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If your Ooni Karu 12 has not arrived as expected, reach out to us at support.ooni.com. We'll be happy to help!
Ooni Karu 12's legs must be fully extended before firing up.
Ooni Karu 12 is powered by real wood and charcoal, with a portable design and powerful flames and heat retention once lit. If you prefer to cook with gas, simply attach the Ooni Gas Burner* so you can fire up with propane and achieve those same high heats. Ooni Karu 12 heats to 950°F (500°C) and is ready to start cooking awesome pizza in just 15 minutes – create authentic Neapolitan-style pizza, plus incredible steak, delicious roasted vegetables and more.
*available via ooni.com. Region dependent.
Before you get fired up and cooking, read through your Manual and Safety Instructions and store them for future reference.
Ooni Karu 12 is for outdoor use only. Do not fire in high winds.
Before you cook for the first time, run Ooni Karu 12 at top temperatures for at least 30 minutes. Allow the oven to cool and wipe the inside with dry paper towels. This process is called seasoning and it will burn o any oils or coatings that are remnants from the manufacturing process. Take this time to familiarise yourself with the features of Ooni Karu 12. Now you're ready to invite friends and family over for the best pizza they've ever had.
Using suitable fuel is the first step towards delicious food. When you fire up with high-quality fuel, you will get amazing food out.
When cooking with the Gas Burner, check the connections on the propane tank, hose and regulator. They should be secured and checked for leaks before every cook.
Set up Ooni Karu 12 on an Ooni Modular Table. It has a sleek stainless steel surface and plenty of space to hang pizza-making tools - perfect for pizza! You can set up on other sturdy wooden, steel or stone surfaces. Plastic and glass are not recommended.
If you want to change from using solid fuels to using the Gas Burner while cooking, it's essential to allow Ooni Karu 12 to cool first before attaching the Gas Burner.
Ooni Karu 12 has been designed to run at up to 950°F (500°C). If your oven exceeds this temperature, simply stop adding fuel. You can also remove the hatch to lower the temperature. If you are taking a break from cooking, give Ooni Karu 12 a rest too – stop adding fuel or switch o the Gas Burner.
Everybody loves 60-second pizza, including children! Pizza is a great way to get them involved in prepping dinner. Remember to supervise children at all times and to keep them and pets at a safe distance while Ooni Karu 12 is hot.
Before attempting to move or clean Ooni Karu 12 after cooking, wait for at least 1 hour after extinguishing. Store when Ooni Karu 12 is completely cool and dry. Never use water to cool down or extinguish Ooni Karu 12.
We have a passionate community of Ooni owners from around the world at community.ooni.com who are constantly innovating and creating amazing dishes. You can also find delicious recipes, video guides and inspiration at ooni.com
If you have any questions - or want to send us some photos of your dishes - reach us at support.ooni.com
We love hearing from you and are always happy to offer advice, recipes and more.
Excited to get cooking? Skip to lighting instructions.
Wood and charcoal Ooni Karu 12 needs good airflow to reach optimum temperatures. When firing with solid fuels, set up with at least 3 feet (1 metre) of space around the oven for proper airflow. Remember to remove the chimney cap and leave the door on for optimum performance.
The door will be hot while cooking so be mindful of where you place it when it is removed.
The door will be hot while cooking so be mindful of where you place it when it is removed.
Get an instant and accurate temperature reading by aiming the laser at the middle of the stone baking board. The Ooni Infrared Thermometer is the must have tool for gauging the temperature of the stone baking board before you begin cooking. It will allow you to achieve the perfect pizza base. We aim for at least 752°F (400°C) when baking Neapolitan-style pizza.
Your food will be as good as the fuel you put in. Our 100% hardwood is optimized for high temperatures and a neutral wood- fired flavor.
Ooni Premium Natural Firestarters are made from 100% natural wood shavings and are free from chemical aromas for a pure and quick fuel ignition in your Ooni Karu 12.
Our pizza peels have been designed specifically for use with Ooni pizza ovens and are sleek and easy to transport and store. Having an additional peel helps to speed up the pizza supply chain, allowing you to invite more friends and family to create their own personalized pizza. We make our peels in aluminum and bamboo options. Ooni Karu 12 is compatible with our range of 12" pizza peels or those that are smaller.
