Ooni Volt 12 Indoor Electric Pizza Oven: What It Is And Why You Probably Want One
In case you haven’t heard, Ooni just dropped an electric bomb on the world of pizza making at home—the Ooni Volt 12 indoor electric pizza oven. This fully featured, indoor pizza oven might just be the biggest shakeup of the pizza oven market in years.
I get lots of questions from my readers about some of pizza ovens, but the one I get most frequently is “can I use my Ooni pizza oven indoors?” Of course, my answer has always been a resounding “absolutely not” for reasons that are hopefully obvious to most. This left a lot of potential pizza over buyers who lack outdoor space without many options.
Thankfully, all that has changed with the Ooni Volt 12, a fully-electric pizza oven designed to sit right on your kitchen counter. The Ooni Volt 12 electric pizza oven has all the features of Ooni’s flagship pizza oven models but with none of the headache or mess that comes with burning traditional fuels.
Ideal Use Case: The Ooni Volt 12 pizza oven is best suited for those who specifically want to cook indoors, or who lack an outdoor space for a traditional pizza oven. The Ooni Volt 12 is also perfect for someone who has never used a pizza oven before, since there is no learning curve or flame to manage—just turn it on and you’re ready to go.
Be aware, though, that you’re paying a premium for the ability to cook indoors. So if you plan on using your pizza oven it mostly outdoors anyways, you can save a lot of money buying a traditional oven like the Ooni Karu 16 or Ooni Koda 12.
| Feature | Ooni Volt 12 | Ooni Karu 16 | Ooni Koda 12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel source | Electric | Wood, charcoal. propane | Propane |
| Indoor/Outdoor | Both | Outdoor only | Outdoor only |
| Max pizza size | 13 inches | 16 inches | 12 inches |
| Baking surface size | 13.27 inches | 16.7 inches | 13 inches |
| Temperature range | Up to 850°F (450°C) | Up to 950°F (500°C) | Up to 950°F (500°C) |
| Time to heat up | 20 minutes | 15-20 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Weight | 39.2lbs (17.8kg) | 62.6lbs (28.4kg) | 20.2lbs (9.2kg) |
| Power | 1600W, 120V | – | – |
| Price | $999 USD | $799 USD | $399 USD |
What Is the Ooni Volt 12?
The Ooni Volt 12 is an all-electric, 13 inch pizza oven that can be used just as easily indoors as it can outdoors. This is a major change in the world of high quality pizza ovens, which have for the longest time been the sole domain of outdoor oven models and professionally ventilated pizzerias.
The Ooni Volt 12 pizza oven features fined tuned temperature controls, top and bottom heating elements, a 10mm thick baking stone surface, automatic control settings for various styles of pizza, and a powered-coated carbon steel shell for improved heat insulation and safety.
And those are just the basic features. There’s a lot more I like about this pizza oven that I’m excited to share with you. You can also be sure that once I get my hands on one of these pizza ovens, I’ll be providing a full review of my experience with it.
In the meantime, let’s go over what we know about the Ooni Volt 12 thus far and why I’m so excited for its release.
Why An Electric Ooni Pizza Oven is such a game changer
Making pizza at home is a passion and hobby for millions of people around the world (myself included), but for the longest time this meant either using a home oven with limited results, or investing in an outdoor pizza oven. While a great idea for some, an outdoor pizza oven is unfortunately not an option for those with limited outdoor space (or none at all).
This is why the Ooni Volt 12 is such a game changer for pizza enthusiasts like us. Up until now, there have been very few electric pizza ovens available for North American consumers, and the ones that are available barely get hotter than a conventional home oven.
In fairness, there are some decent indoor pizza oven options for those who live in the EU, but they’re prohibitively expensive to import into North America (I know because I looked into doing it).
Now, the Ooni Volt 12 brings everything you could want in an outdoor pizza oven right into your own kitchen. Even if you feel like cooking outside sometimes, its weather resistant design lets you go anywhere there’s a place to plug into (or an extension cord long enough to reach).
An Electric Pizza Oven Is Easy To Use
As far as pizza ovens go, the Ooni Volt 12 looks to be one of the easiest to use.
Ooni pizza ovens are known for their intuitive design and easy setup process, but the Ooni Volt 12 looks to bring that to a new level. Unlike pizza ovens that burn fuel and need to be prepped for use, the Ooni Volt 12 just needs to be plugged in and preheated for 20 minutes to reach its maximum temperature of 850F (450C).
