Ooni Koda 12 vs Koda 16: Which Pizza Oven Is Right for You? Kitchen Gear Review, July 7, 2025July 7, 2025 If you’ve been dreaming of serving up restaurant-quality, stone-baked pizzas from the comfort of your backyard, the Ooni Koda series has likely caught your attention. Renowned for their speed, simplicity, and high-temperature performance, the Ooni Koda 12 and Koda 16 are two of the most popular models for outdoor cooking enthusiasts. But with different sizes, features, and price points, how do you choose the one that’s best for your needs? In this guide, we compare the two ovens side-by-side to help you decide which Ooni oven deserves a spot in your outdoor kitchen setup. Ooni Koda 12 Pizza Oven The Ooni Koda 12 Gas Pizza Oven delivers an impressive outdoor cooking experience for pizza enthusiasts seeking fast, restaurant-quality results at home. In my hands-on testing, the oven reached near its advertised 950°F within 15 minutes, and true to its promise, it cooked a 12-inch Neapolitan-style pizza in just about 60 seconds. The crust turned out beautifully charred and crisp, with a bubbly texture that’s hard to replicate in standard home ovens. The compact, foldable design made setup straightforward—unfold the legs, hook up the gas hose, ignite, and you’re ready to cook. It’s a great solution for backyard gatherings or camping trips, provided you have a propane source. However, not everything is perfect. While the instant ignition and fast heating are standout features, the oven does have a learning curve, especially when managing the flame placement to avoid burning the pizza’s back edge. The included stone heats well, but some users, including myself, noticed slight cracking after a few high-heat uses. The flame burns quite close to the food, which means constant attention is required during cooking to avoid scorching. Key Features, Pros, and Cons Key Features: Cooks 12-inch pizzas in 60 seconds Reaches up to 950°F in 15 minutes Compact, foldable design for portability Propane gas-powered with instant ignition Compatible with Ooni cast iron accessories for versatility Pros: Extremely fast cooking time High temperature for authentic crusts Easy setup and operation Portable and space-saving Versatile beyond pizza Cons: Learning curve to avoid burning VIEW ON AMAZON Ooni Koda 16 Pizza Oven The Ooni Koda 16 Gas Pizza Oven is a game-changer for anyone serious about making restaurant-style pizza at home. With its sleek, modern design and larger 16-inch cooking surface, it’s perfect for families or gatherings. During my testing, the oven reached around 900°F in just under 20 minutes and produced a delicious, stone-baked pizza in about 90 seconds. The flame system provides excellent heat distribution, especially for the larger pizza size, allowing for consistent results. Assembly was minimal—just unfold the legs, place the stone, and connect the gas. The experience felt intuitive, and experimenting with different doughs and toppings was both fun and rewarding. That said, the oven isn’t without a few drawbacks. While the heat output is strong, I noticed it occasionally took longer to reach peak temperature than advertised, depending on outdoor conditions. Managing the flame to avoid burnt edges requires a bit of practice. Some customers may also find the price steep compared to smaller models, especially when adding optional accessories. Still, if you’re looking for a reliable, high-performance outdoor pizza oven and don’t mind the premium price tag, the Koda 16 is an excellent investment for pizza nights and beyond. Key Features, Pros, and Cons Key Features: Reaches up to 950°F in about 20 minutes Cooks 16-inch pizzas in 60–90 seconds Instant gas ignition for quick startup Powder-coated carbon steel shell for heat retention Compatible with Ooni cast iron accessories Pros: Large cooking surface for family-sized pizzas Easy setup and use Excellent heat retention Fast cooking with crispy, authentic results Fun for experimenting with recipes Cons: May take longer than expected to preheat VIEW ON AMAZON Ooni Koda 12 vs Koda 16 Pizza Oven: Comparison Both the Ooni Koda 12 and Koda 16 are high-performance, propane-fueled outdoor pizza ovens designed to deliver authentic, stone-baked pizza at home. They share similar features such as instant gas ignition, compact form factors, and the ability to reach extremely high temperatures. However, they cater to slightly different audiences in terms of size, cooking versatility, and price. Design & Build Quality FeatureOoni Koda 12Ooni Koda 16Cooking Surface12 inches16 inchesDimensionsMore compact and portableLarger, bulkier footprintMaterialPowder-coated carbon steelPowder-coated carbon steelFinishBrushedPowdered stainless steelPortabilityHighly