Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven Review: Worth the Price in 2022?

TechAwards is a reader-supported website. Purchases made through links may earn a commission.

Solo Stove is known as the run away leader in the smokeless fire pit space, and now are they about to take over the backyard pizza oven market?

We’d say, yes, that’s all but guaranteed…

Their new Pi Pizza Oven may just be the coolest oven we’ve seen…and not only does it look awesome, it cranks out some of the best-tasting pizzas you’ll ever eat.

If you’re ready to take your backyard pizza oven game up a notch, while getting a hearty round of high-fives from your friends, then the Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven may be exactly what you’ve been waiting for…

How the Solo Stove Pi Can Take Your Pizza Game Next-Level

From the Demi-dome build to the innovative design, the Pi Pizza oven is the perfect choice for beginning backyard pizza makers, as well as the seasoned vets.

This means you can start slinging the perfect pies as soon as you get your Pi out of the box. The learning curve is minimal, and Solo Stove provides you with all of the instructions you need to get started as soon as your Pi arrives.

If you’ve been thinking about building your own pizza oven, or buying one of the more expensive portable options out there, then the Pi is the perfect oven for you.

How it Works

• Dual Fuel

When it comes time to buy your Pi, you’ll have two options to choose from – you can opt for the wood-only option, or upgrade to their dual-fuel model (highly recommended).

The duel fuel gives you the option of opting for wood-fired flavor, or if you’re in more of a hurry you can switch on the propane for a faster pizza baking experience.

• Easy to Use

The beautiful Solo Stove design is about more than just sleek looks – the panoramic opening means you can get your pizzas in and out easily, as well as fuel your wood-burning fire with incredibly easy access.

• Signature Airflow Design

Once you get your flames going the Solo Stove Pi’s signature airflow and Demi Dome construction create the perfect convection system for baking incredibly tasty and perfectly crispy pizzas.

With the signature airflow, the Pi pulls in cool air to help keep your fire going, while also providing an incredibly consistent convection.

Here’s a quick look at the Pi in action…

What Size Pizzas Can it Cook?

The Pi can fit up to a 12 inch pizza at a time, or you can make a few smaller personal-sized pies – the choice is yours. I have kids, so the personal pizza route is clutch – then I can throw in a full sized pie for me and mama.

How Long Do Pizzas Take to Cook?

You’ll have to give your oven a bit of time to preheat, but once it’s ready to cook you can cook up to 4 pizzas in about 60 minutes. I’m not a mathematician, but that pencils out to about 20 minutes give or take per pizza. Just make sure to keep any eye on it so you can get the crust just the way you like it.

If you’re you’re using wood to fire your pizzas (my favorite way to cook them),  you can cook for up to 3 hours…it just deepens on how much ash builds up in your ash pan.

If the ash pan is full, it’s time to stop cooking.

If you’re running your Pi off propane, you can cook as long as you have fuel.

Can You Cook Other Stuff?

Yes…it’s best for pizzas or flatbreads, but anything else that is low-moisture and low-fat (you don’t want that stuff on your pizza stone) that you think could use a delicious crispy flavor that the Pi can provide.

Where Can You Use Your Pi?

The Pi is designed to be used outside. That means you can use it in the backyard, on the beach, or even on a picnic.

It does weight about 3o pounds, so don’t plan on taking it along for hike, unless that’s your style.

Just make sure you place it on a sturdy surface, that is at waist-level, and that is made to withstand heat – think tile, brick, other masonry, or granite.

Is it Easy to Clean?

Yes, Solo Stove has you covered when it comes to keeping your Pi clean and ready to cook at all times.

Of course, crust crumbs and wood ash are going to accumulate on your Pi, but that’s just the natural part of the pizza making process when it comes to cooking with a wood-fired oven.

The outside of your Pi is super easy to keep clean – just use warm water with soap, and they recommend rubbing it down with a lint-free towel – you don’t want to scratch this beautiful work of art.

When you’re ready to clean the inside of your Pi, the process is going to be similar to putting your kitchen oven into “self-clean” mode – You’ll basically run your Pi on high heat, sans pizza, so you can heat up and burn off any crumbs or other stuff that may have accumulated inside.

Let your Pi cool down so it’s cold to the touch, and you then all you have to do is sweep away any of the left over debris.

Dimensions and Specs

The Pi is super portable and compact, making it the perfect choice for most people. Here are the exact specs to give you a better idea if it’s going to work with your outdoor space (Sorry, New Yorkers…):

Pi Pros and Cons

While we’d say there isn’t really anything not to love about the Pi, let’s quickly weigh the pros and cons to help you decide if it’s the perfect pizza oven for you…

Pros

• Easy to Use
• Built to Last
• Dual Fuel Option
• Sleek and Portable
• Who hasn’t always wanted a wood-fired pizza experience in their backyard?
• Your friends and family will love you
• It will look awesome in your backyard
• Cooks Delicious, Wood-Fired Pizzas Outside (What’s Not to Love!?)

Cons

• Expensive (although cheaper than building an actual backyard pizza oven)
• Not everyone likes pizza (sorry if you happen to fall into this category)

Warranty, Shipping and Return Options

Solo Stove offers free standard shipping in the United States (except for Alaska and Hawaii) for any purchase over $75, so your Pi purchase will qualify for free shipping.

When it comes to returns, they offer free 30-day returns on any orders shipped in the U.S. (minus Hawaii and Alaska). They do have some return exclusions that you’ll want to read about on their website.

Solo Stove offers a lifetime warranty on all of their products, which covers manufacture defects. That means if you leave your pizza oven out in the rain and it gets super rusty, probably don’t expect to swap it out for a new one free of charge – it will be on you to take care of your pizza oven or fire pit or any other Solo Stove product you buy…but, if there’s some sort of manufacturing defect they’re happy to replace it with a new product.

RELATED READING: Onni vs Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven

How Much Does it Cost?

• Standalone Wood-Fired Pizza Oven: $469
• Starter Bundle (Includes Pi Oven, Cutter, Stainless Steel Peel, and IR Thermometer): $509.99
• Duel Fuel Pizza Oven: $599.99
• Essentials Bundle (Includes Pi Oven, Gas Burner, Stainless Steel Peel, Turner Peel, Cover, IR Thermometer, and Cutter): $749.99
• Prices current at time of publication – check most up-to-date Pi prices at Solo Stove

Summary: Should You Buy a Pi?

The Solo Stove Pi is one of the coolest and easiest-to-use pizza ovens we have reviewed. It’s built to last, makes amazing wood-fired pizzas, and is the perfect choice for beginners and experts alike.

You Should buy a Pi if…

• You’ve Been Looking for an Affordable Backyard Wood-Fired Pizza Experience
• You Like it’s Portability
• You Like the Dual Fuel Option
• You Want a Pizza Oven That’s Built to Last
• You Want a Pizza Oven That’s Easy to Clean
• You Love Pizza