Bertello Pizza Oven Review 2026: Shark Tank Winner Worth It?

You want restaurant quality pizza at home. You do not want to spend thousands of dollars on a permanent brick oven. The Bertello pizza oven promises a solution. This portable, multi fuel outdoor oven reached fame on ABC’s Shark Tank and has sold millions of dollars worth of units since then. But does it still hold up in 2026?

I spent weeks testing the Bertello SimulFIRE lineup. I cooked Neapolitan pies, Detroit style pizza, steaks, and vegetables. I pushed the oven to its maximum temperature. I compared it to popular competitors like Ooni and Gozney.

This review covers every detail you need to make a smart buying decision. Keep reading to find out if the Bertello pizza oven deserves a spot on your patio this year.

Key Takeaways

• The Bertello SimulFIRE pizza oven uses gas, wood, charcoal, and pellets. It is the only popular portable oven that burns gas and wood at the same time. This gives you maximum cooking flexibility in a single unit.
• It reaches over 930°F and cooks a pizza in under 2 minutes. The high heat produces authentic Neapolitan style leopard spotting and crispy crust. Preheat time is about 15 to 30 minutes on gas.
• The 12 inch model costs around $499 for the Everything Bundle. The newer SimulFIRE 16 inch rotating model is priced at about $599 to $699. Both options are competitively priced against Ooni and Gozney.
• Portability is a big strength. The 12 inch model weighs about 36 pounds with the gas burner. Fold down legs make it easy to carry to a campsite, tailgate, or a friend’s backyard.
• There is a learning curve. You will need to master rotation timing and pizza sizing. The 12 inch oven fits 10 to 11 inch pies most comfortably, even though the brand claims 12 inch capacity.
• Bertello now offers a lifetime warranty. This upgrade from the original two year warranty shows strong confidence in the product’s durability and build quality.

Bertello Pizza Oven: Brand History and Shark Tank Story

The Bertello pizza oven was created by brothers Eric and Andy Bert from Minnesota. Eric brought structural engineering experience. Andy handled the business side. They launched the oven as a Kickstarter project under the name “Napoli” before rebranding to Bertello.

In 2019, the brothers appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank and secured a deal with Kevin O’Leary. The investment was $120,000 for 25% equity. That exposure launched Bertello into the mainstream portable pizza oven market.

Since then, the company has grown to over $10 million in sales. They have expanded from a single 12 inch model to include the larger SimulFIRE 16 inch rotating oven. The brand now sells pizza dough, accessories, and complete bundles on Amazon and through their own website.

Bertello SimulFIRE 12 Inch Pizza Oven: Design and Build Quality

The Bertello SimulFIRE 12 inch oven measures 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 11 inches tall. The gas burner adds about 10 inches to the back. Total weight with the burner is around 36 pounds.

The body is made from insulated powder coated stainless steel. It uses riveted construction. The design is more functional than flashy. Fold down legs make storage and transport simple. You can throw this oven in your car trunk without any struggle.

The cordierite pizza stone measures 12.5 inches wide by 13.5 inches deep. The oven mouth opening is about 12.5 inches wide and 3 inches high. This opening is tight, which means launching and retrieving your pizza requires practice and a good quality peel.

The overall build feels solid and durable. Multiple reviewers have used their Bertello ovens for years without structural issues. The lifetime warranty (excluding abuse and neglect) adds peace of mind.

Bertello SimulFIRE 16 Inch Rotating Pizza Oven

The Bertello SimulFIRE 16 inch model is the newer, bigger brother. It features a rotating pizza stone that spins your pie for even cooking. This eliminates the need to manually pull out and rotate your pizza every 20 seconds.

This model uses a dual “FlameThrower” burner system. One burner heats the stone from below. The second burner cooks the toppings from above. This dual heat setup creates more even cooking results than the 12 inch model.

The 16 inch oven reaches over 900°F in less than 15 minutes. It can cook a perfect pizza in under 2 minutes. The larger cooking surface accepts full 16 inch pizzas, which gives you much more room to work with than the compact 12 inch version.

This model was available for pre order through Bertello’s website and recently became available on Amazon. It represents a major upgrade in both size and cooking technology for the Bertello lineup.

