In the UK, summer has finally arrived, and barbecue sales are soaring thanks to the resurgence of garden parties. If you simply fancy a change from the usual burgers and sausages on a grill, why not try out a pizza oven? With many brands branching out to this alternative, the market leader seems to be Ooni. 

Ooni established its brilliance in 2012 when it became the world’s first portable pellet pizza oven. Claiming the ability to cook pizzas in 60 seconds, was this promise really true? Owners Kristian and Darina have built a solid reputation for themselves in the industry of outdoor cooking despite the fact that their company is situated in Scotland but their oven is constructed primarily in China. We had to try one of their products because it has won numerous awards over the past ten years. Previously known as Uuni (which means oven in Finnish), Kristian’s native land, the rebranding to Ooni took place in 2018. This was due to the fact that the name was pronounced differently around the globe, so the phonetic change helped everyone. 

What’s in the box?

1. Ooni Karu 12 Pizza Oven body

2. Oven and fuel door

3. Cordierite stone baking board

4. Chimney and chimney cover

5. Wood and charcoal fuel tray with burner grate

Ooni pizza ovens can reach extremely high temperature around 900 degrees F in 10 minutes. The steel outside shell does become hot after cooking in it for a period of time so be careful not to leave unattended in front of children. Prices Range from £299-£401. The cheapest and most reliable source is to purchase from the Ooni website direct.

Our Experience

The sun was shining on a typical Sunday funday, and we were stumped about what to consume for dinner time when we could still be located outside enjoying the weather. The previous year, we spent £279 on the Ooni Karu 12 in the Black Friday deals, and we thought this would be a fantastic opportunity to use it for its debut. A quick trip to the local supermarket to pick up the essential ingredients, which included Loyd Grossaman pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, chicken pieces, peppers, three packs of frozen pizza dough, and all the meat toppings you could possibly think of, accounted for eight pizzas, so the bill was well below what you would pay at your local takeaway, but was the quality the same? With the easy assembly instructions, we put the unit together at a fast pace. We immediately noticed the structure's lightweight nature. The initiating procedure was completed in a matter of minutes. Simply open the bottom legs, attach the two-piece fuel tray, then attach the chimney pipe and secure it in place. After following this simple guide, simply place the pizza slate into the oven's face, and you're ready to start the flame. The Karu 12 provides a variety of options to preheat the oven, with either wood, charcoal, or an additional Ooni gas burner as your options. We opted for coal and premium natural wood as we lacked the Ooni gas attachment, and we were extremely pleased with the results. Using premium firelighters, the charcoal quickly caught fire, and all that remained was to add wood on a regular basis to keep strong flame. This method worked, and the pizza oven was up and running to the highest of temperatures in 10 minutes, as promised by Ooni. Next, it was time to prepare our pizza. We purchased frozen pizza dough from Morrisons; the instructions said to let the dough sit for 4 hours before use, which we followed. To prepare your base, sprinkle flour on a work area and lay out the dough. Then use a rolling pin to shape your dough to the required size, forming a circle. The following step was one for the kids: spread the pizza sauce around the base, leaving a small edge; this helps produce a crunchy outer rim. After this is all in place, fill your boots with whatever toppings your stomach craves. Now that you have constructed your very own pizza creation with your pizza oven flaming away, it’s time to chuck it in. We recommend investing in a pizza pallet, which allows you to easily slide the base into the oven with a flick of the wrist. When your pizza is in the oven, pop on the front cap to reach maximum temperature, and check the pizza after 30 seconds to give it a spin. Here are our results: 

As you can see, the quality of pizza in 60 seconds is amazing; it's comparable to what you'd get from a local takeaway at a considerably lower price. Not only was it a creative experience for the youngsters, but the entire process was exciting for adults as well. 

OUR SCORE

9.75/10

GOLD RATING

Prices shown are taken from when this article was published (June 2023)

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