As a restaurant chef with over 10 years of experience at Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I’ve tested and cooked with many pizza ovens over the years. In this comparison, I’ll be evaluating the Solo Stove Pi Prime and the Cru Oven Model 32, both of which I’ve used in my kitchen.
I compared these two ovens based on quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and I also conducted a real pizza cooking test to see how long it takes to cook a Margherita pizza in each.
If you’re curious about how I test pizza ovens step-by-step, be sure to check out my separate article where I break down the full testing process.
The Solo Stove Pi Prime is a sleek, propane-powered oven known for its modern design and fast heat-up time, making it a favorite for backyard pizza lovers who want convenience.
The Cru Oven Model 32 is a larger, premium multi-fuel oven designed in Portugal with traditional craftsmanship and wood-fired flavor at the heart of its build.
I’ve conducted thorough tests to compare the Solo Stove Pi Prime and the Cru Oven Model 32, detailed in this article.
Not in the TOP-5 pizza ovens, but these pizza ovens are still solid performers.
Just a quick heads-up: this article contains referral links that help keep my blog alive. If you choose to buy either oven using these links, I’ll earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.
Solo Stove Pi Prime VS Cru Oven Model 32: Quality and Materials
| The Solo Stove Pi Prime is built with premium stainless steel and a well-insulated structure that feels solid and durable. Its construction ensures reliable heat retention and longevity for regular use. |
The Cru Oven Model 32 is handcrafted in Portugal using 304 stainless steel with ceramic fiber insulation and cordierite stones. While it’s rugged and built for the long haul, its open-front design can lead to some heat loss.
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Solo Stove Pi Prime VS Cru Oven Model 32: Temperature Control
| The Solo Stove Pi Prime offers consistent temperature control via propane and heats up efficiently. Though the dial lacks detailed markings, using a thermometer helps fine-tune the cook. |
The Cru Oven Model 32 can reach high temps (900°F) using wood or charcoal, but managing heat requires more hands-on control and longer preheating. It’s better suited for those who enjoy fire management.
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Solo Stove Pi Prime VS Cru Oven Model 32: Shape
| The Solo Stove Pi Prime features a compact, demi-dome shape designed for even heat circulation. Its flared front makes pizza launching and rotating smooth and easy. |
The Cru Oven Model 32 has a wider barrel-like opening, great for loading larger dishes, but it can allow heat to escape more easily compared to the closed design of the Solo Stove Pi Prime.
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Solo Stove Pi Prime VS Cru Oven Model 32: First-Time Usage Impressions
| Setting up the Solo Stove Pi Prime was fast and simple. I had it preheated and cooking a delicious Margherita pizza in under 20 minutes total. |
Assembling the Cru Oven Model 32 was fairly easy, but preheating took around 40 minutes. The oven required more rotation and fire adjustment to get even results.
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Solo Stove Pi Prime VS Cru Oven Model 32: Power Source
| The Solo Stove Pi Prime runs on propane, providing a clean, consistent flame that’s easy to control. Perfect for quick, hassle-free outdoor cooking. |
The Cru Oven Model 32 is wood- or charcoal-fueled, delivering authentic flavor but needing more prep time, fuel monitoring, and experience to master.
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Solo Stove Pi Prime VS Cru Oven Model 32: Size
| The Solo Stove Pi Prime weighs 30 lbs and has a footprint that fits comfortably in any backyard setup. It’s portable enough to move solo. |
The Cru Oven Model 32 is heavier and bulkier but offers more interior space for diverse cooking. It’s best for semi-permanent outdoor setups.
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Solo Stove Pi Prime VS Cru Oven Model 32: Ease of Cleaning
| Cleaning the Solo Stove Pi Prime is straightforward. Brush off crumbs, wipe the stones, and you’re good to go. Stainless steel body wipes clean easily. |
The Cru Oven Model 32 stands out with its removable dome, which makes it easier to clean inside. Still, wood ash cleanup adds an extra step over the Solo Stove Pi Prime.
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Pizza Cooking Test
To evaluate the real-world performance of both ovens, I conducted the same classic test using the Solo Stove Pi Prime and the Cru Oven Model 32. I made a traditional Margherita pizza in each oven using the same dough, toppings, and technique, so I could focus solely on how each oven performed.
The Solo Stove Pi Prime impressed me right away with its quick heat-up time. It reached its optimal cooking temperature—between 700°F and 800°F—in just 15 minutes. Thanks to its propane-powered system, the heat was consistent and easy to manage without constant adjustments.
On the other hand, the Cru Oven Model 32 took longer to preheat. While the manufacturer claims a 30-minute warm-up, I found it took closer to 40 minutes using hardwood to reach around 800°F. It produced a great flame and heat distribution, but it required more attention during the warm-up to maintain a steady fire.
When it came to cooking the pizza, the Solo Stove Pi Prime finished the Margherita in just 90 seconds. The result was a well-balanced bake: crisp, airy crust with bubbling cheese and slight char marks on the bottom. It cooked evenly without needing much rotation, and the clean propane flame helped deliver a precise, controlled finish.
In comparison, the Cru Oven Model 32 took a bit longer—about 2 minutes—to cook the same pizza. It rewarded that wait with a deeper, smokier flavor thanks to the real wood fire. The crust had a more rustic character with a pronounced char, but it did need frequent turning to prevent one side from cooking faster than the other. It was more hands-on, and cooking multiple pizzas back-to-back required checking stone temp between bakes to avoid heat loss.
In terms of taste, both ovens delivered excellent results, but in different ways. The Solo Stove Pi Prime offered precision and speed with minimal effort, making it ideal for consistent and clean outdoor cooking. Meanwhile, the Cru Oven Model 32 delivered a more traditional wood-fired experience with rich, smoky notes—but also required more patience and technique to master.
How We Tested
To fairly compare the Solo Stove Pi Prime and the Cru Oven Model 32, I used both ovens extensively in my outdoor test kitchen at Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, where I’ve worked as a professional chef for over a decade. I treated both ovens as I would any serious cooking equipment in a restaurant environment. Each oven was unpacked, assembled, and connected according to the manufacturer’s instructions. I carefully observed the build quality and design choices during setup, paying attention to materials, insulation, and the usability of key features.
Once each oven was assembled, I began preheating them side by side under similar weather conditions to keep results fair. I used the same infrared thermometer to track when they reached the optimal cooking temperature. To make sure the cooking test was consistent, I used identical ingredients and dough for both ovens. I made a classic 12-inch Margherita pizza in each oven, monitoring the cook time and rotating the pizza as needed to ensure even baking.
After cooking, I evaluated each pizza based on crust texture, char, cheese melt, and overall flavor. I also tested how well each oven handled back-to-back pizza making to see how efficiently they maintained temperature across multiple bakes. Finally, I cleaned both ovens to see how easy or challenging they are to maintain after a full session of use.
This side-by-side testing gave me a clear understanding of each oven’s strengths and quirks, and helped me figure out which one performs better in a real cooking environment.
Final Verdict
In the end, choosing between Solo Stove Pi Prime and Cru Oven Model 32 depends on your cooking style. If you’re looking for a fast, reliable, propane-powered oven that’s easy to use and delivers excellent pizzas with minimal fuss, the Solo Stove Pi Prime is a fantastic choice. If you enjoy the hands-on experience of managing a wood fire and want a slightly more artisanal cooking experience, Cru Oven Model 32 is a solid contender.
If you decide to buy one, I’d really appreciate it if you use my referral links below. I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you—it helps keep this blog going and lets me keep testing new pizza ovens for you:
Don’t miss the list of the best pizza ovens.