As a restaurant chef with over 10 years of experience at Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I’ve had the opportunity to test numerous pizza ovens, both in a professional and home kitchen setting. Today, I’ll be comparing the Halo Versa 16 and the Ooni Fyra 12, two popular pizza ovens I’ve thoroughly used in my kitchen. I evaluated them based on quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and conducted a real pizza cooking test to determine how quickly they heat up, cook, and what the pizzas taste like. For a detailed look into how I test pizza ovens, you can check out my separate article.
The Halo Versa 16 is a gas-powered pizza oven known for its flexibility and modern design, offering excellent capacity for larger pizzas and diverse cooking styles. Meanwhile, the Ooni Fyra 12, a wood-pellet oven, is celebrated for its portability and delivering that authentic wood-fired flavor.
Here, you’ll find an in-depth comparison of the Halo Versa 16 and the Ooni Fyra 12, backed by my testing.
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Winner
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Loser
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Our Rating:
4.7
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Our Rating:
4.2
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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
- Powder-coated carbon steel
- Dome design but is more compact
- Heats up to 950°F
- Compact and lightweight
- Operates exclusively on wood pellets
- Cleaning the Fyra 12 requires a bit more effort
If you find this comparison helpful and decide to buy one of these ovens, I’d truly appreciate it if you use my referral links. These links allow me to earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps keep my blog alive. Thank you for your support!
Halo Versa 16 VS Ooni Fyra 12: Quality and Materials
| The Halo Versa 16 showcases exceptional build quality with robust materials, making it highly durable for long-term use. The materials, particularly the Cordierite Cooking Stone and the solid exterior, highlight its premium nature. |
The Ooni Fyra 12 is well-constructed with a 430-grade powder-coated carbon steel shell. It is durable and resistant to outdoor conditions but slightly less robust compared to the Halo Versa 16.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Ooni Fyra 12: Temperature Control
| The Halo Versa 16 features a reliable propane-powered system that reaches up to 950°F in just 12–20 minutes, offering excellent control for consistent cooking. The rear burner ensures even heat distribution, making temperature adjustments straightforward. |
The Ooni Fyra 12 operates on wood pellets, reaching 950°F in about 15 minutes. However, the learning curve for maintaining steady temperatures with wood pellets can be challenging for beginners.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Ooni Fyra 12: Shape
| The Halo Versa 16 has a spacious design that accommodates pizzas up to 16 inches, making it versatile for various pizza styles, including pan pizzas. Its shape aids even heat circulation for a uniform bake. |
The Ooni Fyra 12 has a compact and cylindrical design optimized for pizzas up to 12 inches. While the shape helps with heat retention, it’s less spacious compared to the Halo Versa 16.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Ooni Fyra 12: First-Time Usage Impressions
| The Halo Versa 16 impresses with its ease of use and thoughtful design. Despite a slight learning curve, it delivers consistent results and offers the convenience of quick propane setup. |
The Ooni Fyra 12 requires mastering wood pellet management, which can be a bit tricky initially. However, once familiar, it provides an authentic wood-fired pizza-making experience.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Ooni Fyra 12: Power Source
| The Halo Versa 16 operates on propane gas, offering a choice between a standard 20 lb. tank or a portable 1 lb. canister. Its quick-connect regulator makes fuel management seamless. |
The Ooni Fyra 12 exclusively uses wood pellets, enhancing flavor but requiring more effort to maintain consistent heat compared to propane-powered options.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Ooni Fyra 12: Size
| The Halo Versa 16 is larger, with dimensions of 24.3 x 21.64 x 14.82 inches and a weight of 43.21 lbs. It provides ample cooking space and is well-suited for larger gatherings. |
The Ooni Fyra 12 is compact and lightweight at just 22 lbs., with dimensions of 29.1 x 15.4 x 28.5 inches. It is highly portable, ideal for smaller outdoor spaces.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Ooni Fyra 12: Ease of Cleaning
| The Halo Versa 16 offers convenient cleaning with a hinged top and removable Cordierite stone. The catching tray underneath makes debris disposal effortless. |
The Ooni Fyra 12 requires careful cleaning, especially of the wood pellet tray and interior soot. The absence of water usage for cleaning the interior adds to the effort.
