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. Today, I’ll be comparing the Halo Versa 16 and the Bertello Pizza Oven, two popular options for outdoor pizza enthusiasts. Drawing from my hands-on experience in my kitchen, I’ll break down how these ovens perform based on quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and the results from a real pizza cooking test to see how long it takes and the quality of the pizza they produce.
For a detailed overview of my testing process, you can check out my separate article where I explain each step.
- Halo Versa 16: Known for its versatility and innovative design, the Halo Versa 16 is a large-format pizza oven capable of reaching high temperatures and offering multiple fuel options.
- Bertello Pizza Oven: Compact and portable, the Bertello Pizza Oven is designed for those who love wood-fired flavor with the option of using gas for convenience.
I’ve put the Halo Versa 16 and the Bertello 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:
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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- 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
- 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
Disclaimer: If you decide to purchase one of these ovens, I’d highly appreciate it if you used my referral links. This helps support my blog by earning me a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Halo Versa 16 VS Bertello: Quality and Materials
| The Halo Versa 16 boasts robust and durable materials, suitable for years of outdoor cooking. Its premium build ensures reliable performance even under frequent use. |
The Bertello Pizza Oven is also made with high-quality materials, including stainless steel and a refractory stone surface. However, some users note challenges with consistent wood performance.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Bertello: Temperature Control
| The Halo Versa 16 reaches 900°F within 20 minutes using propane. Its propane-fueled mechanism provides steady and consistent heat, ideal for Neapolitan pizzas. |
The Bertello Pizza Oven can exceed 900°F with multi-fuel capability. Gas offers steadiness, but wood or charcoal may lead to uneven heat distribution.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Bertello: Shape
| With its wide cooking chamber, the Halo Versa 16 accommodates pizzas up to 16 inches, offering flexibility for various pizza styles, including pan pizzas. |
The Bertello Pizza Oven‘s compact dome shape is designed for 12-inch pizzas, promoting even cooking. Its smaller size limits versatility for larger recipes.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Bertello: First-Time Usage Impressions
| The Halo Versa 16 is user-friendly and intuitive. Its preheating process and cooking guidance make it easy for both beginners and experienced chefs. |
The Bertello Pizza Oven impresses with its sleek design and solid build. However, mastering its multi-fuel functionality may involve a learning curve.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Bertello: Power Source
| The Halo Versa 16 exclusively uses propane gas, with options for standard tanks or portable canisters. Quick-connect regulators simplify fuel setup. |
The Bertello Pizza Oven shines with its multi-fuel options, including propane, wood, and charcoal. This versatility appeals to those experimenting with flavor profiles.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Bertello: Size
| The Halo Versa 16 offers a larger cooking surface with its 16-inch stone, catering to gatherings and larger pizzas. |
The Bertello Pizza Oven‘s 12.5-inch cooking surface is compact and portable, but less ideal for larger pizzas or multiple dishes.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Bertello: Ease of Cleaning
| The Halo Versa 16 features a hinged access top, allowing quick and hassle-free cleaning of its Cordierite stone. A crumb tray simplifies maintenance. |
The Bertello Pizza Oven requires more effort to clean, especially when removing ash from the wood tray. Accessing the pellet tray can also be challenging.
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Pizza Cooking Test
The Halo Versa 16 preheated to 732°F in about 20 minutes, slightly shy of the manufacturer’s claim of reaching 950°F in 12 minutes. Once heated, we placed a classic Margherita pizza on the Cordierite stone. The pizza cooked in under 2 minutes, achieving a crispy crust with a slight char, perfectly melted cheese, and toppings that were evenly heated. The bottom was delightfully crunchy, while the top boasted a golden finish. The taste was spot on—reminiscent of authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas.
The Bertello Pizza Oven preheated more quickly, taking approximately 10 to 15 minutes to reach over 900°F. We cooked a Margherita pizza in 90 seconds, thanks to its intense heat. The crust rose beautifully with a nice puff and slight leopard spots, while the toppings were evenly cooked. However, we had to rotate the pizza mid-bake to avoid uneven cooking due to the wood-fired setup. The taste was delicious, with a smoky flavor from the wood that added an extra depth of authenticity.
Both ovens performed admirably, but the Halo Versa 16 offered a more straightforward and consistent cooking experience, while the Bertello stood out with its distinct wood-fired flavor.
How We Tested
To provide an accurate comparison of the Halo Versa 16 and Bertello Pizza Oven, we conducted a series of practical cooking tests in a controlled environment. Each oven was placed on a level surface outdoors to ensure proper ventilation and safety. Before starting, both ovens were thoroughly inspected, and we followed the manufacturer’s guidelines for setup and preheating.
We began by preheating each oven to its optimal cooking temperature, using an infrared thermometer to verify the heat levels across the cooking surfaces. This allowed us to ensure consistent conditions for both ovens. For fuel sources, we used propane for the Halo Versa 16 and tested both propane and wood in the Bertello to evaluate its multi-fuel capabilities.
To test cooking performance, we prepared identical Margherita pizzas using fresh dough, a thin layer of tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil. Each pizza was cooked on the provided stones, with rotations as needed for even cooking. We timed the preheating process, the pizza cooking duration, and monitored the overall ease of handling during the cooking process.
After cooking, we assessed the pizzas on their crust texture, topping distribution, and overall flavor. Additionally, we evaluated how well each oven maintained its heat during multiple cooking sessions and the ease of transitioning between pizzas.
Finally, cleanup was tested by allowing the ovens to cool completely before disassembling and cleaning their components. This comprehensive process ensured a fair and thorough evaluation of both pizza ovens.
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:
4.7
|
|
Pros:
|
Pros:
|
|
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
- 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
At the end of the day, the choice between the Halo Versa 16 and the Bertello Pizza Oven comes down to your specific needs and preferences. Both ovens excel in delivering high-quality pizzas and offer unique features that cater to different cooking styles. If you prioritize ease of use, consistent results, and minimal learning curve, the Halo Versa 16 might be the better fit. On the other hand, if you value versatility with multiple fuel options and a more hands-on cooking experience, the Bertello Pizza Oven is an excellent option.
If you decide to purchase one of these ovens, I would greatly appreciate it if you could use my referral links. It helps support my blog at no extra cost to you. Here’s the link for the Halo Versa 16, and here’s the link for the Bertello Pizza Oven. Thank you for your support!