Ooni Koda 16 Review 2023: The Best Portable Gas Pizza Oven
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On March 2020, 14 months after Ooni the launch of Ooni Koda 12, Ooni Koda 16 was released and included more advanced features.
Ooni Koda 16 is a portable gas pizza oven that has been making waves ever since it was launched. It is one of the unique pizza ovens designed to cook delicious pizzas in just a few minutes.
It seems like we can go on and on about the Ooni Koda 16 and its amazing qualities, but you just want to know whether or not it’s worth your investment.
When you buy a product you intend to use for an extended period of time, and you have to spend a significant amount of money on it, you want to make sure that it is worth the investment!
That’s why in this Ooni Koda 16 review, we will look at some of the best features, the pros and cons of this pizza oven to give you an idea of what you can expect when you purchase it so that you can make an informed decision.
Let’s get started!
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Ooni Koda 16 Gas Powered Pizza Oven
With Ooni Koda 16, you can add gas-powered performance to your backyard or camping cookout with a simple propane tank.
The L-shaped burner and 16-inch pizza stone deliver 950°F (500°C) of blazing heat on demand for faster cooking and catching more heat so that you can cook stone-baked 16-inch freshly cooked pizza, steak, fish, and more!
What is Ooni Koda 16?
The Ooni Koda 16 is a portable gas pizza oven for the outdoor kitchen. The oven is fueled by either propane or natural gas and can reach a temperature of up to 900°F (500°C).
It is an ideal pizza oven for outdoor use. It’s portable, so you can take it anywhere, and the natural gas-powered cooking method eliminates the need for fueling.
It’s also versatile, as you can use it for cooking stone-baked pizzas and flame-cooked steak, fish, and vegetables. The open design allows you to keep an eye on your food as it cooks.
Its large cordierite stone baking board is a solid foundation for creating deep, bubbling crusts with crispy edges.
Finally, Its innovative L-shaped burner allows you to control the heat more precisely and reduce turning.
A few words about Ooni
Ooni is the world’s first brand to produce portable wood-fired pizza ovens. It’s a revolutionary product that makes cooking pizzas anywhere you want easy.
The co-founders are Kristian Tapaninaho and Darina Garland, who were running an education company before founding Ooni.
They realized that they could create a pizza oven that was cost-efficient and portable enough for anyone to use—not just the extremely expensive and bulky ones that can’t be taken on the go. After many sketches and prototypes, the Ooni pizza oven was born!
Now, Ooni is a multi-award-winning business that sells products worldwide.
Can I use Ooni Koda 16 indoors?
Unfortunately, the Ooni Koda 16 gas pizza oven is certified for outdoor use only, and as such, it’s not safe to use indoors where there are electrical cords or other elements that could pose a fire risk.
If you want to cook pizza inside your home, you can consider buying a dedicated indoor pizza oven like the Kalorik Hot Stone Pizza Oven or Fitnet Commercial Pizza Oven.
Onni Koda 16 Specs And Warranty
| 1. Weight | 39.2 lbs (17.8kg) |
| 2. Dimensions | 25 x 23.2 x 14.7″ (63 x 58 x 37cm) |
| 3. BTU | 8.49kWh / 29000 BTU |
| 4. Cooking surface | 16 inches |
| 5. Baking Board Material | Cordierite stone |
| 6. Warranty | 1 year |
What’s in the box?
I love how Ooni pays attention to the packaging. The Ooni Koda 16 is packaged in a box, and that package sits neatly inside another larger box, so you can rest assured that the unit is completely protected from all sides.
Inside the box, you will have the following:
- Ooni Koda 16 pizza oven body with folding legs
- Cordierite stone baking board, 15mm thick, wrapped in bubble wrap.
- Gas regulator and hose compatible with propane tanks for propane power; Gas regulator and hose compatible with natural gas lines for natural gas power
- A match holder
Design And Build Quality
The stainless steel exterior of the Oono Koda 16 pizza oven looks incredibly solid and sleek, making it ideal for those looking for a new appliance that will look great in their outdoor kitchen.
It features a sturdy and insulated shell with a powder-coated carbon steel finish. It is intended for use in the home or commercial setting and will last for many years.
This oven can be conveniently stored when not in use thanks to the collapsible legs, and it takes up little space. It measures 25″ D x 23.2″ W x 14.7″ H (63 x 58 x 37 cm) and weighs 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg). Despite its small footprint, it’s much heavier than other Ooni models, especially the Ooni Fyra 12.
The cooking surface measures 16.5 inches in width by 16.5 inches in depth, which provides you 406 mm across and will delight the true pizza lover—those who are huge 16-inch fans!
One of the most prominent design features of the Ooni Koda 16 is the L-shaped gas burner with a waterfall-effect flame. The L-shaped burner allows for more efficient heat distribution, resulting in faster cooking times.
On the back of the Ooni, there’s a knob that allows you to adjust the flame.
You can turn on the oven by twisting the knob counterclockwise. As you do so, the flame will initially be at full strength, and then it will decrease as you continue turning.
I love Ooni’s design choice to place the flame control system on the back, and it helps keep the front of the oven neat and sleek.
One thing that could be improved about the design is its limited height in the cooking chamber: only 4.5 inches with a lack of a front lid—besides pizzas (which are obviously perfectly cooked with this oven), this oven might not be ideal for cooking deep dishes or baking bread.
