Pizza ovens allow you to make authentic wood-fired pizza at home. Two of the most popular outdoor pizza oven brands are VEVOR and Ooni. But which one is better? Here is a detailed comparison of the VEVOR pizza oven and the Ooni pizza oven.
A Brief Comparison Table
Category | VEVOR | Ooni |
Price | More affordable | More expensive |
Temperature range | Up to 700°F | Over 900°F |
Fuel type | Wood pellets or charcoal | Wood pellets, charcoal or gas |
Build quality | Decent | Excellent |
Design | Basic | Sleek, modern |
Ease of use | Moderate learning curve | Very easy to use |
Preheat time | Around 30 minutes | 10-15 minutes |
Pizza cooking time | 5-8 minutes | 1-2 minutes |
Portability | Not very portable, 47 lbs | Easy to move, 22-37 lbs |
Durability | 1-2 years | 5+ years |
Pizza capacity | 12 inch pizzas | 12 inch pizzas |
Overview of the VEVOR Pizza Oven
The VEVOR pizza oven is an economical option made from 430 stainless steel. Here are the key features and specifications:
- Price range: $200 to $300
- Maximum temperature: Up to 700°F
- Fuel type: Wood pellets or charcoal
- Includes pizza stone and peel
- Dimensions: 23.6 x 23.6 x 15 inches
- Weight: 47 lbs
The VEVOR pizza oven has a basic cylindrical design with a front door for loading pizzas. The interior cooking surface is made of cordierite stone which absorbs and distributes heat evenly.
There is a built-in thermometer on the top so you can monitor the internal temperature. The bottom ventilation holes and adjustable top vent allow air flow control.
Some assembly is required on arrival. The metal body feels sturdy but not high-end. The lack of insulation means the oven loses heat rapidly when the door is opened.
Overview of the Ooni Pizza Ovens
Ooni specializes in outdoor pizza ovens. They offer various portable models fueled by wood pellets, charcoal or gas.
Ooni Koda
The Ooni Koda is one of their most popular models:
- Price range: $300 to $400
- Maximum temperature: Over 900°F
- Fuel type: Wood pellets or charcoal
- Stone baking board
- Dimensions: 20 x 16 inches
- Weight: 22 lbs
This portable oven uses propane to rapidly heat up in just 10-15 minutes. It can bake a 12 inch pizza in 1-2 minutes. The flame heats the internal stone to over 900°F.
The thin stainless steel body has minimal insulation. But the door opens vertically to prevent heat loss.
Ooni Karu
The Ooni Karu offers more flexibility:
- Price range: $300 to $400
- Maximum temperature: Over 900°F
- Fuel type: Wood pellets, charcoal or gas
- Cordierite stone baking board
- Dimensions: 19 x 17 inches
- Weight: 37 lbs
This model allows you to choose between wood/charcoal or gas fuel. The stone and insulation retain heat well once preheated.
It comes with a gas burner attachment. The flame heats the stone to 900°F+ very rapidly.
The ease of switching between gas and solid fuels makes the Karu one of Ooni’s most versatile ovens.
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Key Differences Between VEVOR and Ooni
Now let’s dive into a detailed comparison of the key factors when choosing between the VEVOR and Ooni pizza ovens.
Cooking Performance
The maximum temperature and pizza cooking times are significantly different between the models.
- The VEVOR can only reach 700°F maximum temperature. It takes 5-8 minutes to bake a pizza.
- The Ooni models can exceed 900°F. They can bake pizzas in just 1-2 minutes with that intense heat from the flames.
The faster bake times and higher temperatures of the Ooni ovens lead to better pizza with nicely charred crust. The VEVOR produces decent results but can’t match the performance of Ooni’s specialized pizza ovens.
Build Quality
Ooni uses higher grade materials than VEVOR.
- The VEVOR’s stainless steel body is prone to surface rust over time. The overall construction feels budget.
- Ooni ovens use a thicker gauge steel that better retains heat. Their fittings and hardware feel very solid and built to last.
The Ooni’s superior craftsmanship gives it a 5+ year lifespan under frequent use. The cheaper VEVOR may only last 1-2 seasons before needing replacement.
Design
VEVOR uses a very basic cylindrical shape with minimal design elements.
Ooni has refined designs tailored for pizza baking:
- Vertical door prevents heat loss
- Built-in thermometer
- Doubles as a smoker
- Sleek branding
Additionally, Ooni ovens come in a choice of colors unlike the bare silver VEVOR.
Ease of Use
It takes some practice to master the VEVOR pizza oven:
- Struggles to reach and maintain high temps
- Fussy ventilation adjustments
- Precise wood pellet amounts
Ooni ovens are very easy to use even for beginners:
- Intuitive operation
- Gas burner heats up quickly and maintains temperature
- Wood pellets provide consistent high heat
- Clear instructions
Ooni’s simpler user experience allows you to make great pizza immediately. The VEVOR has more of a learning curve.
Portability
The VEVOR pizza oven weighs a hefty 47 lbs making it difficult to move around.
The Ooni Koda and Karu only weigh 22 lbs and 37 lbs respectively. They are designed with integrated handles for easy portability.
You can comfortably move the Ooni to your patio, campsite or any location. The heavy VEVOR is best kept stationary.
Prices
VEVOR typically costs between $200-$300 which is very affordable for a pizza oven.
The Ooni pizza ovens range from $300-$500 putting them in the premium price tier.
You get what you pay for in terms of materials, performance and longevity. But the VEVOR can satisfy pizza cravings on a tight budget.
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Fuel Options
The VEVOR is limited to either wood pellets or charcoal only.
Most Ooni models support wood pellets, charcoal and gas fuels. The ability to use propane is more convenient for quick cooking.
Gas gives Ooni ovens an advantage since the wood pellets can be messy and ineffective in wet conditions.
Cooking Area Size
Both the VEVOR and Ooni ovens can fit 12 inch pizzas which is standard.
The VEVOR has a slightly larger 23 inch diameter cordierite stone.
But Ooni’s superior temperatures mean its smaller baking surfaces can match the pizza output.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Ooni pizza ovens are the best choice overall. Their specialization in pizza baking delivers fast cook times, intense heat over 900°F, and authentic pizza restaurant quality results.
The Ooni pizza ovens command a premium price but justify it through outstanding performance, durability, portability and ease of use. If you’re a pizza lover, the Ooni is absolutely worth the investment over a basic model like the VEVOR.
Ooni’s vertical door design helps retain heat and speeds up recovery when opening the oven. Having gas as a fuel option is very efficient for quickly reaching pizza baking temperatures over 900°F in just 10-15 minutes.
The Ooni Koda 16 and Ooni Karu 16 are two of the best outdoor pizza oven kits. They contain all the core pieces in one convenient package. And provide the authentic wood-fired pizza restaurant experience at home.
Final Thoughts
For its low price, the VEVOR pizza oven provides decent value as an affordable alternative. But the Ooni pizza ovens’ superior performance, quality and ease of use make them well worth the higher cost for the best outdoor pizza experience.
Ooni dominates as the pizza oven brand of choice for both beginners and experienced pizza makers.