Can anyone compare the Ooni 3 to other wood pellet ovens on the market?

[9slicePie]

I originally posted this in the Pizza Ovens section, but I realized that I should’ve posted it in this subforum as it gets more replies / is a faster-moving subforum:

Can anyone here please compare the Ooni 3 wood pellet oven with other comparable wood pellet ovens?   The more specific the response, the more it will be appreciated.


And which do you guys think is the overall best wood pellet oven out there?

Much thanks in advance.

[jakob8b]

I bought some off-brand pellets that ended up being useless, since they were much smaller. This lead them to fall down the hopper and clump up in the tray and smother the flames. I think the originals have a diameter of 8mm, not sure about the length.

[TXCraig1]

I've not used any of the pellet WFO's, but I can't remember anyone positing here about being particularly pleased with any of them.

With just a tiny mass, the temperature will change very rapidly with the size of the fire meaning that careful fire management is both critical and difficult. Ovens like this tend to be very temperamental. For tiny pizza ovens, gas is the only way to go, IMO.

[jakob8b]

I'm sorry, I must have totally misread your post, as I thought this was comparing the pellets, not the ovens

Though I will echo what TXCraig1 said above - I have an Uuni 3 myself and I really regret not putting in the extra money to get an Uuni Pro or a small Pizza Party oven instead. I actually ending up buying the gas attachment for the Uuni 3 later aswell, since maintaining the pellet-burner is just too much of a hassle when you are making more than a couple of pizzas.

[9slicePie]

Thanks for the input fellas.

For me, the appealing aspect of these wood pellet ovens (especially the Oon/Uuni 3) is the portability WITHOUT having to chug along a gas tank.

So I was just wondering what the users on this forum thought about the Ooni 3 / other wood pellet ovens.

[ira]

Well, I have a Ooni Pro with all three burners and while the pellet burner works perfectly, it seems like I have to fill it constantly, seems like at least every pizza and missing a fill will surprisingly have you putting a pizza into a cold oven. Since in my case it never moves, I use gas which just works with no muss or fuss. Other than Ooni put the controls at the back so you're always adjusting the gas blindly. I remedied that by using an adjustable regulator, but that's a considerably more difficult problem then it should be.


Anyway, the pellet burner is workable but I'd try to enlist someone else to keep it fed while you concentrate on pizzas.


Ira

[9slicePie]

Well, I have a Ooni Pro with all three burners and while the pellet burner works perfectly, it seems like I have to fill it constantly, seems like at least every pizza and missing a fill will surprisingly have you putting a pizza into a cold oven. Since in my case it never moves, I use gas which just works with no muss or fuss. Other than Ooni put the controls at the back so you're always adjusting the gas blindly. I remedied that by using an adjustable regulator, but that's a considerably more difficult problem then it should be.


Anyway, the pellet burner is workable but I'd try to enlist someone else to keep it fed while you concentrate on pizzas.


Ira

Hmmmm, thanks for the informative response.

At first, I didn’t want to deal with a gas tank (potentially dangerous from leaky valve, having to carry it around along with the oven itself, etc).  If and when I was to make pizzas with this oven, it would only be like 4 pizzas (MAYBE 5 max) in one session, and I figured that carrying some wood pellets around with the oven would be easier than carrying an additional gas tank, and that wood pellets would get the job done.

So a few things (help me, guys):

-If I get an Ooni, I’d actually want an Ooni 3 (cheaper, smaller, and easier to take around compared to subsequent Ooni models). So if I do eventually invest in an oven like this, should I get this?   Or do you recommend other comparable ovens?

-And regardless of which oven I may get, I’m still on the fence with regards to using wood pellets (more convenient to take around and lacks that potential explosive danger that comes with the use of gas tanks, but has its cons such as constantly having to refill hopper, lack of temperature control) or using a gas tank (pros: consistent flame control, faster start up time, Cons: have to lug around a gas TANK, potential for a kaboom-type mistake/, injuries, etc).

