The Ooni pizza oven (also sold under the name Uuni) is the brainchild of Kristian Tapaninaho and Darina Garland. The two UK-based entrepreneurs began a Kickstarter campaign and crowdfunded the initial production of the original Ooni pizza oven in 2012. Since then, the brand has grown to offer various pizza ovens, accessories, and other pizza-related products.
Ooni pizza ovens elevate any weeknight or weekend get-together. But before you get too far, here are 10 things to know before buying an Ooni pizza oven. Remember these points to pick the best Ooni for you and make the most of your new pizza-making machine. What pizza toppings will you combine next?
10 Things You Should Know Before Buying an Ooni Pizza Oven
Pizza ovens aren’t just for pizza. Instead, you can cook meals like these Quick & Easy Flatout Bread Pizzas or your favorite grilled chicken recipes. The best part about Ooni pizza ovens is that the wide mouth allows you to cook taller objects in just a few minutes.
1. You Can Use Your Ooni Pizza Oven Year-Round
Whether you like Breakfast Kabobs in the summer or a hot treat in the winter, your Ooni pizza oven delivers scrumptious meals year-round. You must use this pizza oven outside, but with a sturdy table and a warm jacket, you can still make yummy pizza pies (like this Turkey Pizza Pie) in the winter. Ooni also sells a pizza oven cover that helps protect your investment.
2. Stock Up on Semolina Flour
Don’t underestimate the power of semolina flour, especially if you’re having trouble with pies sticking to your peel. Before you roll out your dough and add toppings, sprinkle a layer of semolina on the pizza peel. Semolina trumps regular flour in creating a layer between the peel and the pie so you can easily place it on the pizza stone in your Ooni oven.
3. Invest in Ooni Pizza Accessories
Your Ooni pizza oven will do most of the work, but a few accessories can help make the process that much easier. We recommend investing in a few pizza peels. Having one for every family member can make unloading and loading pizzas a cinch, especially if you go back for seconds.
An infrared thermometer can also help you accurately temp your Ooni pizza oven. The correct temperature is essential for that crisp yet airy crust and melty ooey-gooey cheese. Your Ooni pizza oven has a built-in pizza stone, but a serving or cutting board can help save your peels from the pizza-cutting blade.
4. Choose From 12-Inch and 16-Inch Models
Ooni gives you the option to choose between pizza ovens that measure 12 inches and 16 inches. This measurement describes how much space you have on the pizza stone. However, make your pizzas smaller than the full amount to ease turning them as they cook.
Ooni makes their Koda model in either 12 or 16 inches. You can also buy the Karu in these measurements. However, the Fyra model only comes with a 12-inch pizza stone.
5. Choose Your Fuel With Ooni’s Multi-Fuel Pizza Ovens
If you look at Ooni pizza ovens, you’ll see that some carry the designation “multi-fuel.” These models are equipped to accept wood pellets, propane, or natural gas. With so many fuel sources available, it’s easier to customize your Ooni pizza oven to fit your strengths or try a new fuel source to see what flavor profiles you can achieve.
Generally speaking, propane and natural gas are easier to work with than wood pellets. Woodfired pizza has a specific taste, so it might be worth the work. The good news is your Ooni pizza oven remains flexible to cater to your needs.
6. Ooni Offers an Indoor Electric Pizza Oven
Speaking of fuel, Ooni also offers an indoor electric pizza oven. While at a higher price tier than the rest of Ooni’s pizza ovens, the Volt 12-inch indoor electric pizza oven still heats up hot enough (around 850 degrees Fahrenheit) to cook savory pies in no time. This pizza oven still takes up quite a bit of space, but it also comes with a two-year warranty from the factory.
7. Ooni Pizza Ovens Take a Bit Longer to Preheat
Many Ooni pizza oven owners have noticed that these pizza ovens take a bit longer to preheat. Let your pizza oven preheat for around 10 to 15 minutes, but check the temperature before you put the first pie in. Waiting a few minutes between removing a pizza and putting the next one in can also help your Ooni return to temp.
8. You Win Some, You Burn Some
Yes, Ooni pizza ovens do have a learning curve. Aim to turn your pizza every 20 seconds to get an even cook, but expect a few burnt ones in the beginning. Avoid getting too aggressive with toppings because that flick of the wrist to get the pie in the oven can send many flying off into the flames.
9. Cleaning Your Ooni Pizza Oven is Easy
Achieving temperatures of 900+ degrees Fahrenheit means most of the food left behind in your Ooni pizza oven turns to ash. The intense heat makes cleaning simple. When the pizza oven is cool, wipe the exterior with stainless steel cleaner, using soft cloths to avoid scratching the surface.
If you want to clean off your pizza stone, a handy set of tongs and a damp paper towel are a cheap fix. Preheat your Ooni pizza oven and swipe the paper towel across the pizza stone as it heats up. Just be careful your hand or arm doesn’t come into contact with the oven as it heats up.
10. Ooni Offers a One-Year Standard Warranty
Each Ooni pizza oven has a standard one-year warranty to protect your investment. However, you can extend that coverage by up to five years for most pizza ovens and up to two years for the electric pizza oven model. All you have to do to get this extension is register your product within 60 days of purchase.
Ditch Takeout (and the Calories!) With Your Ooni Pizza Oven
Ordering pizza for a night with the family can save time and feel like a special treat. But think of the memories you can make with your friends and family with an Ooni pizza oven. Now that you know more about Ooni’s lineup, which pizza oven will you choose—and more importantly, which pizza recipes will you try?
