As a restaurant chef with over 10 years of experience at my Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I’ve had the opportunity to thoroughly test both the Gozney Roccbox and the Camp Chef Italia pizza ovens in my kitchen. In this comparison, I’ll break down how these two models measure up in terms of quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and a real pizza cooking test. For a more detailed look into my pizza oven testing process, feel free to check out my separate article dedicated to the methods I use.
The Gozney Roccbox is a high-performance, dual-fuel pizza oven designed for those who want both convenience and the flexibility of wood-fired or gas cooking.
The Camp Chef Italia is known for its affordability and ease of use, delivering consistent results with its propane-powered system, making it a great option for those looking for a more budget-friendly outdoor pizza oven.
This article offers a comprehensive comparison of the Gozney Roccbox vs. Camp Chef Italia, based on my own testing experience.
Disclaimer: If you decide to purchase either of these ovens, using my referral links below would be greatly appreciated. It helps support my blog at no extra cost to you:
Gozney Roccbox VS Camp Chef Italia: Quality and Materials
| The Roccbox is crafted from premium materials, including a thick stone floor and dense insulation for exceptional heat retention and durability. Its robust stainless steel construction ensures longevity, even with frequent use. |
The Camp Chef Italia is made with stainless steel and has a double-layer ceiling for better heat retention. However, its thinner metal frame may impact its durability over time, though it still delivers solid performance.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Camp Chef Italia: Temperature Control
| The Roccbox excels with precise temperature control, reaching up to 950°F for perfect Neapolitan-style pizzas. Its unique rolling flame and thick stone floor offer consistent, high-temperature cooking. |
The Camp Chef Italia can reach 750°F but requires careful management, especially on windy days. It’s easier to use with the built-in thermometer and adjustable heat control, though it doesn’t reach the extreme heat levels of the Roccbox.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Camp Chef Italia: Shape
| The Roccbox features a dome shape that optimizes airflow, promoting even heat distribution for perfectly cooked pizzas with a crispy crust. The design is compact yet efficient. |
The Camp Chef Italia has a smooth dome shape that aids in even heat circulation. However, its slightly smaller cooking space makes rotating larger pizzas more challenging, which can affect even cooking.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Camp Chef Italia: First-Time Usage Impressions
| The Roccbox impressed us with its easy setup and intuitive controls. It heated up quickly and delivered restaurant-quality pizzas in just 60 seconds during our first test. |
The Camp Chef Italia took a bit longer to set up, but once ready, it proved user-friendly. It cooked a Margherita pizza in about 7-9 minutes with consistent results, though the smaller cooking area required extra attention to rotate the pizza.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Camp Chef Italia: Power Source
| The Roccbox offers dual-fuel versatility, allowing you to use either propane or wood. This flexibility is perfect for those who want both the convenience of gas and the smoky flavors of wood-fired cooking. |
The Camp Chef Italia is propane-only, which simplifies its operation. It comes with a regulator and hose, making it easy to connect to both small and large propane tanks, though it lacks the wood-fired option.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Camp Chef Italia: Size
| At 49.9 pounds, the Roccbox is relatively portable for its high-performance capabilities. It’s ideal for those who want a powerful yet manageable outdoor pizza oven. |
The Camp Chef Italia, weighing 47 pounds, is also portable but slightly bulkier. Its size and weight make it less convenient to move around frequently, but it is still manageable for most outdoor setups.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Camp Chef Italia: Ease of Cleaning
| The Roccbox is designed for easy maintenance. A soft brush and a quick wipe-down with soapy water keep it in pristine condition. Its efficient design minimizes residue buildup. |
The Camp Chef Italia requires a bit more effort due to its thinner metal frame. However, cleaning the stone with a scraper and wiping the exterior with a damp cloth is straightforward, though the stone takes longer to cool down.
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Pizza Cooking Test
The Roccbox heated up remarkably fast, reaching its maximum temperature of 950°F in just 15 minutes. For our test, we prepared a classic Margherita pizza. The pizza was ready in just 60 seconds, boasting a beautifully crispy crust, bubbling cheese, and well-caramelized toppings. The taste was outstanding—perfectly balanced, with a light, airy dough that had just the right amount of crunch on the edges.
The Camp Chef Italia took slightly longer to preheat, reaching its peak temperature of 750°F in about 20 minutes. We used the same Margherita recipe to compare results. The pizza cooked in about 7-9 minutes, resulting in a thicker, softer crust. While it lacked the signature crispiness of the Roccbox, it still delivered a delicious, evenly cooked pizza with gooey, melted cheese. The flavor was satisfying, although it missed the extra char and texture that the higher heat of the Roccbox provides.
Verdict:
While the Roccbox excelled in speed and crispiness, the Camp Chef Italia still produced a hearty, flavorful pizza. If you prefer a slightly softer crust and are willing to wait a bit longer, the Camp Chef is a solid choice. But if speed and a perfectly crispy finish are your priorities, the Roccbox remains the clear winner.
How We Tested
To conduct a fair comparison, we tested both the Gozney Roccbox and Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven side by side at my restaurant, Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston. Using the same dough, sauce, and toppings, we aimed to evaluate how each oven handled cooking a classic Margherita pizza.
We began by preheating both ovens to their maximum temperatures, using an infrared thermometer to monitor the heat levels on the pizza stone. This ensured we started with consistent, optimal conditions for each test. The Roccbox reached its target temperature of 950°F in about 15 minutes, while the Camp Chef Italia reached 750°F after 20 minutes.
To assess performance, we cooked identical Margherita pizzas in both ovens, observing cooking times, crust texture, cheese melt, and overall flavor. The Roccbox delivered a perfectly crispy pizza in just 60 seconds, while the Camp Chef Italia took 7-9 minutes to achieve a thicker, softer crust.
Throughout the process, we evaluated ease of use, how well each oven maintained its heat, and how quickly they recovered temperature after each pizza was cooked. These tests allowed us to gauge the strengths and limitations of both ovens, helping us provide a detailed, practical comparison.
Final Thoughts
In the end, both the Gozney Roccbox and the Camp Chef Italia Pizza Oven have their own strengths. The Roccbox offers unparalleled temperature control and a professional, crispy finish in record time, making it ideal for those who want top-tier results. On the other hand, the Camp Chef Italia is a solid choice for those who value ease of use, propane convenience, and a more budget-friendly option while still delivering delicious pizzas.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. Whether you opt for the precision and versatility of the Gozney Roccbox or the user-friendly, accessible design of the Camp Chef Italia, both are great outdoor pizza ovens.
If you decide to purchase one, I would greatly appreciate it if you used my referral links below. This helps support my blog at no extra cost to you: