As a restaurant chef with over a decade of experience at Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the best pizza ovens available. Today, I’m comparing two standout models: the Gozney Roccbox and the Carbon Pizza Oven. I’ve tested these ovens side by side in my kitchen, evaluating them on quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and conducting a real pizza cooking test to see how long it takes to bake the perfect pie. For a detailed breakdown of my testing process, check out my separate article.
Before diving into specifics, here’s a quick introduction to each oven:
- The Gozney Roccbox is a high-performance, portable pizza oven that reaches scorching temperatures and is designed for precision and ease of use.
- The Carbon Pizza Oven offers versatility and unique design, combining dual-fuel capabilities with an innovative heating system for an authentic pizza-making experience.
I’ve put the Gozney Roccbox and Carbon Pizza Oven to the test, and this article covers the detailed comparison.
If you find my comparison helpful and decide to purchase one of these ovens, I’d appreciate it if you use my referral links. This helps support my blog at no extra cost to you.
Gozney Roccbox VS Carbon Pizza Oven: Quality and Materials
| The Gozney Roccbox is crafted with exceptional quality and durability, featuring dense insulation, a thick stone floor, and a sturdy stainless steel construction. These materials ensure long-lasting performance and professional-grade cooking results. |
The Carbon Pizza Oven is made with stainless steel coated for rust resistance. It includes firebricks for even heat distribution but has visible seams with insulation, which may not feel as premium.
|
Gozney Roccbox VS Carbon Pizza Oven: Temperature Control
| The Roccbox excels in precise temperature control, reaching up to 950°F for a perfectly crispy crust. Its unique rolling flame and insulation maintain consistent heat for exceptional cooking performance. |
The Carbon Pizza Oven heats quickly and efficiently, reaching temperatures up to 1000°F. However, its single propane burner can make temperature control more manual and less versatile.
|
Gozney Roccbox VS Carbon Pizza Oven: Shape
| The dome shape of the Gozney Roccbox is well-thought-out, enhancing heat circulation and retention for even cooking. This shape ensures the pizza is consistently cooked edge-to-center. |
The Carbon Pizza Oven has a similar design with a dome structure, promoting good airflow and heat retention, but lacks the same level of refinement as the Roccbox.
|
Gozney Roccbox VS Carbon Pizza Oven: First-Time Usage Impressions
| The Gozney Roccbox is user-friendly, offering an intuitive experience with adjustable temperatures, easy monitoring, and quick learning for beginners. |
The Carbon Pizza Oven heats up quickly, but its first-time use may involve a learning curve, particularly with managing the single burner to prevent overheating or undercooking.
|
Gozney Roccbox VS Carbon Pizza Oven: Power Source
| Offers flexibility with gas or wood fuel, providing options for convenience or traditional wood-fired flavors. Includes a detachable wood burner accessory. |
Runs solely on propane, simplifying the process but limiting the ability to achieve the smokiness of wood-fired cooking. It’s less versatile compared to the Roccbox.
|
Gozney Roccbox VS Carbon Pizza Oven: Size
| Compact yet slightly heavier at 49.9 lbs, the Roccbox is portable and fits well into outdoor spaces while accommodating pizzas up to 12 inches. |
Lighter and more compact, the Carbon Pizza Oven fits pizzas up to 15 inches, making it slightly more spacious for larger pizzas, though its portability is similar.
|
Gozney Roccbox VS Carbon Pizza Oven: Ease of Cleaning
| Cleaning is straightforward with a soft-bristled brush for the interior and soapy water for the exterior. The high-quality build resists stains and grease effectively. |
Cleaning is relatively easy but requires attention to the firebricks and seams to ensure no residue remains. The provided cleaning brush is helpful but less effective for deep cleaning.
|
Pizza Cooking Test
For the cooking test, we used the same dough and toppings for consistency. The Gozney Roccbox reached its optimal temperature of 950°F in 20-25 minutes. When the Margherita pizza was placed inside, it cooked in 60 seconds. The result was phenomenal—a golden-brown crust with even charring, a soft and chewy interior, and toppings perfectly melted.
The Carbon Pizza Oven preheated in just 10 minutes, reaching 740°F. The Margherita pizza cooked in 80 seconds. The crust was crispy on the outside but required precise timing to avoid undercooking the bottom. While the cheese melted nicely, the overall texture and flavor didn’t quite match the professional quality of the Roccbox.
How We Tested
Both ovens were set up outdoors on a flat, heat-resistant surface. We preheated the ovens according to the manufacturer’s guidelines and monitored the temperature with an infrared thermometer. Each oven was tested with a classic Margherita pizza, and we carefully observed the time to preheat, cooking duration, and final results. This method allowed us to evaluate heat distribution, ease of use, and overall performance.
Final Thoughts
Both the Gozney Roccbox and Carbon Pizza Oven offer unique strengths. The Roccbox is the clear winner for versatility, professional-grade results, and its dual-fuel capability. Meanwhile, the Carbon Pizza Oven impresses with its rapid preheating and larger cooking space, though it lacks the refinements of the Roccbox.
Ultimately, it’s your choice based on your needs. If you decide to purchase one, I’d highly appreciate you using my referral links: Gozney Roccbox and Carbon Pizza Oven. Your support helps keep my blog alive at no additional cost to you!