My family and I developed a delicious tradition last summer. On Sunday nights, we take all the week’s leftovers out of the refrigerator and turn them into toppings for pizza nights with our outdoor pizza oven. But as the weather changed, we were worried that our favorite activity of the week wouldn’t be the same. I mean, who wants to stand in front of one of the best outdoor pizza ovens in the dead of winter?
Enter the $899 Ooni Volt 12, an electric pizza oven that can be used outdoors and indoors, so pizza night can happen no matter what Mother Nature has in mind. Made for countertops, the Volt 12 can cook pizzas in 90 seconds with a maximum range of 850 degrees, which is just 100 degrees lower than the highest temperature of the Ooni Koda 16 (the best overall pizza oven). The Volt 12 also absorbs smoke, making it safe to open and close as many times as necessary.
The downside is that it is a heavy appliance and therefore not the easiest to store. But if you’re a pizza lover and willing to cut those pesky pizzeria delivery fees, there’s a lot to appreciate about the Ooni Volt 12. Read my full review of the Ooni Volt 12 to find out why I think it’s worth the investment .
Ooni Volt 12 Review: Cheat Sheet
How does it compare to other indoor pizza ovens? It can cook pizzas faster in just 90 seconds, on par with Ooni’s propane (or wood-fired) outdoor pizza ovens.
- What is it? The Ooni Volt 12 is an electric pizza oven that can be used indoors and outdoors.
- For whom? This appliance is for pizza lovers who want to enjoy fresh and fast pies all year round.
- How much does it cost? The Ooni Volt 12 costs $899.
- Why is the Ooni Volt 12 so expensive? The high price is offset by the oven’s versatility for indoor and outdoor use.
Ooni Volt 12 Review: The Pros
Heats up quickly
Most of the time spent making pizza at home comes from the warm-up time of a given oven. Generally, outdoor pizza ovens that run on propane or wood suggest letting the unit preheat for 15 to 20 minutes before adding a pie. Ooni estimates a 20-minute preheat for the Volt 12 to reach the maximum temperature of 850 degrees, but considering I cook my pizzas closer to 700 degrees, my oven was ready faster. In fact, I usually don’t even finish the work of preparing the topping before the oven reaches the desired temperature.
A conventional home oven, the kind you might find among our picks for the best gas ranges, maxes out at 500 or 550 degrees, which can cook a decent pizza with the help of a pizza stone. But it takes the same time to heat up and it also takes longer to cook the pizza. From a timing perspective, the Volt 12 makes a lot of sense, especially if you have a lot of mouths to feed.
Cooks pizzas quickly and evenly.
Speaking of speed, the Ooni Volt 12 can cook a 12-inch cake in just about 90 seconds. Unlike open flame pizza ovens, the Volt 12’s heat is evenly distributed throughout the interior, so there’s no need to turn the pizza to prevent it from burning on one side. I will say that the edge closest to the door comes out with a little less color than the side furthest away, but it makes no difference to the taste. However, Ooni says you can move the pizza with a turner if you feel necessary.
Although the quality of your pizza often depends on the dough and toppings, I found that the Volt 12 can compete with propane ovens. The top crust develops a good amount of leopard, while the bottom gets a crispy finish that gives integrity to the slices. Of course, you can cook other things besides pizzas in the oven, but you will need a Cast iron plate that fits inside like this one with removable handles sold by Ooni..
Absorbs smoke and heat.
My biggest concern with any kitchen appliance that gets hot is whether it will let smoke escape into my kitchen. My house has an open layout, so if the kitchen fills with smoke, so does the entryway and living room (one of the best air purifiers to the rescue!). Luckily, the Ooni Volt 12 manages to absorb most of the smoke that can be generated by the burned pieces of cheese that end up on the stone. If you look closely at the top corners of the swing door, you’ll see steam dancing along the glass as the escaping steam is sucked back into the machine.
The Volt 12 oven also doesn’t put out much heat. Even when the oven is at maximum temperature, the external chassis won’t burn your hand when you touch it. Sure, it’s hot, but it’s not a risk to unfamiliar members of your household.
Ooni Volt 12 Review: The Cons
big and heavy
Really, the only negative thing I can say about the Volt 12 is that it is a huge hassle to move and store. It weighs 40 pounds and is heavy for one person to carry. And unless you’re going to use this oven several times a week, you probably don’t want to leave it on the counter. Measuring 24.2 x 20.8 x 10.9 inches, it takes up a lot of space, so I place it between my kitchen island and a storage shelf in my garage every Sunday; Yes, moving the oven has become part of the weekly tradition.
As such, I came up with a storage plan before purchasing it. Ooni advises storing the Volt 12 indoors, preferably in a cool, dry place.
Expensive
There’s no denying that the $899 price tag is intimidating. Especially considering that the Ooni Fyra 12 costs $349, you can still enjoy pizzas at home for less than half the cost of the Volt 12. That said, the most affordable ovens are primarily reserved for outdoor use. You can definitely find cheap indoor pizza ovens on Amazon, like this one from chefmanbut Ooni’s quality is hard to beat.
Ooni Volt 12 Review: Verdict
Don’t get me wrong, the Ooni Volt 12 is not a “just because” purchase. Between the high price and the space it takes up, it’s only worth buying if you commit to the pizzaiolo in you. For what it’s worth, I recommend taking inspiration from my family’s tradition of turning leftovers into pizzas. With the number of pizzas we have made, saving on shipping costs, the Volt 12 practically pays for itself.