portable, travel-friendlySemi-portable, better for patios The Koda 12 is the clear winner when it comes to portability. It’s smaller and lighter, making it ideal for camping trips or small backyards. The Koda 16, while still technically portable, is bulkier and better suited to more permanent outdoor setups. Both ovens share the same rugged powder-coated shell that offers excellent heat retention. Performance Performance MetricOoni Koda 12Ooni Koda 16Max Temperature950°F950°FPreheat Time~15 minutes~20 minutesPizza Cooking Time~60 seconds~60–90 secondsCooking Capacity1 x 12-inch pizza1 x 16-inch pizzaFlame SystemRear flameL-shaped flame for even heat The Koda 16 offers a notable upgrade in flame technology with its L-shaped burner, which distributes heat more evenly across the larger cooking surface—ideal for bigger or irregularly shaped pizzas. However, it takes slightly longer to heat up. The Koda 12, while faster to reach temperature, requires more manual rotation of the pizza to prevent over-charring in one spot. Ease of Use Both models are extremely easy to set up and operate. Just unfold the legs, insert the baking stone, and connect to a propane tank. The ignition is automatic, and there’s no need for wood or charcoal. However, both ovens do have a learning curve, particularly when it comes to flame control and avoiding burnt crusts. That said, many users report that the Koda 12 is a bit more forgiving for beginners due to its smaller size, while the Koda 16 gives you more space to work with, which can be useful for practicing more complex pizza recipes or accommodating additional ingredients. Versatility & Cooking Options Both ovens can cook more than just pizza. When paired with Ooni’s cast iron accessories, they can be used to cook steaks, roast vegetables, or grill seafood. However, the larger cooking area of the Koda 16 makes it significantly more versatile for these types of dishes. Price & Value The Koda 12 is more budget-friendly and ideal for casual users or small households. The Koda 16, while more expensive, offers better performance for frequent use or entertaining larger groups. However, value for money can be subjective: some users feel the 16 justifies its higher price with added functionality, while others prefer the compact simplicity of the 12. Summary Table AspectOoni Koda 12Ooni Koda 16Best ForBeginners, small families, portabilityPizza lovers, entertainers, versatilityCooking Surface12 inches16 inchesPreheat TimeFaster (~15 mins)Slower (~20 mins)PortabilityExcellentModerateCooking PerformanceVery good (rear flame)Excellent (L-shaped flame)PriceLowerHigherLearning CurveEasier for beginnersSlightly steeper Final Thoughts If you’re looking for a compact, fast, and efficient pizza oven that travels well and gets the job done for small servings, the Ooni Koda 12 is a fantastic option. On the other hand, if you’re after maximum performance, cooking flexibility, and entertaining potential, the Ooni Koda 16 is worth the investment. FAQ About Ooni Koda 12 vs Koda 16 Pizza Oven What size pizza can I cook in each oven? The Ooni Koda 12 can accommodate pizzas up to 12 inches in diameter, which is perfect for individual portions or small meals. The Koda 16 offers a larger 16-inch cooking area, ideal for family-sized pizzas or experimenting with more toppings and crust styles. Do both ovens require a lot of maintenance? Both ovens are relatively low-maintenance. After use, you can brush off food debris and let the high heat burn off any residue. Just be cautious with the stone surface, as aggressive cleaning or sudden temperature changes may lead to cracking over time. Can I use these ovens indoors? No, both the Ooni Koda 12 and Koda 16 are designed strictly for outdoor use only due to the high temperatures and gas-powered flame. Using them indoors would be a fire and carbon monoxide hazard. Are there any accessories I should buy with the ovens? While the ovens work well right out of the box, accessories like an Ooni pizza peel, infrared thermometer, or cast iron pan can improve your cooking experience. These items help with handling pizzas, checking stone temperature, and expanding your recipe range. Which oven is better for beginners? The Ooni Koda 12 is typically more forgiving for beginners due to its smaller size and quicker preheat time. It’s easier to manage and control the flame over a smaller surface, making it a great starting point for new pizza makers. Check out our other kitchen gear review below. Best Air Fryer for 2 People Best Non-Toxic Air Fryer Best Dual Basket Air Fryer Best Stainless Steel Air Fryer Best Microwave for Countertop Best Over-the-Range Microwave Best Home Pizza Oven Best Wood-Fired Pizza Oven Kitchen Gear Review ovenpizza