As a restaurant chef with over 10 years of experience at my restaurant, Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I’ve had the privilege of working with numerous pizza ovens. Today, I’m diving into a detailed comparison between the Bertello Pizza Oven and the Ooni Karu 12, both of which I’ve tested extensively in my kitchen. I evaluated these ovens based on their quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and conducted a real pizza cooking test to see how they perform in practice. For those interested in my full testing process, you can find it detailed in a separate article.
The Bertello Pizza Oven is celebrated for its multi-fuel capabilities and compact design, making it a versatile option for outdoor pizza enthusiasts. On the other hand, the Ooni Karu 12 is known for its portability and exceptional temperature control, making it a favorite among pizza perfectionists.
I’ve put the Bertello Pizza Oven and the Ooni Karu 12 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:
4.7
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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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- Robust construction with a stainless steel exterior and a durable refractory stone
- Heats up efficiently, reaching over 900°F in about 10-15 minutes
- Dome-shaped design
- Multi-fuel versatility, allowing the use of gas, wood, and charcoal
- Lighter
- Cleaning the Bertello can be a bit more involved
- 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
At the end of this comparison, you’ll see how each oven measures up in different categories and which one might be the right choice for your needs. If you decide to purchase one, I’d greatly appreciate you using my referral links. These links help keep my blog alive at no extra cost to you.
Bertello VS Ooni Karu 12: Quality and Materials
| The Bertello Pizza Oven is crafted with durable materials, including a stainless steel exterior and a refractory stone cooking surface. It exudes quality and feels built to last. |
The Ooni Karu 12 is constructed with high-quality stainless steel and reinforced nylon, ensuring durability and resilience to outdoor elements and high temperatures.
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Bertello VS Ooni Karu 12: Temperature Control
| The Bertello Pizza Oven reaches over 900°F, offering exceptional heat distribution with its dome shape. It supports multi-fuel use for flexibility, though the wood tray could be deeper. |
The Ooni Karu 12 achieves similar high temperatures and provides consistent heat retention, but the learning curve with wood-fired cooking requires patience.
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Bertello VS Ooni Karu 12: Shape
| The dome-shaped design of the Bertello Pizza Oven ensures optimal heat circulation, delivering evenly cooked pizzas with a perfect crust, gooey cheese, and balanced toppings. |
The Ooni Karu 12 also features a dome shape that aids heat retention and distribution. However, it directs less airflow than Bertello, slightly affecting evenness.
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Bertello VS Ooni Karu 12: First-Time Usage Impressions
| Setting up the Bertello Pizza Oven was straightforward with clear instructions, and it quickly reached the desired temperature, providing an effortless start for beginners and pros alike. |
Unboxing and assembling the Ooni Karu 12 was equally enjoyable, but mastering its wood-fire option took time, slightly extending the initial learning curve.
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Bertello VS Ooni Karu 12: Power Source
| The Bertello Pizza Oven stands out for its ability to use charcoal, wood, or propane (with an optional gas burner), offering unmatched versatility for outdoor cooking. |
The Ooni Karu 12 offers multi-fuel options, including wood, charcoal, and a gas burner (sold separately). Its seamless fuel switching is a notable advantage.
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Bertello VS Ooni Karu 12: Size
| Compact yet functional, the Bertello Pizza Oven supports 12-inch pizzas on its 12.5″ x 13.5″ surface. It weighs 34.6 lbs, making it portable but slightly heavier than the Ooni. |
The Ooni Karu 12 is lighter at 26 lbs, making it easier to transport. Its compact design and optional carry cover enhance its portability for outdoor adventures.
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Bertello VS Ooni Karu 12: Ease of Cleaning
| The Bertello Pizza Oven requires thorough cleaning, especially when removing the pellet tray, which can be messy. However, regular maintenance ensures long-lasting performance. |
Cleaning the Ooni Karu 12 is relatively simple, although soot buildup inside the chamber can require additional care to maintain efficiency and cooking quality.
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Pizza Cooking Test
The Bertello Pizza Oven impressed me with its efficiency during the pizza cooking test. It preheated to optimal cooking temperatures of over 900°F in just 10-15 minutes, making it a great choice for spontaneous pizza sessions. Once preheated, it cooked a classic Margherita pizza in just 90 seconds, delivering a perfectly charred crust with gooey, bubbling cheese and rich tomato sauce. The flavors were authentic and reminiscent of a traditional wood-fired pizza, thanks to the high temperature and even heat distribution within the dome-shaped chamber.
The Ooni Karu 12 took slightly longer to heat up, reaching its optimal range of 715°F-850°F in 15-20 minutes. It cooked the Margherita pizza in just under 2 minutes, producing a delicious result with a crispy crust and well-melted cheese. While the taste was exceptional and the pizza was evenly cooked, the extra time required for preheating and adjusting the wood fire added a small layer of complexity to the process.
Both ovens produced fantastic pizzas with authentic wood-fired flavors. The Bertello Pizza Oven, however, delivered a slightly faster cooking experience, making it ideal for those who value quick, hassle-free preparation without compromising taste. The Ooni Karu 12 excelled in maintaining consistency, but its slightly longer preheating time made it feel less spontaneous. Ultimately, both ovens delivered restaurant-quality results, with the Bertello pulling slightly ahead for its speed and ease of use.
How We Tested
To ensure a fair and thorough comparison between the Bertello Pizza Oven and the Ooni Karu 12, we followed a structured testing process. Each oven was evaluated in a professional kitchen setting at my restaurant, Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston. The testing involved the same pizza recipe—a classic Margherita pizza—known for its simplicity and ability to highlight the oven’s cooking capabilities.
We started by preheating both ovens to their optimal temperature ranges. For the Bertello Pizza Oven, this meant reaching over 900°F, while the Ooni Karu 12 was heated to its recommended range of 715°F-850°F. Preheating times were measured, and any variations were noted.
Using the same high-quality ingredients for consistency, we prepared identical Margherita pizzas with fresh dough, tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil. Each pizza was launched into the oven once it reached the optimal temperature. Cooking times were tracked, and we carefully observed how evenly the heat distributed across the crust and toppings.
Once cooked, the pizzas were evaluated for texture, taste, and overall quality. We paid close attention to the crispness of the crust, the bubbling and browning of the cheese, and the blending of flavors. Both ovens were tested multiple times to ensure consistency in results.
Beyond cooking performance, we noted other aspects such as fuel efficiency, ease of handling, and how quickly the oven was ready for a second pizza. This helped us gauge how well these ovens perform during extended use or for larger gatherings.
This comprehensive approach allowed us to identify the strengths and challenges of each oven, ensuring that the comparison is as accurate and practical as possible.
Final Thoughts
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Winner
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Loser
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Our Rating:
4.7
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Our Rating:
4.7
|
|
Pros:
|
Pros:
|
|
Cons:
|
Cons:
|
- Robust construction with a stainless steel exterior and a durable refractory stone
- Heats up efficiently, reaching over 900°F in about 10-15 minutes
- Dome-shaped design
- Multi-fuel versatility, allowing the use of gas, wood, and charcoal
- Lighter
- Cleaning the Bertello can be a bit more involved
- 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
When it comes to choosing between the Bertello Pizza Oven and the Ooni Karu 12, it ultimately depends on your preferences and cooking style. Both ovens deliver exceptional results and offer unique features that cater to different needs. Whether you value Bertello’s faster preheating time and multi-fuel flexibility or Ooni Karu 12’s sleek portability and consistent performance, either choice will elevate your pizza-making game.
If you decide to purchase one, I would highly 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 enables me to create more content like this.
Thank you for your support, and happy pizza making!