Thoughts of an al-fresco pizza party may currently seem like nothing short of a pipe dream, but Tom Brady's go-to has still stopped us in our tracks. Here at H&G, we consistently view his choice, the Ooni Koda, as one of the best pizza ovens you can choose for taste, convenience, and value – but Brady's endorsement proves we're in good company.
The former New England Patriots quarterback curated a list of Amazon buys that he recommends giving as gifts, but this includes gifts for yourself, naturally. Among them was the Ooni Koda 16 Gas Powered Pizza Oven (available from the retailer), alongside the brand's 12” Metal Pizza Peel (on Amazon) – the pefect accompaniment to your oven. 'No matter who you’re shopping for, there’s something for everyone on your list, so you can make sure to give the gift of greatness this year,' Brady says.
Retailing at just under $600, the Ooni Koda is an investment, but its capabilities mean it's one of the best value pizza ovens for your money, and you don't need to wait until summer to turn a corner of your home into a pizzeria. This oven fits just as seamlessly on your kitchen countertops as it does in your yard – so that party isn't so out of reach after all.
This oven runs on your choice of propane or natural gas for unrivaled ease and control. It heats to 950 °F (500 °C), meaning you can cook stone-baked pizza in as little as 60 seconds.
Alex David, H&G's head of e-commerce and professional product reviewer, gave the Ooni Koda's sister appliance, the Ooni Koda 12, saying the process is effortless – leaving you with perfectly cooked pizzas in only one minute.
'The Ooni Koda 16 is the large version of the Koda 12, which is our favorite budget pizza oven. Like all Ooni ovens, it's fast and makes perfect Neapolitan pizzas,' David says. The only drawback is that you have to pay extra for essential features like a thermometer or a pizza peel'. For the latter, however, Brady has us covered. In his gift guide, he similarly endorsed the Ooni 12” Metal Pizza Peel (available on Amazon), described as a super smooth aluminum pizza paddle that's a 'professional’s tool of choice'.
Made from lightweight aluminum, the Ooni Aluminium pizza peel maneuvers pizzas with ease – allowing you to prep, slide, turn, or retrieve your delicious pizza without any fuss. The long and strong handle is designed to keep you away from the oven's extreme heat, whether you're just cooking your lunch or hosting from your kitchen or yard.
As a final pro-tip, don't forget to sprinkle your Ooni pizza peel with flour beforehand to help your pizza slide from the oven with ease. You can enjoy it knowing Brady has done the same.
