When it comes to pizza ovens, particularly design-led pizza ovens, you’d be forgiven for thinking these modern, lusted-after cooking accessories were exclusive to homes with sprawling outdoor spaces — but I’m pleased to inform you that this is not the case. While iterations of indoor pizza ovens have been available on the market for some time — the first dating back to 2018 — Ooni's Volt 2 is the premium pizza brand's very first indoor-only pizza oven.
I've tested many pizza ovens over the past four years, but this was my first time testing an indoor model, so I was very keen to see how it would compare to its outdoor counterparts. What Ooni has done with the Volt 2 is take all the learnings from its indoor-outdoor Volt 12 electric oven model to inform the build of the ultimate indoor pizza oven. Kristian Tapaninaho, Ooni's founder and co-CEO, describes the Volt 2 as the "most technologically advanced indoor pizza oven available today." Using a patent-pending Pizza Intelligence™ control system that adjusts heat in real time, the oven allows you to make restaurant-quality pizzas at the touch of a button.
Most notably, though, the Volt 2 is 30% smaller than the original Volt 12 — yet it still has the same size cooking area. This means it can sit neatly on your counters, while also fitting in your cupboard when you're not using it. So for pizza lovers without the luxury of an outdoor area, small-space dwellers, or fair-weather pizza makers, the Volt 2 is undoubtedly the most stylish countertop pizza oven available.
Size: 54.5 L x 44.2 W x 26.3 D
Stone capacity: 13.3"
Temperature range: 20°C to 450°C
Pizza modes: 5
Built-in timer: Yes
First Impressions
I've always been impressed with Ooni's meticulous packaging — no plastic here, either! And I thought the pizza oven looked pretty smart indeed when I took it out of the box. I tested the featured Polar White model, but it's also available in a Charcoal Gray colorway, and it has a matte, textural finish rather than glossy.
Now, it's not the lightest of machines — I can lift it and move it, yes, but I wouldn't describe it as particularly lightweight; in fact, it's actually quite heavy. However, it is movable, and it fits very neatly on my kitchen countertop and in my kitchen cupboard as well.
Although I didn't try Ooni's original electric pizza oven — the indoor/outdoor Volt 12 — I was very keen to see how the brand's new Pizza Intelligence™ control system would work in practice. Described by Ooni as having a "unique element design [that] works alongside internal sensors to adjust the oven’s temperature in real time for speed, accuracy and baking consistency."
This would be very different from my experience with cooking pizzas in outdoor pizza ovens, navigating the flame and elements at the same time, so here goes!
Testing Ooni's Volt 2 Pizza Oven
It really was a whole new world of pizza-making using an indoor pizza oven. Without a dedicated outdoor kitchen, there was no need to be on 'rain watch', and, as much as I like turning pizzas while they're cooking because it makes me feel like a total pro(!), it was also enjoyable not having to be glued to the pizza to assess when it was ready for turning during the process — particularly helpful when hosting.
(It's also worth pointing out, though, that if you have an Ooni pizza oven from the Koda 2 range, its new rotating stone eliminates the need to turn pizzas manually, too!)
My husband particularly liked the idea of the electric indoor pizza oven because we could "run it for free with our solar panels" — a slight obsession of his, but ultimately a very good point. And it was handy having the pizza oven in the kitchen right next to all of our cooking accessories and particularly right next to our kitchen island, which we always use to prep the doughs — a seamless sweep of the peel from the end of the island over to the pizza oven on the counter.
It's not a particularly quiet machine, though — particularly when compared to outdoor pizza oven varieties, which typically make no sound — and this is down to its high-speed internal cooling fans. But it's definitely not totally off-putting, at least I didn't think so.
It took roughly 20 minutes to reach the temperature for cooking, and then it took the standard 90 seconds to cook the pizza, just like the majority of top-performance outdoor pizza ovens — and it tasted just as delicious, too.
The Volt 2 isn't just for cooking pizzas either — with five different modes, you can also bake, roast and grill, too. It is, however, worth checking which of your trays fit in the oven, especially before attempting to cook something — I overzealously got everything organized to test baking muffins before realizing that none of my current trays were compatible: big fail on my part.
Should You Buy Ooni's Volt 2 Pizza Oven?
If you don't have an outdoor space, or if you live in a building that doesn't allow appliances with fire on a balcony, for example, or if you only cook outdoors when the weather's nice and you live in the UK(!) without a covered outdoor space, then this indoor pizza oven is the perfect alternative.
It's not super affordable, though, making it an investment piece requiring careful consideration. If you only envisage using it once in a while, I would suggest it may not be worth the expense, plus it will take up a whole shelf inside your kitchen cabinet, which is a waste if it's only for occasional use.
However, if you have the budget, love making pizzas regularly, and/or love to host frequently, then this is a worthy, design-forward addition to your collection of kitchen appliances from one of the most premium pizza oven brands out there.
Ooni Pizza Accessories
Without the right pizza oven accessories, even the most wonderful pizza oven won't be as easy to use — these are my top three Ooni accessories to make your pizza-making experience smoother, more enjoyable, and, of course, stylish, too.
If you like to make your dough from scratch but only make a small number of pizzas at a time, a mini scale is a needs must. When making a small batch of pizzas, you'll only require a small amount of yeast, and if your main scales are anything like mine, which don't start measuring until 5g upwards, then a mini scale solves your yeast-weighing issues. And this one measures as little as 0.1g.
Ooni's signature peel is perfect for removing all the excess semolina (or flour, depending on what you prefer to use) from the base of your dough before it reaches the stone, with perforations along the entire base. I also prefer aluminium peels over wooden ones, as they're much slimmer for a more streamlined thrust into the oven.
Speaking of streamlined, if you're looking for a crisp, clean cut, then a rocker cutter is the slicing accessory for you. I also use my rocker cutter in tandem with a wooden cutting board with grooves to make getting the perfect slice easy every time — something like this Dexas Acacia Wood Pizza Cutting Board on Amazon is just like the one I use, and makes for a great serving board, too.
I have also tried Ooni's Dough Balls, which were good — I absolutely loved the fancy 100% reusable wool insulation that they arrived in; top marks for eco credentials there — but I have to say, I prefer the pizzas when we make the dough from scratch, and I must admit, Ooni's Type "00" Pizza Flour is our absolute favorite.
If you want to start making restaurant-grade pizzas at home, then these are my Ooni pizza oven tips to ensure you're prepped for success.
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