The web is overflowing with positive reviews of the Ooni Pizza Oven, followed by the already viral “ooh” and “ahh” comments. YouTube reviews are somewhat mixed as people are praising the oven’s power but it does come with its snags.
Most of the complaints are focusing on the cosmetic problems that happen after some time of using the Ooni Pizza Oven. People are also having problems with cleaning, but there is a trick to that we will explain later, but for now, let’s see how this product does in general.
Recommended for Domestic Use by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana
Ooni ovens are the only ovens to have the official Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana recommendation for domestic use. It is the only Neapolitan Pizza international authority and its certificate has value.
Fuel sources
Ooni Pizza Ovens can come with a variety of fuel sources, like firewood, pellet, gas, and multi-fueled. Different sources of fuel imply different build, weight, and handling. Also, the multi-fuel practical ovens are the most expensive of the lot, so you need to think carefully about what you need.
Wood
People say that there is no original Neapolitan pizza without wood and it is true. However, you should know that you will need quite small pieces prepared to fit in the Ooni oven. Additionally, to maintain the temperature high, you need to load it every five minutes or so. Then, there’s the ash…
Pellet
Pellet is essentially the same as wood in terms of baking, but with less fuss about reloading. Gravity does that for you. You also don’t need to worry about wood size here, but the price of the pellet is a bit higher currently depending on the market.
Gas
Now, the gas-powered Ooni Pizza Oven is the only one that doesn’t need a chimney, so it could be used indoors. All models use propane gas and they do achieve the desired heat very fast. Cleaning is also a lot easier for there is no ash or debris of any kind.
Multi-fuel
Multi-fuel Ooni Pizza Ovens reach the highest prices. The most expensive one is around $800, but there are cheaper options for under $400. It all depends on the size. Size is a factor here, as with all other types, so the bigger pizza you want to bake you need to dish out more cash.
Verdict
Ooni Pizza Ovens are as good as people say in baking pizzas for sure. However, what you should look for are reviews of these products after some time of use. The compartment where the fire burns quickly lose its coating and becomes covered with rust.
Also, the pizza stones in the oven can never be completely clean, and you might need replacements. Ooni sells the matching stones for their ovens at prices ranging from around $30 to $60. So, check and plan for all the eventualities before making a purchase.