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Ooni Koda 16 Pros & Cons
The Ooni Koda 16 has many great features, but it’s not perfect. Here are some pros and cons of this unit:
Pros
Cons
Best Features of Ooni Koda 16
The Ooni Koda 16 pizza oven is a great option if you’re looking to make your own pizzas at home. While it’s not the cheapest oven on the market, it has some great features that make it worth the money.
Powered by natural gas or propane
The Ooni Koda 16 pizza oven can be used with both natural gas and propane, so you don’t have to worry about being able to find the right type of fuel for your cooking needs.
This is great because it gives you more flexibility when it comes to cooking options and makes sure that you’ll always have access to fuel no matter where in the world you live.
Fast preheating time
Unlike many other pizza ovens on the market, this one heats to cooking temperature in only 15 minutes—so you can have your pizza ready to go while preparing your pizza.
This is great for those who are always on the go and need to get dinner prepared quickly, but it’s also handy for anyone looking for a fast way to cook their favorite foods without sacrificing quality.
L-shaped flame
With an innovative L-shaped flame, this pizza oven provides the best possible heat and baking results. The L-shaped flame allows for faster cooking times and reduced turning. This means you can get even more done in less time and save on energy costs while still getting the best possible pizza.
Provide fast cooking time
The Ooni Koda 16 Pizza Oven can cook pizza in less than 90 seconds! This is a huge time saver when you’re trying to get dinner on the table quickly—or just save yourself from having to do it again later in the week.
Fully insulated shell to retain heat
The Ooni Koda 16 is a fully insulated pizza oven. It will retain heat, so you don’t have to worry about losing heat during cooking. The insulation also makes this pizza oven cool to touch when you want to get access to it —there is no danger of burning yourself.
Folding legs
This gas pizza oven is a great space saver, with folding legs that allow you to easily store it away when not in use—perfect for those with limited outdoor kitchen space.
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Setting up Ooni Koda 16 for the first time
If you’re setting up the Koda 16 pizza oven for the first time, there are a few things to keep in mind:
First, choose a spot at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from buildings and structures. This is to ensure that the heat from the pizza oven doesn’t damage anything around it.
Next, place it on a wood, stone, or stainless steel surface that can hold weights of up to 66 lbs (30 kg). This will help protect the product and make it easier to move around.
How to season the Ooni Koda 16 for the first time use
Before launching your first pizza with this Ooni Koda 16 oven, you’ll need to strengthen it. This process helps to remove any residue from the manufacturing process and ensures that your pizza oven is ready for cooking.
To season the pizza oven, simply run your Koda 16 at top temperatures for 30 minutes, then allow it to cool. After that, you can wipe down the inside with dry paper towels.
Available accessories for Ooni Koda 16
1. Pizza Peel
First, a pizza peel is a must-have if you want to buy the Ooni Koda 16. The peel makes sliding the pizza into place easy and will also prevent your hands from burning.
The peel is made of stainless steel or wood and has a long handle that keeps you away from the heat.
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2. Infrared Thermometer
Another accessory you should consider buying to make the most out of the Ooni Koda 16 is an infrared thermometer. It helps measure the temperature of your pizza as it cooks. This Ooni IR thermometer allows you to monitor the cooking chamber’s temperature without coming too close.
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3. Ooni Modular Table
The Ooni modular table is made for and works perfectly with Ooni pizza ovens. It allows you to cook outside all year long, in any weather condition—and it gives you a place to put your food when it comes out of the oven, so there’s no mess!
If you are on a budget and want to find an inexpensive stand for your Ooni pizza oven, I’ve created this list of the best options available for your consideration.
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4. Cover
If you want to store your Onni pizza oven outside, the storage cover is the next thing you want to buy. It provides additional protection for your machine from dust, dirt, and debris while it is being stored away from use until the next time you want to use it again.
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Ooni Koda 16 Alternatives
Here are a few you could use if you’re looking for alternatives to Onni Koda 16 pizza oven that would still give you the same pizza-making experience.
- ROCCBOX Gozney Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven
- Cuisinart Portable Pizza Oven
- BakerStone Portable Gas Pizza Oven
- Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven
- Carbon Pizza Oven
My Verdict: Is the Ooni Koda 16 worth your investment?
If you’re looking for a pizza oven that can not only be portable but will also give you great results, then the Ooni Koda 16 gas pizza oven is definitely worth your investment.
It’s one of the best-selling portable pizza ovens on the market, and for good reasons. It can reach temperatures up to 950 degrees Fahrenheit, which allows it to cook pizzas evenly and give you crispier crusts.
This makes it perfect for making delicious pizzas right in your own backyard. The high temperature also helps prevent food from sticking to the oven’s surface and burning, so you can be confident that your pizza will be cooked perfectly every time.
It also helps that the oven is easy to clean after use, so you don’t have to worry about having to scrub away any excess grease or crumbs, which makes cleanup quick and easy.
The only thing I don’t like about this pizza oven is that it doesn’t come with a pizza peel, which is essential for making pizza at home.
However, despite the missing pizza peel, this is still a great product, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves pizza as much as I do because it’s definitely worth the money spent on it!
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FAQS
Final Thoughts
The Ooni Koda 16 is a neat product, combining the portability of a built-in oven with the burst-of-heat power of a gas pizza oven.
It’s great for small spaces or people who want to occasionally get their hands dirty with charcoal when starting a wood fire.
Overall, it’s a really solid product with few cons. I’d still recommend this gas pizza oven to pizza aficionados looking to save money and make better meals than they could in their backyard.