As a restaurant chef with over 10 years of experience at my establishment, Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many pizza ovens in my kitchen. In this article, I’ll be comparing the Halo Versa 16 and the Bakebros 14 Pizza Oven, sharing insights from my hands-on experience with both models. I’ll be diving into key aspects such as quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and a real pizza cooking test to evaluate how long each oven takes and the quality of the results.
For more details on the thorough testing process I follow when reviewing pizza ovens, check out my separate article.
Before we get into the details, let me briefly introduce each oven. The Halo Versa 16 is a propane-powered, user-friendly oven designed for versatility and consistent results, ideal for both beginners and experienced cooks. On the other hand, the Bakebros 14 Pizza Oven is a compact and portable oven with a focus on simplicity and functionality, making it a popular choice for smaller spaces or casual outdoor cooking.
I’ve put the Halo Versa 16 and the Bakebros 14 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:
4.7
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Our Rating:
2.8
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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- 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
- Constructed from stainless steel
- Practical design
- Smaller and lighter (39.5 pounds), making it highly portable
- Struggles with consistent heat retention
- Requires a bit more practice to get used to
- Runs exclusively on LPG (propane gas)
- Requires more frequent maintenance due to less effective soot control
Lastly, I want to disclose that this article contains referral links, which greatly help support my blog at no extra cost to you if you decide to make a purchase. Thank you for supporting my work, and let’s explore the comparison!
Halo Versa 16 VS Bakebros 14: Quality and Materials
| The Halo Versa 16 boasts high-quality, robust materials, making it durable enough for regular use in commercial or home kitchens. |
The Bakebros 14″ Pizza Oven features durable stainless steel but lacks the heft and premium feel of higher-end outdoor pizza ovens.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Bakebros 14: Temperature Control
| The Halo Versa 16 reaches 950°F in 12 minutes (manufacturer claim), though I found it slightly under, at 900°F. Consistent heat distribution. |
The Bakebros 14″ Pizza Oven also heats to 900°F with gas, but maintaining steady heat requires frequent monitoring and pellet refills.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Bakebros 14: Shape
| With a wide opening and thoughtful design, the Halo Versa 16 can accommodate pizzas up to 16 inches, offering versatility for different styles. |
The Bakebros 14″ Pizza Oven is compact and portable, making it ideal for smaller spaces, but its design limits pizza size to around 12 inches for best results.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Bakebros 14: First-Time Usage Impressions
| Using the Halo Versa 16 was straightforward with a bit of learning. It required a rotating peel for even cooking, but pizzas were consistently well-made. |
The Bakebros 14″ Pizza Oven had a slight learning curve, particularly in heat management and rotation. However, it delivered impressive results with practice.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Bakebros 14: Power Source
| Propane-powered, offering compatibility with both 1 lb. and 20 lb. tanks, giving users flexibility for outdoor use. |
The Bakebros 14″ Pizza Oven uses LPG, providing reliability for outdoor cooking but requiring frequent attention to maintain consistent heat.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Bakebros 14: Size
| The Halo Versa 16 is larger, measuring 24.3 x 21.64 x 14.82 inches and accommodating 16-inch pizzas, making it great for gatherings and family events. |
The Bakebros 14″ Pizza Oven is smaller at 24 x 17 x 14 inches, more portable but better suited for smaller pizzas and compact outdoor setups.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Bakebros 14: Ease of Cleaning
| The Halo Versa 16 is easy to clean, with a hinged top and removable Cordierite stone for thorough maintenance. |
Cleaning the Bakebros 14″ Pizza Oven is simple, though its mesh disc and smaller stone may require more detailed scrubbing after use.
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Pizza Cooking Test
The Halo Versa 16 heated up to an impressive 732°F in approximately 20 minutes during our test, slightly under the manufacturer’s claim of reaching 950°F in 12 minutes. Cooking a Neapolitan-style Margherita pizza was seamless; it was ready in under 2 minutes. The result was a perfectly cooked pizza with a crispy, golden crust and bubbly, evenly melted cheese. The bottom of the pizza had a satisfying char, typical of traditional wood-fired pizzas, while the toppings retained their fresh, vibrant flavors. The slight adjustment of using a rotating peel helped ensure even cooking across the pizza.
The Bakebros 14″ Pizza Oven took between 20 to 30 minutes to warm up, reaching a peak temperature of around 900°F. The Margherita pizza cooked in just 60 seconds once the oven was fully preheated. The crust had a decent crisp, but achieving an even cook required frequent rotation and monitoring. The taste was excellent, with a smoky undertone imparted by the LPG fuel, though the bottom crust occasionally leaned toward undercooked in areas. With some attention to detail, the Bakebros oven delivered a flavorful pizza comparable to pizzeria standards.
How We Tested
To compare the performance of the Halo Versa 16 and Bakebros 14″ Pizza Oven, we followed a consistent and thorough testing process in my professional kitchen at Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston. Each oven was evaluated based on how well it handled the preparation of a classic Margherita pizza, a staple for judging a pizza oven’s capabilities.
We began by unboxing and assembling each oven to assess their ease of setup and first impressions. Both ovens were preheated according to their respective instructions, and we used an infrared thermometer to monitor their heat levels. During the preheating phase, we observed how quickly and evenly each oven reached its optimal cooking temperature.
Once the ovens were ready, we prepared identical Margherita pizzas using fresh dough, tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil. Each pizza was cooked on the provided pizza stone, and we rotated the pies as needed to ensure even cooking. We noted the time taken to bake each pizza, the appearance of the crust, the melt of the cheese, and the overall flavor profile.
After cooking, we cleaned both ovens to assess their ease of maintenance and the effort required to prepare them for the next use. This allowed us to understand not only their cooking performance but also their practicality for frequent use. By following this comprehensive method, we were able to provide a detailed, hands-on comparison of the Halo Versa 16 and Bakebros 14″ Pizza Oven.
Conclusion
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Winner
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Loser
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Our Rating:
4.7
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Our Rating:
2.8
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Pros:
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Pros:
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|
Cons:
|
Cons:
|
- 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
- Constructed from stainless steel
- Practical design
- Smaller and lighter (39.5 pounds), making it highly portable
- Struggles with consistent heat retention
- Requires a bit more practice to get used to
- Runs exclusively on LPG (propane gas)
- Requires more frequent maintenance due to less effective soot control
Ultimately, the choice between the Halo Versa 16 and the Bakebros 14″ Pizza Oven comes down to your personal needs and preferences. Both ovens offer unique strengths, with the Halo Versa 16 excelling in durability, heat distribution, and versatility, while the Bakebros 14″ stands out for its affordability and ease of portability. Whether you prioritize professional-grade performance or a more budget-friendly option, either oven can elevate your pizza-making experience.
If you decide to purchase one, I would greatly appreciate you using my referral links. It helps me keep this blog alive at no additional cost to you. Here’s the link for the Halo Versa 16, and for the Bakebros 14″ Pizza Oven. Thank you for your support!