Product review: Ooni Karu 16 multi-fuel pizza oven
Homemade pizza like the Italians make was the challenge for the Finn Kristian Tapaninaho. When he wanted to get a pizza oven for this, he was bothered by the fact that there were only massive ovens and that they were also very expensive. So he and his wife Darina set about developing a new "handy" pizza oven, the OONI, which entered the market in 2012 after a Kickstarter campaign. Since then, other models have been developed, from the wood and charcoal version to the multi-fuel pizza oven OONI KARU 16. The popularity of the ovens recently put the OONI on the winner's podium of the grill market. And there is no end in sight to the boom, as the hunger for pizza is far from satisfied. The KARU 16 was made available to the FIRE&FOOD editorial team for testing.
Data and assembly
The packaging of the OONI is exemplary - just cardboard and compostable materials. It took just 10 minutes to set up. Fold out the feet, insert the chimney, screw on the thermometer and door, insert the pizza stone (42 cm) and charcoal basket and the pizza express is ready to go.
Operation
In the test, we decided to heat the Karu with a wood fire (hardwood). The fire is lit in a fire basket using a wood wool grill lighter and kindling. Wood can easily be added through a larger opening (with lid) directly above the basket. Behind this is another opening for fresh air. The optional gas burner can also be screwed onto this. After just a few minutes, the temperature display showed over 500 °C. To get a crispy pizza base, the pizza stone should be heated at this high temperature for at least 20 minutes. Our test pizza was then in the oven for around 5 minutes, after 3 minutes it was turned with the practical OONI turning ladle so that the pizza got the right color all around. The result was perfect, from the blistering to the tiger pattern.
1. Large opening for adding fuel
2. A digital thermometer shows the oven interior temperature
3. Three stable, foldable feet
4. Door with stable hinge
5. Flame image of a wood fire
6. Practical OONI turning ladle
Conclusion
From the packaging, the design, the materials used and the workmanship: everything is perfectly coordinated with the OONI Karu. The foldable feet give the compact oven a lightness. The door with glass front is sturdily built and can be closed securely in one smooth movement. Keeping the temperature high with a wood fire requires some experience, but this shouldn't be a problem after a few uses. For those who are not used to wood fires, the gas version is probably the better choice, as it guarantees a constant, consistent heat. For a pizza oven of this size, the Karu 16 is a galactic friend for all private pizza lovers. The oven certainly convinced the FIRE&FOOD editorial team.
The RRP for the OONI Karu 16 is 799 euros. The optionally available gas burner costs 99 euros.
More information at https://de.ooni.com