Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven Review

Looking for a sleek and versatile pizza oven? Check out our Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven review for an in-depth look at this wood-fired and gas-burning appliance that can cook perfect pizzas in under two minutes.

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Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven: An Overview

The Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven is a versatile outdoor pizza oven that can cook delicious pizza in under two minutes. The oven is designed to be compact and portable, making it perfect for outdoor cooking in nearly any location.

The Pi is made from high-quality stainless steel, which ensures durability and longevity. The oven also has a double-walled construction, which keeps the heat inside the oven and prevents the exterior from getting too hot.

The Solo Stove Pi has a cooking surface that measures 12 inches in diameter, which is perfect for cooking a medium-sized pizza or a few personal pizzas. The oven also comes with a high-quality pizza stone, which ensures that the pizza is cooked evenly and has a nice, crispy crust.

One of the most wonderful features of the Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven is that it can be used with either wood or gas. When using wood, the oven can reach temperatures of up to 850 degrees Fahrenheit, and when using gas, the oven can reach temperatures of up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to cook pizza in less than 2 minutes.

The Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven is easy to use and can be set up in just a few minutes. The oven is also easy to clean and maintain, which makes it a great choice for outdoor cooking.

Overall, the Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven is a great choice for anyone who loves outdoor cooking and wants to make delicious pizza in the comfort of their own backyard. The oven is versatile, durable, and easy to use, and it is sure to be a hit at any outdoor gathering.

Key Features

The Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven is a compact, lightweight, and versatile outdoor pizza oven that delivers a high-performance cooking experience. Here are some of its key features:

• Demi-Dome Construction: The Solo Stove Pi features a unique demi-dome construction that creates a natural convection effect, allowing hot air to circulate evenly around the pizza. This results in a crispy crust and perfectly cooked toppings.
• Panoramic Opening: The oven has a large, panoramic opening that allows you to easily slide pizzas in and out of the oven. The opening is also designed to provide an unobstructed view of the cooking process, so you can monitor your pizza as it cooks.
• Cordierite Pizza Stone: The oven comes with a cordierite pizza stone that is designed to withstand high temperatures and distribute heat evenly across the pizza. The stone is also removable, making it easy to clean.
• Stainless Steel Construction: The Solo Stove Pi is made from high-quality stainless steel, which is durable and resistant to rust and corrosion. The stainless steel also gives the oven a sleek and modern look.
• Gas Burner: The oven can be powered by either wood or gas. The gas burner is easy to ignite and provides consistent heat, making it a great option for those who want a quick and easy cooking experience.
• Control and Temperature: The oven also has a control knob that allows you to adjust the temperature to your desired level. Solo Stove includes a handy infrared thermometer in some of their Solo Stove Pi bundles which measures the temperature of the oven quickly and accurately.
• Airflow: The oven has a unique airflow design that ensures even heating and prevents hot spots. The design also helps to reduce smoke and ensures that the pizza is cooked evenly.
• Accessories: The Solo Stove Pi comes with a variety of accessories, including a gas burner attachment with a propane hose and regulator, an infrared thermometer, a pizza turner, a weather-proof cover, and a pizza peel. These accessories make it easy to set up and use the oven.
• Dimensions and Weight: The Solo Stove Pi has a diameter of 20.5 inches and a height of 15.125 inches. It weighs 30.5 pounds, making it easy to move and transport.

The Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven is a high-quality outdoor pizza oven that delivers excellent performance and versatility!

Setting Up the Solo Stove Pi

Setting up the Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven is a breeze, even for those who are not familiar with assembling outdoor cooking equipment. The setup process is straightforward and requires minimal tools, making it easy to get started on your pizza-making journey.

The Solo Stove Pi comes with all the necessary components to get started, including the oven itself, a cordierite pizza stone, and a wood-burning assembly.

To set up the Solo Stove Pi, simply follow the instructions provided in the manual. The oven can be used with either wood or gas, depending on your preference. If you choose to use wood, make sure to use kiln-dried wood that is free of chemicals or additives. If you prefer gas, the Solo Stove Pi can be used with a standard propane tank. The gas-burning assembly can be purchased separately.

Standard Assembly

Here is what the initial setup process looks when setting up the Solo Stove Pi as is, straight out of the box.

Gas Burning Assembly

Here is what the gas burner attachment looks like.

Once the oven is set up, it is easy to use and maintain. The Solo Stove Pi is designed to be efficient and easy to clean, with a removable ash pan that makes cleanup a breeze. The cordierite pizza stone is also easy to clean and can also be removed for cleaning if necessary.

Overall, the Solo Stove Pi is super easy to set up and use.

Fuel Source Options

The Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven offers two fuel source options: wood-fired and gas. The wood-fired option uses firewood as the fuel source, while the gas option uses propane gas. The oven comes with a wood-fueled burner, but a gas burner add-on is also available for purchase.

The wood-fired option is ideal for those who enjoy the taste and aroma of wood-fired pizza. The oven’s design allows for efficient combustion, resulting in a clean and smokeless burn. The wood fire also provides a unique flavor to the pizza, making it a favorite among pizza enthusiasts.

If opting for the wood option, be certain to purchase some food-safe fire-starters to help ignite the wood. These are also available through Solo Stove.

When using the wood-fired option, it is recommended to use firewood that is kiln-dried. Wet or green wood can produce excessive smoke and can cause the oven to malfunction. It is also important to use the right amount of wood to avoid overheating the oven.

The gas option, on the other hand, offers convenience and ease of use. With the gas burner add-on, the oven maintains a consistent temperature without having to tend to a fire. This option is perfect for those who want to make pizza without the hassle of starting a wood fire.

Whether it is the traditional wood-fired option or the convenient gas option, the oven delivers delicious and crispy pizzas every time.

Testing the Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven

After receiving the Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven, I was excited to put it to the test. The first thing I noticed was the sleek design and compact size, making it easy to move around and store. However, I was admittedly a bit nervous about the learning curve ahead, as this was my first time using a pizza oven of any sort.

I started by following all instructions to set up the gas burner assembly, insert the pizza stone, and attach a propane tank to the propane burner. The adjustment knob for the gas burner made it super easy to light and adjust the size of the flames. The gas burner even comes with an extension rod for holding matches, if you prefer using a match to light the gas burner.

Once lit, I followed the instructions to allow it to heat up for at least 30 minutes for the first use. Then I used the infrared thermometer to check the temperature of the pizza stone until it reached about 700°F.

I launched my first pizza with the pizza peel, and I was rather surprised by how quickly it started to cook. I grabbed the handy pizza turner and rotated the pizza every few seconds until it appeared evenly cooked, with the pizza taking only a little over a minute to fully cook. It was a beautiful-looking pizza and I was instantly hooked and ready to test out the wood-burning assembly.

Once I detached the gas burner, I followed all instructions carefully to ensure I did everything correctly with the wood-burning assembly.

The back of the wood-burning assembly contains an ash pan and fuel grate. Basically, you place a few natural fire starters into the ash pan, light the starters, then nestle the fuel grate into the ash pan, followed by placing a few small pieces of kiln-dried wood into the fuel grate. Once you place the back door back onto the Solo Stove Pi, you simply wait for the oven to reach optimal temperature, throwing a few more pieces of wood into the fuel grate as needed to maintain the temperature.

Surprisingly, the wood-burning fire warmed the pizza oven much quicker than the gas burner in my test. I launched a pizza and the pizza slightly less time than the gas burner to cook, just slightly over a minute at approx. 700°F.

The wood-fired pizza did cook a bit differently than the gas-fired pizza, with a slightly crispier crust that was infused with the wood-fired taste.

While there is a slight learning curve, the results are well worth the effort! I was honestly hooked the moment I pulled that first pizza from the oven. Once you get the hang of it, using the Solo Stove Pi is a lot of fun and the pizzas it produces are well beyond restaurant-quality.

Test: Gas vs Wood-Fired Pizza

When testing the Solo Stove Pi, I tested both the gas-burning and wood-burning options. As you can see, there are slight differences in how pizza turns out with these options.

The gas-burning assembly cooks pizza more evenly and takes slightly longer the heat the stone and cook pizza. The flames from the gas burner create a more even heat distribution.

The wood-burning assembly heats the oven up rather quickly, cooks pizza more quickly than gas, and infuses the crust with that classic wood-fired pizza taste. Additionally, I found the flames of the wood-burning option to envelop the pizza more, browning the toppings more efficiently and resulting in a slightly crisper crust.

Cooking with the Solo Stove Pi

Here are some tips for cooking with the Solo Stove Pi.

Preparing the Pizza

Before cooking, it is essential to prepare the pizza. Firstly, be certain to use a bit of flour or cornmeal to dust the bottom of the dough to prevent the pizza from sticking to the peel or the oven. Add the toppings of your choice.

Cooking Time

The Solo Stove Pi heats up quickly and can reach temperatures of up to 900°F. This means that pizzas cook very quickly, usually in less than two minutes. It is essential to keep an eye on the pizza as it cooks to prevent it from becoming too charred.

Turning the Pizza

To ensure that the pizza cooks evenly, it is essential to turn it regularly. A turning peel can make this task easier, but it is also possible to use a regular pizza peel. Simply rotate the pizza by 180 degrees every 20 seconds or so to ensure even cooking.

With a little practice, it is possible to create perfect pizzas every time!

