As a restaurant chef with over 10 years of experience at Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I’ve tested and worked with a variety of pizza ovens in my kitchen. In this comparison, I’ll share my insights on the Blackstone Pizza Oven and the Solo Stove Pi Prime, two popular models I’ve had the chance to use extensively. My evaluation focuses on key aspects such as quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and the results of a real pizza cooking test. For a detailed breakdown of my testing methods, feel free to check out my separate article on how I test pizza ovens.
The Blackstone Pizza Oven is a powerful outdoor cooking tool known for its innovative rotating pizza stone and high heat capability. In contrast, the Solo Stove Pi Prime combines minimalist design with precision cooking, offering a unique take on wood-fired pizza making.
This article offers a comprehensive comparison of the Blackstone Pizza Oven VS Solo Stove Pi Prime, based on my own testing experience.
Lastly, please note that this article includes referral links, which help keep my blog alive. If you decide to purchase one of these ovens, I’d greatly appreciate your support!
Blackstone VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: Quality and Materials
| The Blackstone Pizza Oven boasts a stainless-steel cooking chamber, durable cast iron rotating tray, and double-wall insulation for consistent performance and durability. |
The Solo Stove Pi Prime features a sturdy stainless steel construction with excellent heat retention but lacks the robust insulation of the Blackstone.
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Blackstone VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: Temperature Control
| The Blackstone Pizza Oven can reach up to 900+ degrees and features a powerful 60,000 BTU propane burner, delivering rapid and precise temperature control. |
The Solo Stove Pi Prime operates on propane and reaches up to 900°F, but the absence of a built-in thermometer requires an external gauge for precise control.
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Blackstone VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: Shape
| The unique design of the Blackstone Pizza Oven, with its burner placed away from the pizza stone and rotating tray, promotes even cooking for a crisp crust and well-melted toppings. |
The Solo Stove Pi Prime has a cylindrical shape for even heat distribution and a flared opening for easy maneuvering, though it lacks advanced features like a rotating tray.
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Blackstone VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: First-Time Usage Impressions
| The Blackstone Pizza Oven impressed with its powerful performance and efficient heating, though assembly required two people due to its weight and size. |
The Solo Stove Pi Prime was easy to set up and delivered a beautifully browned pizza, but required careful temperature monitoring due to the lack of precise control markings.
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Blackstone VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: Power Source
| The Blackstone Pizza Oven uses a high-pressure propane burner, offering consistent, powerful heat for outdoor cooking. |
The Solo Stove Pi Prime also operates on propane, providing convenience and efficiency, though it lacks the high BTU output of the Blackstone.
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Blackstone VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: Size
| The Blackstone Pizza Oven is larger and heavier, making it better suited for stationary use in a backyard or patio. Its wheeled cart enhances mobility despite its size. |
The Solo Stove Pi Prime is compact and weighs 30 pounds, making it portable and easier to transport, but slightly less powerful in capacity compared to the Blackstone.
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Blackstone VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: Ease of Cleaning
| The Blackstone Pizza Oven is straightforward to clean, with a removable pizza stone and durable materials that withstand frequent use. |
The Solo Stove Pi Prime is easy to clean, with its smooth stainless steel surfaces and removable pizza stones, though it lacks a rotating tray that helps reduce residue buildup.
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Pizza Cooking Test
The Blackstone Pizza Oven quickly demonstrated its efficiency, heating up to its optimal temperature in just 10 minutes. Its powerful 60,000 BTU propane burner made this possible, setting the stage for rapid and consistent cooking. When we tested it with a classic Margherita pizza, the results were impressive. The pizza cooked in just 70 seconds, achieving a beautifully crisp crust with evenly melted cheese and perfectly cooked toppings. The unique rotating pizza stone played a significant role in ensuring uniform cooking, making the pizza taste professional-grade with minimal effort.
The Solo Stove Pi Prime also performed well, heating up to the required temperature in about 15 minutes. While slightly slower than the Blackstone, it still provided efficient heat for outdoor cooking. The Margherita pizza cooked in 90 seconds, delivering a nicely browned crust and well-melted cheese. The taste was delightful, though the cooking process required more manual attention, including pizza rotation and reliance on an external thermometer for precise temperature control.
Both ovens delivered delicious results, but the Blackstone Pizza Oven excelled with its quicker heating and cooking times, combined with the convenience of a rotating stone that ensured consistent, professional-quality results. The Solo Stove Pi Prime, while slightly slower and requiring more hands-on management, still produced flavorful and well-cooked pizzas.
How We Tested
To evaluate the performance of the Blackstone Pizza Oven and the Solo Stove Pi Prime, we conducted a thorough testing process that mimics real-world cooking scenarios. Our goal was to assess their efficiency, usability, and the quality of the pizzas they produced.
The first step was preheating both ovens to their optimal cooking temperatures. We used built-in thermometers where available and an external infrared thermometer for precise measurements. This allowed us to gauge the time each oven took to reach pizza-ready temperatures, a critical factor for efficiency.
Next, we cooked a classic Margherita pizza in each oven. This timeless recipe, with its simple yet precise requirements, provided a clear benchmark for assessing cooking performance. Identical dough, sauce, and toppings were used to ensure consistency across both ovens.
The cooking process was closely monitored, including how evenly the pizza cooked, how long it took, and how well the crust and toppings turned out. The unique features of each oven, such as the rotating tray in the Blackstone Pizza Oven and the cylindrical design of the Solo Stove Pi Prime, were evaluated for their impact on cooking consistency and ease of use.
Taste and texture were critical elements of the test. We carefully examined the crispiness of the crust, the melt and browning of the cheese, and the overall flavor profile to determine how each oven performed under real-world conditions.
Finally, we assessed the ease of use for both ovens, from setting up the fuel source to managing temperature control and cleaning up after cooking. This comprehensive approach ensured a fair and balanced comparison of the two ovens, highlighting their unique strengths and areas for improvement.
Final Thoughts
Both the Blackstone Pizza Oven and the Solo Stove Pi Prime offer exceptional features and deliver delicious pizzas, but each caters to different needs. The Blackstone Pizza Oven stands out with its powerful performance, quick heating, and rotating tray that ensures professional-grade results with ease. On the other hand, the Solo Stove Pi Prime impresses with its sleek design, portability, and efficient propane-powered operation, making it a great choice for casual outdoor cooking.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to your specific preferences and cooking style. Whether you prioritize the robust performance of the Blackstone Pizza Oven or the convenience and portability of the Solo Stove Pi Prime, both ovens can elevate your pizza-making game.
If you decide to purchase one of these ovens, I’d greatly appreciate it if you use my referral links. I’ll earn a small commission at no cost to you, which helps support my blog and allows me to continue sharing detailed reviews like this one.
Thank you for your support, and happy pizza-making!