As a restaurant chef with over 10 years of experience at my restaurant Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I’ve had the opportunity to test and cook with dozens of pizza ovens. In this article, I’ll be comparing two of the most talked-about outdoor pizza ovens on the market today: the Ooni Koda 2 and the Gozney Roccbox. I’ve used both extensively in my kitchen and evaluated them based on quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and of course, a real pizza cooking test to see how long each one takes and what kind of crust and flavor it delivers. (You can also check out my separate article where I break down the full pizza oven testing process.)
The Ooni Koda 2 is the latest gas-powered model from Ooni, offering dual-zone cooking and high heat performance with a sleek, modern design.
The Gozney Roccbox, known for its iconic build and commercial-grade materials, is a fan-favorite for home and pro pizza makers who want reliability and portability in one package.
In this write-up, I’ve compared the Ooni Koda 2 and Gozney Roccbox in detail, using my testing data.
As a quick note, I use referral links in this article. If you find my comparison helpful and decide to purchase one of these ovens, I’d truly appreciate you using my links. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, but I earn a small commission that helps keep this blog alive and funds future product testing. Thanks for your support!
Ooni Koda 2 VS Gozney Roccbox: Quality and Materials
| The Ooni Koda 2 features a premium die-cast aluminum body and a thick cordierite stone that holds heat well. |
The Gozney Roccbox is built solidly, but slightly heavier, with good materials and a durable stone floor.
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Ooni Koda 2 VS Gozney Roccbox: Temperature Control
| The Ooni Koda 2 heats evenly up to 950°F in 15 minutes, thanks to its G2 Gas Technology™ burner. |
The Gozney Roccbox also reaches 950°F with a unique rolling flame, but takes slightly longer to get there.
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Ooni Koda 2 VS Gozney Roccbox: Shape
| The compact, rectangular shape of the Ooni Koda 2 helps direct airflow and keeps heat consistent. |
The Gozney Roccbox has a rounded, dome-style shape that’s great for heat retention but adds some bulk.
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Ooni Koda 2 VS Gozney Roccbox: First-Time Usage Impressions
| The Ooni Koda 2 is ready to cook in 10 minutes—fast and user-friendly right out of the box. |
The Gozney Roccbox setup is also simple, though it requires a 30-minute curing process before first use.
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Ooni Koda 2 VS Gozney Roccbox: Power Source
| The Ooni Koda 2 is gas-only (propane), making it super simple and clean to operate with no ash. |
The Gozney Roccbox comes with a gas burner and offers an optional wood burner for added flexibility.
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Ooni Koda 2 VS Gozney Roccbox: Size
| At 35 lbs, the Ooni Koda 2 is more lightweight and portable, great for patios or travel. |
The Gozney Roccbox weighs 49.9 lbs, making it heavier but still manageable with foldable legs.
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Ooni Koda 2 VS Gozney Roccbox: Ease of Cleaning
| The Ooni Koda 2 cleans easily with a wipe and uses pyrolytic heat to burn off residue—no ash to deal with. |
The Gozney Roccbox is easy to wipe clean, though soot can build up on the front face and needs regular care.
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Pizza Cooking Test
We tested both the Ooni Koda 2 and the Gozney Roccbox by cooking a classic Margherita pizza in each oven to evaluate their real-world performance.
Ooni Koda 2 heated up incredibly fast—just 15 minutes to reach 950°F. Once preheated, it cooked our pizza in 60 seconds flat. The crust came out crisp and evenly charred, with the cheese bubbling perfectly and the tomato sauce tasting vibrant. The G2 Gas Technology™ really delivered a beautifully even cook across the whole pizza.
Gozney Roccbox, on the other hand, needed around 25 minutes to reach the same temperature. Once hot, it also cooked the Margherita in about 60 seconds, and the results were great—crispy base, nice leopard spotting on the crust, and well-melted cheese. It delivered a slightly more “wood-fired” feel even on gas, thanks to the rolling flame design.
Both ovens produced fantastic results, but the Ooni Koda 2 edged ahead with a quicker warm-up time and slightly more consistent crust texture.
How We Tested
As a restaurant chef with more than a decade of experience at Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I tested both the Ooni Koda 2 and the Gozney Roccbox the same way I evaluate any kitchen equipment before bringing it into professional use. I prepared the same Margherita pizza recipe in both ovens, using identical dough, ingredients, and outdoor cooking conditions to ensure a fair and accurate comparison.
I paid close attention to build quality, temperature control, the shape and usability of each oven, and how intuitive they felt to use straight out of the box. I also considered how each oven connects to its power source, how portable they are, and how easy they were to clean after several rounds of cooking.
Most importantly, I conducted a real cooking test, measuring how long each oven took to heat up and how quickly the pizza cooked, while assessing the final taste and texture of the crust and toppings. I repeated this process multiple times over several weeks to confirm consistency. If you’re curious about my full testing method, you can read more in my separate article: “How I Test Pizza Ovens.”
Final Thoughts
Both the Ooni Koda 2 and the Gozney Roccbox are excellent outdoor pizza ovens, each offering impressive performance and premium features. While I personally lean toward the Ooni Koda 2 for its faster heat-up time, smarter design, and overall ease of use in a busy kitchen setting, the Gozney Roccbox is still a fantastic choice—especially if you value the option of wood-fired cooking or prefer a thicker stone for added heat retention.
Ultimately, it comes down to your cooking style and preferences. Whether you choose the Ooni Koda 2 or the Gozney Roccbox, I truly hope this review helped you make an informed decision.
If you decide to purchase either oven, I’d be incredibly grateful if you used my referral links below. I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, and it really helps me keep this blog running.
- Buy the Ooni Koda 2 – Referral Link
- Buy the Gozney Roccbox – Referral Link
Thank you for your support—and happy pizza making!
Don’t forget to check out the best pizza ovens list.