Essentials Guide
Which fuel should you use?
Ooni Karu 16 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 16 will bake
incredible pizza.
Never use water to clean
the grate.
Ooni Karu 16 preheats super
quickly and will heat most
eciently when topped up
with fuel gradually, creating
the best environment for
optimised 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.
Do not overfill the fuel
tray, fuel should be added
little and often. Overfilling
the fuel tray like shown
to right (in photo) can
damage your oven
Cooking with fire is as much
an art as it is as a science –
this table will give you an
idea of the results to expect
from each fuel:
* Please note that the above figures are
estimates and are dependent on weather
and ambient temperatures.
** Gas Burner available at ooni.com.
Region dependent.
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.
See page 16 for lighting instructions.
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.
Use quality fuel, kiln dried hardwood (wet wood, greenwood,
softwood will cause excess smoke and poor performance.
We always use Ooni Premium Hardwood.
See page 16 for lighting instructions.
Charcoal Up to 480 - 570°F/
250 - 300°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.
We always use Ooni Premium Lumpwood charcoal.
See page 18 for lighting instructions.
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 page 20 for lighting instructions.
18 19