As a restaurant chef with over 10 years of experience at my restaurant, Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I’ve had the privilege of testing various pizza ovens in professional settings. Today, I’m comparing the Ooni Karu 12 and the Alfa Futuro 2, two outstanding outdoor pizza ovens with distinct features. In this comparison, I’ll dive into critical aspects such as 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 to see how each oven performs under pressure. For a detailed breakdown of my testing process, you can check out my separate article.
The Ooni Karu 12 is a versatile, portable oven designed for wood-fired and gas cooking, while the Alfa Futuro 2 is a larger, semi-professional oven known for its high-end build and expansive cooking space. Both ovens bring something unique to the table, and I’ll help you decide which one might be the best fit for your needs.
This article features a thorough comparison between the Ooni Karu 12 and the Alfa Futuro 2 based on my personal tests.
Before we dive into the details, I’d like to mention that this article includes referral links for each oven. If you decide to purchase one, using these links helps me keep this blog alive by earning a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Ooni Karu 12 VS Alfa Futuro 2: Quality and Materials
| The Ooni Karu 12 features a durable stainless steel body, offering excellent resistance to outdoor conditions and wear. Its high-quality construction ensures long-term use. |
The Alfa Futuro 2 is crafted entirely in Italy, showcasing premium materials like stainless steel and a unique glass door for monitoring.
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Ooni Karu 12 VS Alfa Futuro 2: Temperature Control
| The Ooni Karu 12 excels with flexible temperature control, reaching up to 950°F. It accommodates wood, charcoal, or gas (with an optional burner), making it adaptable to different preferences. |
The Alfa Futuro 2 can reach an impressive 1000°F in just 30 minutes. Its innovative heat circulation system ensures consistent temperatures throughout the cooking process.
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Ooni Karu 12 VS Alfa Futuro 2: Shape
| The compact dome design of the Ooni Karu 12 enhances heat retention and airflow, providing even cooking for crispy pizza crusts and well-melted toppings. |
The sleek and modern design of the Alfa Futuro 2 combines aesthetics with functionality. Its spacious interior accommodates two pizzas at once, making it perfect for entertaining.
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Ooni Karu 12 VS Alfa Futuro 2: First-Time Usage Impressions
| Unboxing the Ooni Karu 12 was a delight, with its well-thought-out packaging and sturdy components immediately standing out. It impressed with its ease of setup and high usability. |
The Alfa Futuro 2 gave a strong first impression with its elegant design and robust build quality. The large cooking area and quick heating capability were highlights.
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Ooni Karu 12 VS Alfa Futuro 2: Power Source
| The Ooni Karu 12 offers versatile fuel options, allowing you to use wood, charcoal, or a gas burner (available separately). This adaptability makes it a top choice for diverse cooking styles. |
The Alfa Futuro 2 is primarily gas-powered but offers the option to add wood-burning capability with its Hybrid Kit, providing flexibility for achieving smoky flavors.
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Ooni Karu 12 VS Alfa Futuro 2: Size
| Lightweight and portable at just 26 lbs, the Ooni Karu 12 is ideal for outdoor cooking setups and camping trips. Its compact size makes it easy to transport and store. |
The Alfa Futuro 2 is significantly larger and heavier, designed for stationary use. Its spacious cooking area, capable of fitting two pizzas or other dishes, is perfect for larger gatherings.
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Ooni Karu 12 VS Alfa Futuro 2: Ease of Cleaning
| Cleaning the Ooni Karu 12 is straightforward, with easy ash removal and wipeable surfaces. However, regular cleaning is needed to manage soot buildup, especially when using wood. |
The Alfa Futuro 2 requires more effort due to its larger size. However, its accessible design and durable materials make cleaning manageable with the right tools.
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Pizza Cooking Test
The Ooni Karu 12 proved its efficiency during the cooking test. It heated up to its optimal temperature of 950°F in just 15-20 minutes. When we prepared a classic Margherita pizza, the cooking time was impressively under 2 minutes. The result was exceptional: a beautifully crispy crust with leopard spotting, perfectly melted cheese, and evenly cooked toppings. The subtle smoky flavor added by using wood as the fuel source elevated the taste, making it feel authentic and full of character.
The Alfa Futuro 2 also delivered outstanding performance in our test. It reached its optimal temperature of 1000°F in 30 minutes. This oven’s larger cooking area allowed us to bake two Margherita pizzas simultaneously. Both pizzas were ready in just 90 seconds, boasting evenly cooked crusts and golden, bubbling cheese. The taste was remarkable, with a slight char on the crust and a light, airy texture that perfectly complemented the rich tomato sauce and fresh basil. The Alfa Futuro 2’s even heat distribution contributed to consistently excellent results.
Both the Ooni Karu 12 and Alfa Futuro 2 excelled in delivering delicious Margherita pizzas. While the Ooni Karu 12 stood out for its speed and smoky flavor, the Alfa Futuro 2 impressed with its ability to cook multiple pizzas simultaneously with precision. Both ovens delivered results that any pizza enthusiast would savor.
How We Tested
To fairly compare the Ooni Karu 12 and Alfa Futuro 2, we conducted a comprehensive cooking test at my restaurant, Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston. The focus was on evaluating each oven’s performance under real-world conditions, ensuring the results would reflect their capabilities for both home cooks and professional chefs.
First, we set up each oven according to its specific instructions, ensuring optimal performance. We used seasoned wood for the Ooni Karu 12 and tested the Alfa Futuro 2 with its gas-powered setup. To maintain consistency, both ovens were preheated until they reached their recommended cooking temperatures—950°F for the Ooni Karu 12 and 1000°F for the Alfa Futuro 2. For accuracy, we monitored the temperature using an infrared thermometer to confirm the pizza stones were evenly heated.
For the cooking test, we prepared identical classic Margherita pizzas using the same dough, sauce, and fresh ingredients. Each pizza was carefully launched onto the preheated stone, and we timed the cooking process to see how long it took for the pizzas to bake to perfection. We also assessed how evenly the ovens distributed heat and how easy it was to manage cooking multiple pizzas in sequence.
Finally, we evaluated the taste and texture of the pizzas from both ovens. The results were based on several factors: the crispness and char of the crust, the melt and bubbling of the cheese, and the overall balance of flavors. This thorough process ensured a fair and detailed comparison of the Ooni Karu 12 and Alfa Futuro 2, highlighting their unique strengths and areas of excellence.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between the Ooni Karu 12 and the Alfa Futuro 2 comes down to your personal preferences and cooking needs. Whether you prioritize portability and versatility with the Ooni Karu 12 or desire the professional-grade performance and aesthetics of the Alfa Futuro 2, both ovens deliver excellent results.
If you decide to purchase one, I’d greatly appreciate it if you used my referral links. I earn a small commission at no cost to you, which helps keep my blog alive and thriving. Here are the links for your convenience:
Happy pizza-making!