Shopping

Ooni review: Why this easy-to-use pizza oven has changed my cooking game

Spoiler alert: Pizza never tasted so good.

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.

Enter 💃, 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 remnan🌠ts from the manufacturing process.

RELATED: The best outdoor pizza ovens f🌌or backyarꦗd entertaining

It heats up really fast and although extremely safe, I’m a huge believer in keeping a 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. 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 . It holds two pizzas at once so there aren’t any fights over who’s pizza gets fired up first. Don’t have an outdoor space? Not to worry, Ooni has thought of everyone, creating an indoor and outdoor .

The oven I tried fits a standard 20-🌄pounওd 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 in order to align with New York City regulations for outdoor cooking. If you want to connect this to a natural gas line, you’ll need

Ooni Koda 16 Gas Powered Pizza Oven
Ooni

Pros:

  • Can cook a pizza in 60 seconds
  • Heats up to 950 Fahrenheit
  • Easy setup

Cons:

  • Stains may appear on the stone after cooking if you don’t scrub it down afterwards

This versatile oven runs on your choice of propane or natural gas, offering ultim𝄹ate ease and control.

It heats up t💯o 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 on size of pizza, thickness of the dough and the density of your toppings.


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 vari💧ety of culinary needs. Just be sure to have plenty of cornmeal or flour beneath the dough so it turns easily in the oven.

I have a bit of a sweet tooth, so I decided to taste-test the adding a splash of bourbon for good measure. The combination of pizza and bourbon inspired me to create a unique flavor blend:📖 mint, ricotta, bourbon-infused honey, and a touch of lemon. The result was absolutely divine.

However, I decided to make a savory pizza, but I found it a bit tricky to cook. I overloa꧙ded 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.

Looking for recipes? Ooni has many and ways to use this oven be𝄹yond pizza, from grilling to baking.

When you purchase from Ooni.com🐠, this oven comes with a 5-year warranty.

Ooni Pizza Oven

For accessories, I recommend the 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  to keep the pizza from sticking and an evenly baked crust, a to slide in and out of the oven, and, of course, a for presentation. If you’re trying to impress your dinner guests, don’t be shy, add all the necessary tools to create the 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 suggest theto safely place the pizza in and out of the oven but honestly, all the tools feel essential, especially the .

Overall, I cannot recommend thiꦏs oven enough, it has made cooking dinner a new beloved activity.

How we tested

Testing the pizza oven temperature with a heat thermometer.
Emma Sutton-Williams

Before savoring the chef-worthy pizza from the Ooni Gas-Powered Pizza Oven, 🍷I evaluated 🉐it against several key criteria to decide if the outdoor oven was worth the investment:

  • Ease of assembly: I unpacked the oven, extended the legs, and connected it to my propane tank. The entire setup took less than a minute.
  • Durability: This oven is of state-of-the-art quality, made from the finest materials, and will endure outdoor wear and tear.
  • Special features: This model can be hooked up to gas fuel (propane) to run on natural gas from a fixed natural gas line. It also comes with a 5-year warranty when you purchase from Ooni.com.
  • Ease of cleaning: Easy to remove the stone inside the oven once it has cooled, however, you will need a brush and water to scrub off burned cheese and anything else that may have cooked onto its surface. I tried using a standard kitchen scrubbing pad and found it needs something much stronger.

Hunting for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping with Post Wanted.


Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We 💮routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.