Ooni Koda 12 Pizza Oven: Expert Review and Amazing Test Results!

As a professional baker and pizza enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for a way to recreate the authenticity of Neapolitan pizza at home. Unfortunately, regular home ovens can’t reach the high temperatures needed for perfect pizza cooking, which is why I invested in the Ooni Koda 12 pizza oven. With its attractive price and compact size, this oven promises quality cooking and large enough pizzas.

But does the Ooni Koda 12 really live up to its promises? That’s what I’ll explain in this article. I want to clarify that this review is completely unbiased and I’m not affiliated with the brand.

Before giving you my final opinion, here’s everything you need to know about the Ooni Koda 12.

I ordered the Ooni Koda 12 pizza oven online and received it very quickly. The packaging is complete and well-organized. It includes the oven itself, with foldable legs, as well as a refractory stone for cooking. The stone is well-packaged to prevent any damage during transport. I also received a gas regulator, a warranty, a user manual in French, a small recipe booklet, and a match holder. Everything is of high quality and makes setting up the oven a breeze, which only takes 5 minutes.

The provided recipe booklet is very much appreciated, and there’s also a free smartphone app with numerous recipes, tutorials, and a converter for making your own pizza dough. It’s really convenient!

The packaging box is quite large, but the oven itself is compact. It’s carefully packaged and protected. You can also see in the image the discreet propane gas bottle.

Overall, I’m very satisfied with my purchase of the Ooni Koda 12 pizza oven. Everything is well thought out and of high quality. I highly recommend this product!

Technical Specifications of the Ooni Koda 12

As mentioned before, the Ooni Koda 12 pizza oven operates solely on propane gas, allowing it to generate intense and sufficient heat for optimal cooking. This is convenient because you can make multiple pizzas without having to reload with pellets or wood. Despite its compact size, this oven can cook pizzas up to approximately 33 cm in diameter, which is larger than a traditional plate and more than enough. However, sometimes you may need to take the pizza out and flip it using a peel. It takes around fifteen minutes to reach a temperature of 500°C, and then the pizza cooks in about a minute. This is ideal if you want to make multiple pizzas in a row. Once the three legs are unfolded, the oven is perfectly stable and emits very little heat underneath and at the back, which is a noticeable advantage.

The Ooni Koda 12 in action

The installation of the Ooni Koda 12 pizza oven is incredibly simple and quick. Just unfold the collapsible legs, place it on a stable surface, connect it to a gas bottle, and ignite the burner. The gas regulator is safe and fits perfectly with the bottle, eliminating any risk of leakage. Once lit, the oven heats up rapidly and reaches a temperature of 400°C in just about ten minutes. The oven stone easily reaches 500°C in 15 minutes. The flames are vibrant and adjustable with a dial at the back of the device. Cooking a pizza takes only 1 to 2 minutes maximum, flipping the pizza frequently to avoid burning the bottom. Once you get the hang of it, this little oven becomes a true marvel. The Ooni Koda 12 is also compact and easily portable, making it an ideal choice for outdoor cooking. Its gas operation gives it great autonomy.

The cooking quality of our pizzas

The pizza cooked in the Ooni Koda 12 pizza oven is simply perfect. The heat is distributed evenly, resulting in a crispy and well-aerated crust both on top and underneath the pizza. You’ll also get that classic « leopard » pattern on the crust, adding a touch of tradition and character to every bite. If you’re a fan of light, crispy, and airy pizza dough, you’re going to love the Ooni Koda! It truly excels in this aspect.

Ease of Use of the Appliance

The Ooni Koda 12 is a compact pizza oven that is spacious enough to make delicious pizzas. Its foldable legs make it easy to store, even in a kitchen cabinet without taking up too much space. Lighting the burner is a breeze with the built-in spark, so no need for matches. However, it can be sensitive to gusts of wind, so it’s best to position it with its back against the wind to prevent it from going out. In case it does go out, there’s an automatic safety feature that cuts off the gas supply. It also comes with a secure regulator compatible with small propane bottles, making it easy to move and transport. In terms of gas consumption, it uses approximately 600 grams of propane per hour of use, which means a small 6-kilogram bottle can provide about 10 hours of cooking. The Ooni Koda 12 is therefore cost-effective and allows you to make many pizzas before needing to change the gas bottle.

