After watching a bunch of YouTube videos, and following up on input from you folks on The Pit, I finally selected the Gozney Arc XL and its custom stand. It was delivered yesterday - took me under 20 minutes to un-box and setup the oven. Then it took me almost 1.5 hours to assemble the stand. These things get tougher and tougher for this old body. My beautiful bride helped, mostly with moral support, but also helped lift the oven a couple of times - the dang thing is heavy and awkward in shape. I'll insert some pics at the bottom, but why the Gozney?
The first significant thing I eliminated was the idea of a multi-fuel oven. It became clear that fire management of the non-gas fuels requires serious attention, and it seemed that many who do have multi-fuel ovens did not see any significant benefit to either the flavor or cooking result over using purely gas as the source. Knowing me, and how I struggle with even using charcoal in my SnS (I am getting better at that!), going with a pure gas fired oven helped narrow the field. That basically eliminated the Gozney Dome and the Ooni Karu. Well, the price of the Gozney Dome multi also helped eliminate it from my selection. That led me to focus on the Everdure R Kiln (thank Uncle Bob ) and the Gozney Arc or Arc XL.
My patio space also played a major role in deciding which way to go. I do not have much room for another table/cart of any size larger than just enough to hold the oven, let alone accessories, prep area, etc. The Gozney has a custom stand for their ovens. Everdure has a selection of outdoor kitchen stations that could be used, but those are not an option for my yard. I could have purchased a number of rolling cart options. The custom Gozney stand has the smallest footprint, rolls easily so I can move it to some of my existing tables for holding necessary cooking stuff, has side shelves that fold down and a full-length cover that goes over the oven and stand - and the cover is waterproof and fairly heavy.
The price of the Gozney Arc XL and the Everdure are the same, so that was not a decision factor for me. They also are the same size cooking area. The Everdure has a great feature of a motorized rotating pizza stone. My concern with that is that I know that I will be one of those folks who slop a pie in such a way as to dump food into the area underneath the rotating cooking stone. The vision of that helped guide me away from the Everdure. I was also very concerned about the amount of wind we get in the afternoons. There is not door on either the Gozney or Everdure, but there is a company that makes a partial "door" for the Gozney, although it can only be used to pre-heat the oven, not during the cooking process. The Ooni Karu does have a door, but that did not override some features I did not like (folding legs, big, high chimney).
I know any of the ovens I named and a few others here on The Pit suggested (Solo, Ooni Koda - not the one Panhead John recommended!) would do the job. Well, the deed is done and now it's time to focus on learning how to make some pies! I know my greatest challenge will be making the dough and then launching the pie into the oven without it sticking to the peel.
The first significant thing I eliminated was the idea of a multi-fuel oven. It became clear that fire management of the non-gas fuels requires serious attention, and it seemed that many who do have multi-fuel ovens did not see any significant benefit to either the flavor or cooking result over using purely gas as the source. Knowing me, and how I struggle with even using charcoal in my SnS (I am getting better at that!), going with a pure gas fired oven helped narrow the field. That basically eliminated the Gozney Dome and the Ooni Karu. Well, the price of the Gozney Dome multi also helped eliminate it from my selection. That led me to focus on the Everdure R Kiln (thank Uncle Bob ) and the Gozney Arc or Arc XL.
My patio space also played a major role in deciding which way to go. I do not have much room for another table/cart of any size larger than just enough to hold the oven, let alone accessories, prep area, etc. The Gozney has a custom stand for their ovens. Everdure has a selection of outdoor kitchen stations that could be used, but those are not an option for my yard. I could have purchased a number of rolling cart options. The custom Gozney stand has the smallest footprint, rolls easily so I can move it to some of my existing tables for holding necessary cooking stuff, has side shelves that fold down and a full-length cover that goes over the oven and stand - and the cover is waterproof and fairly heavy.
The price of the Gozney Arc XL and the Everdure are the same, so that was not a decision factor for me. They also are the same size cooking area. The Everdure has a great feature of a motorized rotating pizza stone. My concern with that is that I know that I will be one of those folks who slop a pie in such a way as to dump food into the area underneath the rotating cooking stone. The vision of that helped guide me away from the Everdure. I was also very concerned about the amount of wind we get in the afternoons. There is not door on either the Gozney or Everdure, but there is a company that makes a partial "door" for the Gozney, although it can only be used to pre-heat the oven, not during the cooking process. The Ooni Karu does have a door, but that did not override some features I did not like (folding legs, big, high chimney).
I know any of the ovens I named and a few others here on The Pit suggested (Solo, Ooni Koda - not the one Panhead John recommended!) would do the job. Well, the deed is done and now it's time to focus on learning how to make some pies! I know my greatest challenge will be making the dough and then launching the pie into the oven without it sticking to the peel.
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