Top 3 Alternatives for Bertello Pizza Oven

If you want to compare your options before buying, here are three popular alternatives that compete directly with the Bertello pizza oven.

Ooni Koda 16 is a gas only pizza oven that heats to 950°F in 20 minutes. It offers a larger cooking surface and a simple one dial control. It is a favorite among beginners for its ease of use.

Gozney Roccbox is a premium portable oven that reaches 950°F and cooks pizza in 60 seconds. It supports both gas and wood firing (with a separate wood burner attachment). The build quality is excellent with thick insulation and a retractable flame.

Solo Stove Pi Prime is a propane powered oven with a panoramic opening that makes pizza launching easy. It heats up in 15 minutes and delivers crispy pies in 90 seconds. The design is sleek and modern.

Multi Fuel Capability: Gas, Wood, Charcoal, and Pellets

The biggest selling point of the Bertello pizza oven is its multi fuel versatility. No other popular portable oven offers this many fuel options in one package.

You can cook with propane gas using the included 15,700 BTU U shaped burner. This is the most convenient option. Gas provides consistent heat control and a fast preheat time. Most users prefer this method for everyday pizza making.

You can also cook with wood, charcoal, or pellets using the included wood/charcoal tray. This method gives you a more traditional fire experience. It does require more attention and fire management skills.

The real magic is the SimulFIRE feature. You can burn gas and add wood chunks at the same time. The gas provides consistent base heat while the wood adds smoky flavor. This dual fuel method is unique to Bertello among portable pizza ovens.

However, some reviewers note that the wood smoke quality can vary. The small oven chamber may limit oxygen flow to the wood, which can produce slightly bitter smoke. For the cleanest flavor, many experienced users recommend sticking with gas only and relying on high heat char for that smoky taste.

Temperature Performance and Preheat Time

Temperature is everything in pizza making. The Bertello delivers impressive heat numbers for its size and price.

On gas at full power, the oven reaches 400°F at the back of the stone in just 5 minutes. After 10 minutes, the back hits 600°F. A full 30 minute preheat brings the back stone to about 780°F and the front to around 450°F.

Push the oven to a one hour preheat on high, and you get 941°F at the back and 623°F at the front. At those temperatures, a Neapolitan pizza cooks in about 90 seconds. That is professional pizzeria speed.

There is a consistent temperature difference between the back and front of the stone. The back runs roughly twice as hot as the front. This is normal for portable pizza ovens with rear mounted burners. It means you must rotate your pizza for even cooking.

On the low setting, the oven maintains about 700°F at the back after 45 minutes. This opens up possibilities for non Neapolitan styles like Detroit or New York pizza, which cook at lower temperatures for longer times.

Cooking Experience and Pizza Results

The actual cooking experience with the Bertello is fast and exciting. Once the stone is fully preheated, your pizza goes from raw dough to finished pie in under 2 minutes.

Bertello recommends preheating on high for 30 minutes. Then you add wood (if desired), turn the gas to low, and launch your pizza. Rotate the pizza every 20 to 25 seconds at quarter turns. This method produces an evenly cooked pie with good leopard spotting.

One important detail: you need to pull the pizza completely out of the oven to rotate it. The 12 inch model is too tight to spin a pizza inside. Use a metal peel to slide the pie out, give it a quarter turn by hand, and re launch. This technique takes practice but becomes second nature after a few pies.

The crust results are excellent. You get a crispy underskirt, a puffy cornicione with charred bubbles, and a tender interior. The high heat creates that signature wood fired look and texture, even on gas only mode.

The 16 inch rotating model solves the rotation problem entirely. The spinning stone does the work for you, which makes it a much easier experience for beginners.

What Else Can You Cook Besides Pizza?

The Bertello pizza oven is not limited to pizza. Its wide temperature range (700°F to 930°F) opens up many cooking possibilities.

Steaks cook beautifully in the Bertello. Place a small cast iron pan on the pizza stone. Let it preheat on high. A 1.5 inch thick strip steak reaches medium rare in about 12 minutes. The intense overhead heat creates a searing crust similar to a restaurant broiler.

