The Ooni Koda 12 Gas Fired Pizza Oven review, complete with answers to common questions.
Everybody loves pizza, and a pizza oven makes it taste even better. This article gives you an unbiased, in-depth Ooni Koda 12 review. Ooni claims that the Koda 12 gas pizza oven can reach 950 degrees Farenheit in 15 minutes and cook up to a 12-inch pizza in just 60 seconds. We have been using the Ooni Koda 12 since its release in February of 2019, and we can tell you if Ooni’s claims are true and so much more.
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Design
The Ooni Koda 12 has a rounded, matte black powder-coated carbon steel outer shell with 3 collapsible legs. There is no chimney on the outdoor pizza oven which makes it easy to pack up, store and transport. It only runs on propane and comes with the necessary gas hose and starter built in.
Inside the oven, flames come out of a long tube with several tiny holes. This, along with the flame shield, help spread the flames across the width and length of oven and greatly improves the flame distribution over previous Ooni models.
The inside of the Koda is a little on the small side being 13 1/4 inches wide by 3 1/4 inches tall. This poses a challenge to people using a propane gas-powered pizza oven for the first time since there is little room for placement error.
One design feature of the Koda that does not affect pizza making, but is very nice to have, is the Flame Safe Device. If the flame is extinguished while the propane gas is turned on, the Koda will automatically shut off the gas supply. Any gas fueled products should have this feature.
Here are some general specifications of the Koda:
| Weight | 20.2 LBS (9.25 Kilos) |
| Dimensions | 24.4″ x 15.5″ x 11.7″ (62cm x 39cm x 29cm) |
| Dimensions with the legs folded | 24.4″ x 15.5″ x 7.7″ (62cm x 39cm x 19.6cm) |
| Baking Stone Size | 13.25″ x 13.25″ x 0.4″ (33.66cm x 33.66cm x 10cm) |
| Gas Hose Length | 3 feet (0.92m) |
Build Quality
The Ooni Koda 12 is made of high quality carbon steel with a heat resistant powder coating. To make this oven light, Ooni made the oven of thin metal, but not to the point where you feel like it is cheaply made. Our Koda is still going strong after almost 3 years and many uses. The one thing I would say is the cordierite stone is fairly thin and does not retain heat as well as other materials. The stone will break if dropped on a hard surface.
One drawback to the Koda 12, as is true with most outdoor pizza ovens that get up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit, is that it is very hot to the touch while in use. Be careful not to touch it and to watch for little ones around the oven while it is on.
Ease of Use
Even if you’ve never used the Ooni Koda 12, you will find the setup very easy. Pull it out of the box, fold out the legs, insert the stone, hook up the propane gas, and turn it on. It’s that simple. To turn on the the oven simply press the knob on the back of the oven and turn it until it clicks and the flame starts. Turn the dial to control the amount of flame coming out of the oven.
Once you have the oven on, it’s best to leave it burning for 15 to 20 minutes to get the stone to the proper temperature. We like to leave it on for 20 minutes to make sure the stone is hot enough to cook the bottom of the pizza. If the stone is not hot enough, the pizza will not cook and you could have a doughy mess inside.
Setting the oven to the proper amount of flame takes a little trial and error. If you turn the propane gas on too high, you’ll get flames coming out the front of the oven where you will feel them when you slide the pizza in (or possibly burn the hair on your hand like I did). Turning the flame on too low will result in an oven that is not hot enough. Find the right setting somewhere in the middle and you will get good results.
The Ooni Koda 12 is the most portable pizza oven on the market, period. At 20.4 pounds (9.25 Kilos) any adult and most teenagers can carry it easily. With the legs folded it isn’t bulky or combersome. Ooni also makes a carry cover with straps (sold seperately) so you can carry the oven like a backpack.
Cooking the Pizza
Ooni claims that the Ooni Koda 12 can cook up to a 12 inch pizza in 60 seconds. As the pizza oven stone is 13.5 inches, it can easily fit a 12 inch pizza. Although it can cook the pizza in 60 seconds, we find that we get the best results in our pizza if we cook it closer to 90 seconds. Follow these instructions and you’ll end up with a great Ooni Koda pizza. In comparison to other Ooni pizza oven products, the taste of the pizza is relatively the same-crispy yet chewy with all the flavors of the pizza locked in-as long as you cook it the right way. The best results come by turning the pizza a quarter of a turn every 20 to 30 seconds ensuring an even cook. This will prevent the crust from burning. This is especially nice if you’re using pizza recipes that call for seasoning the crust and want to retain that flavor. You will also have a nice well and even result overall. The pizza won’t be burned or undercooked and you’ll get the great leopard spotting on the bottom of your pizza.
