The Caso indoor pizza oven has quickly become a favorite among home cooks seeking authentic pizzeria-style pizza without the need for outdoor equipment. This compact appliance promises high heat and quick cook times, but does it deliver?
Design and Build Quality
The Caso pizza oven features a sleek stainless steel exterior that fits well on any kitchen countertop. Its compact size (approximately 16 x 14 x 9 inches) makes it suitable for small kitchens, yet it offers a generous cooking surface for 12-inch pizzas. The oven comes with a pizza stone and a metal peel, essential tools for achieving that crispy crust.
One standout feature is the dual heating elements – top and bottom – which can be controlled independently. This allows for precise heat management, crucial for melting cheese perfectly while crisping the base.
Performance and Cooking Experience
Preheating takes about 10-15 minutes, reaching temperatures up to 400°C (752°F). This high heat is key to replicating the conditions of a traditional wood-fired oven. In our tests, a Neapolitan-style pizza cooked in just 90 seconds, with a nicely charred crust and bubbly cheese.
The oven's performance is consistent, with minimal hot spots. However, users should rotate the pizza halfway through for even browning. The included peel makes launching and retrieving pizzas easy, though a dusting of semolina or cornmeal helps prevent sticking.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
Operating the Caso oven is straightforward: set the desired temperature for top and bottom heaters, wait for preheat, and cook. There's no smoke or excessive heat emission, making it safe for indoor use. The pizza stone absorbs moisture, resulting in a crispy crust, but it requires cooling before cleaning. A simple wipe with a damp cloth suffices; the stone should not be washed with soap.
One minor drawback is the lack of a timer or automatic shut-off, so you need to monitor cooking closely. Also, the oven gets very hot externally, so caution is needed around children.
Value for Money
Priced around £200-250, the Caso indoor pizza oven competes with other countertop models like the Breville Smart Oven or the Ooni Koda (though Ooni is outdoor). While it's an investment, for pizza enthusiasts who want quick, high-quality results without building an outdoor setup, it's worth considering. According to a spokesperson for Caso, “We designed this oven to bring the authentic pizzeria experience into any home kitchen, with no compromise on quality.”
Compared to using a regular oven, the Caso reduces cooking time by over 50% and produces superior texture. It also consumes less energy than heating a full-sized oven.
Conclusion
The Caso indoor pizza oven is a solid choice for anyone serious about homemade pizza. Its high heat, dual heating control, and compact design make it a valuable addition to the kitchen. While it requires attentive cooking and careful handling due to heat, the results are consistently impressive. If you make pizza regularly, this oven will elevate your game.
