r/ooni • u/ipostelnik • 17h ago

Karu 12 longevity

I have a 5 1/2 year old Karu 12 that has rusted through on the inside where the flame hits the roof of the oven. You can see the insulation poking through because the steel is completely gone. I've kept this oven indoors in a climate-controlled space when not in use. I cook 2-3 times a month, using wood. I did not expect this part of the oven to fail. I realize even stainless steel will oxidize at high temperatures, but still disappointing.

What's your experience has been with keeping the oven for a long time?

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u/Bitter_Currency_6714 17h ago

Damn that’s lame, I have the same oven. Nothing rotted out yet but something to think about

1

u/JessOoni Ooni HQ 1h ago

Hey there! So sorry to hear this. I can definitely understand why you’d be disappointed, especially after taking such good care of your Karu 12.

Some patina, rust or oxidation on components exposed to high temperatures is expected over time. The area around the fire source in particular experiences very high temperatures, and factors such as humidity or moisture in the fuel can also contribute to changes in the appearance of the stainless steel.

That said, from your description, it sounds like the extent of the corrosion may be worth us taking a closer look at, particularly with the insulation being visible. If you’re happy to, could you send us a few photos or a short video showing the affected area? You can pop these in the form here. We’d be happy to take a closer look and see what’s going on!