If you’re new to cooking with a pizza oven, be patient. The Koda works well, but you may need to try it out a few times before you get the hang of it. You will get the best results if you follow the instructions and don’t rush anything. If you plan on using it to cook for a party, my advice is to use it in advance of the party so you work out the kinks before guests come over. There’s nothing worse than having a bunch of messed up food with a house full of hungry people.
One thing to note is that if you plan on cooking a lot of pizzas, for best results you will want to take a break after cooking 5 or so. The reason for this is that the pizza stone is heated up from the upper flame. Putting cold pizzas on the stone continuously will lower the temperature of the stone without allowing the flame to heat it back up.
Ooni Support
Our experience with Ooni customer service has been fantastic. We have received ovens that came with a broken stone. Stuff happens. If you happen to get an oven where the stone has broken during shipping, do not panic. Just contact Ooni and they will ship a replacement out immediately.
Every Ooni product comes with a 1 year warranty. When you register your pizza oven with Ooni they will extend the 1 year warranty to a 3 year warranty. Based on the exceptional customer support and their longevity in the market, we believe they will honor this warranty. Ooni also has a 60 day buy back guarantee. There are conditions that you sincerely try to use their products, but if after you try it and you don’t like it, Ooni will buy it back from you.
Pros and Cons
What we liked best about the Koda is it’s a great looking pizza oven that is fairly easy to use and does a great job cooking pizza. It’s also very portable.
Pros
Cons
FAQ’s
Can the Ooni Koda Pizza Oven be used inside?
No. Use only outdoors. This oven is comparable to a gas-fired grill and should never be used indoors.
Is the Ooni Koda 12 big enough?
The size of the Ooni Koda 12 allows it to be very portable and is big enough to cook a 12″ pizza. That being said, it is nice to have a little more room inside the oven. See our article comparing the Ooni Koda 12 vs Ooni Koda 16 .
Is an Ooni oven worth the investment?
The answer to this question all depends on what you value. If you use the pizza oven to cook with friends and family and create good, happy memories, it’s definitely worth the investment.
Can the Koda pizza oven be left outside?
The Ooni Koda should not be left outside as it is not weatherproof. The cover that is sold separately would certainly help, but I personally still wouldn’t leave it outside. It’s small enough to carry and store that I would suggest keeping it inside.
How long does the Koda take to heat up?
It only takes 15 minutes to heat up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit. You should check the temperature inside with an infrared thermometer to make sure it’s at the correct temperature.
Can you use an Ooni pizza oven in the rain?
Technically, yes. Ooni pizza ovens that are fueled by gas, like the Koda, will remain hot inside even in cold, rainy weather. Is it a good idea? Probably not. The Koda isn’t weather proof and you could end up with a damaged product and soggy pizza.
Can you use natural gas with the Koda?
No. The Ooni Koda should only be used with propane gas. You can use natural gas on the Ooni Koda 16, but only with the natural gas converter kit sold separately.
Can you use a small propane tank for an Ooni Koda?
Yes, you can use a 1 lb. propane tank. All you need is the proper propane gas tank adapter. If you plan on cooking a lot, you may need multiple gas tanks.
Can you use wood pellets in an Ooni Koda?
No. The Koda is not a multi-fuel pizza oven. You can only use propane as fuel for the Ooni Koda.
What other things can you cook with this portable pizza oven?
Yes. You can cook a full menu beyond just pizza including steak, bread or even cookies. Of course, you will need a griddle or cooking pan depending on what you are cooking.
Summary
The Koda is a great product with great support. It is easy to use, easy to haul around and is made very well. The biggest downsides are the small interior cooking surface and the relatively thin cordierite stone. Overall it is a fantastic pizza oven at a reasonable price.
Hope you enjoyed the Ooni Koda review.
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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!