Our Verdict
The Karu 12G is for serious outdoor cooks who want authentic wood-fired pizza and the flexibility to experiment with fuel. The G-series improvements make it meaningfully better than its predecessor. The gas burner purchase makes it nearly as convenient as the Koda when needed.
Pros & Cons
✓ Pros
- Burns wood, charcoal, and gas (with optional Ooni gas burner) — maximum versatility
- Wood and charcoal deliver authentic smoky flavour impossible in gas-only models
- Improved G-series design with better door seal retains heat more efficiently
- Reaches 500°C equally quickly on wood as on gas
- Can smoke, cook, and bake — not just pizza
✗ Cons
- More complex to use than gas-only Koda — wood fire management required
- Gas burner is a separate £80 purchase if you want gas convenience
- Heavier at 12.8kg vs Koda's 9.25kg
Key Specifications
| Fuel | Wood/charcoal/gas (burner sold separately) |
|---|---|
| Max Temp | 500°C |
| Heat-up | 15 min (gas) / 20 min (wood) |
| Pizza Size | Up to 12 inch |
| Weight | 12.8kg |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Performance
The Karu 12G is for serious outdoor cooks who want authentic wood-fired pizza and the flexibility to experiment with fuel. The G-series improvements make it meaningfully better than its predecessor. The gas burner purchase makes it nearly as convenient as the Koda when needed. On paper the headline numbers are fuel of Wood/charcoal/gas (burner sold separately), max temp of 500°C, heat-up of 15 min (gas) / 20 min (wood), pizza size of Up to 12 inch, weight of 12.8kg, warranty of 5 years. Its standout is that burns wood, charcoal, and gas (with optional ooni gas burner) — maximum versatility
Build Quality & Design
Beyond that, owners and the spec sheet point to a few more genuine strengths. Wood and charcoal deliver authentic smoky flavour impossible in gas-only models. Improved G-series design with better door seal retains heat more efficiently. We can't bench-test durability, but the depth of positive long-term owner feedback is the best available proxy for how it holds up.
Value for Money
It isn't flawless. More complex to use than gas-only Koda — wood fire management required. Gas burner is a separate £80 purchase if you want gas convenience. Heavier at 12.8kg vs Koda's 9.25kg. Whether those matter depends entirely on how you'll use it. At the premium price point, the trade-offs are easy to live with for the right buyer. It's the right call for The Karu 12G is for serious outdoor cooks who want authentic wood-fired pizza and the flexibility to experiment with fuel. The G-series improvements make it meaningfully better than its... Look elsewhere if you're among Beginners or those wanting maximum convenience — the Koda 12 is a better first oven.
Final Verdict
The Karu 12G is for serious outdoor cooks who want authentic wood-fired pizza and the flexibility to experiment with fuel. The G-series improvements make it meaningfully better than its predecessor. The gas burner purchase makes it nearly as convenient as the Koda when needed.
Check Price on Amazon ↗FAQ
Is the Ooni Karu 12G Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven worth the money?
The Karu 12G is for serious outdoor cooks who want authentic wood-fired pizza and the flexibility to experiment with fuel. The G-series improvements make it meaningfully better than its predecessor. The gas burner purchase makes it nearly as convenient as the Koda when needed. The Karu 12G is for serious outdoor cooks who want authentic wood-fired pizza and the flexibility to experiment with fuel. The G-series improvements make it meaningfully better than its predecessor. The gas burner purchase
Who should NOT buy the Ooni Karu 12G Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven?
Beginners or those wanting maximum convenience — the Koda 12 is a better first oven.
Is the Ooni Karu 12G Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven available in the UK and US?
Yes — we list both Amazon UK and US links. Always verify voltage compatibility (UK 230V, US 120V).
Alternatives to Consider
Ooni Koda 16 Gas Pizza Oven
9.4/10Gas-powered, 500°C in 15 min, 16-inch pizzas, L-shaped flame, no assembly. The pizza oven benchmark.
Check Price ↗Gozney Roccbox Gas Pizza Oven
9.1/10500°C gas, insulated silicone jacket, 12-inch, professional. Restaurant-spec portable oven.
Check Price ↗Ooni Koda 12 Gas Pizza Oven
9.1/10Gas-powered, 500°C in 15 minutes, 12-inch pizzas. The easiest route to authentic Neapolitan pizza at home.
Check Price ↗Or see full comparisons: vs Large Big Green Egg Charcoal Grill, vs Ooni Koda 16 Gas Pizza Oven, vs Weber Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Gas BBQ