You can find an overview of this group test here: Compact Pizza Oven Group Test: Burnhard TONY, Gozney Tread, Ooni Koda 2.
Ooni Koda 2 Review: Heating Performance and Burner Design
The Koda 2 uses a cone-shaped rear burner that fans out flames across the top of the cooking chamber. It takes a little longer than the competition with the stone measuring 340 °C after 15 minutes. It’s only after around 20 minutes that it reached the decisive 450 °C mark for Neapolitan pizza. As such, the pre-heating performance is moderate, but once at the desired temperature, it shines in terms of stability. Back-to-back pizzas? No problem. The temperature stays on point.
In comparison: The Burnhard TONY heats up faster (under 15 minutes) and also stays consistent. The Gozney heats up quicker than the Ooni too, but needs a little recovery time between pizzas.
The Ooni Koda 2 on Test
Yes, the rear flame of the Koda 2 takes longer to reach peak temp. But once there, it rewards you with steady heat distribution and repeatable results, making it ideal for beginners. The spacious opening also helps, allowing you to slide in and rotate the pizza with much greater ease, even with family-size pizzas. The single rear burner doesn’t hurt the results at all, baking the pizzas evenly – not raw at the front and burned at the back.
In comparison: The Burnhard TONY demands more finesse but rewards you with speed. The Gozney Tread allows super precise flame control but requires the most practice. And the Ooni? It strikes a balance: not the fastest to heat up, but by far the most user-friendly.
Ooni Koda 2 Review: Handling and Everyday Convenience
Getting started with the Ooni Koda 2 is just as straightforward as with the other models on test: pop a battery into the ignition in the leg, connect the gas, light it up – done.
Ooni also added some convenient features: The sturdy, foldable legs bring the oven to a pleasant working height – unlike the Burnhard, which has to make do without legs or a stand. On top of that, there’s a small telescopic rod underneath the Koda 2, serving as a matchstick extender in case the ignition ever fails.
A small gripe in our Ooni Koda 2 review: The baking stone doesn’t sit perfectly flush on the metal pins inside the oven and wobbles slightly if pressed at the corners – less stable than the Burnhard or Gozney, where the baking stones rest securely in the ovens.
Cleaning is done via the usual incineration method: after you’re done baking pizza, crank it up to max until all residues are turned to ash. Discoloration on the front of the baking stone is to be expected and doesn’t affect taste or performance.
Prices, Bundles, and Accessories
At € 449, the Ooni Koda 2 is clearly more expensive than the Burnhard TONY, though slightly cheaper than the Gozney Tread. In a bundle with a peel and turner, it’ll set you back € 559. Optional extras include a carrying bag (€ 50), digital thermometer hub (€ 99), and a cleaning brush (€ 30) – the latter being made of wood, which tends to scorch if things get hot.
The Koda 2 is solidly built and available in black or blue, though not as robust as the Burnhard or as design-driven as the Gozney. But Ooni stick to their winning formula: consistency and ease of use.
Who Is the Ooni Koda 2 For?
The Ooni Koda 2 is for everyone who values easy handling, reliable results, and minimum frustration. The wide oven opening, steady heat distribution, and no-fuss usability make it the perfect partner for pizza newbies – or simply for those who don’t want to fuss around endlessly.
Looking for max portability? Go for the Gozney. Need bombproof build quality? The Burnhard is your guy. But if you just want to dive right in, enjoy pizza night after night with minimal effort, the Ooni Koda 2 delivers the complete package with maximum user-friendliness and few drawbacks to speak of.
Conclusion
Plug and play: The Ooni Koda 2 is the most approachable model in the test field. While it’s not the fastest nor the most stylish model on test, it is the most user-friendly and consistent. It’s the perfect compact pizza oven for anyone who wants to achieve good results from the outset without having to fiddle around and values consistent pizza quality. Beginners especially will love this thoughtfully designed pizza oven with its comfortable working height, reliable performance, and easy everyday usability.
Tops
- Wide opening, large baking stone
- Stable heat to bake multiple pizzas in a row
- Foldable legs for a comfortable working height
- Thoughtful details like the matchstick extender
Flops
- Slowest heating performance on test
- Build quality isn’t flawless throughout
You can find an overview of this group test here: Compact Pizza Oven Group Test: Burnhard TONY, Gozney Tread, Ooni Koda 2.
You can find an overview of this group test here: Compact Pizza Oven Group Test: Burnhard TONY, Gozney Tread, Ooni Koda 2.
Words: Jonny Grapentin Photos: Lars Engmann