Our tables have been designed specifically for Ooni ovens. They provide the perfect set-up and weather resistance for outdoor cooking all year long as well as neat and convenient storage options.
The high temperatures and Ooni Karu 12 are perfect for searing meat, baking fish and roasting vegetables. Our Ooni cast iron series is designed to withstand the high temperatures of Ooni ovens, made with removable handles and fitted wooden boards for easily moving and serving your hot dishes.
Our 2-in-1 stone baking board brush and scraper tool will help you clean your Ooni baking board efficiently and quickly – use it to brush o excess flour with the bristles, then flip it over to scrape away fallen food.
Pack up Ooni Karu 12 for your next adventure with the 100% waterproof Ooni Karu 12 Carry Cover, complete with an elasticated edge for a super snug fit and adjustable straps for moving your pizza oven with ease.
Ooni Karu 12 has been designed for use with solid fuels, including real wood and charcoal, as well as propane gas with the use of the Gas Burner accessory. Whichever fuel you choose, Ooni Karu 12 will cook incredible dishes.
Never use water to clean the grate.
Ooni Karu 12 preheats super quickly and will heat most efficiently when topped up with fuel gradually, which creates the best environment to allow for proper airflow. Top up little and often to maintain consistent temperatures. Solid fuels should never overflow out of the grate and the fuel hatch should always be able to fit in place and close comfortably.
Before you cook, use a hardwearing brush to clean any excess ash or fuel residue from the grate so that the air can flow through the perforations.
Cooking with fire is as much an art as it is as a science – the following table will give you an idea of the results to expect from each fuel:
Fuel | Temperature | Benefits |
Charcoal & Wood | Up to 950°F (500°C) | Lighting a base layer of charcoal keeps a steady, even temperature; adding wood will give a burst of heat and wood- fired flavor, which is perfect for pizza. |
Wood | Up to 950°F (500°C) | Cooking with wood alone is the fuel of choice for Neapolitan pizza purists. Wood is also ideal for any food that enjoys a fast cooking time, such as steak, fish and vegetables. |
Charcoal | Up to 950°F (500°C) | Bake amazing bread, meat and more with charcoal. We love the option for low and slow cooking with charcoal and it gives you the option to bake thicker-crust and deeper-dish pizza. Charcoal will give a base temperature without excess flame. |
Gas ** | From 482-950°F (250-500°C) | For cooking with ultimate speed and reaching super high temperatures very quickly, use the Ooni Gas Burner to create the ideal temperature for cooking pizza and so much more. See your Gas Burner manual for lighting instructions. |
* Please note that the above figures are estimates and are dependent on weather and ambient temperatures.
** Gas Burner available at ooni.com. Region dependent.
The easiest way to regulate temperature in Ooni Karu 12 is through fuel management. The inbuilt chimney baffle also allows for adjustments to be made to airflow and heat distribution through the oven.
If your Ooni Karu 12 is not running hot enough on wood or charcoal, check that your chimney baffle is open and chimney cap is removed. This will provide maximum airflow and top temperatures through the oven.
Open chimney baffle - increases the draw of air through the oven, creating more powerful flames and an increased heat.
Closed chimney baffle - reduces the draw of air for a smokier effect and a lower heat.
Are your pizza toppings cooking faster than the pizza base? Simply close the chimney baffle to bring down the flames, which gives the pizza base more time to cook.
The sounds of crackling wood and the incredible smell of a wood-burning fire make for a really sensory cooking experience and add wood-fired flavor to food. We recommend cooking with 100% hardwood, which create powerful rolling flames.
Always use kiln-dried hardwood for the best results. Beech and oak are our favourite to use in Ooni Karu 12.
Do not use treated or painted wood. Wood with high resin content, such as pine or spruce, might add unwanted flavours to your cooking.
We recommend pieces of wood approximately 15cm (6").
It is normal to see smoke when cooking with wood. Ooni Karu 12 will burn cleanly and with minimal smoke when running at optimum temperatures.
Lump charcoal o ers a wide range of temperatures and is an easy choice for low and slow cooking in Ooni Karu 12. We use charcoal for nonpizza dishes that do not need the same exposure to flame.
Use good quality, sustainably sourced lump charcoal like Ooni Premium Lump Wood Charcoal.
