Big Horn Outdoors Pizza Oven Vs Ooni – Which Will Satisfy Your Cravings?

Last Updated on September 8, 2023

The Big Horn Outdoors Pizza Oven and the Ooni are two prominent contenders in the realm of pizza perfection.

The Ooni, a flamboyant performer, dazzles with its high temperatures and rapid cooking times – a surefire ticket to the crispy nirvana of which pizza dreams are made.

Yet, its limitations as an outdoor companion and the need for a cooking stone create distinct parameters.

In the opposing corner, the Big Horn Pizza Oven emerges as a versatile contender, embracing both indoor and outdoor domains with equal enthusiasm.

Its steady approach to temperature promises consistency in results, and its accommodating nature lends itself well to an array of dishes.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive comparison between these devices. By adhering to an academic style of writing, objectivity and impersonality will be maintained, ensuring that the analysis is unbiased and reliable.

Pizza Perfection Comparison: Big Horn Outdoors Pizza Oven vs. Ooni

In this comparison, we will delve into the crucial aspects that play a pivotal role in shaping the pizza perfection experience: price and cost, size and capacity, as well as fuel type options, temperature range, and cooking time. 

By thoroughly examining these factors, we aim to provide you with a comprehensive insight into the offerings of both the Big Horn Outdoors Pizza Oven and the Ooni pizza oven, enabling you to make an informed choice that aligns with your culinary aspirations and outdoor cooking ambitions.

Price and Cost

For those on a budget, the Big Horn Outdoors Pizza Oven offers an economical option, priced at around $176. 

In contrast, Ooni provides a range of models starting at $349, appealing to both cost-conscious customers and those willing to invest more for a premium pizza-making experience. 

The Big Horn Outdoors oven presents an affordable way to enjoy homemade pizzas without breaking the bank, while Ooni caters to a broader spectrum of customers with varying budget considerations.

Size and Capacity

The Big Horn Outdoors Pizza Oven offers a baking surface of 12×12 inches, which limits the size of the pizzas that can be cooked to around 10-11 inches in diameter.

On the other hand, Ooni provides various models with different sizes, allowing for the cooking of larger pizzas.

This allows users to experiment with different crust thicknesses and sizes, catering to their individual preferences.

The larger baking surface offered by Ooni ovens also enables the cooking of multiple pizzas simultaneously, making it a suitable option for those who need to serve a larger number of people or host gatherings.

The differing size and capacities of the two ovens provide users with options to choose according to their specific needs and requirements.

Fuel Type Options

The Big Horn Pizza Oven is designed to operate solely on wood pellets, allowing it to reach high temperatures up to 900°F.

This option provides a traditional wood-fired flavor and is preferred by purists who enjoy the smoky taste imparted by burning wood.

Alternatively, Ooni offers a range of models that provide the flexibility of using both wood pellets and gas.

This allows users to control the heat more precisely and achieve consistent results. Using gas as a fuel source can benefit those who desire convenience or have limited access to wood pellets.

Temperature Range

In terms of temperature range, the Big Horn Pizza Oven can reach impressive temperatures of up to 900°F, while the Ooni can achieve even higher temperatures of 950°F in just 20 minutes. 

This difference in temperature range may have various implications for cooking and baking in these ovens.

Some possible considerations include:

• Faster cooking: The higher temperature range of the Ooni allows for quicker cooking times, which can be advantageous when preparing pizzas or other dishes that require a short cooking duration.
• Crust texture: The ability to reach higher temperatures can result in a crispier and more charred crust, which some individuals may prefer.
• Versatility: With a wider temperature range, the Big Horn Pizza Oven may offer more flexibility in terms of the types of dishes that can be cooked, including those that require lower temperatures.
• Heat retention: The ability of the ovens to reach such high temperatures may also indicate their capacity for heat retention, which can contribute to consistent cooking results.

Cooking Time Differences

The Big Horn Pizza Oven boasts a cooking time of 60-90 seconds for a 12′ pizza, whereas the Ooni achieves an astonishingly quick cooking time of 60 seconds for a pizza.

The temperature range of the ovens plays a significant role in determining the cooking time. Higher temperature ranges allow for faster cooking as the heat is more intense and evenly distributed.

Additionally, the oven design can impact the cooking time. Factors such as insulation, heat retention, and airflow can affect how efficiently the oven cooks the pizza.

Therefore, it is essential to consider both the temperature range and oven design when comparing the cooking time differences between the two ovens.

Cooking Versatility Comparison

Ooni emerges as the more versatile option. Thanks to its superior insulation and design, Ooni can cook various dishes beyond just pizza. 

It can successfully bake bread, roast chicken, and even cook vegetables.

Conversely, while the Big Horn Outdoors pizza oven can also cook other foods, its versatility seems more limited than Ooni’s.

Material Quality and Durability

Both pizza ovens boast a robust build, with the Big Horn Pizza Oven featuring a combination of high-quality stainless steel and powder-coated steel.

This construction ensures a sleek and sturdy design, which is essential for withstanding the high temperatures required for pizza cooking.