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Pizza Cooking Test
The Halo Versa 16 heated up impressively, reaching 732°F in approximately 20 minutes during our test. Once preheated, it delivered a flawless Margherita pizza in under 2 minutes. The propane-fueled system ensured consistent heat throughout the cooking process. The pizza crust came out crispy, with a slight char that elevated the flavor profile. The cheese melted beautifully, creating a gooey texture, while the toppings retained their freshness. The balance of flavors was delightful, with a perfect harmony of crust, sauce, and cheese.
The Ooni Fyra 12, powered by wood pellets, also heated up efficiently, reaching optimal cooking temperatures of 950°F in around 15 minutes. The Margherita pizza was ready in about 2 minutes, though managing the wood pellets required constant monitoring to maintain consistent heat. The resulting pizza had a smoky, wood-fired flavor that enhanced the overall taste. The crust was slightly thinner and crispier compared to the Halo Versa 16, with subtle charring. The toppings were well-cooked, and the cheese had a slightly smoky undertone, adding a unique depth to the flavor.
Both ovens delivered excellent pizzas, but the Halo Versa 16 stood out for its even cooking and ease of temperature control, while the Ooni Fyra 12 impressed with its authentic wood-fired flavor.
How We Tested
To provide a fair and thorough comparison between the Halo Versa 16 and the Ooni Fyra 12, we conducted a series of tests in a controlled outdoor setting. Both ovens were evaluated for their performance, ease of use, and consistency in producing high-quality pizzas.
We began by assembling and preheating each oven according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For the Halo Versa 16, the propane gas connection was straightforward, and the oven was preheated to 732°F in approximately 20 minutes. For the Ooni Fyra 12, wood pellets were loaded into the hopper, and it reached a temperature of 950°F in about 15 minutes, slightly faster due to its efficient pellet-fueled system.
The first cooking test involved a classic Margherita pizza, chosen for its simplicity and ability to highlight the ovens’ performance. Both ovens were used to cook 12-inch pizzas, rotating them as needed to ensure even cooking. We carefully monitored cooking times and the quality of the finished pizzas, noting details such as crust texture, cheese melt, and the balance of flavors.
Additionally, we tested each oven’s heat retention and recovery times between bakes, observing how well they maintained consistent temperatures throughout multiple cooking sessions. Cleaning and maintenance were also assessed after cooking to evaluate the ease of removing residue and maintaining the pizza stones.
This hands-on testing allowed us to experience the unique features of both ovens and understand their strengths and challenges, providing insights for pizza enthusiasts seeking the best option for their outdoor cooking adventures.
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:
4.2
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Pros:
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Pros:
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|
Cons:
|
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
- Powder-coated carbon steel
- Dome design but is more compact
- Heats up to 950°F
- Compact and lightweight
- Operates exclusively on wood pellets
- Cleaning the Fyra 12 requires a bit more effort
Ultimately, the choice between the Halo Versa 16 and the Ooni Fyra 12 depends on your cooking style, preferences, and priorities. Both ovens excel in delivering delicious pizzas, but they cater to slightly different needs. The Halo Versa 16 stands out for its versatility and even heat distribution, making it a solid option for those seeking reliable performance with propane. On the other hand, the Ooni Fyra 12 offers the authentic wood-fired experience in a compact, portable design, perfect for those who prioritize flavor and portability.
If you decide to purchase either of these ovens, I would greatly appreciate you using my referral links. This small commission helps support my blog at no additional cost to you. You can find the Halo Versa 16 here and the Ooni Fyra 12 here. Thank you for your support and happy pizza-making!