With the heatwave still going strong in many parts of the country, plenty of us are reaching for the BBQ tongs – but some are turning instead to outdoor pizza ovens. If you’re thinking about joining them, now’s the moment.
Argos has slashed the price of the Ooni Koda 12″ Gas Powered Pizza Oven, cutting it from £299 to £254.15. But now is the time to act as its sale ends on Tuesday 15th July.
The Koda 12 has become one of the most popular compact outdoor pizza ovens in the UK, not just for its crisp, 60-second Neapolitan-style pizzas, but because it’s easy to use, quick to set up, and light enough to take with you to the garden, the park or a friend’s home.
In fact, a friend of mine has one in his garden and uses it almost daily to create delicious pizzas. Asking for his opinion, he told me: “It’s stunning. In fact, my Ooni has brought me closer to my neighbours who often come over for a slice. It’s easy to use and doesn’t really need cleaning.”
To set it up, you unfold the legs, connect it to a standard propane canister, and you’re up and running. Ooni claims that it reaches up to 500°C in about 15 minutes and cooks a full-size pizza in about one minute. The sleek design and heat-resistant coating also help it stay cool to the touch, even while firing at full blast.
People who have purchased the model have been impressed and given the oven a rating of 4.7 stars out of five, with almost 3,000 shoppers leaving reviews.
One person wrote of the product: “Really pleased, lovely pizzas from first use. Well worth the money, can’t wait to use for a party!”
Another user said: “Absolutely excellent quality. The tastiest pizza you will eat even if you are a complete beginner. No regrets in making this investment as I know we will make so many awesome family memories for years to come!”
The oven isn’t just for pizza though. Once it’s hot, the oven can roast vegetables, meat or fish. The insulated steel shell and stone baking board trap heat inside, making it suitable for anything that benefits from searing heat and a crisp base. At just 9.25kg, it’s small enough to move around or pack into the car.
It’s not perfect, though. One buyer said the 12″ opening made turning full-sized pizzas a bit awkward at first, and that the metal rim around the front got scratched almost immediately. The marks are purely cosmetic, but worth knowing if you’re fussy about appearances.
If you’re after alternatives, the Ninja Artisan Electric Outdoor Pizza Oven & Air Fryer is still available for £299.99 from the brand’s website, and heats to 370°C, good for New York-style or deep-pan pizzas, but slower overall and less portable. For something more affordable, Zanussi’s Wood Pellet Pizza Oven is £149 at Amazon, though it takes longer to heat and doesn’t offer the same temperature control.
The Argos sale also includes brands like Ninja, Russell Hobbs and Nespresso, but the Ooni Koda remains one of the top picks for outdoor cooking this summer. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your garden set-up, now’s your chance but be quick! Argos’s summer sale ends on Tuesday 15th July.