Accessories and Bundles for Solo Stove Pi

To enhance the Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven experience, there are several accessories and bundles available that can help you get the most out of this oven.

Firstly, if you would like to make pizza using a gas burner, you will need to purchase the standalone gas burner assembly.

Optionally, Solo Stove offers three different bundles: Pi Starter Bundle, Pi Essential Bundle, and the Pi Ultimate Bundle.

The Pi Starter Bundle includes the oven, wood-burning assembly, pizza stone, pizza peel, pizza cutter, and thermometer.

The Pi Essential Bundle includes the oven, wood-burning assembly, pizza stone, pizza peel, pizza turner, pizza cutter, thermometer, and the Pi Shelter, a cover for the Solo Stove Pi.

The Pi Ultimate Bundle includes the oven, pizza stone, wood-burning assembly, bamboo pizza peel, stainless steel pizza peel, pizza turner, thermometer, silicone mat, pizza cutter, Pi shelter, and the Solo Stove Pi Stand.

To get started making pizzas with the Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven as is, you will need to have kiln-dried wood and fire starters.

Overall, the accessories and bundles available for the Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven can help users get the most out of their oven and make delicious wood-fired pizzas with ease.

A Note About Allergy-Friendly Pizzas

I tested both gluten-free pizza and vegan pizzas with great success. In fact, the Solo Stove Pi cooked these pizzas way better than any other method I’ve tried up until this point. The gluten-free crust bubbled and browned much like conventional pizza and the vegan cheese on the vegan pizza melted much better than it usually does in a conventional oven. Win-win all around!

Cleaning the Solo Stove Pi

To ensure that the Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven is always in tip-top shape, it is important to properly maintain and clean it. This will not only help to extend the life of the oven, but it will also ensure that it always performs at its best.

Cleaning the Oven

After each use, it is important to clean the Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven. This will help to remove any food particles, ash, and soot that may have accumulated during the cooking process. To clean the oven, follow these simple steps:

1. Allow the oven to cool completely before attempting to clean it. This will help to prevent any burns or injuries.
2. Remove the stones and scrape off any pizza debris with a plastic putty knife.
3. Set the ash pan and fuel grate aside.
4. With a damp cloth, wipe the soot off Pi’s panoramic opening.
5. Following with a dry cloth, dry any leftover moisture from Pi’s stainless steel body.

Cleaning the Ash Pan and Fuel Grate

The ash pan helps collect the ash that is produced during the cooking process and the fuel grate holds the burning wood. To clean the ash pan and fuel grate, follow these simple steps:

1. Allow the ash pan and fuel grate to cool completely before cleaning it.
2. Remove the ash pan and fuel grate from the oven.
3. Empty the ash and any residue into a metal container.
4. With a damp cloth, wipe the ash pan and fuel grate clean.
5. Following with a dry cloth, dry any leftover moisture from the ash pan.

Overall, proper maintenance and cleaning of the Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven is essential to ensure that it always performs at its best.

Portability and Design of Solo Stove Pi

The Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven only weighs only 30.5 lbs, making it easy to transport and set up wherever you go. It is designed to be used with either propane or wood which makes it ideal for camping trips, picnics, and backyard barbecues.

The compact design of the Solo Stove Pi makes it easy to store when not in use. The oven measures 15.125 inches high and 20.5 inches in diameter, which makes it small enough to fit in the trunk of a car or in a storage shed. The oven also has a cooking surface of 12 inches by 12 inches, which is perfect for making personal-sized pizzas.

Overall, the Solo Stove Pi is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who want to enjoy freshly baked pizza while on the go. The oven is lightweight, compact, and has a modern design that looks great in any outdoor setting!

Where to Buy the Solo Stove Pi

The Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven is available for purchase on the Solo Stove website, alongside various bundles and accessories.

If you find yourself a fan of this pizza oven, Solo Stove also produces beautiful outdoor fire pits, camp stoves, fire bowls, and patio heaters, to name a few.

Other Uses for Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven

Did you know that one can use outdoor pizza ovens for more than just pizza? Here are some other wonderful dishes that are fun to make and come out great when cooked in the Solo Stove Pi.

• Flatbreads, tortillas, naan, and pita bread.
• Vegetables (roasting them in a pizza oven adds a wonderful char).
• Various breads like sourdough bread, ciabatta, or focaccia.
• Simple baked goods like cookies.
• Potatoes in various forms (cubed, wedges, jacket, etc.).
• Quesadillas.

In Conclusion

Overall, the Solo Stove Pi pizza oven is immense fun, creates beautiful and delicious pizzas, and is well-built and designed. If you’re in the market for an outdoor pizza oven, I have no doubt Solo Stove Pi will fit the bill and then some!