Lump charcoal will burn down to a small amount of ash, reducing your clean-up.
Do not use briquettes as they will block the holes in the grate, resulting in reduced airflow.
A combination of charcoal and wood is a great way to cook in Ooni Karu 12. You can achieve a steady base temperature with lump charcoal and adding wood gives a burst of heat and wood-fired flavour.
What are you looking for when cooking with fire? Neapolitan-style pizza needs real flame to cook a pizza in 60 seconds.
This is the type of fire to aim for for Neapolitan-style pizza; it's the result of fuel management. You'll see this when fuel is given time to burn through properly and there is enough room for airflow through the grate.
Ooni Karu 12 is not ready to cook a 60-second pizza when the fuel tray looks like this. If this is your scenario, gradually build up a flame using smaller pieces of kindling, allowing for good airflow through the grate. Always give new fuel enough time to burn properly before you start cooking.
If you are cooking with charcoal, the flames will be smaller. Add a small piece of kindling 2 or 3 minutes before you bake your pizza to achieve the flames as in image 1.
Get your peel, dough and ingredients to room temperature. Cold dough will spring back on itself and stick; warm dough will stretch too far and tear. If you stretch your pizza on a warm peel, the dough will start to sweat, which will cause it to stick.
Flour your hands and the surface you are working on before you begin stretching.
Check for holes in the pizza base before adding toppings - If sauce gets between the dough and peel it will have a gluey effect and your dough will stick.
Before you add any toppings - stop and shake the peel to check that your dough is moving freely. If it's stuck, pick it up and add more flour to the peel. You have to do this before you add toppings!
Keep your toppings light. Heavy ingredients will weigh down your dough and make it harder to lift o of the peel.
Work swiftly - there's no need to rush but remember dough that rests on the peel for too long will be more likely to stick. Get your pizza ready when both you and Ooni Karu 12 are ready to cook.
If your pizza does stick you can use what we call the hovercraft technique (see below). Lift up the edge of your dough at one side and gently blow air underneath the base. This will create air pockets and will spread flour to the areas that are sticking.
Flour, salt, water and yeast – what do these simple ingredients have in common? They come together to create the perfect foundation for any good pizza!
This recipe is an excerpt from our new cookbook, Ooni: Cooking with Fire, and the go-to pizza dough recipe for everyone at Ooni HQ.
Ingredient | Weight | Qty / Vol |
Type '00' flour (or strong white) | 607g | 21.4oz |
Water | 364g | 12.8oz |
Salt | 18g | 4 tsp |
Fresh yeast* | 20g | 0.7oz |
*if unavailable, use 0.3oz (9.2g) active dried yeast or 0.24oz (7g) instant dried yeast
Method
Place two-thirds of the water in a large bowl. In a saucepan or microwave, bring the other third of water to boil, then add it to the cold water in the bowl. This creates the correct temperature for activating yeast. Whisk the salt and yeast into the warm water.
If mixing by hand:
Place the flour in a large bowl and pour the yeast mixture into it. Stir with a wooden spoon until a dough starts to form. Continue mixing by hand until the dough comes together in a ball. Turn it onto a lightly floured surface and knead with both hands for about 10 minutes, until it is firm and stretchy. Return the dough to the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and leave to rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours.
If mixing with a mixer:
Fit the mixer with the dough hook and place the flour in the mixer bowl. Turn the machine on at a low speed and gradually add the yeast mixture to the flour. Once combined, leave the dough to keep mixing to at the same speed for 5-10 minutes, or until the dough is firm and stretchy. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and leave to rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours.
When the dough has roughly doubled in size, divide it into 3 or 5 equal pieces, depending on what size you want your pizzas to be (either 12 inches or 16 inches wide). Place each piece of dough in a separate bowl or tray, cover with plastic wrap and leave to rise for another 20 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Simplicity at its finest, our super easy, no-nonsense Classic Pizza Sauce creates the perfect complement for layering up your pizza toppings of choice.
Made using a stovetop (hob) rather than in your Ooni, this recipe is an excerpt from our cookbook, Ooni: Cooking with Fire. Choosing good quality tomatoes will make a di erence to the flavor of your sauce - we like to go for canned San Marzano tomatoes, which are the traditional choice for Neapolitan pizzas.
