As a restaurant chef with over 10 years of experience at my restaurant, Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I’ve had the opportunity to put various pizza ovens to the test in my kitchen. Today, I’ll be comparing the Gozney Roccbox and the Cru Oven Model 32 based on my real-world experience with both. I evaluated these ovens based on quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and a hands-on pizza cooking test to see how they perform. For a more in-depth look into how I conducted these tests, you can check out my separate article on the thorough process.
- Gozney Roccbox: A high-performance oven known for its versatility, capable of reaching extreme temperatures with both gas and wood options.
- Cru Oven Model 32: A robust, wood-fired oven that aims to deliver an authentic pizza-making experience with its large cooking space.
In this article, I’ve provided a detailed comparison of the Gozney Roccbox and Cru Oven Model 32 based on my hands-on tests.
Disclaimer: At the end of this comparison, if you decide to purchase one of these ovens, I would greatly appreciate it if you used my referral links. It helps support my blog at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Gozney Roccbox VS Cru Oven Model 32: Quality and Materials
| The Gozney Roccbox is built with high-quality, durable stainless steel and features thick insulation, which helps maintain high temperatures consistently. Its construction feels solid and engineered to last, making it a favorite in professional kitchens. |
The Cru Oven Model 32 boasts a sturdy build with 304 stainless steel, ceramic fiber insulation, and Cordierite stones. The dual-layer design is durable, though some users may notice slight heat loss during extended cooking sessions due to its thinner door design.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Cru Oven Model 32: Temperature Control
| The Roccbox excels in temperature control, reaching up to 950°F in about 20 minutes. Its thick stone floor and unique rolling flame ensure even heat distribution for perfect Neapolitan-style pizzas. Adjusting temperatures is easy, making it ideal for quick, consistent results. |
Cru claims the oven reaches 900°F in 30 minutes, but in practice, it took closer to 40 minutes. It maintains heat well but can experience slight fluctuations, especially when the door is opened frequently. Best for those who enjoy a hands-on approach to managing wood-fired heat.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Cru Oven Model 32: Shape
| The compact, dome-shaped design of the Roccbox ensures efficient heat retention and circulation, leading to evenly cooked pizzas with a crispy crust. The well-thought-out shape enhances performance while being visually appealing. |
The barrel-shaped Cru 32 oven is designed for optimal airflow and even heat distribution. Its wide opening is great for larger pizzas, but the less-insulated door can cause some heat loss, requiring more careful temperature management.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Cru Oven Model 32: First-Time Usage Impressions
| The Gozney Roccbox is very user-friendly, even for beginners. The oven heats up quickly, and its gas burner ensures consistent performance. Our first pizzas cooked beautifully in under 60 seconds, with minimal adjustments needed. |
The Cru 32 was straightforward to set up, but mastering wood-firing took a few attempts. It’s versatile, allowing for different cooking techniques, but requires patience to reach its optimal temperature. Once heated, it performed well, though heat management was more hands-on.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Cru Oven Model 32: Power Source
| Offers versatility with both gas and wood fuel options. Comes standard with a propane burner, with the option to add a detachable wood burner. This flexibility caters to those who enjoy both convenience and traditional wood-fired flavors. |
The Cru 32 operates on wood or charcoal, providing that authentic smoky flavor. It offers a more traditional cooking experience but lacks the convenience of a gas option, which can be challenging for users new to wood-fired cooking.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Cru Oven Model 32: Size
| Compact and portable at 49.9 lbs, the Roccbox is easy to move around while offering ample cooking space for 12-inch pizzas. Great for small outdoor spaces and portability. |
Larger and bulkier, the Cru 32 is designed for versatility, allowing you to cook more than just pizzas. It has a larger cooking chamber that can accommodate up to 15-inch pizzas, meats, and more. However, it’s heavier, making it less portable.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Cru Oven Model 32: Ease of Cleaning
| Cleaning the Roccbox is simple and straightforward. The thick stone floor and stainless steel exterior are easy to wipe down. Plus, its compact design means less mess overall. |
The Cru 32 offers the advantage of a removable dome, making it easy to access and clean the interior. However, dealing with ash and soot from wood can be more time-consuming compared to gas ovens.
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Pizza Cooking Test
In our test, the Gozney Roccbox heated up impressively fast, reaching its top temperature of 950°F in just around 20 minutes. Once it was preheated, we launched a classic Margherita pizza into the oven. Within just 60 seconds, the pizza was cooked to perfection. The crust was crisp on the outside yet fluffy on the inside, with beautifully charred leopard spots. The cheese melted evenly, and the toppings were cooked just right, resulting in a delicious, restaurant-quality pizza with a smoky, slightly caramelized finish.
For the Cru Oven Model 32, the preheating process took closer to 40 minutes to reach its optimal temperature of 900°F. When we placed a Margherita pizza inside, it took about 90 seconds to cook fully. The wood-fired heat imparted a wonderful smoky flavor to the pizza, which was a standout feature. The crust was crunchy with a golden hue, though we found we needed to rotate the pizza more frequently to ensure even cooking due to slight heat variations. The end result was a delicious, rustic pizza with a perfectly crisp base and slightly smoky aroma.
Taste Comparison:
Both ovens delivered excellent results, though they each had their unique strengths. The Roccbox excelled in speed and consistency, producing a perfectly cooked pizza with minimal effort. In contrast, the Cru Model 32 offered that authentic wood-fired flavor, adding an extra layer of depth to the taste, though it required more hands-on management.
How We Tested
To ensure a fair and thorough comparison, we tested both the Gozney Roccbox and Cru Oven Model 32 under similar conditions. We set each oven up outdoors, using the recommended fuels—propane for the Roccbox and hardwood for the Cru. Each oven was allowed to fully preheat to its optimal cooking temperature, which we monitored using an infrared thermometer for accuracy.
For consistency, we used the same Margherita pizza recipe: fresh dough, a simple tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil. Each pizza was shaped to about 12 inches and cooked directly on the pizza stones. We paid close attention to how quickly each oven heated up, how evenly they cooked the pizza, and how the final product tasted.
To gauge real-world usability, we also assessed how easy it was to control the temperature, adjust the pizza during cooking, and manage cleanup afterward. This hands-on approach allowed us to evaluate not just the performance but also the overall cooking experience with each oven.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between the Gozney Roccbox and the Cru Oven Model 32 comes down to your personal preferences and cooking style. Both ovens deliver great results, with each offering unique strengths. Whether you prioritize quick heat-up times, precise temperature control, or a more traditional wood-fired cooking experience, either option can elevate your outdoor pizza-making game.
If you decide to purchase one, I would greatly appreciate it if you used my referral links. It helps support my blog at no extra cost to you: Gozney Roccbox and Cru Oven Model 32. Thank you for your support!