Ooni Koda 16 Review: The Sweet Spot
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If you’re in the market for a pizza oven, you’ve probably noticed that there are a LOT of options on the market today. Ooni is a frontrunner in the pizza oven market, especially when it comes to portable pizza oven options and the Ooni Koda 16 is no exception.
Today in this Ooni Koda 16 review, I’m going to be breaking down the pros and cons of the Koda 16 and giving you the scoop on whether it’s a good buy.
- Large 16" cooking surface
- Beautiful design
- Quick set-up
- Long preheat times
- No accessories included
Ooni Koda 16 overview and first impressions
The Ooni Koda 16 is a propane or natural gas-operated pizza oven that is very easy to use right out of the box. It has an extra-large cooking area for pizzas up to 16 inches and can get as hot as 950°F.
Ooni has the most extensive range of ovens with fuel options such as gas, pellet, and wood burning. Something you don’t see in many other ovens, which are primarily gas.
Most of their ovens are available in 12 and 16″ sizes. I would always go for the 16″ size. Even if you don’t plan on cooking full-size pizzas, the larger opening makes maneuvering so much easier.
Ooni Koda 16 specifications:
| Dimensions | 25″ x 23.2″ x 14.7” |
| Weight | 39.2 lbs |
| Cooking Surface | 406.4 mm (16”) |
| Baking Board Material | Cordierite Stone |
| Fuel Type | Gas |
| Hose Length | 0.92 m |
| Price | Check Latest Price |
The Koda 16 weighs in at 39 lbs, which is about 10 lbs lighter than the popular Gozney Roxcbox. The Koda also boosts a sleek and modern design. It definitely stands out on in your outdoor kitchen.
The L-shaped gas burner provides more even cooking than a traditional oven with just a single burner coming from the back. The folding legs make it easy for transport and storage and the built-in gas ignition made for a fast start-up.
What I like:
- Large 16” cooking surface
- Beautiful design
- Quick set-up
- Oven gets hot, up to 950°F
What I don’t like:
- Long preheat times
- No accessories included
Cooking on the Ooni Koda 16
Firing up the oven for the first time was quick and painless. Assembly was easy. Remove the oven from the box, unhinge the legs, and hook up the gas. The 16-inch space for cooking extra-large pizzas was a great option to have and makes sliding most pizzas in and out a breeze.
Preheating the oven seemed to take a little longer than usual. Some other ovens I’ve tested came up to temp in about 15 minutes, while the Ooni was closer to 20 minutes, probably due to the size of the oven.
After about 20-30 minutes, I was ready to go, and the pizza cooked quickly and evenly. I did make a few rotations of the pizza and could maneuver it inside easily. The large cooking space allows you to move the pizza closer or further away from the heat source to cook each pizza the way you want.
Inserting and removing the pizza stone is easy, and there is no cover plate or screws to secure it. After the pizza oven cooled down, I could easily slide out the stone and clean it. For its price point, it is a great value for its size and dependability.
We have a more detailed Ooni VS Gozney Roccbox comparison for a more detailed breakdown.
Ease of use
The Ooni Koda is larger than other pizza ovens on the market today and can fit up to a 16” pizza (typically considered a “large” pizza at your local pizza joint). The folding legs make it easy to transport and take with you, but the sleek design is beautiful enough to be a staple in your backyard or patio.
The built-in gas ignition is easy to use, so you can fire up the grill with the turn of a knob and set your desired temperature with ease. They offer both a propane model and a natural gas model and if you’re using the propane model they recommend a standard 30 lb propane tank.
Ooni has combined a beautiful design with the convenience of cooking with gas, making it a great choice for anyone looking to cook pizzas with ease. The temperature reaches up to 950°F, so you can have a flame-fired pizza in just minutes.
Why choose gas?
Wood-fired pizza ovens are far more traditional, but gas-fueled ovens are just so convenient.
Right out of the box you only need to connect your propane tank, turn it on, let it preheat, and you’re ready to start cooking.
Gas also makes cleanup a breeze because you don’t have to worry about cleaning up leftover wood or ash in your pizza oven. You can adjust the heat and temperature with the simple turn of a dial, whereas temperature can be much harder to adjust with wood-fired ovens.
If you love the idea of tinkering with the fire, then, by all means, go with the Ooni Karu. You can always get the best of both worlds by purchasing the gas burner attachment.
Should you buy the Ooni Koda 16?
If you’re looking for a convenient way to cook pizza right in your backyard, the Ooni Koda 16 is a great option. It’s lightweight, and the legs fold in, making it a great portable option.
It’s not the cheapest model on the market, but it boasts a sleek and high-quality design that, in our opinion, justifies the expense. One thing to remember is that the oven does not come with any extra accessories like a cover or a pizza peel, but they can be purchased separately if desired.
Ooni also offers their “Great Pizza Guarantee” promising that you’ll be able to make great pizza that you love within 60 days, or they will buy the oven back and refund your money. They also include free delivery on orders over $99 and offer a 5-year warranty.
If you’re still not sure which pizza oven is right for you, be sure to check out our article on the Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens.
- Large 16" cooking surface
- Beautiful design
- Quick set-up
- Long preheat times
- No accessories included
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