There was a lot of hype when the Ooni Karu 16 multi-fuel pizza oven was revealed. I knew right away that the Karu 16 was the replacement to the Ooni Pro that I had been using for a couple of years already.
I also am a big fan of the Ooni Koda 16, so, I was excited to get my own Karu 16 and see how it compares to these and other Ooni pizza ovens? Is this the best of Ooni portable pizza oven yet? In this Ooni Karu 16 pizza oven review, I have answers.
I have every Ooni pizza oven back to the Ooni 3, so this Ooni Karu 16 review will cover the oven itself as well as how Ooni has learned from previous generations.
Don’t want to read the full article? Skip to the Ooni Karu 16 pizza oven review verdict.
History
Ooni’s ovens revolutionized the backyard cooking scene – bringing flame-cooked pizzas to the masses. While the original Ooni, Ooni II and Ooni 3 used wood pellets to cook pizza – which is not as easy as turning on the Traeger. Along the way, came the Ooni gas burner to simplify the cooking process.
The Ooni Pro became the first multi-fuel pizza oven on the market – allowing you to make wood-fired pizza today, charcoal-fired pizza tomorrow, and gas-fired pizza when you want to take it easy.
I think about this time, Ooni realized that there is not a perfect pizza oven – but they could create different types of ovens in different sizes so people could pick the portable pizza oven that is perfect for them.
Some want multi-fuel capability – some just want propane – and some just want pellets.
Ooni gives you three choices in two different sizes:
- Ooni Fyra: Wood pellets only – 12 inch model only
- Ooni Koda 12 and Koda 16: Propane or Natural Gas (16 only)
- Ooni Karu 12 and Karu 16: Wood, Charcoal, or Propane or Natural Gas (16 only)
Now Time for the Ooni Karu 16 Pizza Oven Review
Spacious Cooking Surface
It’s not just that the surface area is larger than other Ooni pizza ovens (16.7″ x 16.7″ cordierite stone), but the roof is higher than other portable pizza ovens.
What does this mean for cooking in the Karu 16?
If you want to cook stuff besides pizza, it means that you have a higher oven roof to cook taller dishes. It is better for dishes that use cast-iron pans and breads, etc.
But, if you only plan on cooking pizza, it doesn’t mean much. I’ve cooked with a small cast-iron pan in an Ooni Koda 12 portable propane pizza oven, so it’s not impossible to cook non-pizza items in other ovens.
Improved Ventilation Means Better Heat
What does air ventilation mean for cooking pizza?
Air fuels fire. The Ooni Karu 16 maximizes air and heat flow so that the oven can cook the pizza as efficiently as possible.
This means that the large oven space can be heated up effectively with wood or charcoal.
Max airflow combined with increased oven insulation and the spacious cooking area make this the best pizza oven I’ve ever used with wood or charcoal.
Super Cool Gas Burner
Ooni made a change to the gas burner for the Ooni Karu 16 – so now they look like burners on the back of a jet.
It looks pretty cool and shoots the flames out further than the Ooni Pro did, which I believe disperses the heat better across the entire stone surface – not just closer to the flames.
Play around with the airflow and gas as well as pizza placement – you’ll find what’s right for you.
It’s important to note that there is an Ooni Karu 12 gas burner and an Ooni Karu 16 gas burner – so make sure you get the right one.
If you are planning on getting the gas burner, ask yourself if you are really ever going to cook with wood. If not, just get the Ooni Koda 16.
Better Door with a Better Window
The Ooni Pro came with two doors. If you were cooking with wood or charcoal, you would use the door with the little window so it would close in the heat. Unfortunately, the window stayed clear for about 30 seconds before it turned black.
Then, if you wanted to cook with propane, you had to switch doors to one that was always open and only trapped in some of the heat. But, the good part was that you could launch, turn, or remove the pizza without having to open a door. You couldn’t use the door with the window when cooking with propane because it built up too much pressure inside the oven.
The Ooni Karu 16 comes with a full glass oven door and was built in a way that allows you to cook with a closed oven door with a gas burner. And the oven window doesn’t go black before the pizza even starts cooking. Something they call ViewFlame Technology (they even have it trademarked).
Built-in Thermometer
Ooni makes a big deal about the built in thermometer, but honestly, I’m not a fan.
First of all, it only measures the ambient temperature in the oven, not the stone temperature which is more important.
Secondly, when you fold down the legs and put it on the table, it lays on the thermometer awkwardly. One of these days, I’ll probably just take it off.
Portability
Yes, the Ooni Karu 16 is a portable pizza oven, but at 63 lbs. it’s on the heavy side.
How Well Does It Cook Pizza?
