As a restaurant chef with over 10 years of experience at my restaurant, Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I’ve worked with numerous pizza ovens in my kitchen. In this comparison, I’ll share my insights on two models: the Big Horn Pizza Oven and the Halo Versa 16 Pizza Oven, both of which I’ve tested thoroughly. To evaluate their performance, I compared these ovens based on quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and their performance in a real pizza cooking test. If you’re interested in the detailed process of how I test pizza ovens, you can find a separate article explaining every step.
- The Big Horn Pizza Oven is a compact, wood-fired oven known for its affordability and traditional approach to pizza-making.
- The Halo Versa 16 Pizza Oven is a gas-powered oven that combines innovative design with excellent heat control for professional-level results.
This article features a thorough comparison between the Big Horn Pizza Oven and the Halo Versa 16 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:
4.7
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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- Decent stainless steel build with a silicone door seal
- Heats up to around 500-550°F in 15-16 minutes
- Dome shape that promotes airflow
- Lighter and more compact
- Relies solely on wood pellets
- Cleaning requires more effort, especially with removing ash from the wood pellets
- Durable stainless steel build and a Cordierite stone
- Reached about 900°F
- More spacious interior and can handle larger pizzas up to 16 inches
- Lighter at 43.2 pounds
- Runs solely on propane gas
- Stone may require more effort to maintain due to occasional residue build-up
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Big Horn VS Halo Versa 16: Quality and Materials
| The Big Horn Pizza Oven is made from stainless steel with a durable cordierite stone that ensures even heat distribution. The lightweight build makes it portable without sacrificing functionality, though proper care is essential for long-term use. |
The Halo Versa 16 boasts premium materials and robust construction, designed for durability and consistent performance in outdoor settings. Its quality makes it a reliable option for frequent use.
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Big Horn VS Halo Versa 16: Temperature Control
| The Big Horn Pizza Oven heats up to 500–550°F in 15–16 minutes, delivering excellent heat for a crisp crust and bubbling toppings. While it requires a secondary thermometer for accuracy, mastering its manual adjustments adds to the charm of its wood-fired cooking experience. |
The Halo Versa 16 claims to reach 950°F in 12 minutes but reached around 732°F during testing. It offers consistent results with adjustments, though an infrared thermometer is needed for precise monitoring.
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Big Horn VS Halo Versa 16: Shape
| The dome-shaped design of the Big Horn Pizza Oven ensures excellent air circulation for even cooking. Its compact design accommodates pizzas up to 12 inches, making it perfect for smaller gatherings while maintaining exceptional cooking performance. |
The Halo Versa 16 has a spacious design that can handle pizzas up to 16 inches. The shape supports even heat distribution, but the larger size may not be as portable as the Big Horn.
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Big Horn VS Halo Versa 16: First-Time Usage Impressions
| The Big Horn Pizza Oven makes a great first impression with its sleek metallic finish and easy setup. While there is a slight learning curve to managing the heat, it’s easy to get started and delivers impressive results even for beginners. |
The Halo Versa 16 is well-packaged and thoughtfully designed. Initial seasoning is recommended, and the oven requires adjustments to achieve even cooking, especially for the top and bottom of pizzas.
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Big Horn VS Halo Versa 16: Power Source
| Powered by wood pellets, the Big Horn Pizza Oven delivers a rich, smoky flavor that enhances the taste of pizzas. The option to use other pellets or charcoal adds versatility to its fuel choices. |
Propane-powered, the Halo Versa 16 offers flexibility with both large LP tanks and portable canisters. The quick-connect regulator makes fuel management seamless and convenient.
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Big Horn VS Halo Versa 16: Size
| Compact and lightweight, the Big Horn Pizza Oven is perfect for outdoor cooking, easily fitting a 12-inch pizza while maintaining portability for various events. |
The Halo Versa 16 offers a larger 16-inch cooking surface, making it ideal for bigger pizzas. Its dimensions (24.3″ x 21.64″ x 14.82″) and weight (43.21 lbs) make it less portable than the Big Horn.
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Big Horn VS Halo Versa 16: Ease of Cleaning
| Cleaning the Big Horn Pizza Oven is simple. Removable parts like the fire tray and grill make maintenance straightforward, though care is needed to avoid sharp edges inside. Regular ash removal is essential for optimal performance. |
The Halo Versa 16 is easy to maintain with its hinged top for access and removable crumb-catching tray. Cleaning the stone and exterior is straightforward, though it requires a nylon scraper for stubborn debris.
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Pizza Cooking Test
The Big Horn Pizza Oven preheated to 500–550°F in about 15–16 minutes, making it one of the faster wood-pellet options. Once preheated, it cooked a classic Margherita pizza in approximately 1.5 minutes. The crust was golden and crisp, with a delightful smoky flavor imparted by the wood pellets. The toppings, including bubbling mozzarella and fresh basil, were cooked to perfection, delivering a rich, authentic taste that rivals high-end wood-fired ovens.
The Halo Versa 16 took around 20 minutes to reach a temperature of 732°F, slightly below the manufacturer’s claim of 950°F in 12 minutes. It cooked a Neapolitan-style Margherita pizza in under 2 minutes. Initially, the bottom cooked faster than the top, requiring some adjustments, such as lifting the pizza closer to the back flame. After fine-tuning, the result was a beautifully cooked pizza with a crispy crust, evenly melted cheese, and well-cooked toppings. While the taste was excellent, it lacked the smoky depth provided by the Big Horn.
How We Tested
To fairly compare the Big Horn Pizza Oven and the Halo Versa 16 Pizza Oven, I conducted hands-on testing under similar outdoor conditions. The goal was to evaluate their performance in real-world scenarios, focusing on heating efficiency, cooking times, and the quality of the final pizza.
Each oven was set up on a sturdy, level surface, ensuring stability during use. For consistency, I used the same dough recipe and fresh ingredients for all tests—a classic Margherita pizza featuring tomato sauce, mozzarella, and fresh basil.
I followed the manufacturer’s instructions for preheating both ovens, using wood pellets for the Big Horn Pizza Oven and propane for the Halo Versa 16. I recorded the time it took for each oven to reach its optimal cooking temperature, monitoring the internal heat levels with built-in thermometers and an infrared thermometer for accuracy.
Once preheated, I cooked a Margherita pizza in each oven, carefully timing the process and observing how well the heat was distributed. I rotated the pizzas as needed to ensure even cooking and to account for any hot or cool spots within the ovens. After cooking, I assessed the pizzas based on their appearance, crust texture, topping consistency, and flavor.
Both ovens were also tested for their versatility by preparing a variety of foods beyond pizza, such as roasted vegetables and pan-style dishes, to gauge their functionality. The results highlighted the unique strengths of each oven, providing a comprehensive understanding of their capabilities.
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:
4.7
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Pros:
|
Pros:
|
|
Cons:
|
Cons:
|
- Decent stainless steel build with a silicone door seal
- Heats up to around 500-550°F in 15-16 minutes
- Dome shape that promotes airflow
- Lighter and more compact
- Relies solely on wood pellets
- Cleaning requires more effort, especially with removing ash from the wood pellets
- Durable stainless steel build and a Cordierite stone
- Reached about 900°F
- More spacious interior and can handle larger pizzas up to 16 inches
- Lighter at 43.2 pounds
- Runs solely on propane gas
- Stone may require more effort to maintain due to occasional residue build-up
The choice between the Big Horn Pizza Oven and the Halo Versa 16 Pizza Oven ultimately comes down to your preferences and needs. The Big Horn Pizza Oven shines as a budget-friendly, portable option that delivers a delicious wood-fired flavor and reliable performance, making it a standout for those seeking an authentic pizza-making experience. On the other hand, the Halo Versa 16 impresses with its premium build quality, versatility, and convenient propane-powered operation, catering to users who value efficiency and a larger cooking surface.
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 cost to you, which helps support my blog and allows me to create more in-depth reviews. Here’s the link for the Big Horn Pizza Oven and the Halo Versa 16 Pizza Oven. Thank you for your support!