Ooni Karu 2 Review 2026: Better view, more work

How I tested it

How I tested the Ooni Karu 2

I cooked six pizzas consecutively in the Karu 2 and used both solid fuel and the gas option. I paid attention to heat retention, visibility, wind, turning room and the work needed between launches.

I also used an infrared thermometer because the built-in display did not tell me whether the cooking floor itself was ready.

Door and thermometer

The glass door helped, but did not replace an infrared thermometer

The glass door let me watch the fire and food without repeatedly opening the oven. I found it especially helpful in windy conditions, and it reduced the blast of heat towards my face.

The built-in thermometer was convenient, but I still checked the stone with an infrared thermometer before launching. Chamber temperature and cooking-floor readiness are not the same thing.

Cooking performance

Wood rewarded attention; gas reduced the workload

Cooking with wood was engaging, but it demanded continuous attention. A strong flame could become fierce enough to ignite delicate food placed too close to it, while wind reaching the lower vents added another variable.

When I wanted to make pizza quickly and consistently, gas was the practical choice. It removed ash and falling fuel temperature from the sequence and let me focus on the pizzas.

Six-pizza session

The practical differences grew across several pizzas

Across six consecutive pizzas, the 12 inches chamber felt tight for turning and restricted the cookware I could use.

Fire management, ash removal and fuel temperature mattered more as the session continued. Those differences were more important to me than the second-generation additions on the specification sheet.

The Ooni Koda 2 review adds two inches of pizza capacity and replaces fuel tending with gas control.

Portability

Heavier than the original Karu 12

At 15.5kg, with the door, chimney and fuel hardware included, I could move the Karu 2 when necessary but did not find it casually portable.

It needed storage space and more setup than a gas-only Koda. The glass door made the cooking process nicer, but it did not remove the ownership work around solid fuel.

Who should buy it?

Buy it if operating the fire is part of the appeal

I paid the £349 UK list price. I would choose the Karu 2 for someone who enjoys tending a fire and values its door and thermometer over the £299 Karu 12.

I would skip it if the quickest route to dinner matters more. The optional gas burner adds to the cost, while a gas-only oven starts with the simpler routine.