Why Is My Ooni Not Staying Lit?

You light your Ooni, you see the flame, you let go of the dial, and it goes out. It is one of the most common problems with gas pizza ovens, and the good news is that it is nearly always a quick fix rather than a faulty oven.

The fixes below are in order, starting with the simplest. They cover the gas models like the Koda and the gas burners for the Karu, plus a section for wood and charcoal fires.

Why a gas Ooni goes out: the flame safety device

Every gas Ooni has a flame safety device. A small metal probe called a thermocouple sits in the flame. When it is hot, it holds the gas valve open. When it is cold, it closes the valve so unburnt gas cannot build up.

When you push the dial in, you are holding the valve open by hand. If you release it before the thermocouple has heated up, the valve shuts and the flame dies. Almost every "will not stay lit" problem comes down to the thermocouple not getting hot enough, or the gas not arriving with enough pressure.

Safety first: keep your face and everyone else at least 3 feet (1 meter) from the front of the oven when lighting, and wait 5 minutes between attempts so any gas can clear.

Fix 1: Hold the dial in for longer

Push the dial in and turn it slowly over about 5 seconds until it clicks and lights. Then keep it pushed in for at least another 5 seconds before letting go. On a cold day, give it longer. This alone fixes the problem for most people.

Fix 2: Reset the regulator

Regulators sold in the USA and Canada have an excess flow safety feature. If the tank valve is opened quickly, it can trip and only let a trickle of gas through. The flame then lights weakly and goes out. To reset it:

1. Turn the oven dial to off.
2. Close the tank valve and disconnect the regulator from the tank.
3. Reconnect it firmly.
4. Open the tank valve slowly, only about halfway at first.
5. At the oven, push in and turn the dial very slowly until you hear gas, wait a few seconds, then turn it to ignite.
6. Keep the dial pushed in for around 20 seconds this time.
7. Once it is staying lit, open the tank valve fully.

Fix 3: Clean the thermocouple

Soot, grease or flour dust on the thermocouple stops it heating properly. With the oven completely cold and gloves on, wipe it with a dry paper towel, or blow it clean with compressed air if you cannot reach it. Do not use water or cleaning sprays on it.

Fix 4: Check the thermocouple is in the flame

If the thermocouple has been knocked or the bolt holding the flame safety device has worked loose, the tip may sit outside the flame. Ooni has a guide for tightening the flame safety bolt on the Koda 16. Only do this with the oven cold.

Fix 5: Get out of the wind

Wind can blow the flame away from the thermocouple the moment you let go. Turn the back of the oven into the wind or move it somewhere more sheltered. Wind also stops the oven reaching full temperature.

Fix 6: Check the gas tank

• Nearly empty tank. Low pressure means a weak flame. Swap to a full tank and try again.
• Cold weather. Propane pressure drops in the cold, and a small tank can struggle. A larger tank helps.
• Wrong regulator. Use the regulator supplied with the oven or one with the correct pressure rating for your region.
• Kinked hose. Make sure the hose is not bent tightly or trapped under a leg.

Fix 7: Wood and charcoal fires that keep going out

If you are using a Karu with wood or charcoal and the fire keeps dying, the cause is usually airflow or fuel:

• Use small, dry, kiln-dried hardwood. Damp wood smolders and smokes instead of burning.
• Do not overfill the fuel tray. Packing it full chokes the airflow.
• Remove the chimney cap and open the chimney vent fully.
• Keep the door on while the fire gets going so it draws air through the tray.
• Use lumpwood charcoal, not briquettes. Our guide on using charcoal in a pizza oven explains why.

What if it stays lit but will not get hot enough?

A weak flame that never gets the stone hot is often the same problem in a milder form. Work through these:

• Preheat for long enough. Give the oven at least 20 to 30 minutes, and longer in cold weather, before you judge the temperature.
• Reset the regulator as in Fix 2. A tripped regulator often gives a low, lazy flame rather than none at all.
• Stand it on a level surface. An uneven table can affect airflow through the oven.
• Measure correctly. Point an infrared thermometer at the center of the stone from about 6 inches (15 cm) away. If it is not an Ooni thermometer, set the emissivity to 0.95. Do not read through the glass of a door.
• Keep the stone clean. A stone caked in burnt flour and grease heats unevenly. See our guide on cleaning a pizza oven stone.

When to contact Ooni

If you have worked through every fix and the flame still cuts out, contact Ooni support. Have your order number and the serial number ready, and record a short video showing you lighting the oven, the flame while it runs, and your tank and regulator. That speeds things up a lot. If you are new to the brand, our Ooni 101 guide covers the basics.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my Ooni light and then go out after a few seconds?

The thermocouple has not heated up enough to hold the gas valve open. Keep the dial pushed in for at least 5 seconds after it lights, longer in cold or windy weather.

Can I bypass the flame safety device?

No. It stops unburnt gas building up if the flame goes out, and disabling it is dangerous. Clean or adjust it instead, or ask Ooni for a replacement part.

Why does my Ooni go out when it is windy?

Wind pushes the flame away from the thermocouple, which then cools and shuts off the gas. Turn the back of the oven toward the wind or use it somewhere sheltered.

Does cold weather stop an Ooni staying lit?

It can. Propane pressure drops in the cold and the thermocouple takes longer to heat. Hold the dial in longer and use a full, larger tank.

Sources: Ooni support: flame cutting out; Ooni support: not getting hot enough.