As a restaurant chef with over 10 years of experience at my Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston, I’ve had the chance to put both the Gozney Roccbox and Solo Stove Pi Prime pizza ovens to the test in my kitchen. In this comparison, I’ll share how these two models stack up based on 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 breakdown of my testing process, feel free to check out my separate article on how I evaluate pizza ovens.
The Gozney Roccbox is a versatile, high-performance pizza oven known for delivering restaurant-quality results, with the option of using either gas or wood as fuel.
The Solo Stove Pi Prime is a newer contender in the pizza oven market, designed for those who love the simplicity of gas-powered outdoor cooking with a focus on durability and even heat distribution.
This article offers a comprehensive comparison of the Gozney Roccbox vs. Solo Stove Pi Prime, based on my own testing experience.
Disclaimer: If you decide to purchase one of these ovens, using my referral links would be greatly appreciated. It helps support my blog at no extra cost to you:
Gozney Roccbox VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: Quality and Materials
| The Roccbox is crafted with premium materials, featuring a thick stone floor and dense insulation, ensuring consistent heat retention. Its robust stainless steel exterior is designed for long-lasting performance, even in high-temperature settings. |
The Pi Prime also boasts solid construction, with a stainless steel body that offers excellent heat retention. It’s durable and designed for efficient outdoor cooking, though it feels slightly lighter and less insulated than the Roccbox.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: Temperature Control
| The Roccbox excels in precise temperature control, reaching up to 950°F quickly. Its unique rolling flame and thick stone floor provide consistent heat for perfect crusts. |
The Pi Prime reaches 900°F in about the same time, though it lacks a built-in thermometer. For the best results, using an external thermometer is recommended for precise cooking temperatures.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: Shape
| The dome shape of the Roccbox optimizes airflow and heat distribution, ensuring pizzas cook evenly with a crispy crust. The compact, efficient design is perfect for high-quality Neapolitan-style pizzas. |
The Pi Prime has a cylindrical shape that promotes even heat distribution and efficient baking. The flared opening simplifies pizza handling, making it easy to maneuver a 12-inch pizza peel.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: First-Time Usage Impressions
| The Roccbox was straightforward to set up and use. It heats up quickly and allows easy temperature adjustments, making it ideal for both beginners and professionals. In our first test, it cooked a Margherita pizza to perfection in just 60 seconds. |
The Pi Prime also impressed during its first use with its efficient design. It was ready to cook after a quick setup, delivering a beautifully cooked Margherita pizza in 90 seconds. However, the lack of temperature markings on the dial required a bit of a learning curve.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: Power Source
| The Roccbox offers dual-fuel versatility, allowing both propane and wood as fuel sources. This flexibility is great for those who want to switch between gas convenience and wood-fired flavors. |
The Pi Prime is propane-only, which simplifies operation and ensures consistent heat. It’s perfect for those who prefer the convenience of gas but may miss the option for wood-fired cooking.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: Size
| Weighing in at 49.9 pounds, the Roccbox is relatively portable for its performance. It’s a bit heavier than some competitors but still manageable for outdoor use. |
The Pi Prime, at 30 pounds, is more compact and easier to transport. Its lightweight design makes it ideal for on-the-go cooking or smaller outdoor spaces, without sacrificing cooking capacity.
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Gozney Roccbox VS Solo Stove Pi Prime: Ease of Cleaning
| Cleaning the Roccbox is simple, requiring just a brush for the stone and a quick wipe-down of the exterior. Its design minimizes the accumulation of debris, making it ideal for frequent use. |
The Pi Prime also offers easy maintenance, especially with its smooth stainless steel surfaces. The stones can be cleaned quickly with a grill brush, though the lack of a fully removable stone may require a bit more effort.
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Pizza Cooking Test
The Gozney Roccbox heated up impressively fast, reaching its maximum temperature of 950°F in just 15 minutes. For our test, we prepared a classic Margherita pizza. The Roccbox cooked the pizza in an astonishing 60 seconds, delivering a perfectly crispy crust with beautifully caramelized toppings. The flavor was rich and authentic, with a light, airy interior complemented by the crispy exterior—exactly what you’d expect from a high-end pizzeria.
The Solo Stove Pi Prime warmed up slightly slower, reaching 900°F in about 15 minutes. We tested it with the same Margherita pizza recipe. It took around 90 seconds to cook, producing a slightly thicker crust with a delightful crunch. The toppings were evenly melted, and the taste was fantastic—offering a subtle smokiness from the high heat. While it required a bit more time, the results were still impressive, especially considering its compact, propane-powered design.
Verdict: The Roccbox edged out the Pi Prime in terms of speed and consistency, perfect for those who want restaurant-quality results quickly. However, the Pi Prime delivered a deliciously crispy pizza with its own unique character, making it an excellent choice for home cooks who value simplicity and portability.
How We Tested
To fairly compare the Gozney Roccbox and Solo Stove Pi Prime, we conducted side-by-side tests at my restaurant, Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston. For consistency, we used the same homemade dough, sauce, and toppings for each test. We monitored temperatures with an infrared thermometer to ensure accuracy and consistency.
Both ovens were preheated to their optimal temperatures before starting. The Roccbox reached its target 950°F in about 15 minutes, while the Pi Prime hit 900°F in a similar timeframe. We used a classic Margherita pizza for the test to evaluate how each oven handled crust crispiness, cheese melt, and overall flavor.
The Roccbox cooked the Margherita pizza in just 60 seconds, resulting in a perfectly crispy, evenly baked crust. In comparison, the Pi Prime took about 90 seconds, producing a slightly thicker crust with a satisfying crunch. We also evaluated how each oven’s design impacted ease of use, with the Roccbox excelling in temperature consistency and the Pi Prime impressing with its efficient, compact design.
These tests highlighted the strengths of both ovens, showcasing the Roccbox’s speed and precision alongside the Pi Prime’s flavorful results and portability.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between the Gozney Roccbox and Solo Stove Pi Prime depends on your personal preferences and cooking style. The Roccbox offers professional-level precision and versatility with dual-fuel options, making it perfect for those who want restaurant-quality results. On the other hand, the Pi Prime excels in portability and simplicity, providing great pizza with the convenience of propane.
Whichever oven you choose, I would greatly appreciate it if you used my referral links below for your purchase. It helps support my blog at no extra cost to you: