As a restaurant chef with over 10 years of experience at my restaurant, Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I’ve had the opportunity to work with various pizza ovens to find the perfect fit for creating authentic pizzas. In this comparison, I’ll share my insights on the Big Horn Pizza Oven and the Ooni Karu 12 Pizza Oven, both of which I’ve used extensively in my kitchen. My evaluation is based on several critical factors: quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and performance during a real pizza cooking test. For a detailed breakdown of my testing process, you can check out my separate article.
- The Big Horn Pizza Oven is an affordable and compact wood pellet oven designed to deliver an authentic smoky flavor for outdoor cooking.
- The Ooni Karu 12 Pizza Oven offers multi-fuel functionality, allowing users to experiment with wood, charcoal, and gas to create professional-quality pizzas.
I’ve put the Big Horn Pizza Oven and the Ooni Karu 12 Pizza Oven to the test, and this article covers the detailed comparison.
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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
- High-quality construction with a durable stainless steel exterior
- Versatile, capable of reaching 900°F in 15-20 minutes
- Compact dome shape
- Multi-fuel
- Lighter
- Cleaning the Karu 12 requires regular ash removal when using wood
- The wood-fired setup has a learning curve
Disclaimer: This article contains referral links that help support my blog at no extra cost to you. If you choose to purchase one of these ovens through the links, I’ll earn a small commission, which allows me to continue sharing in-depth reviews. Thank you for your support!
Big Horn VS Ooni Karu 12: Quality and Materials
| The Big Horn Pizza Oven is built with durable stainless steel and features a cordierite stone for even heat distribution. It offers good value for its price and is sturdy enough for regular outdoor use. |
The Ooni Karu 12 boasts premium stainless steel construction and excellent insulation. Its build quality ensures durability and resilience in high-heat conditions.
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Big Horn VS Ooni Karu 12: Temperature Control
| Reaches 500–550°F in about 15–16 minutes. While it requires some attention to maintain steady heat, the wood pellet fuel adds a unique smoky flavor to the cooking process. |
Reaches up to 900°F in 15–20 minutes. It offers better temperature consistency with the optional gas burner, but managing wood or charcoal for heat control requires a bit of practice.
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Big Horn VS Ooni Karu 12: Shape
| The dome-shaped design of the Big Horn ensures excellent air circulation, leading to evenly cooked pizzas with crispy crusts and perfectly melted toppings. |
The Ooni Karu 12’s compact dome shape enhances heat retention and distribution, creating an even cooking environment for pizzas and other dishes.
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Big Horn VS Ooni Karu 12: First-Time Usage Impressions
| Lightweight and easy to assemble, the Big Horn Pizza Oven is user-friendly, making it a great choice for beginners. It delivers consistent results with minimal effort. |
The Ooni Karu 12 impresses with its sleek design and premium materials. Its setup is straightforward, but achieving optimal wood-fired results may take some trial and error.
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Big Horn VS Ooni Karu 12: Power Source
| Powered by wood pellets, the Big Horn delivers authentic wood-fired flavor. It can also use charcoal, offering versatility for outdoor cooking enthusiasts. |
The Ooni Karu 12 offers multi-fuel capabilities, running on wood, charcoal, or propane (with a gas burner sold separately). This flexibility allows for varied cooking styles.
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Big Horn VS Ooni Karu 12: Size
| Compact and portable, the Big Horn Pizza Oven is perfect for outdoor gatherings. It fits 12-inch pizzas and is easy to move, making it highly convenient. |
The Ooni Karu 12 is slightly heavier at 26 lbs but still portable. It accommodates pizzas up to 12 inches, with the option of an Ooni carry cover for easier transportation.
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Big Horn VS Ooni Karu 12: Ease of Cleaning
| Cleaning the Big Horn is straightforward. Regular ash removal is essential, but its simple design makes maintenance quick and hassle-free. |
The Ooni Karu 12 requires regular cleaning, especially for ash buildup when using wood or charcoal. Cleaning the interior and chimney requires care to maintain optimal performance.
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Pizza Cooking Test
The Big Horn Pizza Oven preheated to its optimal temperature of 500–550°F in approximately 15–16 minutes. Once preheated, it cooked a classic Margherita pizza in just 1.5 minutes. The pizza’s crust was golden and crisp, with a delightful smoky flavor imparted by the wood pellets. The toppings, including fresh mozzarella and basil, were evenly cooked and full of flavor, delivering a satisfying and authentic wood-fired experience.
The Ooni Karu 12 reached temperatures of 900°F in 15–20 minutes during testing. A Margherita pizza cooked in under 2 minutes, with a beautifully charred and airy crust. The cheese melted to perfection, while the toppings were evenly heated. The wood-fired option added a subtle smoky flavor, though achieving consistent results required careful flame management, especially with wood or charcoal.
How We Tested
To evaluate the performance of the Big Horn Pizza Oven and the Ooni Karu 12 Pizza Oven, we conducted a thorough cooking test under similar outdoor conditions. Both ovens were tested using the same recipe for a classic Margherita pizza, ensuring consistency in ingredients and preparation.
Each oven was set up according to the manufacturer’s instructions and preheated to its optimal cooking temperature. For accuracy, we used an infrared thermometer to monitor the pizza stone temperature in addition to the built-in thermometers. The Big Horn Pizza Oven was fueled with wood pellets, while the Ooni Karu 12 was tested with wood and charcoal for a direct comparison of their wood-fired capabilities.
Once preheated, we prepared and launched a Margherita pizza in each oven, carefully timing the cooking process and observing the heat distribution, crust texture, and topping consistency. Both ovens were rotated during cooking to ensure even exposure to heat, and we evaluated the final results based on taste, appearance, and texture.
Additionally, we assessed the versatility of each oven by experimenting with other dishes such as flatbreads and roasted vegetables. After testing, the cleaning process for both ovens was documented to gauge their ease of maintenance.
This hands-on approach provided a comprehensive understanding of the strengths and challenges of each oven, offering valuable insights for outdoor cooking enthusiasts.
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
|
|
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
- High-quality construction with a durable stainless steel exterior
- Versatile, capable of reaching 900°F in 15-20 minutes
- Compact dome shape
- Multi-fuel
- Lighter
- Cleaning the Karu 12 requires regular ash removal when using wood
- The wood-fired setup has a learning curve
The choice between the Big Horn Pizza Oven and the Ooni Karu 12 Pizza Oven ultimately depends on your cooking preferences and needs. The Big Horn Pizza Oven shines as an affordable, portable option with a delightful smoky flavor and straightforward operation, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts seeking value and simplicity. Meanwhile, the Ooni Karu 12 impresses with its premium build, multi-fuel versatility, and ability to reach higher temperatures, catering to those who want a flexible and high-performance oven.
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 continue sharing in-depth reviews. Here’s the link for the Big Horn Pizza Oven and the Ooni Karu 12 Pizza Oven. Thank you for your support!