Ingredient | Weight | Qty / Vol |
Canned tomatoes | 800g | 4 cups |
Olive oil | 30g | 2 tbsp |
Sugar | 10g | 2 tsp |
Salt | 4g | 1 tsp |
2 garlic cloves, crushed or finely chopped
Handful of basil leaves, roughly chopped
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Method
Place the oil in a pan over a medium heat. When warm, add the garlic and fry until softened but not brown.
Add all the remaining ingredients, then simmer on a low heat for 20 minutes, or until the flavor has deepened and the sauce has thickened slightly.
This sauce can be used straight away, or placed in an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to a week, ready to be used as required.
The classic pizza Margherita is a simple yet delicious recipe; the perfect starting point if you're new to the world of wood- firing!
All Ooni pizza chefs should be able to master this one with just a little bit of practice. And if you haven't yet, we're here to help you along the way.
Ingredient
Ooni Classic Dough
Ooni Classic Sauce
Fresh mozzarella
Basil leaves
Method
Light up your Ooni, then get ready to prepare your pizza while it heats up.
Using a small amount of flour, dust your Ooni pizza peel. Stretch the pizza dough ball out to 12" and lay it out on your pizza peel. Using a large spoon or ladle, spread the sauce evenly across the pizza dough base.
Next, add the cheese and slide the pizza into the pizza oven.
Slide the pizza o the peel and into your Ooni pizza oven, making sure to rotate the pizza regularly.
Once cooked, remove the pizza from the oven. Add a small handful of fresh basil to garnish.
Moist and tender on the inside, deliciously crispy on the outside. Nothing can compare to the magic of cast iron when it comes to cooking chicken – conducting high heats, our Cast Iron Series locks in flavor while perfectly searing cuts of meat.
Cooked in the Skillet, our herb-infused Rosemary Chicken with Roasted Onions is super simple to prepare and cook.
Ingredients
5 chicken thighs, skin on
1 large red onion, cut into wedges
2 large sprigs rosemary
3 tablespoons (50ml) olive oil
3.5oz (100g) butter
1 tablespoon (15g) salt
½ red chilli - finely sliced to garnish
Method
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt.
Preheat your Ooni Pro or Ooni 3 to a medium-high heat. If using a conba eional oven, preheat to 360°F (180°C). You can check the temperature inside your Ooni quickly and easily using the Ooni Infrared Thermometer.
Put the olive oil in your Skillet and place the skillet into your oven. Note that the Skillet handle will become very hot and should be handled with care – remember to use Ooni Gloves or a dry dish towel and to place the skillet on a heatproof surface.
Remove the hot skillet from the oven. Place the chicken skin side down onto the hot Skillet, and leave the chicken to sizzle untouched for 3 minutes, or until the skin starts to brown.
Once golden brown, flip the chicken over. Add the butter to the skillet and use a spoon to baste the chicken with the melted butter. Add the rosemary sprigs and onion to the skillet.
Return your skillet to the oven to continue cooking the chicken until the chicken juices run clear.
Where should I store Ooni Karu 12?
Ooni Karu 12 is built to last and you can leave it outdoors all year long. You can use the Ooni Karu 12 Carry Cover to keep it safe from the elements.
We do recommend that you store Ooni Karu 12 indoors for extended periods without use and to protect it from harsh weather conditions.
How do I clean Ooni Karu 12?
A run at top temperatures will do the hard work for you, burning o any excess flour or remnants of food. Always give Ooni Karu 12 time to cool completely before cleaning and never expose warm parts to moisture. You can wipe down the inside with a dry paper towel if you need to.
When cool, the outside of Ooni Karu 12 can be wiped with a damp cloth and dried completely before using a regular stainless steel cleaner to remove any marks or smudges.
How do I clean the stone baking board?
Your stone baking board can be cleaned by running Ooni Karu 12 at top temperatures.
If you need to remove hard-to-budge debris from the stone, use our Ooni Pizza Oven Brush.
Only cook pizza and dry, bread-based dishes directly on the stone baking board. If you are cooking meat, vegetables or other dishes then use the Ooni Cast Iron Series.
The stone baking board is not dishwasher safe.
How do I extinguish Ooni Karu 12?
Leave Ooni Karu 12 to burn through any remaining solid fuels and allow it to cool naturally. This can take 60 minutes depending on ambient temperatures.
