As a restaurant chef with over 10 years of experience at Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I’ve had the opportunity to use many pizza ovens in both professional and personal settings. In this article, I’ll compare the Big Horn Pizza Oven and the Solo Stove Pi Prime Pizza Oven, both of which I’ve used in my kitchen. I evaluated them on key factors such as quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and conducted a real pizza cooking test to see how long it takes. For those interested in the details of my pizza oven testing process, you can check out my separate article for a thorough breakdown.
The Big Horn Pizza Oven is an affordable wood pellet oven that excels in delivering authentic smoky flavors, while the Solo Stove Pi Prime Pizza Oven is a modern propane-powered unit designed for convenience and consistency. Each has its strengths, and I’ll outline how they performed across various categories to help you decide which one might be the best fit for your pizza-making adventures.
I tested both Big Horn and the Solo Stove Pi Prime and shared a detailed comparison in this article.
Lastly, if you choose to purchase one of these ovens, I’d appreciate it if you used my referral links. These links help support my blog, as I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Let’s dive into the comparison!
Big Horn VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: Quality and Materials
| The Big Horn pizza oven boasts a solid stainless steel construction with a silicone door seal for durability. While there are occasional issues with heat retention, its cordierite pizza stone ensures even cooking. With proper care, the Big Horn proves to be a dependable option for budget-conscious buyers. |
The Solo Stove Pi Prime impresses with its sturdy stainless steel build, which ensures efficient heat retention and longevity. Its sleek design highlights its premium construction. However, it comes at a higher price, which may not suit all budgets.
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Big Horn VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: Temperature Control
| The Big Horn can heat up quickly, but maintaining a consistent temperature may require some adjustments. A secondary thermometer helps users achieve more precise cooking results, making it a strong contender for enthusiasts willing to fine-tune their approach. |
The Solo Stove Pi Prime features a temperature control dial, but it lacks specific markings. While propane provides steady heat, users need an external thermometer for precise adjustments, which might be less convenient for beginners.
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Big Horn VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: Shape
| The dome-shaped design of the Big Horn promotes excellent heat circulation, ensuring evenly cooked pizzas with crisp crusts and melted cheese. This thoughtful shape accommodates various pizza styles, making it versatile for home cooks and outdoor gatherings. |
The Solo Stove Pi Prime’s cylindrical shape provides even heat distribution. Its flared opening simplifies pizza handling, making it beginner-friendly and efficient for achieving consistent results.
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Big Horn VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: First-Time Usage Impressions
| The Big Horn pizza oven delivers a strong performance for its price, producing flavorful pizzas with a slight smoky touch. It’s a reliable entry point into wood-fired pizza making and ideal for those seeking an affordable option without sacrificing quality. |
The Solo Stove Pi Prime offers a smooth first-time experience, delivering a perfectly cooked pizza in just 90 seconds. Its propane fuel source ensures simplicity and consistent results, though it lacks the added wood-fired flavor of the Big Horn.
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Big Horn VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: Power Source
| The Big Horn operates with wood pellets, offering a smoky, authentic flavor that elevates pizza taste. Its flexibility to use alternative fuels like charcoal adds versatility, making it a great choice for outdoor cooking enthusiasts who love that wood-fired charm. |
The Solo Stove Pi Prime is powered exclusively by propane gas, providing a clean and consistent heat supply. While convenient, it lacks the flexibility of using alternative fuels, which could be a limitation for those preferring the wood-fired experience.
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Big Horn VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: Size
| Despite its compact exterior, the Big Horn comfortably accommodates a 12-inch pizza, making it perfect for both small family dinners and outdoor parties. Its lightweight design enhances portability, ensuring it’s easy to move for various events. |
The Solo Stove Pi Prime is slightly bulkier, with a height of 15.5 inches and a diameter of 20.5 inches. While still portable, its weight of 30 pounds makes it less convenient to transport compared to the lightweight Big Horn.
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Big Horn VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: Ease of Cleaning
| Cleaning the Big Horn pizza oven is straightforward, with removable parts that simplify maintenance. Regular ash removal ensures smooth operation, and careful handling of sharp edges keeps it safe to clean. |
The Solo Stove Pi Prime is equally easy to clean, with hot stones requiring a quick scrub and its stainless steel exterior needing only a wipe-down. However, its larger size might make cleaning slightly more time-consuming than the Big Horn.
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Pizza Cooking Test
The Big Horn pizza oven heats up to its optimal temperature range of 500–550°F in approximately 15–16 minutes, depending on weather conditions. Once preheated, it cooked a Margherita pizza in about 1.5 minutes. The result was a beautifully golden crust with a delightful crunch and a hint of smoky flavor, thanks to the wood pellets. The toppings were evenly cooked, and the melted cheese had that perfect pull, making it an excellent choice for traditional pizza lovers who enjoy a wood-fired taste.
The Solo Stove Pi Prime reached its optimal cooking temperature in just 15 minutes, showcasing its efficiency. Using propane gas for consistent heat, it delivered a Margherita pizza in an impressive 90 seconds. The crust was evenly browned with a nice crisp, and the cheese melted perfectly. While it lacked the smoky flavor of the Big Horn, the clean taste and efficient cooking process made it a great option for those who prioritize convenience and consistency.
Both ovens excelled in their pizza cooking tests, but the Big Horn’s wood-fired flavor added a special touch that sets it apart for pizza enthusiasts.
How We Tested
To ensure a fair comparison between the Big Horn Pizza Oven and the Solo Stove Pi Prime, we used both ovens under similar conditions. Each oven was preheated to its optimal cooking temperature of 500–550°F, with the Big Horn using wood pellets as fuel and the Solo Stove Pi Prime powered by propane gas. We closely monitored the preheating process with an external thermometer to ensure accuracy.
For the cooking test, we prepared identical 12-inch Margherita pizzas, using the same fresh ingredients, including homemade tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil leaves. This consistency allowed us to focus solely on the ovens’ performance. Once preheated, we timed how long each oven took to cook the pizza, paying attention to the crust’s texture, the cheese’s melt, and the overall doneness of the toppings.
After cooking, we evaluated the flavor and texture of the pizzas. The Big Horn’s wood pellets added a smoky depth to the crust, creating an authentic wood-fired taste, while the Solo Stove Pi Prime delivered a clean, crisp result thanks to its steady propane heat. Additionally, we tested each oven’s versatility by preparing roasted vegetables and bread, noting their ability to handle different recipes and heat levels.
This methodical testing provided a clear understanding of each oven’s strengths, showcasing their unique qualities while giving a comprehensive view of their performance.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the choice between the Big Horn Pizza Oven and the Solo Stove Pi Prime comes down to your personal preferences and priorities. Whether you value the smoky, traditional flavor of the Big Horn or the convenience and precision of the Solo Stove Pi Prime, both ovens offer great options for making delicious pizzas at home.
If you decide to purchase one, I’d highly appreciate it if you use my referral links. I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps support my blog and allows me to continue sharing honest reviews.
Thank you for your support, and happy pizza making!