How to Use Ooni Pizza Ovens to Bake Crisp Pizzas

If you love pizza and crave the ultimate crispy delight, look no further than an Ooni Pizza oven. As modern-day ovens get more advanced, so too do the possibilities of what can be cooked inside.

With a state-of-the-art Ooni Pizza oven by your side, you’ll be able to bake flavorful pizzas with perfectly crisp crusts in minutes! Not only is this type of oven good for you, but it’s also perfect for entertaining guests and impressing everyone around you with culinary creations like woodfired pizzas that make their taste buds dance.

I’m going to share some tips with you on how to use an Ooni Koda 16 pizza oven effectively—so let’s get cooking!

How to Set Up Your Ooni Koda 16 Oven

If you’re looking to make delicious pizzas in the comfort of your own home, then the Ooni Koda 16 pizza oven is just what you need.

With its large 16-inch cook space and its ability to reach temperatures up to 950 degrees F, you can easily churn out restaurant-quality pizzas right in your own backyard. Plus, with its insulated and powder-coated shell made from all carbon steel metal, the Koda 16 retains heat better than other pizza ovens so you don’t have to wait long for it to preheat. Just a mere 20 minutes is all it takes.

To set up your Ooni Koda 16 pizza oven, you’ll need a standard propane gas canister.

First, pop out the three feet on the bottom of the oven and connect it to the gas canister. Once connected, turn the control knob located on the side of the oven in slow motion for 5 seconds until there is a clicking sound. Hold it down for an additional five seconds and then release it to power it on.

You are able to adjust both the heat and flame size depending on your preferences. Before using the oven, give it 15-20 minutes to reach its ideal cooking temperature and you’re ready to bake delicious pizzas!

You should scrape off the remaining ash on the pizza stone if you have used the oven before. Also, remember to check where the winds are flowing. Remember not to let strong winds flow into the oven chamber since this will fluctuate the temperature or even blow off the fire.

Let’s Prepare Your Pizza

Before you can enjoy your delicious homemade pizza, there are a few steps to take in order to properly prepare your pizza. 

First, start by flouring the pizza peel generously. It is best to use a metal peel of around 12 to 14″ in width for easy maintenance. Once this step is complete, it’s time to pressure down the dough ball on a floured surface to make a round disc. This should not be too thick or too thin; aim for an even thickness when pressing out the dough. 

When your desired size of dough is achieved, quickly lay it on top of the pizza peel and begin assembling your toppings. Make sure that all of the ingredients are prepped and ready before this step, as you will want to move quickly during assembly so that your pizza doesn’t stick to the peel when transferred into the oven.

When you have finished adding all of the toppings, give one last shake of flour underneath your pizza before sliding it carefully into the oven using quick back-and-forth movements with your arms. This will ensure that your pizza won’t stick as it cooks.

How to Bake Your Pizza With The Ooni Koda 16 Oven

Firstly, preheat your oven to its maximum temperature. This will help you achieve a perfect crust. Next, take your pizza dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough into a thin, round shape.

Once the dough is rolled out, carefully transfer it onto the 16-inch stone of the Ooni Koda 16 oven. You can use an L-shaped peel or a flat paddle to do this.

Then, let one-half of your pizza cook for 60 seconds with the intense heat of the burner. To avoid burning your pizza, make sure you have your peel ready so you can quickly turn it 180 degrees after that time has passed. The other side should now face the burner for an even cook.

After about 90 seconds have passed, you can remove your delicious homemade pizza from the stone. If some toppings or crusts are cooking faster than others, try reducing the flame by using a gas-style dial to lower the heat intensity.

Finally, don’t forget to check if your stone is fully preheated before launching each new pizza for the best results – you can use this Ooni infrared thermometer to do this.

What’s So Special About the Ooni Brand?

For starters, their ovens are able to reach incredibly high temperatures that other ovens simply can’t match. This means that pizzas cook in minutes instead of hours, and they come out with the perfect crispy yet chewy texture. 

Another great thing about the Ooni brand is its variety of fuel sources. Their Karu model can be powered with wood, charcoal, or propane – all of which give your pizza a unique flavor and crispiness. The Koda model runs only on propane and both Karu and Koda come in 12-inch or 16-inch sizes. Lastly, there’s the Frya model which uses wood pellets to get the job done – giving you an authentic wood-fired flavor without having to build your own outdoor oven.

On top of all this, the Ooni brand has designed its ovens with portability in mind. They’re lightweight and sleek enough that you can easily transport them between different locations if needed – plus, they won’t take up much storage space when not in use. 

In short, the Ooni brand stands out due to its combination of convenience, high-temperature cooking capabilities, fuel source flexibility, and portability – making it one of the best pizza ovens around.

FAQs

What other foods & recipes can you cook with your Ooni oven?

Cooking with your Ooni oven can open up a whole new world of delicious recipes! From succulent meats and vegetables to tasty bread, there are endless possibilities when it comes to creating mouth-watering dishes.

With the right cookware, you can easily roast chicken, fish, pork chops, steaks, and more. And don’t forget about veggies – roast potatoes and other root vegetables for a comforting side dish or try roasting asparagus drizzled with olive oil for a healthy snack. 

If you want to up your baking game, your Ooni oven is perfect for baking fresh homemade pizzas and flatbreads. Or why not try making focaccia, baguettes, and rustic loaves?

You can even bake sweet desserts like cookies or pies – the possibilities are virtually endless! The pizza stone helps to distribute heat evenly so your baked goods will come out perfectly cooked every time.

Should you use your Ooni oven indoors?

No, you should not use your oven indoors. These ovens are specifically designed for outdoor use and reaching such high temperatures can be dangerous if proper ventilation is not present in an enclosed space.

Additionally, these ovens require a certain degree of clearance on all sides in order to safely operate – something that may not be possible in many indoor spaces. Furthermore, the smoke created by using the oven indoors can create an unpleasant smell and could make it difficult to breathe if there is no adequate ventilation.

If you want to enjoy delicious pizzas cooked with your Ooni pizza oven, it’s best to keep it outdoors where you can ensure optimal safety and performance.

Will my Ooni oven need a pizza stone?

The answer is no. Your Ooni oven does not need a pizza stone; it comes with its own cordierite stone baking board. This board fits in the bottom of the oven and is designed to handle direct heat from the flame, allowing you to cook pizza and other foods directly on it.

The stone baking board is made from cordierite, which has excellent thermal shock resistance as well as low thermal conductivity, so it’s able to keep temperatures even and consistent throughout cooking. Plus, it’s robust enough to withstand high temperatures without breaking or cracking — meaning you have a reliable piece of equipment at your disposal every time you use your Ooni oven.

Is store-made dough suitable for my Ooni oven?

Yes, a store-made dough is perfectly suitable for your Ooni oven! Ooni even has its own pre-made pizza crust mix that you can try, which is made especially for their ovens. This mix works great in any Ooni oven model, giving you consistent results with a sourdough-like flavor profile.

Conclusion

Ooni pizza ovens are great kitchen appliances to have. Not only do these amazing ovens cook pizza amazingly quickly, but they also produce such crispy, delicious pizzas that will make all of your guests in awe.

Plus, it’s so convenient that you don’t need to worry about finding specialty ingredients; simply use whatever ingredients you have and create something wonderful. With an Ooni oven like the Koda 16, you’re sure to impress friends and family with outstanding homemade pizzas time after time.