[thezaman]

 I have both the uuni2 and unni3. the burner design was changed on the three. you can cook great pizza in both. the pellets are fun to cook with,but very finicky. you must establish a good fire then add pellets slowly to keep the burn going and not allow it to smolder. a small fan behind the oven helps a lot. they also sell aftermarket pellet hopper extensions that allow more pellets to be used with out reloading. also opening the the pellet slide a little allows more air and a better burn. there is a great ooni community on facebook that will help you with any issues you may have.
 if the burner is not properly heated the pizza will have a off taste and a yellow film on it.if done right it will taste just like a pizza cooked in a wood oven.
 as far as looking at competitors ovens. none that use pellets are as well thought out.
   

[9slicePie]

I have both the uuni2 and unni3. the burner design was changed on the three. you can cook great pizza in both. the pellets are fun to cook with,but very finicky. you must establish a good fire then add pellets slowly to keep the burn going and not allow it to smolder. a small fan behind the oven helps a lot. they also sell aftermarket pellet hopper extensions that allow more pellets to be used with out reloading. also opening the the pellet slide a little allows more air and a better burn. there is a great ooni community on facebook that will help you with any issues you may have.
 if the burner is not properly heated the pizza will have a off taste and a yellow film on it.if done right it will taste just like a pizza cooked in a wood oven.
 as far as looking at competitors ovens. none that use pellets are as well thought out.
 

Thanks thezaman for that information,  especially the bold portion.

[9slicePie]

You know, I initially wanted to get Ooni 3 due to it’s price and pellet concept.

Yesterday, I seriously considered using it for it’s GAS feature.  Then I thought that if I “caved” and am willing to use the gas feature, maybe I should consider a Roocbox or another oven that’s “better” than the Ooi 3.

So forget about pellet-use for now, can you guys chime in on which oven you think is for this style of pizza?


Edit:  Mind you, I’m not a pro.  So if the Ooni 3 (or even the Ooni Pro or Ooni koda) is gonna meet my needs of only 4-6 pizzas (MAX) in one seesion, maybe that’s the route I should go?  Especially considering how much cheaper they are than other ovens.

[rdbedwards]

If you haven't already, you might want to consider the Pizza Party Ardore.  I bought one to supplement my WFO.  I still use the WFO the most (nothing beats a wood fire) but the propane is convenient.

[9slicePie]

If you haven't already, you might want to consider the Pizza Party Ardore.  I bought one to supplement my WFO.  I still use the WFO the most (nothing beats a wood fire) but the propane is convenient.

The price of an Ooni Koda is a lot less. 

Can anyone with experience with the Ooni Koda post their thoughts/opinions on it?

[starcmr]

I originally posted this in the Pizza Ovens section, but I realized that I should’ve posted it in this subforum as it gets more replies / is a faster-moving subforum:

Can anyone here please compare the Ooni 3 wood pellet oven with other comparable wood pellet ovens get from here bbq to go?   The more specific the response, the more it will be appreciated.


And which do you guys think is the overall best wood pellet oven out there?

Much thanks in advance.

[/color]
Home pizza oven owners - I'm toying with either a Fyra or a a Karu. The first runs on pellets whereas after is 50 quid dearer and seems to run logs charcoal or gas with an additional purchase of an adaptor. Any views on pros and cons? Anyone got one of these?

[fitzgen]

Home pizza oven owners - I'm toying with either a Fyra or a a Karu. The first runs on pellets whereas after is 50 quid dearer and seems to run logs charcoal or gas with an additional purchase of an adaptor. Any views on pros and cons? Anyone got one of these?

I had the same dilemma and went with the Karu. I’ve heard it is very difficult to regulate temperature with the pellets; frustratingly hard to get a good bake with pellets.


I eventually got the propane attachment for my Karu and it is even easier to reach, adjust, and maintain temperatures. I could do it okay with wood in the Karu but it was a lot of futzing. Propane is just a dial, much easier and more direct. The pizzas bake so fast that the wood smoke doesn’t impart any flavor so the wood is really just romantic, not functional. I recommend going propane, koda if you want cheaper or Karu if you want the option of wood.

[tlb2017]

 

[Pizza Shark]

Koda 16 all propane all the way that offers instant control of the heat source.  Do buy an aftermarket door for it like I did.  The door will pay for itself in no time based on the propane saved to preheat and recover if you want to get to those really high temps.