At Cooking For Profit, we’re excited to bring you an in-depth review of eight of the hottest pizza ovens available today. With over $3,500 worth of brand-new pizza ovens, we’ve rigorously tested each one to determine how quickly they heat up, how easy they are to use, how simple they are to clean, and whether they’re worth the price. These ovens range between $350 and $500, and we’ve broken down our findings to help you choose the best one for your needs.
Page Contents
Overview
Before we dive into the specifics, it’s important to note that this review is entirely independent. None of the manufacturers have sponsored this content. We gathered what we believe are the top 12-inch outdoor ovens and put them through a series of tests to find the best one for various cooking setups. If you find this review helpful, consider using the links provided to make your purchase, as it helps support our work.
The Ovens and Their Prices
- Solo Stove Pi Prime: $349 (currently on sale)
- WPPO Little Luigi Pro: $369
- Shark Ninja Outdoor Electric Oven: $399
- Stoke Stove 13-inch Starter Hybrid: $399
- Uni Karu 12G: $429
- Bertello 12-inch Oven Bundle: $489
- Crew Model 30: $495
- Gosney Rock Box: $499
Individual Reviews
1. Solo Stove Pi Prime
Price: $349
Performance: This is the least expensive oven in our lineup, but don’t let that fool you. The Solo Stove Pi Prime impressed us with its seamless design and sturdy construction. It’s a propane-powered oven with no option for wood fuel, but the simplicity of its gas-only operation makes it incredibly easy to use. The oven heats up quickly, reaching 700°F in just 11 minutes and 7 seconds, making it one of the fastest in our tests.
Assembly: Simple and straightforward, with a solid build that sits flat on the counter, offering great stability.
Cleaning: Cleaning is a breeze—just brush off the leftover semolina with a Solo Stove brush and wipe down the outside with a microfiber cloth.
Verdict: If you’re looking for a reliable, easy-to-use oven that heats up quickly and offers a great cooking experience, the Solo Stove Pi Prime is an excellent choice, especially given its price.
2. WPPO Little Luigi Pro
Price: $369
Performance: The WPPO Little Luigi Pro took 20 minutes and 59 seconds to reach 700°F, making it a solid mid-range performer. This oven can be fueled by wood splits, pellets, or charcoal, providing versatility. However, the fire drawer is a bit small, which can make adding fuel during cooking slightly challenging.
Assembly: Straightforward, but make sure to place the stone on the raised L brackets inside the oven for proper heat circulation.
Cleaning: The removable drawer for wood and charcoal makes cleanup relatively simple, though it’s essential to stay on top of fire management during use.
Verdict: The WPPO Little Luigi Pro is a versatile option for those who like the idea of using different fuel types, though its small fire drawer may require more attention during cooking.
3. Shark Ninja Outdoor Electric Oven
Price: $399
Performance: The only electric oven in our lineup, the Shark Ninja is easy to use, with a preheat cycle that took 24 minutes and 57 seconds to reach 700°F. While it’s electric, it also allows for the addition of wood pellets to enhance the flavor of your pizzas with a bit of smoke.
Assembly: Simple and hassle-free, with all components fitting together smoothly.
Cleaning: The stone can be removed for easy cleaning, and the wood pellet door makes it easy to add fuel without a mess.
Verdict: If you want the convenience of an electric oven with the option to add wood pellets for flavor, the Shark Ninja is a fantastic choice, especially for those who prefer a hands-off cooking experience.
4. Stoke Stove 13-inch Starter Hybrid
Price: $399
Performance: The Stoke Stove reached 700°F in 18 minutes and 22 seconds, making it one of the quicker ovens in our lineup. It can be fueled by wood splits, pellets, or charcoal, and also comes with a gas burner attachment. However, switching between fuel types requires flipping the oven over and removing an internal baffle plate, which can be a bit cumbersome.
Assembly: Straightforward, though switching between fuels is more involved than with other models.
Cleaning: The wood and charcoal drawer is easy to remove and clean, and the stone can be taken out for wiping down.
Verdict: The Stoke Stove is a good option if you’re interested in experimenting with different fuels, though the setup is a bit more complex than others.
5. Uni Karu 12G
Price: $429
Performance: The Uni Karu 12G took 32 minutes to reach 700°F using wood. While this is longer than other models, the oven offers great flexibility with its option to use wood or propane (adapter sold separately). The insulated sides keep the oven cooler to the touch, making it safer to handle during cooking.
Assembly: Simple, with easy access to the back door for adding wood without much hassle.
Cleaning: The wood tray can be pulled out from the front for easy ash disposal, though you’ll need to brush the stone to keep it clean.
Verdict: The Uni Karu 12G is a solid choice for those who want flexibility in fuel options and don’t mind the slightly longer preheat time.
6. Bertello 12-inch Oven Bundle
Price: $489
Performance: The Bertello oven is unique in its ability to use both propane and wood simultaneously. It reached 700°F in 16 minutes and 2 seconds using propane for preheating and then adding wood for cooking. This combination creates an intense heat environment, perfect for fast and even pizza cooking.
Assembly: The oven is easy to set up, with all necessary components included in the bundle.
Cleaning: The stone needs to be removed to clean the wood-burning grate, which can be a bit tricky given the oven’s length.
Verdict: If you’re looking for a dual-fuel option, the Bertello oven is a standout, offering versatility and high performance, though cleaning can be a bit more involved.
7. Crew Model 30
Price: $495
Performance: The Crew Model 30 is wood-powered and reached 700°F in just 10 minutes and 25 seconds, making it the second-fastest in our lineup. The oven’s large fire area allows for substantial wood splits, offering an authentic wood-fired experience.
Assembly: Straightforward, though the larger fire area requires more attention during cooking.
Cleaning: Surprisingly easy to clean for a wood-only oven. The flat sheet metal peel makes it simple to remove ash and debris.
Verdict: The Crew Model 30 is a great choice for those who want a traditional wood-fired oven experience without breaking the bank.
8. Gosney Rock Box
Price: $499
Performance: The Gosney Rock Box was the fastest to reach 700°F, taking just 10 minutes and 10 seconds with its powerful propane burner. The oven’s design, featuring a Velcro strap for easy carrying and folding legs, makes it extremely portable. It’s also versatile, working well with both wood and gas.
Assembly: Easy to set up, with intuitive design features like folding legs and a secure stone that doesn’t move during transport.
Cleaning: Simple, especially in gas mode—just brush the stone and wipe down the exterior.
Verdict: The Gosney Rock Box is our top pick for its speed, portability, and versatility. It’s an excellent option for anyone serious about outdoor pizza making.
Conclusion
After weeks of testing, we’ve found that each of these ovens offers something unique. Whether you’re looking for speed, versatility, or ease of use, there’s an option here for you. Don’t forget to check the discount codes available in the description to get the best deal on your next pizza oven purchase.
Thank you for reading, and happy cooking!