Ooni Koda 12 Price

Let’s talk about the price of the Ooni Koda 12 pizza oven. It is sold at a price of €349.00 including tax at 37 mbar. This is the recommended model for French residents and it is compatible with Butagaz « Cube » propane bottles. You can visit the Ooni website to see the Koda 12 oven. At this price, it is one of the most affordable gas pizza ovens on the market. Additionally, it is often on sale during Black Friday or Cyber Monday. I recommend ordering your oven from the brand’s website. This way, you will benefit from the « pizza success or your money back » guarantee for 60 days, as well as the 3-year warranty (which is not the case if you buy it elsewhere, where you will have to register the product). By ordering the Ooni Koda 12 directly from the brand, you also contribute to planting trees through Ooni’s partnership with Eden Projects and 1% for the Planet. Don’t forget to get a peel that fits inside the oven (pay attention to the diameter). A thin stainless steel peel with a not too long handle is ideal (the oven is not very deep). It is preferable to choose a model from Ooni to ensure compatibility. A laser thermometer will also be useful for monitoring the temperature rise. A small transport or storage cover for your oven is also recommended. Check the Ooni website to see the best peels from the brand and the laser thermometer. Ooni accessories are of very good quality! Don’t forget to get a peel, a thermometer, and possibly a cover.

Insights on the Ooni brand

Ooni is a well-known brand in the pizza oven industry, gaining popularity in recent years. Formerly known as « Uuni, » it competes with the Gozney brand in the market. Despite being relatively new, the brand has won over consumers with its wide range of available accessories, such as cooking stones, as well as its mobile app, customer service, and warranty.

Final thoughts: Our verdict on the Ooni Koda 12

The Ooni Koda 12 is a product that I absolutely love: it’s affordable, highly efficient, and easy to use. It has become a true ally during our homemade pizza nights. But that’s not all: you can also use it to prepare delicious Alsatian tarte flambée, quiches, meats… The possibilities are endless! Once you get the hang of it, the Ooni Koda 12 proves to be a very cost-effective investment. That’s why I highly recommend the Ooni Koda 12 pizza oven! If you’re looking for a slightly larger oven with more space to handle your pizzas, you can also check out the Koda 16. Otherwise, you can visit the Ooni website to see the Koda 12 oven.

What we liked:

The Ooni Koda 12 pizza oven is a great choice for pizza enthusiasts, offering excellent cooking quality and ease of use. Its foldable legs and compact size make it convenient for installation and handling. Not only is it practical, but it also offers great value for money and has low gas consumption. Despite its compactness, this oven can cook generously-sized pizzas thanks to its promise of heating up to 500°C. It provides much more than just a pizza oven. However, it is important to remember to flip the pizza during cooking to ensure even cooking.

What we didn’t like:

Unlike a wood-fired oven, the Ooni Koda 12 offers the convenience of use that more than makes up for the lack of that typical smoky, woody flavor in your pizzas.

What are the differences between the Ooni Koda 12 and the Ooni Koda 16?

To better understand the differences between the two ovens, here’s a comparison:
– Ooni Koda 16: suitable for larger pizzas, with dimensions of 39.5 cm wide, 29.8 cm high, and a depth of 59.2 cm. It has a compact design.
– Ooni Koda 12: suitable for smaller pizzas, with dimensions of 58.9 cm wide, 37.2 cm high, and a depth of 63.4 cm. It has a larger design.
If you’re interested in the Ooni Koda 16, you can read the article I wrote about it! Now, here’s my review of the Ooni Koda 12! If you have any questions about the product or would like to share your experience, feel free to leave a comment. See you soon!