As a restaurant chef with over 10 years of experience at my restaurant, Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I’ve had the privilege of working with a variety of pizza ovens, both professionally and personally. In this comparison, I’ll share my insights on two popular models: the Ooni Koda 12 and the Deco Chef Pizza Oven, both of which I’ve thoroughly tested in my kitchen. To ensure a comprehensive evaluation, I compared them based on quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and their performance during a real pizza cooking test. If you’re curious about the step-by-step process of how I test pizza ovens, be sure to check out my separate article for a detailed breakdown.
The Ooni Koda 12 is a gas-powered pizza oven celebrated for its compact design and rapid heating capabilities, making it a favorite for home cooks and professionals alike.
The Deco Chef Pizza Oven, on the other hand, offers a versatile cooking experience with its wood and gas-powered options, delivering both traditional flavors and modern convenience.
This article features a thorough comparison between the Ooni Koda 12 and the Deco Chef Pizza Oven based on my personal tests.
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Winner
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Loser
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Our Rating:
4.8
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Our Rating:
3.2
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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- Good-quality materials like powder-coated carbon steel
- Extremely lightweight
- Easy to clean
- Compact design
- Strictly gas-powered
- Made of stainless steel with decent quality
- Half-circle dome design
- Straightforward assembly
- Lightweight and portable
- Cleaning is manageable
- Lacks premium finishing
- Maintaining a consistent temperature above 550°F can be challenging
- Exclusively powered by hardwood pellets
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Ooni Koda 12 VS Deco Chef: Quality and Materials
| The Ooni Koda 12 is crafted with premium powder-coated carbon steel and ceramic insulation for durability and excellent heat retention. Its stainless steel undercarriage ensures consistent performance over time. |
Made of durable stainless steel with three-layer insulation, the Deco Chef Pizza Oven resists rust and wear. However, insulation issues may affect cooking performance and temperature consistency.
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Ooni Koda 12 VS Deco Chef: Temperature Control
| Offers precise and consistent temperature control, reaching up to 450°C (900°F) in just 15 minutes. Perfect for creating professional-grade pizzas with evenly baked crusts and toppings. |
Adjustable temperature via a front knob, but heating can be inconsistent. It reaches up to 950°F, but maintaining even heat requires frequent pellet refueling.
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Ooni Koda 12 VS Deco Chef: Shape
| Designed with a thoughtful shape that maximizes heat circulation, ensuring evenly cooked pizzas with crispy crusts. Compact and efficient for all types of cooking. |
Features a half-circle design with a 13-inch diameter. While it bakes evenly for small and medium-sized pizzas, large pizzas can be challenging to maneuver due to limited space.
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Ooni Koda 12 VS Deco Chef: First-Time Usage Impressions
| Sleek, modern, and easy to set up, the Ooni Koda 12 creates a positive first impression. Its intuitive operation is ideal for both beginners and experienced chefs. |
The Deco Chef Pizza Oven feels solid and comes with useful accessories. However, first-time use may require practice to manage pellets effectively and avoid heat inconsistencies.
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Ooni Koda 12 VS Deco Chef: Power Source
| Powered by gas, the Ooni Koda 12 delivers reliable, consistent heat with minimal effort. This ensures a hassle-free cooking experience every time. |
Fueled by hardwood pellets, it adds a smoky flavor to pizzas but requires frequent refueling. Managing the fire for consistent heat can be tricky, especially in windy conditions.
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Ooni Koda 12 VS Deco Chef: Size
| Compact and lightweight, making it highly portable and perfect for small spaces or outdoor settings. |
Larger and heavier than the Ooni Koda 12 but still portable enough for backyard use or camping trips.
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Ooni Koda 12 VS Deco Chef: Ease of Cleaning
| Cleaning is quick and efficient, with a smooth exterior and easy-to-maintain baking stone. The included Ooni Pizza Oven Brush simplifies maintenance. |
Easy to clean due to its stainless steel construction. Removable parts like the fuel tray and drip tray enhance convenience, but soot buildup from pellets may require extra effort.
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Pizza Cooking Test
The Ooni Koda 12 excelled in the cooking test with its quick heating capabilities. It reached its optimal cooking temperature of 450°C (900°F) in just 15 minutes, making it one of the fastest ovens I’ve used. Once preheated, the Margherita pizza was cooked to perfection in only 2-3 minutes. The crust came out light, crispy, and evenly charred, while the cheese melted beautifully, blending harmoniously with the fresh tomato sauce and basil. The taste was exceptional—just like a wood-fired pizza you’d find in a high-end pizzeria.
The Deco Chef Pizza Oven took about 15-20 minutes to preheat, reaching a temperature of up to 950°F, though the stone temperature could be inconsistent. Cooking a Margherita pizza took approximately 60-90 seconds, which is impressive for its price point. The smoky flavor from the hardwood pellets added a unique and authentic touch to the pizza. However, the crust didn’t achieve the same level of crispiness as the Ooni Koda 12 due to some uneven heat distribution. While the flavor was enjoyable, the texture of the crust and the overall balance of the pizza were slightly less refined compared to the Ooni.
How We Tested
To fairly compare the Ooni Koda 12 and the Deco Chef Pizza Oven, I conducted a series of hands-on tests in similar outdoor conditions. The goal was to evaluate each oven’s performance across key aspects, including preheating time, cooking time, and the final taste and texture of the pizzas.
I started by setting up both ovens on sturdy, level surfaces in a well-ventilated space. Each oven was preheated according to the manufacturer’s instructions, with the Ooni Koda 12 powered by gas and the Deco Chef Pizza Oven fueled by hardwood pellets. I used the same pizza dough recipe and identical fresh ingredients—tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil—to ensure consistency across tests.
For each oven, I monitored the time taken to reach its optimal cooking temperature using built-in thermometers and tested how well the heat was retained during the cooking process. Once preheated, I prepared a classic Margherita pizza for each oven, timing how long it took to bake and observing the evenness of cooking. I also rotated the pizzas as needed to avoid burning or undercooking any areas.
Finally, I assessed the results based on the crust texture, topping consistency, and overall flavor. This process allowed me to highlight how the unique features of each oven, such as heat distribution and power source, impacted the final pizza quality. These real-world tests provided a comprehensive understanding of the strengths and limitations of the Ooni Koda 12 and the Deco Chef Pizza Oven.
Conclusion
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Winner
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Loser
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Our Rating:
4.8
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Our Rating:
3.2
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Pros:
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Pros:
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|
Cons:
|
Cons:
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- Good-quality materials like powder-coated carbon steel
- Extremely lightweight
- Easy to clean
- Compact design
- Strictly gas-powered
- Made of stainless steel with decent quality
- Half-circle dome design
- Straightforward assembly
- Lightweight and portable
- Cleaning is manageable
- Lacks premium finishing
- Maintaining a consistent temperature above 550°F can be challenging
- Exclusively powered by hardwood pellets
Ultimately, the choice between the Ooni Koda 12 and the Deco Chef Pizza Oven depends on your personal preferences and cooking needs. The Ooni Koda 12 shines with its precise temperature control, rapid heating, and consistent results, making it a fantastic option for those seeking a reliable and user-friendly pizza oven. On the other hand, the Deco Chef Pizza Oven offers an affordable entry into wood-fired cooking with its smoky flavors and versatility, though it may require more attention during use.
If you decide to purchase one of these ovens, I’d greatly appreciate it if you used my referral links. I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps support my blog and allows me to continue sharing in-depth reviews. Here’s the link for the Ooni Koda 12 and the Deco Chef Pizza Oven. Thank you for your support!