Ooni Karu 16: Features and Price of this Wood and Gas Pizza Oven – Test ans Review

The Ooni Karu 16 is the latest addition to the Ooni oven range. It’s larger than the Karu 12 and Karu 12G models, which means it offers a more generous cooking surface. As a chef, I want to share my thoughts on this new Ooni oven. Is it worth the investment? Does it perform as well as its predecessor? I’ll answer these questions and give you my honest feedback. I want to clarify that I haven’t received this product for free to promote it, so my review is completely unbiased. If you want to skip ahead and read my conclusion, you can click here! Now, let’s dive into my detailed review of this product.

Unboxing the package

When you unpack the new Ooni Karu 16, you will find everything you need to start using your pizza oven. This includes the oven itself, a ViewFlame glass door, a chimney with a cap, a burner tray and grate, a cut-out protection plate, a fuel hatch, a cordierite cooking stone, a built-in digital thermometer with batteries, a user manual, a recipe booklet, and a warranty document. While the oven does not come with a small peel, it is easy to purchase one at a reasonable price. The Ooni Karu 16 offers a larger cooking surface than the Karu 12, making it easier to handle pizzas and cook other foods. You can find the Ooni Karu 16 on the brand’s website.

Technical Specifications of the Ooni Karu 16

The Ooni Karu 16 is an enlarged version of the Karu 12, offering larger dimensions similar to the Koda 16. It measures 50 cm x 81.5 cm x 83.7 cm, with a cooking surface that can accommodate pizzas up to 41 cm in diameter. What sets the Karu 16 apart is its versatility, as it can operate with charcoal, wood-fired, and even gas with the corresponding adapter (to be purchased separately). In terms of design, it shares the same features as the Karu 12.

Starting up and operating the device

The Ooni Karu 16 pizza oven takes a little longer to preheat compared to its smaller counterpart, the Karu 12. It will take approximately 15 minutes to reach the ideal temperature of 500°C. This is due to the larger size of the oven cavity. However, the flame is strong and the oven heats up very well, so there is no need to worry. One interesting new feature of this model is the « View Flame » fully glass door, which allows you to clearly see what is happening inside the oven while still maintaining excellent heat retention. Like other Ooni ovens, even with its larger size, it typically takes only a maximum of 2 minutes to cook a pizza. The large handle makes it easy to open and close the oven.

Cooking Quality of Our Pizzas

The Ooni Karu 16 pizza oven is a game-changer when it comes to cooking pizzas. It delivers exceptional results, with a beautifully blistered and charred crust in just a matter of seconds. The cooking is excellent, both on the top and bottom of the pizza. You’ll just need to flip the pizza and keep an eye on the temperature, but other than that, you’ll be able to achieve perfect Neapolitan-style pizzas! Whether you choose to cook with wood and charcoal for that authentic smoky flavor or opt for the convenience of gas, the Ooni Karu 16 will meet all your expectations. Ooni has truly hit it out of the park with this pizza oven!

Ease of Use with the Ooni Karu 16

The Ooni Karu 16 pizza oven is just as user-friendly as its smaller sibling, the Karu 12. Cooking with a wood-fired oven may seem daunting, but all you need to do is maintain the oven at the right temperature by adding wood regularly. The provided documentation clearly explains how to use the oven in French. Like other ovens from the brand, the Karu 16 comes with foldable legs, making it easy to transport and store. Additionally, it offers a larger cooking surface, allowing you to cook more than just pizzas, such as bread, for example. An integrated digital thermometer is also included, which is a real advantage. The oven’s top handle makes opening and closing the door effortless and safe, without the risk of burning yourself. In summary, you won’t have any issues using this new Karu 16. The integrated digital thermometer is a handy feature that saves you from having to buy an additional laser thermometer.

The Price of the Ooni Karu 16

Let’s talk about the price of the Ooni Karu 16 pizza oven. The official price on the brand’s website is €799. In my opinion, this price is very reasonable considering the versatility and performance of this appliance. While it may be slightly more expensive than other models from the brand, it offers exceptional quality. In fact, it almost meets the requirements of a professional oven. Additionally, until November 29th, during the Black Friday sale, the Karu 16 is available at a discounted price of only €639.20. I highly recommend purchasing it from the brand’s website to take advantage of the automatic 3-year warranty, as other stores may only offer a 2-year warranty. This is a great opportunity, especially considering the excellent customer service provided by Ooni. To find out the price of the Ooni Karu 16 on the brand’s website, click here!

Introducing the Ooni Brand: A Brief Overview

Ooni has become a well-known brand that has quickly become a market leader. Choosing a brand like this is reassuring because they offer a 3-year warranty, customer support, and a wide range of accessories available, such as adapters and baking stones. In France, there is also a large community, particularly on the « Ooni France » Facebook group.

Conclusion: Our verdict on the Ooni Karu 16

The Ooni Karu 16 is a versatile pizza oven that offers a multitude of advantages. It stands out with its ability to use various types of fuel, its large cooking surface, and its exceptional cooking quality. With its built-in thermometer, glass door, and superior build quality, there simply isn’t any other oven on the market that can compete with the Ooni Karu 16. I highly recommend it and believe that it’s the best pizza oven of 2021, and likely of the following year as well. If you’re interested in purchasing one, you can check its availability by following this link.

What we loved

The Ooni Karu 16 pizza oven is a versatile and high-quality tool that allows you to create perfect pizzas. With its larger and taller cooking surface, you can cook larger pizzas with ease. The built-in digital thermometer ensures precise temperature control, resulting in consistently delicious pizzas. Whether you prefer cooking with wood or gas, this oven can accommodate both options. Despite its size, the Ooni Karu 16 remains compact and user-friendly. The oven’s excellent cooking performance and high-quality construction are a testament to the Ooni brand’s commitment to quality. Additionally, the « View Flame » glass door allows you to monitor the cooking process without opening the oven. In conclusion, there is no equivalent on the market that offers the same level of performance and value for money as the Ooni Karu 16 pizza oven.

What we didn’t like

Unfortunately, the Ooni Karu 16 does not come with a peel. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments. I hope to see you soon at a workshop or on the blog. Alexandre, a private chef and teacher of pastry, bakery, and cooking in Bordeaux.