It was a sunny Saturday when I decided to host a backyard pizza party. The smell of burning oak and melting cheese sounded perfect. If you are stuck picking a new oven, you are not alone. My testing of the Ooni Karu 12G Vs Karu 2 showed me what really matters. Let me share my honest thoughts to help you choose.
Ooni Karu 12G Review
The Ooni Karu 12G was a massive step up when it came out. It brought premium glass doors to a small size. I love how sleek it looks on my patio table.
Pros and Cons
Here is a quick look at what I liked and what fell short.
| Pros | Cons |
| Handy built-in heat gauge | A bit heavy to carry far |
| Clear glass door for viewing | Gas burner is sold apart |
| Sleek matte black finish | Fuel tray is a bit small |
My Two-Month Trial
After using this oven for a couple of months, I really got the hang of it. The clear glass door is pure magic. I love watching the dough puff up without losing heat. The built-in gauge is great for checking the stone heat.
But, I did find a small flaw during big parties. I spent too much time adding wood chunks instead of chatting. Still, the pizza comes out with a perfect crunch every time.
Recommendation
This pizza maker is perfect for beginners who want a stylish oven with easy viewing. It is not good for folks who hate tending to a fire, unless you buy the gas add-on.
Ooni Karu 2 Review
The Ooni Karu 2 is the newest version in this lineup. It takes all the good stuff from the past and makes it better. I noticed the better airflow right out of the box. The wider fuel space makes fire control a breeze. It feels like a true upgrade for making pies at home.
Pros and Cons
Let us break down the good and the bad of this newer model.
| Pros | Cons |
| Larger tray for more fuel | Still requires buying gas part |
| Better airflow for hot fires | Higher premium price tag |
| Heats up extremely fast | Glass gets a bit sooty |
Baking Pies All Summer
Using the Karu 2 over the last couple of months has been a blast. The bigger fuel tray is a massive win. I can relax more with my guests instead of playing with the fire. It gets up to a crazy 950°F in just 15 minutes.
The heat stays trapped inside so well. My third pizza cooks just as fast as my first one. The only funny part is wiping the black soot off the glass.
Recommendation
This pizza maker is perfect for serious pizza lovers who want the best heat control. It is not good for casual cooks who are on a tight budget.
Detail Comparison for Ooni Karu 12G Vs Karu 2
Picking between these two models comes down to small details. Both ovens bake great food, but they shine in different ways. Let us look at five key areas to see how they match up.
Cooking Performance: Ooni Karu 12G Vs Karu 2
Both ovens reach crazy high heat. But the newer model holds its heat much better between bakes. This means you can bake a fresh Neapolitan pie in just 60 seconds with less waiting around.
| Feature | Ooni Karu 12G | Ooni Karu 2 |
| Max Heat | 950°F | 950°F |
| Heat Holding | Good | Excellent |
| Bake Time | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Final Rating: Ooni Karu 12G: 8/10 | Ooni Karu 2: 9/10
Capacity & Size: Ooni Karu 12G Vs Karu 2
Both ovens cook a standard 12-inch pie. Their weights are nearly the exact same. The newer version feels a bit better built but is still easy to pack up for camping.
| Feature | Ooni Karu 12G | Ooni Karu 2 |
| Pizza Size | 12 inches | 12 inches |
| Weight | 34 lbs | 33.7 lbs |
| Moving it | Easy | Easy |
Final Rating: Ooni Karu 12G: 8/10 | Ooni Karu 2: 9/10
Ease of Use: Ooni Karu 12G Vs Karu 2
Making a pie should be fun. Both have nice glass doors to let you peek inside at the bubbling cheese. But the wider fuel tray on the new one makes adding wood so much simpler.
| Feature | Ooni Karu 12G | Ooni Karu 2 |
| Fire Control | Needs care | Very easy |
| Glass Door | Yes | Yes |
| Setup | Quick | Quick |
Final Rating: Ooni Karu 12G: 8/10 | Ooni Karu 2: 9/10
Preheat Time: Ooni Karu 12G Vs Karu 2
Waiting for the stone to get hot is tough. I timed both ovens on a warm night. The new model heats up faster and uses way less fuel.
| Feature | Ooni Karu 12G | Ooni Karu 2 |
| Time to 950°F | 20 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Air Flow | Standard | Upgraded |
| Fuel Use | Good | 36% less used |
Final Rating: Ooni Karu 12G: 7/10 | Ooni Karu 2: 9/10
Build Quality & Design: Ooni Karu 12G Vs Karu 2
You want an oven that lasts. Both feature a tough black shell that handles bad weather. The newest one just feels a tiny bit stronger in the hinges and body.
| Feature | Ooni Karu 12G | Ooni Karu 2 |
| Shell Finish | Matte Black | Matte Black |
| Door Hinge | Solid | Stronger |
| Weather Safe | High | High |
Final Rating: Ooni Karu 12G: 9/10 | Ooni Karu 2: 9/10
Conclusion
Both of these ovens will make your next pizza night epic. The older model is great, but it needs more fire tending. The Karu 2 takes the win with better fuel use and faster heating. Grab the one that fits your budget and start baking!