The Ooni Koda 12 was Ooni’s compact gas entry-level oven from 2019 until it was discontinued in 2024 and replaced by the Koda 2. If you’re deciding between a second-hand Koda 12 and a new Koda 2, or just want to understand what changed between generations, this comparison covers everything that matters.
Specs Side by Side
| Spec | Ooni Koda 12 | Ooni Koda 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Discontinued | Current model |
| Fuel | Gas (propane/butane) | Gas (propane/butane) |
| Max pizza size | 12 inch | 13 inch |
| Max temperature | 500°C | 500°C |
| Preheat time | 15 min | 20 min |
| Weight | 9.25 kg | 11.5 kg |
| Burner type | L-shaped single burner | UU-shaped dual burner |
| Cooking surface | ~33 × 33 cm | ~35 × 35 cm |
| Price (new) | Discontinued (~£100–180 used) | ~£379 |
The Key Upgrade: Burner Design
The most meaningful difference between the two ovens is the burner. The Koda 12 used a single L-shaped burner positioned at the rear of the oven. Heat flowed primarily from the back, which meant the rear of the pizza cooked much faster than the front. To compensate, you needed to rotate the pizza every 20–30 seconds — manageable once you’re used to it, but easy to get wrong while you’re learning.
The Koda 2 uses a UU-shaped dual burner that wraps further around both sides and the back of the cooking chamber. The result is noticeably more even heat from all directions, which reduces the need for constant rotation and gives more consistent leopard spotting on the crust. For newer cooks especially, this makes a real difference to results.
Cooking Space
The Koda 12 takes a maximum 12-inch pizza. The Koda 2 takes a 13-inch pizza — about 8% more cooking surface, which in practice means slightly larger bases or a bit more room to work. Neither oven is suited to 16-inch pizzas or cooking non-pizza items in a large cast iron pan; both are genuinely compact ovens designed for single-person portions cooked in sequence.
Weight and Portability
The Koda 12 at 9.25kg was genuinely light — easy to one-hand into the car and store in a bag. The Koda 2 at 11.5kg is still portable but noticeably heavier. Both have fold-flat legs. For most people the difference is irrelevant; if weight is critical (camping, carrying a distance), the Koda 12’s lightness was a genuine advantage.
Heat Recovery Between Pizzas
When you launch a cold dough ball onto the stone, the stone temperature drops significantly. The Koda 2’s dual burner reheats the stone faster between launches, meaning less waiting time when cooking multiple pizzas in a row. With the Koda 12, a 3–4 minute wait between pizzas was typically needed to bring the stone back to full temperature. The Koda 2 recovers in 2–3 minutes. A small difference for a family of four; more significant if you’re cooking for a group of eight.
What Stayed the Same
Both ovens share the same cordierite cooking stone, the same gas connection system, and the same fundamental cooking approach. Both reach 500°C. Both preheat in under 20 minutes. Both produce genuine Neapolitan-quality pizza when used correctly. The Koda 12 was not a bad oven — it was a very good one for its time. The Koda 2 is simply better in the ways that matter most.
Should You Buy a Second-Hand Koda 12?
The Koda 12 appears regularly on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Gumtree at £80–180 depending on condition. At that price it remains a serious consideration for a first pizza oven — particularly if you want to try high-temperature cooking before spending full price on a current model.
Before buying, check: the igniter sparks cleanly, the burner lights without delay, there are no cracks in the cordierite stone, and the gas hose and regulator are in good condition (replace these regardless if they look old — a new hose and regulator costs around £15 and is cheap peace of mind). The body may have surface rust or discolouration from use; this is cosmetic and doesn’t affect performance.
If a well-maintained Koda 12 is available for £120 or less, it’s a very good deal. At £160–180, the gap to a new Koda 2 at £379 starts to feel worth closing, particularly for the improved burner design and warranty.
Verdict
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Buying new | Koda 2 — better burner, larger stone, manufacturer support |
| Second-hand Koda 12 under £120 | Good value if condition is solid |
| Second-hand Koda 12 over £160 | Consider closing the gap to a new Koda 2 |
| Cooking for 4+ regularly | Consider stepping up to the Koda 16 instead |
See also: Ooni Koda 12 review | Ooni Koda 2 review | Ooni Koda 16 review | best pizza oven for beginners | best gas pizza ovens
