Essentials Guide

Flame management
What are you looking for
when cooking with fire?
Neapolitan-style pizza needs
real flame to cook a pizza in
60 seconds.
This rolling flame will bake a beautiful 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.
1
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.
Ooni Karu 16 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.
2
26 27
It is perfectly normal for
Ooni Karu 16 to produce
smoke and leave a layer of
soot on the inside of the
oven. Excess soot can be a
sign of incomplete airflow
or wet fuel. Soot can be
wiped down with a dry
paper towel after you have
finished cooking.