Let’s Talk About Oven Modifications

At Ooni HQ, we’re seriously inspired by our online community. The recipes and innovations shared daily are a testament to the creativity that flows freely in this passionate group. As we’ve engaged with and celebrated many of the helpful tips that get shared, though, we’ve noticed an increase in modifications to Ooni ovens. 

First, hear us when we say that we’re right there with you on the quest for the perfect pizza. We’re constantly challenging ourselves to take all of our products to the next level, and we’re always keen to get feedback from the passionate pizza makers in the Ooni community as to how we can improve. 

That being said, any tampering with the way Ooni ovens are intended to function can present serious dangers. Ooni products go through rigorous development, testing and certification across the globe. Our game-changing ovens are designed by an expert engineering team in Edinburgh for maximum performance so everyone can make great pizza at home, safely.

Any Ooni oven modification – like custom oven doors, flame guards and “pizza shelves” – violates our terms and invalidates any warranty.

So we strongly discourage modifying any Ooni products. Our top priority is the health and safety of our community, and many of the modifications we’ve seen can damage the ovens and even worse, cause serious injury to you or others. To that end, we’d like to address a few modification questions recurring of late.

But custom stainless steel oven doors for the Koda 12 and Koda 16 are fine, right? 

But to fully explain why, we first need to talk about airflow. Our ovens are designed to retain heat in a way that allows air to pass through safely, creating an ideal pizza-making environment. 

Attaching a door to one of our Ooni Koda ovens blocks airflow and can result in gas buildup. As the gas builds up inside, temperatures can increase to dangerous levels and put the oven at risk of exploding. 

Restricting the airflow inside Koda ovens increases the amount of carbon monoxide and creates a sooty flame, as well as an unnecessary mess inside the oven.

Finally, trapping excess heat in the oven body can compromise or damage the built-in Flame Safety Device. This device measures the oven’s internal temperature and makes sure gas flow shuts off if the flame goes out. When too much heat is trapped in the oven body due to modifications, this device won’t perform the way it was designed to. 

What about flame guards, “pizza shelves” or other modifications?

Any adjustments or modifications to Ooni products significantly increases risk when using our ovens.

Like we said, we love the passion and dedication to making the perfect pizza that has inspired Ooni owners to get the most out of their ovens. For your safety, we just want to make sure you’re aware that Ooni ovens are not designed, tested or certified to be operated with unauthorized modifications. As a reminder, we include a safety manual with all Ooni products and accessories, covering the ways products are meant to be used.

In the interest of keeping our online community safe, we will be removing any content on our forums that includes product modifications. We’re also in the process of reaching out to all third-party suppliers so they don’t accidentally promote potentially dangerous practices. 

If we end up taking your modification content down, let us know in our suggestion box how you would like to be using your oven and any ways you think we can improve our products. You never know — you might just inspire the next bright idea down the line.

Bottom line: Let’s help keep each other happy and healthy. After all, isn’t that what community is for?