In comparison, Ooni takes the game a step further by incorporating better insulation and a design that enhances cooking results and safety.

This attention to detail showcases Ooni’s commitment to providing a pizza oven that delivers excellent performance and ensures long-lasting durability.

Ease of Use

Although the Big Horn Oven may require some tinkering to achieve a balanced cook, it still provides users with convenience.

On the flip side, Ooni’s design focuses on user-friendly assembly and operation, making it suitable even for beginners.

The straightforward setup of the Ooni oven surprises users with its ease of use, allowing them to start cooking without any hassle.

Both ovens prioritize simplifying the cooking experience, ensuring that users can easily navigate the process and achieve desirable results. 

Whether it involves adjusting the oven for a balanced cook or assembling it effortlessly, both the Big Horn Pizza Oven and the Ooni pizza oven aim to provide a user-friendly experience.

Accessories Availability

Ooni offers a wide range of accessories, including pizza peels, infrared thermometers, and pizza stones, to enhance the pizza-making experience. These accessories are designed to meet the specific needs of pizza enthusiasts and are readily available for purchase. 

Meanwhile, Big Horn Oven may have limited accessory options in comparison.

While it is a capable oven for making pizzas, the availability of additional tools and accessories may be limited.

This can potentially restrict the customization and versatility of the pizza-making process for users of Big Horn Oven. Table 1 provides a comparison of the accessory options available for both ovens:

Accessory	Ooni	Big Horn Oven
Pizza peel	Available	Limited
Infrared thermometer	Available	Limited
Pizza stone	Available	Limited
Other	Various options	Limited options

Portability and Storage

The portability and storage capabilities of the two models differ, with Ooni offering a range of sizes to accommodate various travel needs.

Ooni’s models are designed to be highly portable, allowing users to transport them for outdoor cooking adventures easily. 

The compact size and lightweight construction of Ooni pizza ovens make them ideal for camping trips, picnics, and other outdoor activities.

Additionally, Ooni offers storage and carrying options, such as bags and covers, to protect the oven during transportation and keep it clean when not in use.

Why can’t I use Ooni indoors?

Gas-fired ovens like the Ooni pizza oven cannot be used indoors due to the potential risk of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by the generation of hazardous levels of carbon dioxide. 

Here are four reasons why using the Ooni pizza oven indoors is unsafe:

1. Carbon monoxide build-up: When gas is burned, it produces carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas that can be deadly in high concentrations. In an indoor setting, there is limited ventilation, making it difficult for carbon monoxide to dissipate.
2. Lack of proper ventilation: Gas-fired ovens require proper ventilation to release combustion byproducts safely. Indoor spaces often lack the necessary ventilation systems to handle the emissions from a gas-fired oven.
3. Increased fire hazard: Ooni pizza ovens operate at high temperatures, which can pose a significant fire risk indoors. The proximity to flammable materials and the lack of proper safety precautions can lead to accidental fires.
4. Health risks: Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause symptoms ranging from headaches and dizziness to unconsciousness and death. The risk of exposure is higher when using a gas-fired oven indoors, where the gas can accumulate in enclosed spaces.

Can you use Ooni without stone?

Cordierite baking stones are essential for the optimal use of Ooni ovens, as they help prevent burnt pizza bases and ensure safe cooking conditions.

The inclusion of a cordierite baking stone with Ooni ovens is a deliberate design choice, as it enhances the cooking process by providing even heat distribution and preventing direct contact between the pizza dough and the intense heat of the flame.

Without the baking stone, the higher thermal conductivity of steel used in Ooni ovens makes it more likely for the pizza bases to burn, potentially leading to unsafe cooking conditions.

The cordierite baking stone acts as a protective barrier, absorbing and distributing the heat evenly, resulting in perfectly cooked pizzas.

What temperature is the Bighorn pizza oven?

The Bighorn pizza oven is capable of reaching a temperature of 860°F. This high temperature allows for the quick cooking of pizzas, with an impressive cooking time of just 60 seconds. 

Additionally, the oven is said to be able to bake a pizza in just two minutes.

The ability to reach such high temperatures in a short period makes the Bighorn pizza oven a suitable choice for outdoor parties and gatherings where quick and efficient pizza cooking is desired.

Making a Choice Between an Ooni Pizza Oven and a Big Horn Pizza Oven

Examining the Big Horn Outdoors Pizza Oven versus the Ooni reveals two distinct pathways to pizza perfection.

While the Ooni finds its limitation in indoor use due to safety considerations, the Big Horn pizza oven extends its versatility indoors and outdoors alike.

Furthermore, the Ooni’s reliance on a stone for ideal results contrasts with the Big Horn oven’s consistent performance at a designated temperature.

The choice between these pizza ovens is personalized and driven by individual preferences and specific requirements.

Enthusiasts are invited to embark on a gastronomic voyage, armed with the knowledge of these two remarkable options, as they craft their culinary masterpieces and journey toward the zenith of pizza perfection.

So, whether you’re drawn to the Ooni’s precision or the Big Horn’s adaptability, your path to pizza greatness awaits, guided by the sizzle of dough and the artistry of toppings.

Last update on 2023-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API