Vegetables roast fast at these temperatures. Brussels sprouts in a carbon steel pan take about 15 minutes on the low setting. The high heat caramelizes them perfectly without making them mushy.

Seafood and fish also work well. Shrimp sizzle in minutes. Salmon fillets develop a crispy skin. You can even bake flatbreads and naan style breads on the stone.

The key is using oven safe cookware that fits inside the small opening. A 12 inch cast iron or carbon steel pan works best. Keep in mind that you may need to remove the pizza stone for deeper pans.

Bertello 12 Inch vs 16 Inch: Which Should You Buy?

This is a common question for buyers in 2026. Both models have clear strengths.

The 12 inch model is lighter, more portable, and less expensive. It works great for couples or small families. The Everything Bundle at around $499 includes the gas burner, peel, wood tray, cover, and thermometer. If you travel to cook or want a compact option, this is your pick.

The 16 inch model is better for families and entertaining. The larger stone accepts bigger pizzas. The rotating feature removes the need for manual turning. The dual FlameThrower burner provides more even heat distribution. Pricing starts around $599 to $699.

If you cook for four or more people regularly, the 16 inch model saves time. You produce larger pizzas and cook them more evenly. If you want maximum portability and cook mostly for one or two people, the 12 inch model is the smarter choice.

Both models share the same multi fuel capability and SimulFIRE technology. Both reach over 900°F. The difference comes down to size, convenience, and budget.

Bertello vs Ooni: How Do They Compare?

Ooni is the most popular name in portable pizza ovens. The comparison with Bertello is inevitable.

Ooni Koda 16 is a gas only oven. It heats to 950°F in 20 minutes. It has a larger opening and a wider stone than the Bertello 12 inch. The single L shaped burner provides slightly more even heat. However, it cannot burn wood, charcoal, or pellets. It is strictly a gas oven.

Ooni Karu 16 is the multi fuel option from Ooni. It burns gas and wood, but not simultaneously like Bertello. You choose one fuel source per cook session. The Karu is also more expensive at around $800.

The Bertello 12 inch is lighter than the Gozney Roccbox and close in weight to Ooni models. The Bertello’s SimulFIRE dual fuel feature is its biggest advantage. If you want one oven that does everything, Bertello offers more flexibility.

Ooni has a larger accessory ecosystem and wider brand recognition. Bertello has the unique simultaneous gas and wood capability. Your choice depends on whether multi fuel flexibility matters to you.

Gas Efficiency and Propane Usage

Propane costs add up over time, so gas efficiency matters. The Bertello runs very efficiently thanks to its compact size.

A standard 20 pound propane tank lasts a long time with the Bertello 12 inch model. Even the larger 16 inch model gets about two months of use from one tank (cooking four days per week for about an hour each session).

The 12 inch model uses a 15,700 BTU burner. This is modest compared to larger ovens. The small chamber retains heat well, so the burner does not work as hard to maintain temperature.

For a typical pizza night where you cook four to six pizzas, you will use a surprisingly small amount of propane. The preheat phase uses the most gas. Once the oven is hot, you turn the dial to low and the fuel consumption drops.

Bertello connects to a standard propane tank with a regulator hose. No special adapters are needed. This simple setup adds to the oven’s user friendly design.

Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

Cleaning the Bertello is straightforward but requires some care.

Between pizzas, scrape the stone with a metal pizza peel. This removes burnt flour and cheese residue. Do not blow into the oven to clear crumbs. The mouth also acts as the chimney, and flames can shoot back at your face.

After cooking, let the oven cool completely. Remove the cordierite stone and scrape it clean with a metal brush. Do not use water on a hot stone. Thermal shock can crack it.

If you use the gas and wood method, you will need to remove the gas burner assembly to dump out built up ash. An Allen wrench makes this step easier. If you only use gas, there is no ash to clean.

The stainless steel exterior wipes down with a damp cloth. The included weatherproof cover protects the oven from rain and dust when stored outside. Store the oven in a dry place during winter months to extend its life.

The cordierite stone will develop dark stains over time. This is normal and does not affect performance. Think of it as seasoning, similar to a cast iron skillet.

Warranty and Customer Support

Bertello upgraded their warranty to a lifetime warranty (excluding abuse and neglect). This is a strong commitment. Most competitors offer one to three year warranties.

