The Ooni Volt 2 indoor pizza oven underwent thorough evaluation, demonstrating remarkable efficiency in high-temperature baking. It rapidly achieved the necessary heat for diverse pizza types and flatbreads, consistently delivering exceptional results. Despite minor drawbacks concerning its user interface and preset options, its specialized design for intense heat cooking positions it as a superior appliance for dedicated pizza enthusiasts. Its adaptability for various baking needs, including oven and broil functions, further enhances its appeal, albeit with some spatial constraints for bulkier items.
The Ooni Volt 2: An In-Depth Performance Review
Our comprehensive testing of the Ooni Volt 2 indoor pizza oven involved a series of meticulous culinary experiments. The primary objective was to assess its prowess in preparing an array of pizza styles and flatbreads, focusing on heating efficiency, cooking consistency, and user experience. Grace Kelly, a distinguished senior editor at Serious Eats, spearheaded this evaluation, bringing her extensive expertise in culinary equipment to the forefront. Her household, already a haven for pizza ovens, welcomed this indoor model, providing a unique comparative context for its performance.
During the Neapolitan Pizza Test, two pizzas were crafted using the oven's preset function, programmed to a scorching 810\u00b0F. The preheating duration was precisely measured, and observations were made regarding the ease of handling, rotation, and retrieval of the pizzas. The actual cooking times were also meticulously recorded. For the Detroit Pan Pizza Test, a Detroit-style pan pizza was baked in a high-quality aluminum pan. The oven's pan pizza preset, initially at 530\u00b0F, was adjusted to 550\u00b0F to align with the recipe's specifications, allowing for an assessment of the temperature adjustment mechanism. After 14 minutes, the pizza's baking quality was thoroughly examined. The Thin-Crust Pizza Test involved preparing New York-style pizzas on the thin and crispy setting, with a keen focus on the resultant texture. Finally, the Naan Test utilized the Neapolitan setting, adjusted to 500\u00b0F, to bake individual naan breads. The evenness of baking and the development of characteristic char marks were key points of observation.
The Ooni Volt 2 exhibited impressive capabilities across all tests. It achieved the required 810\u00b0F for Neapolitan pizzas in a mere 21 minutes, a speed comparable to many outdoor pizza ovens. Neapolitan pizzas were perfectly cooked in 120 seconds, only slightly exceeding the advertised 90 seconds, a minor deviation attributed to dough preparation. The Detroit pan pizza, baked at 530\u00b0F, achieved crispy, frico-like edges within 14 minutes, with the auto-adjust feature effectively preventing overcooking. Naan breads emerged puffed, chewy, and beautifully charred. However, some criticisms arose regarding the oven's user interface. The touchscreen proved challenging to operate with flour-dusted fingers, and the symbolic representation of presets was not immediately intuitive. The fixed temperature of 360\u00b0F for the oven mode felt arbitrary, and the oven's temperature range of 210\u00b0F to 480\u00b0F for this mode, along with a separate broil function, added layers of complexity. While the oven includes a rack, its compact interior limits its use for larger items like whole chickens, underscoring its primary utility for pizzas and flatbreads.
This review highlights the Ooni Volt 2's effectiveness as a specialized indoor pizza oven, capable of delivering professional-grade results. While some design elements of its digital interface could be improved for intuitive use, its core functionality in high-temperature baking is undeniable. For those committed to year-round pizza perfection, this appliance represents a significant investment that delivers on its promise of delicious, consistent outcomes. It encourages home cooks to experiment with various doughs and toppings, fostering a deeper appreciation for the art of pizza making without the constraints of outdoor elements.