The Verge argues portable pizza ovens outpace traditional barbecues for summer cooking
A long-term user of the Ooni Fyra 12 tells The Verge the appliance offers a superior alternative to grills, citing rapid cooking times and ease of use, though notes the original model has been discontinued in the US market.
The Verge has published a review titled "Sorry, the Ooni pizza oven is totally worth it," in which the author argues that portable pizza ovens represent a superior alternative to traditional barbecues for summer cooking. Based on several years of experience with the Ooni Fyra 12, the review highlights the appliance's ease of use, rapid cooking times, and portability as key advantages over standard grills.
The author, who initially resisted purchasing a pizza oven due to a poor childhood experience with British pizza, describes themselves as a "total convert" after being gifted the device. The review notes that while the Fyra 12 was originally retailed at $349 in the United States, it is no longer available on Ooni’s US website. The model utilises wood pellets to fuel the fire, providing an authentic wood-fired taste.
As a spiritual successor to the discontinued Fyra 12, the Ooni Karu is identified as the current primary option, selling for the same $349 price point. Unlike its predecessor, the Karu operates using wood logs or charcoal rather than specialised pellets. The review notes that while the fueling process differs, the cooking speed and performance remain similar to the earlier model.
Performance metrics cited in the review include a 15-minute preheat time and a four-minute bake time per pizza. The author reports that the total time from assembly to consuming two fresh pizzas was under 40 minutes. The oven is designed to bake 12-inch pizzas and comes with a square pizza stone, though the review advises against the included Ooni-branded pizza peel, describing its metal as flimsy and the plastic handle as unpleasant.
The review also highlights the appliance's portability and ease of maintenance. The oven's legs collapse for transport, and it cools sufficiently to be moved by hand approximately one hour after use. The author notes that cleaning is simpler than a barbecue due to minimal grease, requiring only a wash of the stone and a wipe of soot from the chimneys. A comparable alternative from Big Horn Outdoors is noted at $200 for a 12-inch oven.
The author suggests the device can comfortably feed a group of six adults and has influenced extended family members to acquire similar ovens for camping and beach outings. The review concludes that the ability to produce restaurant-quality pizza with an authentic char makes the oven a preferred choice over barbecues when weather permits.
Vox Media, which owns The Verge, includes a standard disclosure that it may earn a commission from purchases made through links in the article. The review is categorised under consumer technology and lifestyle gadgets.