The company also covers shipping costs for warranty claims. This removes a common frustration with outdoor product warranties where the customer pays high shipping fees.

Customer support is available through their website. Reviews suggest the support team is responsive and helpful. The Shark Tank connection with Kevin O’Leary has also pushed the company to maintain high customer satisfaction standards.

Replacement parts like pizza stones, gas burners, and wood trays are available for purchase separately. This means you can fix individual components without replacing the entire oven.

Who Should Buy the Bertello Pizza Oven?

The Bertello pizza oven is a great fit for home cooks who want flexibility. If you enjoy cooking with different fuel types, the SimulFIRE feature gives you options that no other portable oven matches.

It is also ideal for pizza enthusiasts who want to make authentic Neapolitan style pies at home. The 930°F+ temperatures produce results that rival professional pizza ovens costing thousands of dollars.

Tailgaters and campers will appreciate the portability. The fold down legs and compact size make transport easy. The multi fuel option means you can cook with whatever fuel is available at your location.

If you entertain often, the 16 inch rotating model is the better investment. It produces larger pizzas faster with less effort. The rotating stone is a true game changer for pizza parties.

Budget conscious buyers should consider the 12 inch Everything Bundle. At around $499, it includes everything you need to start cooking. That price is competitive with the Ooni Koda 16 and significantly less than the Gozney Roccbox.

Final Verdict: Is the Bertello Pizza Oven Worth It in 2026?

Yes, the Bertello pizza oven is worth buying in 2026. The multi fuel SimulFIRE capability remains unique in the market. The temperature performance is impressive. The build quality holds up over years of use. The lifetime warranty removes long term risk.

The 12 inch model is best for portability and smaller households. The 16 inch rotating model is best for families and entertaining. Both deliver excellent pizza at a competitive price point.

The learning curve is real. Expect to burn a few pies before you master the timing and rotation technique. Once you get comfortable, this oven produces pizza that rivals your favorite pizzeria.

If multi fuel cooking does not matter to you and you want the simplest experience, the Ooni Koda 16 might be a better fit. But if you want one oven that does everything and enjoy experimenting with different cooking methods, the Bertello is hard to beat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bertello pizza oven worth the money?

Yes. The Bertello pizza oven offers strong value at its price point. The Everything Bundle includes the oven, gas burner, peel, wood tray, cover, and thermometer. The multi fuel capability gives you more cooking options than most competitors at a similar price. The lifetime warranty also adds long term value.

How long does it take to preheat the Bertello pizza oven?

The Bertello takes about 15 to 30 minutes to preheat on gas. A 15 minute preheat gets the stone to around 600°F at the back. A full 30 minute preheat reaches about 780°F at the back. For maximum heat, preheat for one hour to hit over 900°F.

Can the Bertello pizza oven really cook a pizza in 2 minutes?

Yes. Once the stone reaches 700°F or higher, most pizzas cook in 60 to 120 seconds. At peak temperatures above 900°F, a Neapolitan pizza finishes in about 90 seconds. You must rotate the pizza every 20 to 25 seconds for even results.

What size pizza fits in the Bertello 12 inch oven?

The stone is 12.5 inches wide, but a 10 to 11 inch pizza is the most practical size. A full 12 inch pizza fits technically but leaves almost no room for rotation or adjustments. The 16 inch model is better if you want to make larger pies.

Does the Bertello pizza oven work with natural gas?

The standard Bertello models use propane gas. Bertello has indicated plans to offer a natural gas burner option. Check their official website for the latest availability on natural gas attachments.

How does Bertello compare to Ooni?

Bertello’s main advantage is simultaneous gas and wood burning. Ooni’s multi fuel models (like the Karu) use one fuel at a time. Ooni has a wider range of models and accessories. Bertello is more versatile in fuel options, while Ooni offers a slightly more polished user experience for gas only cooking.

Is the Bertello pizza oven good for beginners?

The Bertello has a moderate learning curve. Gas mode is beginner friendly, with simple dial control and consistent heat. Wood and charcoal modes require more skill. The 16 inch rotating model is the easiest option for beginners since it eliminates manual pizza rotation.

Last update on 2026-04-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API