well worth the investment because their gear holds up season after season.
How we tested
Before taste testing,I evaluated it against several key criteria to decide if the outdoor oven was worth the investment:
- Ease of cleaning:I looked for a seamless setup. For the outdoor model, this meant unboxing, extending the legs, and connecting the gas. For the indoor bundle, I assessed how quickly I could go from out of the box to ready to bake.
- Ease of assembly:I tested how easy it was to keep the cooking surface clean. While the stones are removable once cooled, I found that burned cheese and residue require a heavy-duty brush and water, as a standard kitchen scrubbing pad isn't strong enough for the job. I found the indoor version much simpler to maintain.
- Durability:I examined the build quality to ensure the materials were state-of-the-art. I specifically looked for high-end construction that could handle the elements for outdoor use and hold up as a permanent kitchen fixture for indoor use.
- Special features:I evaluated the unique tech each model offers, such as the ability to cook with gas, use electric, or use it as an indoor oven beyond pizza.
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