The Ooni Koda 2 pizza oven is the latest iteration of Ooni's popular portable pizza oven, and this review delves into whether it's a worthy upgrade from its predecessor, the Koda 12. We explore its design, setup, performance, and ease of use, comparing it to competitors in the market. We put the Koda 2 through its paces, baking multiple pizzas to assess its heat distribution, cooking time, and overall pizza quality. This review will provide a comprehensive overview of the Koda 2's strengths and weaknesses, helping you determine if it's the right pizza oven for your needs.This in-depth review covers everything from the unboxing experience and initial setup, to the crucial aspects of heat-up time and temperature control. We assess the Koda 2's performance in creating perfectly cooked pizzas, examining the evenness of cooking and the final product's crispness and flavor. Finally, we compare its features, performance, and price to other leading portable pizza ovens, ultimately deciding whether the Ooni Koda 2 justifies its cost and earns a place among the best on the market.
Pros And Cons
- Larger baking surface (14 inches/35cm) compared to Koda 12.
- Redesigned burner for better heat distribution.
- Side-mounted gas regulator for improved accessibility.
- Lightweight (16 kg) and easily transportable due to foldable feet.
- Electric ignition.
- Improved temperature stability compared to predecessor.
- Heat-up time may exceed the advertised 20 minutes, especially in windy conditions.
- Rear burner placement may make it slightly harder to monitor the baking process compared to side burner models.
Read more: 5 Best Pizza Stones for Enhancing Your Green Egg Magic
Unboxing and First Impressions
The Ooni Koda 2 arrived, looking sleek and modern. It's instantly recognizable as an Ooni oven, but with some notable design refinements. The size is noticeably larger than its predecessor, the Koda 12, promising more cooking space. The overall build quality feels premium, and the foldable legs are a nice touch for portability.
The initial setup was straightforward. The gas regulator is now conveniently located on the side, a vast improvement over the rear placement on previous models. The electric ignition is a welcome upgrade, offering a more reliable and convenient way to light the oven.
Performance and Heat-Up Time
Ooni claims a 20-minute heat-up time, which I found to be slightly optimistic. While the oven reached nearly 400°F in 20 minutes under ideal conditions, the baking stone requires additional time to reach optimal temperature for even cooking. I recommend allowing at least 25-30 minutes for complete heat distribution, especially in windy conditions.
The Koda 2's heat distribution appears to be excellent, and I find this oven very easy to manage for pizza cooking. I used an infrared thermometer for temperature monitoring, rather than the optional integrated thermometer offered by Ooni. The new burner design contributes to this improved even heat distribution
Baking Performance and Pizza Results
I put the Koda 2 to the test by baking several pizzas. The larger baking chamber made it easy to maneuver the pizza peel, a significant improvement over the cramped space of the Koda 12. I achieved perfectly browned crusts and evenly cooked toppings with ease.
The Koda 2 consistently delivered excellent results. The pizzas had the right amount of browning, with a satisfying crunch. There were some minor imperfections on a couple of pizzas due to a slight burn, but the overall result was impressive, showcasing the oven's capabilities to create delicious pizzas.
Comparison and Conclusion
The Ooni Koda 2 is a significant upgrade over its predecessor. The larger baking chamber, improved burner design, and convenient side-mounted controls make it a superior choice for pizza lovers. While the 20-minute heat-up time is a bit ambitious, the oven's performance and ease of use easily justify the longer wait time needed to achieve optimal cooking temperature.
Compared to competitors like the Gozney Roccbox or the Alfa Pizza Forno, the Koda 2 offers a compelling combination of performance, features, and price. Its compact size, portability, and ease of use are attractive benefits. Overall, the Ooni Koda 2 is a highly recommended pizza oven, offering excellent value for the money and producing fantastic pizzas.