As a restaurant chef with over 10 years of experience at Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I’ve had the pleasure of testing and comparing some of the best pizza ovens on the market. In this article, I’ll be comparing two popular models: the Gozney Roccbox and the Ooni Fyra 12. Since I’ve used both extensively in my kitchen, I’ll be sharing insights on their quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and how they performed in a real pizza cooking test. If you’re interested in the detailed process of how I test pizza ovens, you can check out my separate in-depth article on that.
Before diving into the full comparison, here’s a quick overview of each oven:
- Gozney Roccbox: A high-quality, versatile pizza oven designed for both gas and wood use, known for its consistent performance and precise temperature control.
- Ooni Fyra 12: A lightweight, wood pellet-powered pizza oven that excels in portability and delivers impressive wood-fired flavors.
I’ve conducted thorough tests to compare the Gozney Roccbox with the Ooni Fyra 12, detailed in this article.
Disclaimer: This article includes referral links. If you decide to purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This support helps keep my blog alive and allows me to continue bringing you honest reviews and comparisons.
Gozney Roccbox VS Ooni Fyra 12: Quality and Materials
| The Roccbox is constructed with premium stainless steel and dense insulation, ensuring durability and superior heat retention. It’s built to last and is often seen in professional kitchens. |
The Fyra 12 uses insulated 430-grade powder-coated carbon steel. While sturdy, it’s designed for lighter use, making it great for casual outdoor pizza enthusiasts.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Ooni Fyra 12: Temperature Control
| The Roccbox’s dome shape is optimized for consistent heat circulation, enhancing the cooking process and creating perfectly even pizzas. |
The Fyra 12 also features a dome design but is more compact. Its shape helps direct heat towards the center, ideal for fast cooking with wood pellets.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Ooni Fyra 12: Shape
| The Roccbox reaches up to 950°F using either gas or wood. It provides precise control, making it easy to achieve that perfect char on Neapolitan pizzas. |
The Ooni Fyra 12 heats up to 950°F using wood pellets, delivering a smoky flavor. However, it requires a bit more effort to maintain a consistent temperature compared to the Roccbox’s gas option.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Ooni Fyra 12: First-Time Usage Impressions
| Very user-friendly with an intuitive setup. Cooking with the Roccbox was seamless from the start, producing consistently great results. |
The Fyra 12 had a slight learning curve due to using wood pellets, but once familiar with the process, it’s straightforward and efficient. The wood-fired flavor is a unique advantage.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Ooni Fyra 12: Power Source
| Offers dual fuel capability: propane gas for ease and wood for a traditional flavor. |
Operates exclusively on wood pellets, enhancing the flavor profile of the pizzas but may require more effort to maintain heat consistency.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Ooni Fyra 12: Size
| Weighs around 49.9 pounds, making it slightly bulkier but still portable for outdoor use. Suitable for both personal and semi-professional setups. |
Compact and lightweight at 22 pounds, making it easy to carry for outdoor gatherings. However, the size is better suited for smaller cooking sessions.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Ooni Fyra 12: Ease of Cleaning
| Cleaning is straightforward; just wipe down with soapy water and brush off any debris. The thick stone retains heat, burning off most residue. |
Cleaning the Fyra 12 requires a bit more effort. Ash needs to be removed after each use, and the interior should be wiped with a dry cloth. Avoid using water to preserve its performance.
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Pizza Cooking Test
When testing these two ovens side by side, we focused on how quickly they heated up, how fast they cooked a classic Margherita pizza, and the resulting taste.
- Gozney Roccbox: The Roccbox reached its optimal temperature of 950°F within 15-20 minutes. We launched a Margherita pizza, and within just 60 seconds, it came out with a beautifully crisp crust and bubbling cheese. The high heat and rolling flame provided a perfectly even cook with that authentic Neapolitan char.
- Ooni Fyra 12: The Fyra 12, using wood pellets, also heated up to around 950°F but took a bit longer—about 15 minutes. Cooking the Margherita took slightly more time, around 2 minutes. However, the wood-fired flavor added an extra layer of depth to the taste. While the crust was crisp, the temperature control required more attention compared to the Roccbox.
How We Tested
We tested both the Gozney Roccbox and Ooni Fyra 12 in our restaurant’s outdoor setup to see how they perform under real conditions. We used both ovens to cook multiple pizzas, including Margherita, to assess consistency, speed, and flavor. For the Ooni Fyra 12, we experimented with different wood pellet brands to achieve the best possible results. The Roccbox was tested with both propane and wood to compare versatility.
Conclusion
Both the Gozney Roccbox and the Ooni Fyra 12 are excellent outdoor pizza ovens, each catering to different preferences. The Roccbox stands out for its versatility, ease of use, and precision, making it ideal for those who want quick, professional-quality results. On the other hand, the Ooni Fyra 12 shines for its wood-fired flavor and portability, perfect for pizza enthusiasts who appreciate the traditional approach.
Ultimately, the choice is yours: if you’re after consistent and easy results with flexibility, go for the Roccbox. If you’re seeking a lighter, wood-fired experience, the Fyra 12 is a great option.
If you decide to purchase one, I’d greatly appreciate it if you used my referral links: Gozney Roccbox and Ooni Fyra 12. It helps support my blog at no extra cost to you.