Easier Than A Propane Oven
I used to think that propane was as easy as it gets when it comes to pizza ovens—just turn a knob and the flame gets bigger or smaller to adjust the heat. But with the Ooni Volt 12, it’s become even easier to get the precise temperature you’re looking for. Not only can you adjust the temperature of the baking surface, you can also adjust the temperature coming from above thanks to conveniently located upper and lower heating elements.
This may not seem like a big deal, but if you’ve been making pizza at home for a while you’ll know what a game changer this is. Getting your pizza to come out exactly right is often a challenge for beginners who struggle with burnt cheese and an underdone crust, or vice versa. Now, you can individually set the temperature of the top of and bottom to whatever precise temperature settings you want.
So, for example, if you prefer a pizza with a well done crust and lightly cooked toppings (such as with Neapolitan style) you can easily set the bottom heating element to the maximum and the top to the minimum. Likewise, if you prefer a pizza that’s cooked well done all the way through, you can easily adjust for that as well—even on the fly, or between pizzas to suit different guests.
Ooni Volt 12 Design & Construction
The Ooni Volt 12 looks to be a well-constructed electric pizza oven suitable for indoor or outdoor use, thanks to an innovative combination of portability, functionality and durability.
The Volt’s body is made of powder-coated carbon steel and stainless steel, making it weather-resistant and durable. The combination of these materials also gives the oven a modern and sleek appearance, and even comes with built in handles for easy transport from one spot to another.
The Ooni Volt 12 also features a heat-retaining triple-paned borosilicate glass door. This glass door not only makes the oven look amazing but also lets you look in to see just how good your pizza looks as well. The glass door is also important as it retains heat, helping to maintain the oven’s high temperature.
The oven’s internal components include a cordierite baking stone that is 0.4 inches thick, which is right in line with most pizza ovens. This baking stone is 13 x 13 inches, making it the perfect size for a 12 inch pizza with some room to spare. For reference, a 12 inch pizza is about the standard for Neapolitan style pizza, or a medium-sized takeout pizza in the US.
In addition to top and bottom temperature controls, the Ooni Volt 12 also has a built-in timer, and a “Boost” mode feature. This Boost mode is an interesting (and potentially very useful) feature that helps the stone return to cooking temperatures quickly between bakes, and frequently opening and closing the oven door. It can even be used on the fly if you feel the underside of your crust isn’t cooked enough.
The oven’s dimensions are 24.2” x 20.8” x 10.9” (61.7cm x 52.9cm x 27.9cm) and it weighs 39.2lbs (17.8kg). These dimensions make the oven conveniently fit on a standard kitchen countertop. The oven’s cooking surface is 13.27” x 13.27” (33.7cm x 33.7cm), which is generous enough to cook a variety of pizza sizes.
Heating Performance and Control
The Ooni Volt 12 is unique because it allows for custom control of both the top and bottom heating elements. This means you can, for example, set the bottom temperature to high for a crispy crust, and the top temperature to low for lightly melted cheese and juicy toppings.
However, as simple as the Ooni Volt 12 is to use, having three separate knobs to work with seems a bit confusing at first. Here is my understanding of how it all works.
How The Ooni Volt 12 Works
The temperature dial allows users to increase or decrease the oven temperature by turning the dial clockwise or counterclockwise, respectively. The maximum temperature setting is 850°F, and the current temperature is displayed on the oven’s LED panel during the heat-up phase. To ensure that the oven is at the correct temperature, Ooni recommends using an infrared thermometer to measure the temperature of the baking stone.
The balance dial, located on the right-hand side of the oven, controls the power distribution between the top and bottom heating elements. The pre-set balance settings automatically adjust according to the selected temperature. During the heat-up phase, the balance indicator turns off, and once the oven has reached the selected temperature, the balance indicator turns back on and can be adjusted by turning the dial clockwise or counterclockwise to shift the balance towards the top or bottom, respectively.
In cases where the base of the pizza is not cooking at the same rate as the top, the boost function can be used to recharge the baking stone. To activate boost mode, users must turn the balance dial counterclockwise, and the boost icon will start flashing quickly. Boost mode lasts for 45 seconds and stops automatically, returning the balance to the recommended temperature setting. During this time, the bottom icon will flash slowly, indicating that boost mode is not available.
Finally, the timer dial can be used to set the cooking time for up to 20 minutes. The timer can be adjusted by turning the dial clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the time, respectively. Once the timer is complete, a sound will play, and the icon will flash, indicating that the timer has ended. To stop the sound, users can press the timer dial.
