As a restaurant chef with over a decade of experience at my restaurant, Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I’ve worked with various pizza ovens in both professional and home setups. Today, I’m comparing two pizza ovens that I’ve tested thoroughly in my kitchen: the Halo Versa 16 and the DeliVita. My comparison covers several key aspects, including quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and the results of a real pizza cooking test. If you’re curious about the detailed testing process, feel free to check out my separate article explaining how I test pizza ovens.
The Halo Versa 16 is a versatile propane-powered pizza oven known for its durability and ability to reach high temperatures quickly, making it perfect for outdoor gatherings. The DeliVita, on the other hand, is a stylish wood-fired oven that brings the traditional charm of artisanal pizza-making to your backyard.
I’ve compared the Halo Versa 16 and the DeliVita in detail in this article, using my own test results.
Disclaimer: If you decide to purchase either oven, I’d appreciate it if you use my referral links, which help keep my blog alive. I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work!
Halo Versa 16 VS DeliVita: Quality and Materials
| The Halo Versa 16 is built with robust, high-quality materials, ensuring long-lasting durability. Its Cordierite stone offers excellent heat retention for consistent cooking, and the overall construction is suited for heavy use in both residential and professional settings. |
The DeliVita features a fiberglass exterior and a clay interior, combining durability with lightweight portability. While its construction is well-suited for outdoor use, the lack of a built-in thermometer and manual temperature management require extra attention.
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Halo Versa 16 VS DeliVita: Temperature Control
| The Halo Versa 16 can reach up to 950°F in just 20 minutes. While the built-in thermometer is less precise, an infrared thermometer ensures accurate readings for consistent results. It offers reliable propane-powered temperature control. |
The DeliVita relies on wood as its sole power source, requiring manual feeding to maintain consistent heat. It takes around 15–20 minutes to reach optimal temperatures, but without a built-in gauge, users need to monitor temperatures with an external tool.
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Halo Versa 16 VS DeliVita: Shape
| The Halo Versa 16’s spacious and practical design accommodates pizzas up to 16 inches, with a layout that allows for even heat distribution. Its modern, functional shape facilitates easy operation and versatility for other dishes like vegetables and deep-dish pizzas. |
The DeliVita’s dome-shaped clay interior ensures even heat circulation, making it effective for smaller pizzas and flatbreads. However, its compact size limits the ability to prepare larger dishes or multiple pizzas simultaneously.
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Halo Versa 16 VS DeliVita: First-Time Usage Impressions
| The Halo Versa 16 is beginner-friendly, with a straightforward setup and minimal learning curve. Following the seasoning process, it delivered impressive results on the first attempt, albeit requiring slight adjustments for optimal heat distribution. |
The DeliVita demands a bit more practice for first-time users, particularly with managing wood pellets and mastering pizza peel usage. Initial results were tasty, but beginners may face challenges with evenly cooked pizzas on their first few tries.
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Halo Versa 16 VS DeliVita: Power Source
| Propane-powered, the Halo Versa 16 offers flexibility with the option to use either 20 lb. tanks or portable 1 lb. canisters. Its quick-connect regulator system simplifies setup and operation. |
The DeliVita relies solely on wood as its fuel source, offering an authentic wood-fired flavor. However, maintaining a steady temperature requires frequent pellet refills and active supervision, adding to the effort required.
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Halo Versa 16 VS DeliVita: Size
| With dimensions of 24.3″ x 21.64″ x 14.82″ and a weight of 43.21 lbs, the Halo Versa 16 is compact enough for outdoor use while providing ample cooking space. It fits seamlessly into most outdoor setups. |
The DeliVita’s compact design is ideal for limited spaces, with a smaller cooking area that accommodates pizzas up to 12 inches. Its lightweight fiberglass construction makes it portable but less versatile for larger meals.
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Halo Versa 16 VS DeliVita: Ease of Cleaning
| Cleaning the Halo Versa 16 is straightforward, thanks to its hinged access top and removable Cordierite stone. Leftovers are easy to remove, and the stone can be cleaned with hot water for stubborn stains. |
Cleaning the DeliVita involves brushing away ash and burnt residue after cooling. Its smooth fiberglass exterior is easy to wipe down, but the lack of a removable interior stone makes thorough cleaning slightly more cumbersome.
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Pizza Cooking Test
The Halo Versa 16 preheated to a usable cooking temperature of 732°F in just about 20 minutes, slightly underperforming its advertised 950°F in 12 minutes but still very efficient. When cooking a Neapolitan-style Margherita pizza, the oven delivered outstanding results in under 2 minutes. The crust was beautifully charred and crisp, the cheese melted perfectly, and the toppings retained their vibrant flavors without being overcooked. The propane-powered heat allowed for consistency across multiple pizzas, making it an excellent choice for gatherings.
The DeliVita Wood-Fired Oven took around 15–20 minutes to preheat to its optimal range of 500–550°F, depending on external weather conditions. Once heated, it cooked a Margherita pizza in approximately 2 minutes. The crust had a rustic, smoky flavor unique to wood-fired ovens, and the toppings were flavorful and bubbly. However, achieving even cooking required regular monitoring and rotating of the pizza to prevent uneven spots or burning. While the result was delicious, the manual effort involved added to the overall preparation time.
Both ovens produced excellent pizzas, but the wood-fired flavor of the DeliVita added an artisanal touch to the pizza. The Halo Versa 16, however, offered more control and consistency, making it easier to produce high-quality pizzas back-to-back with less effort. The choice between the two ultimately comes down to whether you prefer the convenience of propane or the traditional charm of wood-fired cooking.
How We Tested
To evaluate the Halo Versa 16 and the DeliVita Wood-Fired Oven, we conducted hands-on testing under real-world conditions. Both ovens were set up outdoors, following the manufacturers’ recommended guidelines for optimal performance. Each oven was thoroughly preheated before cooking to ensure consistent results.
For our test, we chose to make classic Neapolitan-style Margherita pizzas, a simple yet revealing dish to assess cooking performance. We used the same high-quality ingredients for both ovens, including homemade dough, fresh mozzarella, and a vibrant tomato sauce.
Halo Versa 16 was connected to a standard 20 lb. propane tank, ensuring a stable and consistent fuel source. We monitored the built-in thermometer and used an infrared thermometer to verify the stone’s surface temperature, aiming for around 750–900°F for cooking.
DeliVita Wood-Fired Oven required a manual setup of hardwood logs to build a fire. Once the fire was established, we allowed it to burn down to embers, adding smaller pieces of wood as needed to maintain a steady heat. An infrared thermometer was used here as well to track the oven’s temperature.
During the cooking phase, we observed how evenly each oven distributed heat, how quickly pizzas cooked, and whether there were any challenges in managing temperature or handling the pizza. Each pizza was carefully rotated to ensure even cooking, and we took note of the ease of operation, especially for novice users.
We also evaluated the overall taste, texture, and visual appeal of the pizzas to determine which oven offered the best results. This comprehensive approach allowed us to identify the strengths and limitations of both the Halo Versa 16 and the DeliVita Wood-Fired Oven.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the choice between the Halo Versa 16 and the DeliVita Wood-Fired Oven depends on your needs and preferences. If you prioritize convenience, precise temperature control, and a modern propane-fueled design, the Halo Versa 16 stands out as an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you love the rustic charm of wood-fired cooking and want a stylish, compact oven for artisan pizzas, the DeliVita offers a unique experience.
Both ovens have their strengths, and either would make a fantastic addition to your outdoor cooking setup. If you decide to purchase one, I’d greatly appreciate it if you use my referral links. I’ll earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Thank you for supporting my blog and happy pizza-making!