As a restaurant chef with over a decade of experience at Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I have had the pleasure of testing numerous pizza ovens, including the Halo Versa 16 and the Ooni Karu 12, in my kitchen. Both ovens are popular among home and professional cooks, and in this comparison, I will evaluate them based on quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and finally, how they performed during a real pizza cooking test. You can also check my separate article for a detailed breakdown of how I test pizza ovens.
To briefly introduce each oven: the Halo Versa 16 is celebrated for its large cooking area and efficient propane heating system, making it ideal for versatility and consistent results. Meanwhile, the Ooni Karu 12 is known for its multi-fuel capabilities, allowing users to cook with wood, charcoal, or gas for a more traditional pizza-making experience.
I’ve put the Halo Versa 16 and the Ooni Karu 12 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
- High-quality construction with a durable stainless steel exterior
- Versatile, capable of reaching 900°F in 15-20 minutes
- Compact dome shape
- Multi-fuel
- Lighter
- Cleaning the Karu 12 requires regular ash removal when using wood
- The wood-fired setup has a learning curve
At the end of the article, I’ll include referral links to purchase these ovens, which help support my blog at no extra cost to you. I appreciate your support!
Halo Versa 16 VS Ooni Karu 12: Quality and Materials
| The Halo Versa 16 boasts premium stainless steel construction and a durable Cordierite stone, ensuring reliability and long-term performance in both home and professional settings. |
The Ooni Karu 12 showcases high-quality stainless steel with exceptional craftsmanship, designed for outdoor durability and high-temperature cooking.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Ooni Karu 12: Temperature Control
| The Halo Versa 16 achieves up to 900°F in about 20 minutes using propane gas. Its built-in controls provide precision and consistency for beginners and seasoned cooks. |
The Ooni Karu 12 can reach 900°F in 15-20 minutes, powered by wood, charcoal, or an optional gas burner. Managing wood fire heat requires more hands-on attention.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Ooni Karu 12: Shape
| Designed with a wide dome and 16-inch cooking surface, the Halo Versa 16 is perfect for pizzas of all styles, including deep-dish and thin-crust varieties. |
The compact dome of the Ooni Karu 12 provides excellent airflow for uniform cooking, ideal for traditional Neapolitan-style pizzas up to 12 inches.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Ooni Karu 12: First-Time Usage Impressions
| The Halo Versa 16 is easy to set up and use, with clear instructions and minimal adjustments needed to produce great pizzas right from the start. |
While straightforward to assemble, the Ooni Karu 12 has a steeper learning curve for managing wood or charcoal fires effectively.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Ooni Karu 12: Power Source
| Operates on propane gas, offering a quick setup and hassle-free cooking experience. It supports both portable 1 lb. canisters and larger 20 lb. tanks. |
Versatile multi-fuel capability: wood and charcoal provide authentic flavors, while the optional gas burner adds convenience for precision cooking.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Ooni Karu 12: Size
| With a spacious 16-inch stone and a portable design (24.3″ x 21.64″ x 14.82″, 43.21 lbs), the Halo Versa 16 combines capacity and mobility for diverse outdoor gatherings. |
Compact and lightweight at 26 lbs, the Ooni Karu 12 is perfect for portability, though its 12-inch cooking surface limits pizza size.
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Halo Versa 16 VS Ooni Karu 12: Ease of Cleaning
| The hinged top of the Halo Versa 16 makes cleaning simple. The removable Cordierite stone and catching tray ensure quick maintenance. |
Cleaning the Ooni Karu 12 requires more effort due to soot and ash buildup from wood or charcoal; regular maintenance is essential for consistent performance.
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Pizza Cooking Test
During our test, the Halo Versa 16 took about 20 minutes to preheat, reaching a stone temperature of 732°F, slightly below the advertised 950°F but still impressive. Once ready, we cooked a classic Margherita pizza in under 2 minutes. The result was a crispy crust with a beautifully charred finish, while the cheese melted into a bubbling, golden layer. The flavor was rich and balanced, thanks to the even heat distribution and minimal effort required to monitor the process. Adjusting the positioning of the pizza closer to the rear burner helped achieve a consistent cook.
The Ooni Karu 12 preheated in about 15-20 minutes, reaching a similar temperature range of 715°F-850°F depending on the fuel used. Using wood as the primary fuel, the oven imparted a subtle smoky flavor to the Margherita pizza, which cooked to perfection in just 90 seconds. The crust had a light, airy texture with a slightly chewy bite, and the toppings were evenly cooked. However, maintaining the fire required some hands-on attention to ensure consistent heat throughout the cooking process.
Both ovens produced exceptional pizzas, with the Halo Versa 16 excelling in ease of operation and balanced flavors, while the Ooni Karu 12 delivered a more traditional wood-fired experience with its distinctive smoky notes. The choice ultimately depends on whether you prioritize convenience or the artisanal charm of managing a wood fire.
How We Tested
To compare the Halo Versa 16 and Ooni Karu 12, we followed a structured testing process to ensure fair and thorough evaluation. Both ovens were set up outdoors in a controlled environment to minimize external factors like wind or uneven surfaces that could impact performance.
We started by preheating each oven to their optimal cooking temperature. For the Halo Versa 16, we allowed the propane-fueled oven to preheat for 20 minutes until the stone reached around 732°F, as measured with an infrared thermometer. The Ooni Karu 12, using wood as fuel, was preheated for 15-20 minutes, with the stone temperature reaching between 715°F and 850°F.
We chose to make a classic Margherita pizza in each oven to test their performance. Using the same dough, sauce, and toppings, we aimed to maintain consistency in ingredients. The pizzas were rotated during cooking to ensure even exposure to the heat and flames, allowing us to assess the heat distribution and efficiency of each oven.
During the process, we carefully monitored how easy it was to handle the pizzas using peels and how effectively each oven maintained its temperature during and after cooking. After cooking, we compared the appearance, texture, and taste of the pizzas, paying attention to the crust’s crispiness, the cheese’s melt, and the balance of flavors.
Our results highlighted the strengths and challenges of each oven, offering insights into their real-world performance and user experience.
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:
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Pros:
|
|
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
- High-quality construction with a durable stainless steel exterior
- Versatile, capable of reaching 900°F in 15-20 minutes
- Compact dome shape
- Multi-fuel
- Lighter
- Cleaning the Karu 12 requires regular ash removal when using wood
- The wood-fired setup has a learning curve
Ultimately, the choice between the Halo Versa 16 and Ooni Karu 12 comes down to your personal preferences and needs. Both ovens offer excellent performance, with the Halo Versa 16 excelling in ease of use and temperature consistency, while the Ooni Karu 12 shines in its fuel versatility and traditional wood-fired cooking experience. Whichever oven you decide to buy, I highly appreciate it if you use my referral links. These small commissions help keep my blog alive at no extra cost to you. Here are the links: Halo Versa 16 referral link and Ooni Karu 12 referral link. Thank you for your support!