Do not apply water to Ooni Karu 12 to extinguish or cool as this can cause damage and personal injury.
Once it has completely cooled, you can flip the stone baking board for the next time you use your Ooni Karu 12. The top temperatures inside Ooni Karu 12 will naturally clean the underside.
Ooni Karu 12 has been carefully designed to provide exceptional food experiences and we know that you will love using it to cook. Our team have thousands of hours of experience cooking with fire and enjoying delicious pizza. You can reach us at support.ooni.com or check out our online FAQs and video guides - we'll be happy to help.
It is perfectly normal for solid fuels to produce some smoke during the initial lighting period. Once Ooni Karu 12 is up to temperature, it will burn cleanly with minimal smoke. Continued smoke is a sign of incomplete combustion and can be caused by reduced airflow or the use of unsuitable fuel.
Remember to follow the lighting steps and to top up little and often. An over-full grate can suffocate the flame and cause smoke.
Always store your fuel in a warm, dry environment and use within 6 months. Charcoal and wood that are old may have absorbed moisture and will not burn cleanly or efficiently.
Check that your chimney baffle is open and chimney cap is removed which will allow maximum airflow.
Ooni Karu 12 is made from high-quality stainless steel. You may notice some colour changes after repeated heat cycles but this won't a ect performance. This change is known as patina. Remember to store your Ooni Karu 12 indoors when it is not in use.
Soot is natural when burning solid fuels. Excess soot can be wiped down using a dry paper towel or the Ooni Pizza Oven Brush when Ooni Karu 12 has completely cooled. You can reduce the amount of soot through efficient fuel management as described.
Remember to open the chimney baffle fully and remove the chimney cap for optimum airflow and an efficient burn.
Fuel management is the easiest way to reduce the temperature of Ooni Karu 12. If your Ooni Karu 12 exceeds 950°F (500°C), stop adding fuel and remove the hatch until regular temperatures are reached. You can also reduce the flames by closing over the chimney baffle).
If your stone baking board is too hot, try adding a piece of Ooni cast iron for 30 seconds or so to absorb some of the heat.
Ooni Karu 12 will preheat from 15 minutes. Add an additional 5-10 minutes to this preheat time if your Ooni Karu 12 is not running hot enough.
If cooking with charcoal or wood, check that your chimney baffle is open and the chimney cap is removed for optimum airflow. Before each cook, free the grate of any leftover ash by brushing it down. Only use fuel that is high quality, dry and less than 6 months old.
Keep your door on throughout any charcoal and wood-fired cooks. This helps to keep heat in and allows the chimney to work its magic drawing heat from the grate.
Note: If your Ooni Karu 12 has been exposed to rain or extreme cold it may take longer to preheat.
We recommend the use of our Ooni Infrared Thermometer for gauging the temperature of your stone baking board. Aim for 752°F (400°C) in the middle of the stone for Neapolitan style pizza. Thicker pizza styles will require a lower stone temperature. Some other tips that will prebaffle overcooking are:
Your stone baking board may change colour during your cook but this will not affect performance. If you want, you can scrape away any excess flour or food with the Ooni Pizza Oven Brush. Once the stone baking board has completely cooled, you can flip it over for the next time you cook - the high temperatures inside Ooni Karu 12 will naturally clean the underside.
Parts of Ooni Karu 12 will regularly reach temperatures of 1000°F (537°C) and above. As a result, the appearance of your grate may change but this will not affect performance.
Replacements are available to order via ooni.com.
If your stone baking board is too hot, try adding a piece of Ooni cast iron for 30 seconds or so to absorb some of the heat.
We love hearing and seeing what you create and cook with your Ooni Karu 12 so keep in touch by tagging your photos with #ooni or #oonified
Follow us and keep up to date with all things Ooni via:
Subscribe to our mailing list at ooni.com for access to delicious recipes, top tips and exclusive promotions. If you have any questions, queries or comments then you can reach us at support.ooni.com.
The Ooni Impact Fund donates 1% of Ooni's annual global revenue to charitable causes and projects focused on social and environmental change. By purchasing Ooni Karu 12 you're helping to plant trees through Ooni's partnership with Eden Projects and 1% for the Planet.
Thank you!
ooni.com/impact
Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.
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