Spring is definitely in the air, with breezes starting to carry a hint of warmth and the sun finally making an appearance during evening commutes home. If you're anything like me, it's already got you dreaming about summer and the chance to host garden parties once again.
While barbeques might be the default choice for most, home-made pizzas are fast becoming a popular trend with pizza ovens more accessible than ever. One of the UK's top makers of at-home pizza ovens, Ooni, is currently offering a sale on two of its best-rated ovens, slashing a significant amount off the price.
Usually priced at £349, the Koda 12 model can now be bagged for £299. With over 5,600 reviews and a rating above 4 stars, it's clear that customers who've purchased the pizza oven seem to love it.
This is likely due to its effectiveness in baking high-quality pizzas. It's gas-powered, so there's no need to fret about buying heaps of extra fuel - just plug in a gas cannister and watch the temperatures rocket to 500°C in as little as 15 minutes.
This intense heat allows you to cook a 12" pizza in around a minute, perfectly melting any cheese on top and giving the dough a beautiful char. Ooni claims this gadget is portable, although it's 9.25kg weight might be a struggle for some, but customers agree that the outdoor kitchen gadget is easy to set up.
"Had the Ooni Koda 12 for a couple of years now and it's still going strong. Like others, we opted for the gas model for speed, always helps when you have two hungry kids who love pizza!," reads one positive review. Another adds: "I've wanted an outdoor pizza oven for ages. A few friends have Ooni wood fired ones but with limited free time we decided on the gas version as so quick and easy to light. Clean too. Love it!"
Some customers even contradict the idea that the oven might be a pain to cart around, as one reviewer says they even take it on holiday with them. "Great bit of kit, we love our homemade pizza and take this when we go camping. Brings the family together everyone gets to top their own pizza and we help them to cook it," they say.
However, there are one or two reviews that criticise the longevity of this oven, with one customer saying: "Only downside is I've had to send 2 back within a year, one the flame kept going out the other wouldn't ignite." They go on to say that they've been issued replacements within 24 hours of reporting the fault each time, indicating that you're in safe hands with Ooni's customer service.
While a gas-fired pizza oven might be the most convenient, you might want to consider the Karu 2 model for an even more authentic pizza cooking experience. This other oven from Ooni can take multiple different fuels including wood and charcoal, while retaining the option of using gas if you'd rather a more simple evening.
Normally £379, Ooni has introduced a cheeky discount of £30 to sweeten the deal, bringing the price down to £349 for those quick enough to catch this limited-time offer. Although it's not as hefty a saving as what you might find with the Koda 12, it's still a tempting reduction for those eagerly awaiting the arrival of warmer days.
By firing up this beauty with solid fuels, you'll imbue your pizza with a slightly more smoky flavour that you just can't replicate when using gas. It features a tall flue to efficiently vent smoke and employs Ooni's 'ClearView' technology to prevent soot and ash build-up on the transparent door.
That see-through door is not just for show – it allows you to keep a close eye on your precious pizza while ensuring all the heat stays exactly where it should. Just like its sibling the Koda 12, the Karu 2 boasts an impressive ability to whip up pizzas in around a minute.
The Karu 2 variant enjoys rave reviews on the Ooni site, inching towards the coveted five-star rating across some 900 testimonials. One satisfied user raved: "I've been trying various hacks at home to make good pizza and finally decided to buy an Ooni. The results I got were amazing and I found it really easy to use! Wish I'd bought one earlier!"
Another contented customer adds their voice saying: "Easy to light and get very hot. Easy to add wood fuel. Pizzas cook very quickly and easily. Have only done one cooking so more to learn and improve. First impressions are good. The window makes it easy to judge cooking."
And yet another chimes in: "A real game changer - makes pizza night an event rather than just a meal!"
One reviewer does mention that the fire is a bit smaller than they expected, which can lead to some issues when cooking pizzas one after the other. "The only thing is the fire is a bit small so you have to keep adding wood otherwise next pizza will be undercooked but you can use charcoal with wood so charcoal gives you heat the wood gives you the flame," they say.
Both pizza ovens are currently on sale at the Ooni website. Here are the links you need to pick either of them up: Amazon offers a few alternative pizza ovens that are a little cheaper if you're looking for something even more budget.
The TANGZON Outdoor Pizza Oven is currently reduced down to £93.41, or you could opt for the MisterChef Electric Pizza Maker which is available for £49.99. Alternatively, the Ninja Woodfire Electric Outdoor Oven is also on sale, down from £349.99 to £329.99, reports the Manchester Evening News.