Ooni Volt 12 Controls Quick Reference Guide
| Function | Operation |
|---|---|
| Timer Dial | – Turn clockwise to increase timer up to 20 min. |
| – Turn counterclockwise to reduce time or cancel. | |
| – Press to stop sound. | |
| Temperature | – Turn clockwise to increase temp up to 850°F. |
| Dial | – Turn counterclockwise to reduce temp. |
| – Use infrared thermometer for accurate temp. | |
| Balance Dial | – Automatically set for each temp. |
| Setting | – Turn clockwise to shift balance towards top. |
| – Turn counterclockwise to shift balance to bottom. | |
| Boost Function | – Turn balance dial counterclockwise to activate. |
| – Lasts for 45 seconds. | |
| – Balance returns to recommended setting after. |
Ooni Volt 12 Maintenance & Cleaning
All pizza ovens require regular cleaning and maintenance if you want to keep them in good working order for years to come. The Ooni Volt 12 is no different, despite being significantly easier to maintain since it doesn’t produce any flame, smoke, or ash.
If you’re considering purchasing the Ooni Volt 12, keep in mind that you’ll need to perform some or all of the following maintenance steps on a semi-regular basis.
Storage
When not in use, store the oven indoors in dry conditions. Do not store food or other items in the oven cavity. Also, avoid leaning on or putting items on top of your Ooni Volt 12, as this could cause damage. Use the Ooni Volt 12 Pizza Oven Cover to keep the oven clean while in storage.
Baking Stone
When not safely installed in the oven, the baking stone is fragile and can break if bumped or dropped. Do not use the baking stone over an open flame, and avoid extreme hot or cold temperature changes to the stone to avoid cracking (this is known as “thermal shock”).
When cleaning baked-on food debris from the stone, wait until the stone is completely cooled. Then flip it over and slide it gently back in upside down. The debris on the underside of the stone will burn away the next time you use your Ooni Volt 12.
If your stone breaks, turn off the oven, let it cool and unplug it before removing the broken baking stone. If your Ooni Volt 12 is in warranty, get in touch with the support team to order a replacement. If it’s out of warranty, you can buy a new baking stone at Ooni.com (or anywhere else that sells Ooni compatible baking stones or steels).
Glass Door
Wait until the oven is completely cooled before cleaning the glass door. You can remove grease using dry paper towels or a dry cloth. For more thorough cleaning, use warm, soapy water, but make sure the oven is completely dry before switching it on again.
Oven Interior and Exterior
The Ooni Volt 12 should not require any interior cleaning. Any food residue should burn off when in use. You can use the Ooni Pizza Oven Brush to sweep away excess debris or loose flour on the stone.
Over time, the interior of the oven may discolor slightly, but this is normal. Do not use oven cleaners or metal scourers to clean your pizza oven, as they will damage the Ooni Volt 12.
To clean the outside of the oven, wait until it’s cool, unplug it and use a lightly damp cloth to wipe the oven body. Dry with a clean towel right away.
Ooni Volt 12 Highlights
- The oven is perfect for those who lack outdoor space for a traditional pizza oven and beginners.
- It features fine-tuned temperature controls, top and bottom heating elements, and a 10mm thick baking stone surface.
- The oven is weather-resistant, and its design allows it to be used anywhere with a place to plug in.
- The oven can be preheated in 20 minutes and reaches a maximum temperature of 850F (450C).
- Users can adjust the temperature of the baking surface and the temperature coming from above.
- The oven is well-constructed and suitable for indoor or outdoor use.
Where to buy Ooni Volt 12 – Avoid Fakes
When it comes to purchasing an Ooni pizza oven, I always recommend buying directly from Ooni.com. This ensures that you receive a genuine Ooni product with all the features and quality that you paid for. It also ensures you get the latest deal price or bundle discounts if you buy accessories.
To buy directly from Ooni.com, follow the button below.
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Related Questions:
Can the Ooni Volt 12 be used outdoors?
Yes, the Ooni Volt 12 is weather resistant and can be used indoors or outdoors. However, as an electric device, I personally would never leave it outside or use it in the rain or snow without some sort of shelter.
Ooni Volt 12 vs Breville Pizzaiolo, which is better?
The Ooni Volt 12 and Breville Pizzaiolo are both 12 inch electric pizza ovens designed to be used indoors. However, unlike the Ooni Volt 12 which can reach 850F (450C), the Breville Pizzaiolo can only reach an ambient temperature of 750F (400F).
Also, while both pizza ovens are designed to fit a 12 inch pizza, the Breville Pizzaiolo has a round baking surface while the Ooni Volt 12 is square. A square baking surface is larger than a round one and gives more flexibility different pizza shapes as well as various pan styles like Detroit and Sicilian.
In terms of price, the Ooni Volt 12 costs $999 while the Breville Pizzaiolo costs $999.95.