The Karu 16 does a good job of pushing heat down onto the top of the pizza, so you don’t have to put it quite as close to the flame to get a good, even cook.
This means you can still cook your pizza pretty much no matter where you put the pizza on the stone.
Play around with it and you’ll find your favorite spot to place the pizza.
Just like any other outdoor pizza oven, as you improve your skills you can cook on anything. That’s where we try to help!
Join our Fun with PIZZA Facebook Group to learn and share great pizza making tips and skills!
Is the Ooni Karu 16 right for me?
Do you want a portable pizza oven?
Is it important to you that you can cook with wood and/or charcoal?
Do you want the option to cook with propane or natural gas?
Do you want to cook more than just pizza? Maybe bread or meats and vegetables.
Do you have a budget for an oven and accessories of about $1,000?
Is it important to you that your pizza oven is recommended for domestic use by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (the organization that maintains the standard for Neapolitan style pizza)?
If you answered yes to all of these, then the Ooni Karu 16 is the portable multi-fuel pizza oven for you!
Ooni Pizza Oven Warranty
Ooni pizza ovens all come with a 1 year warranty. But if you register within 60 days at Ooni’s website it goes up to a 3 year warranty. This is available on all Ooni pizza oven models. If you get a gas burner, don’t forget to register it for the extended warranty also.
Because the serial number is on the box, I recommend you go on your phone and register your oven before you even open it.
I know! I know! You’re excited to open it up and use it, but if you start using it before you register your oven, then you’ll forget.
You’ve been warned!
Ooni Great Pizza Guarantee
If for some reason you don’t like your Ooni pizza oven, or decide you don’t like making homemade pizza, or you don’t like Neapolitan-style pizza, or you give up right before you figure it out…
Whatever the reason, you have 60 days to return it for free.
Technical Info for the Nerds
Cooking surface: 16.7 x 16.7″ (42.42 x 42.42 cm)
0.6″ thick (15mm) cordierite pizza stones
Oven body made of powder coated carbon steel and stainless steel
Unboxed dimensions: 33 x 32 x 20″ (50 x 81.5 x 83.7 cm)
Unboxed weight: 62.6 lbs (28.4 kg)
Boxed dimension: 37.4 x 24 x 15.75″ (95 x 61 x 40 cm)
Boxed weight: 86.6 lbs (39.3 kg)
Accessories
We have an article dedicated to pizza oven accessories.
Why Do I Keep Talking About the Optional Gas Burner?
Well, different foods cook at different temperatures.
And the easiest way to control the temperature is to use propane (or natural gas) – just turn the knob.
Turn it high for pizza and low-and-slow for super easy peach cobbler – or fresh bread – roasted meats – grilled veggies – or whatever.
For some, gas is a better cooking experience. Focus on the fun and guests – less on maintaining heat.
Also, you unfortunately can’t cook with wood and propane at the same time. You can burn wood in the fire tray with the fuel grate (to keep ash from building up) and get smoky, wood-fired flavor. Or you can use the propane or natural gas burner attachment for consistent high heat.
If you want to use natural gas, I have good news. Ooni also makes a natural gas burner for the Karu 16.
The Verdict
The Ooni Karu 16 is a great pizza oven.
If you want to only use propane (or natural gas) then I prefer another Ooni pizza oven. Spoiler alert, I love the Ooni Koda 16.
But if you only want to cook with wood or charcoal, the larger surface and height, improved airflow, and added insulation make the Karu 16 the best portable wood-fired pizza oven currently on the market.
The two cons of the Ooni Karu 16 are that it is the most expensive Ooni pizza oven and also the heaviest (although at 63 lbs it is still plenty portable).
If you want a more affordable or more mobile multi-fuel pizza oven, check out the Ooni Karu 12. If you want a more affordable and portable propane pizza oven, then you want the Koda 12.
If you’re curious about the rest of the Ooni pizza oven lineup, check out our article about the best Ooni pizza oven.
Enjoy this article? Check out some of our other articles below:
- Detroit Style Pizza vs. Chicago Deep Dish: Crispy Edges or Deep Delight?
- Brooklyn Style Pizza Domino’s vs. Hand Tossed: A Delicious Showdown
- How to Thicken Pizza Sauce: Tips for Perfectly Textured Sauce
- 12 Health Benefits of Pizza and Nutrition Facts
- 15 Best Toaster Ovens for Frozen Pizza in 2023
Tim is a self proclaimed social eater – so it’s not surprise that he’s obsessed making pizzas with his kids, friends, his kids friends, close family, extended family, people with the same last name but aren’t actually family, neighbors, random people in the neighborhood, and complete strangers!
There’s nothing quite like helping other people embrace their creative side as they make their own pizza masterpieces!
