The handles are made with a glass-reinforced nylon that doesn’t conduct heat, remaining cool all throughout the cooking process. This is very helpful considering the Ooni Karu heats up to a whopping 500˚C – the perfect temperature for pizza-cooking. Because of this ultra-high heat, the entire cooking process should only take around 1-2 minutes.  

“The Ooni Karu heats up to a whopping 500˚C, the perfect temperature for pizza-cooking.”

Though there’s no built-in temperature gauge, there is the option to buy an infrared thermometer as an extra, or alternatively you can control the temperature by reducing the airflow via adjusting the chimney vent whenever you see fit. The patented Ooni flame keeper should also help the oven achieve maximum heat retention for those colder and windier days.  

The Set-Up

In terms of constructing the oven, it’s fairly simple. Once you’ve removed all the components from their packaging, you fold out the legs at its base and then attach the chimney, the baking stone, the front and back covers and you’re done.  

No tools are required for attaching these components except if you’re using a gas canister, in which case, you’ll need to use the hex key to connect and remove the gas attachment. This hex key will unscrew the back plate of the oven and allow you to screw on the gas regulator. You’ll also need to replace the chimney with a stopper and remove the front cover before use. 

“You can really picture it in your garden on a warm summer’s evening.”

To stow the Ooni Karu away on the other hand, the chimney and fuel basket fit inside of the oven, the legs are then collapsed, and the entire oven can be put into a tailored carrying bag for optimal portability.

Accessories

Ooni have got you covered when it comes to oven accessories – they’ve got pretty much everything you’ll need, including some luxurious non-necessities too. Our three favourites, however, are probably the pizza peel, the cutter wheel and the cast iron cookware collection.  

Without the pizza peel, you’d have a hard time getting the pizza in and out of the oven. They come in different sizes depending on your oven, and also have a perforated option to help steam evaporate from your pizza. 

Then there’s the cutter wheel which offers a quick and easy way to slice up your pizza. Its blade is made from a sharp stainless steel for streamlined cutting and cleaning, whilst the handle is built for easy gripping.  

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The brand also stocks cast iron cookware that can allow you to use an Ooni oven for more than just pizza. Giving the potential to grill meat and bake vegetables or fish.

The Fuel

As one of the multi-fuel models, the Ooni Karu pizza oven can be fuelled using either wood, charcoal or gas. Gas is known as the easiest option, whilst wood will give you a more authentic and aromatic flavour. Charcoal, though less traditional, will create a similarly smoky flavour, and will burn slower.

The fuel system is not compatible with the traditional wood pellet system used in earlier models, and you’ll need to buy an adaptor separately if you wish to use gas. Whilst being very low maintenance, using propane gas also gives you additional temperature control for subjective cooking tastes.  

For wood and charcoal, on the other hand, you simply fill the basket with your fuel choice, light it with fire starters, and the flames will begin to thrive. You can use the smoke from the chimney as an indicator of when you need to top up your fuel supply i.e. if the smoke begins to thin, you’ll need more fuel, and vice versa. Kindling of varying sizes can be used (though 15cm is the maximum length) and hardwood comes recommended as it burns hotter.  

The Verdict

Though the Ooni Karu isn’t the cheapest pizza oven on the market, it’s certainly not the most expensive. It’s also a much more affordable alternative to installing an entire pizza oven in your back garden while still bringing that authentic flavouring. 

Put simply, it’s a quick and easy pizza oven for convenient and portable (enough) cooking. You don’t even need to be a skilled chef to work it.

Perfect for when you’re craving a top-quality meal but still want the backdrop of the great outdoors; this one’s for the back garden cook, the campsite caterer, and the culinary adventurer.   

Get the latest price at:
blackleaf.com

Photos: Ooni

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