Pala

Pala is a website dedicated to reviewing portable pizza ovens, providing step-by-step recipes, and offering guides for pizza enthusiasts. The site tests both New York and Neapolitan style pizzas in each oven to evaluate performance, features, and cost. It was launched at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic with the goal of being the #1 resource for outdoor pizza ovens.

Pala hand-tests two different styles of pizzas in each oven and conducts a preheat test that measures stone temperature at 5-minute intervals. They use a custom-made spreadsheet to grade the oven on a scale of 0-5 based on performance to cost ratio, features, and quality.

Recent reviews include the Gozney Arc Lite, Gozney Dome Gen 2, Pizza Party Ispirazione, Ooni Volt 2, and Ooni Koda 2 Pro. The team also tested the Effeuno P134HA in a Reddit community test.

The website states that their difference is getting their hands on the actual product before writing about it, rather than just re-hashing manufacturer specs. They also emphasize testing two different pizza styles to understand how lower max heat affects performance.

The Ooni Volt 2 is described as a premium electric pizza oven with a much smaller footprint and upgraded controls. Pala found it easier to fine-tune settings to get a preferred crust color and noted it produced better char compared to the original Volt.

The Ooni Koda 2 Pro is an 18-inch monster pizza oven that is the second generation follow-up to the Koda 16. Pala compared the design and performance of the two generations, cooking both Neapolitan and giant 18-inch New York style pizzas.

Pala provides a poolish pizza dough recipe and a Neapolitan pizza dough recipe. These recipes are linked within their community discussions and are used for testing various ovens.

Reviewers praise the thin and crispy crust, fresh and flavorful toppings, and the friendly, accommodating staff. Many mention the cozy and inviting atmosphere, with some specifically highlighting the margherita pizza and tiramisu dessert.

Pala has a Trustburn rating of 4 out of 5 from 9 reviews. The split includes multiple 5-star and 4-star reviews, with a few 3-star reviews, all posted between January and November 2022.

Pala offers a contact form for inquiries and provides links to their Instagram and YouTube channels. They also have a section for recent posts and guides, such as pizza gift ideas and hydration percentages.

While news articles mention Pala in unrelated contexts like a sports venue or a holding company, Pala's own content aligns with the description of a specialized resource for outdoor pizza ovens launched during the pandemic.

The team includes Kevin Hansen as Lead Editor, Derek Gaughan as Founder, and Stefano Velia as an Author. Derek holds an MBA and is a trained pizzaiolo, while Stefano is a retired pizza chef with over 30 years of experience.

Visitors might wonder about the accuracy of the reviews or how the ovens compare to other brands. Pala addresses this by providing detailed preheat tests and comparing performance across different pizza styles.

Pala integrates with YouTube for video reviews and Instagram for social media engagement. They also use a custom-made spreadsheet for grading ovens and provide links to Amazon for affiliate programs.

Specific terms include 'poolish recipe,' 'binchotan charcoal,' 'hydration percentages,' and 'New York style pizza.' Features mentioned include the ability to cook up to 4 Neapolitan pizzas simultaneously and the use of propane or gas power.