This review delves into the Unold Luigi Electric Pizza Oven, a countertop appliance promising delicious pizzas with ease. Unlike many electric ovens, the Unold Luigi boasts a compact design, making it ideal for home kitchens and even portable use at events. This review examines its build quality, ease of use, and most importantly, the quality of the pizzas it produces. We will explore its pre-programmed settings, including a Neapolitan pizza option, and the flexibility offered by its DIY settings for customizing cooking times and temperatures. We will also investigate the heating capabilities, including how quickly the oven reaches optimal temperature and its consistency throughout the cooking process.
This in-depth analysis will compare the performance of the Unold Luigi against other popular pizza ovens, considering both speed and the final product. We will assess the baking of various pizza styles, from Neapolitan thin crusts to thicker, Roman-style bases. The review will cover aspects such as the evenness of cooking, the crispness of the crust, and the overall taste of the finished pizza. Ultimately, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Unold Luigi Electric Pizza Oven's capabilities and its suitability for various pizza preferences and cooking environments.
Pros And Cons
- Lightweight compared to other pizza ovens.
- Good packaging.
- Includes a cordierite stone.
- Comes with a user manual and recipe guide in multiple languages.
- Has a glass door for viewing pizza.
- Features preset options (Neapolitan, DIY, thin & crispy).
- Includes vents on the sides and top, and a fan.
- Relatively quick preheating time (around 15 minutes).
- Good build quality.
- Easy to use.
- Produces good results for Neapolitan and Pinza Romana pizzas.
- Performance may be affected by poor ventilation, as seen in the back of a pizza van.
Read more: PIEZANO Crispy Crust Pizza Oven: A Comprehensive Review
Unboxing and First Impressions
The Unold Luigi arrived in remarkably sturdy packaging. The box itself showed a few minor dings, raising concerns about the cordierite stone inside. However, upon opening, the stone was thankfully intact and undamaged. The overall packaging was impressive, exceeding expectations.
Beyond the oven itself, the package included protective edge pieces for added safety during shipping and handling. A comprehensive user manual in multiple languages was provided along with a helpful recipe guide in English. This additional resource is a nice touch, especially for those new to pizza making.
Design and Features
The Unold Luigi boasts a sleek design with a glass door for convenient pizza monitoring. Digital controls provide easy temperature and timer adjustments. Pre-set options, including Neapolitan and thin/crispy settings, cater to different preferences. Additional customization is possible with a DIY mode.
The oven is equipped with vents strategically placed around the sides and top for optimal airflow. A rear fan further enhances heat circulation. The compact size (15.7 kg) makes it relatively easy to move and store. The power button and display are conveniently located at the front.
Performance and Cooking Time
Preheating time is impressively fast, reaching temperature in around 15 minutes. This is significantly quicker than other models tested, such as the Ooni Karu 12.
Cooking times for Neapolitan pizzas are typically 2 minutes per pizza. The oven performed well cooking both Neapolitan pizzas and part-baked Roman-style bases. Different settings cater to various pizza styles and thicknesses. The glass door allows for easy monitoring of the cooking process.
Field Test and Comparison
A field test at a City football club event compared the Unold Luigi to a Gozney Roccbox. While the Unold Luigi performed well in a controlled environment, it struggled in the less-than-ideal conditions of the back of a pizza van.
The limited ventilation in the van affected the oven’s ability to maintain optimal temperature. However, at a wedding event, where the Luigi had adequate airflow, the performance was excellent. This highlights the importance of sufficient ventilation for optimal cooking.
Overall Conclusion
The Unold Luigi is a high-quality, easy-to-use electric pizza oven, excellent for home use and smaller events with sufficient ventilation. Its quick preheating time and consistent performance on Neapolitan pizzas make it a great option.
While it performed well in a controlled environment, it showed limitations in confined spaces with poor ventilation. The compact design and multiple settings make it versatile for different pizza styles. Ultimately, its suitability depends on the cooking environment.