As a restaurant chef with over 10 years of experience at Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the best pizza ovens available. Today, I’ll be comparing two excellent models: the Halo Versa 16 and the Blackstone Pizza Oven. Both have been tested in my kitchen, where I’ve assessed their 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 more insights into how I test pizza ovens, check out my detailed article on the process.
The Halo Versa 16 is a sleek and modern pizza oven designed for consistent performance, featuring propane power and the ability to cook pizzas up to 16 inches. On the other hand, the Blackstone Pizza Oven is a versatile and powerful option known for its rotating stone and high heat capabilities, perfect for achieving that traditional pizza flavor.
I’ve put the Halo Versa 16 and the Blackstone 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:
4.5
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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
- Durable construction with a stainless-steel cooking chamber and a heavy-Duty cast iron rotating tray
- Capable of reaching 900°F
- Unique design
- Heavier and bulkier
- Took longer to assemble
- Powered by a single, high-pressure propane burner
- Requires more effort to clean
At the end of this comparison, I’ll include referral links to both ovens. These links help keep my blog alive, and I’d greatly appreciate your support if you decide to purchase one of these models. Let’s dive into the details!
Halo Versa 16 VS Blackstone: Quality and Materials
| The Halo Versa 16 is built with robust stainless steel and durable components, ensuring long-lasting performance in both home and professional settings. |
The Blackstone Pizza Oven features a sturdy stainless steel chamber and a cast iron tray base, designed for high-temperature durability but requires careful handling during assembly.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Blackstone: Temperature Control
| The Halo Versa 16 achieves up to 950°F efficiently, providing consistent heat for a crisp crust and even cooking. Built-in thermometers are less reliable; an infrared thermometer is recommended for precise readings. |
The Blackstone Pizza Oven reaches over 900°F with its powerful 60,000 BTU propane burner but struggles with heat distribution, often cooking the pizza bottom faster than the top.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Blackstone: Shape
| The Halo Versa 16‘s design supports pizzas up to 16 inches, allowing flexibility for deep-dish and pan pizzas. Its open front and even heat circulation ensure ease of use and consistent results. |
The Blackstone Pizza Oven has a unique burner placement under the rotating tray, reducing flame contact with the crust but creating uneven cooking, especially for larger pizzas.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Blackstone: First-Time Usage Impressions
| The Halo Versa 16 is user-friendly with an intuitive design, quick setup, and clear instructions. Minor adjustments are needed to balance top and bottom heat for perfect results. |
The Blackstone Pizza Oven impressed with its solid build but required more time to assemble and learn due to its burner configuration. Initial lighting can be challenging for new users.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Blackstone: Power Source
| The Halo Versa 16 uses propane gas, supporting both standard 20 lb tanks and portable 1 lb canisters. Its quick-disconnect regulator simplifies setup and makes switching tanks effortless. |
The Blackstone Pizza Oven operates on propane gas with a high-pressure burner, offering impressive power but requiring careful handling of fuel and heat management.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Blackstone: Size
| Compact and portable, the Halo Versa 16 weighs 43.21 lbs, making it suitable for outdoor gatherings while supporting larger pizzas with ease. |
Larger and stationary, the Blackstone Pizza Oven includes a stand or wheeled cart for mobility. Its size is better suited for fixed outdoor setups.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Blackstone: Ease of Cleaning
| Cleaning the Halo Versa 16 is hassle-free due to its removable Cordierite stone and crumb tray. The hinged access top simplifies maintenance, especially after frequent use. |
The Blackstone Pizza Oven requires more effort to clean, with its rotating tray and heavy components needing careful disassembly and reassembly.
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Pizza Cooking Test
The Halo Versa 16 took approximately 20 minutes to preheat to a stable temperature of 732°F, slightly below its advertised 950°F. This was enough for an excellent cooking experience. A classic Margherita pizza cooked in under 2 minutes, resulting in a perfectly crisp crust with beautifully melted cheese and a smoky, lightly charred flavor. The even heat distribution allowed the pizza to cook uniformly, though slight adjustments with a rotating peel ensured an ideal finish. The taste was fantastic, replicating the authentic Neapolitan style.
The Blackstone Pizza Oven preheated faster, reaching its optimal cooking temperature in 10 minutes, thanks to its powerful 60,000 BTU propane burner. The Margherita pizza cooked incredibly fast, taking just 70 seconds. While the bottom crust was perfectly crisp, the top required extra time or manual rotation to ensure the cheese melted evenly. The flavor was rich and bold, with the crust slightly more charred in some areas due to uneven heat distribution. Despite this, the result was satisfying, delivering restaurant-quality taste with minor tweaks.
How We Tested
To provide a fair and thorough comparison between the Halo Versa 16 and the Blackstone Pizza Oven, we conducted tests in a controlled outdoor environment. Both ovens were placed on stable surfaces and connected to their respective propane fuel sources. Each oven was preheated according to the manufacturer’s instructions, with the temperature monitored using an infrared thermometer for accuracy.
For the cooking test, we chose a classic Margherita pizza, as it highlights key elements like crust texture, cheese melt, and sauce flavor. Both ovens were tested with identical dough, sauce, and toppings to eliminate variables. We carefully noted preheating times, cooking durations, and overall ease of use during the process.
The pizzas were cooked one at a time in each oven, with close attention paid to how evenly the crust and toppings cooked. A rotating peel was used as needed to adjust for heat distribution inconsistencies. After cooking, we assessed the taste, texture, and appearance of the pizzas to determine each oven’s performance.
This side-by-side approach allowed us to compare critical factors like temperature stability, cooking speed, and the overall user experience, ensuring an accurate and detailed evaluation of both 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:
4.5
|
|
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
- Durable construction with a stainless-steel cooking chamber and a heavy-Duty cast iron rotating tray
- Capable of reaching 900°F
- Unique design
- Heavier and bulkier
- Took longer to assemble
- Powered by a single, high-pressure propane burner
- Requires more effort to clean
Ultimately, the choice between the Halo Versa 16 and the Blackstone Pizza Oven depends on your personal preferences and cooking needs. Both ovens excel in their own right—whether you prioritize portability and versatility with the Halo Versa 16 or seek the power and capacity of the Blackstone.
If you decide to purchase one, I’d highly appreciate it if you used my referral links. It helps keep my blog alive at no additional cost to you. Here’s the link for the Halo Versa 16 and the Blackstone Pizza Oven. Thank you for your support!