Solo Stove Pi Prime Pizza Oven Review: Affordable, User-Friendly, and Delicious Results

Achieve restaurant-grade crusts at home without the wood-fire fuss.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 19, 2025

Achieve restaurant-grade crusts at home without the wood-fire fuss.

Solo Stove Pi Prime Pizza Oven Review

The Solo Stove Pi Prime stands out as one of the most accessible and wallet-friendly gas-powered pizza ovens on the market. Designed with home cooks, outdoor entertainers, and pizza obsessives in mind, this model promises impressive performance at a competitive price, a user-friendly design, and results that can rival what you get at your favorite pizzeria.

Why Consider the Solo Stove Pi Prime?

If you’ve ever dreamed of replicating true, wood-fired pizzeria pizzas at home, you know the market is awash with specialized ovens—each with unique strengths and price points. The Pi Prime is Solo Stove’s latest offering, trading its older sibling’s dual-fuel capability for a streamlined, propane-only approach and a much lower price tag. So, how does it compare, and is it the right choice for you?

Budget-friendly: Significantly less expensive than many competitors.
User-friendly: Designed with accessibility and simplicity in mind.
Dedicated Gas: Focuses on propane performance for ease of use.
Compact: Perfect for smaller outdoor spaces and regular moving/storage.

Design and Features

The Solo Stove Pi Prime features a sleek, modern design with its signature stainless steel finish and a clever circular window at the front. While it may not support wood fuel like the original Pi, every aspect of its construction is optimized for quick setup and convenient operation.

Material: Durable stainless steel body, resistant to outdoor elements.
Size: Cooks pizzas up to 12 inches—ideal for family pizza nights or entertaining small groups.
Control: Gas burner knob positioned at the front, allowing for easy temperature adjustments and improved safety over rear-mounted controls.
Fuel: Propane-only, eliminating the fiddliness of wood-chunk management and dealing with ash or inconsistent temperatures.
Portability: Lightweight and easy to move; convenient for outdoor events, picnics, or backyard use.

One-Box, Minimal Assembly

Setup is virtually effortless. Out of the box, you’ll find the oven body, stone, and gas attachment. Assembly involves placing the stone inside and connecting your propane tank—no tools or complicated build required.

Using the Solo Stove Pi Prime: Cooking Performance

Where the Pi Prime shines is its ability to produce consistently high heat and even results, making it particularly attractive for home chefs new to pizza ovens or those who want reliability for weeknight meals or parties.

Preheating and Heat Balance

Fast Preheat: Ready to cook in about 20 minutes, reaching stone temperatures in the 800-870°F range for authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas.
Steady Temperatures: The oven balances stone and dome heat effectively, avoiding burnt crusts or underdone centers—a common issue in less balanced ovens.

During multiple test cooks, launching a pizza when the stone read approximately 831°F yielded impressive results—airy, leoparded crusts and well-melted cheese. Bumping the heat slightly higher (up to 870°F) improved bottom browning without scorching toppings. The oven’s design, with the flame positioned strategically at the rear and wrapping along the dome, ensures excellent top-down heat to puff the crust and cook toppings evenly.

Ease of Use

Front Control Knob: Allows fine-tuning flame intensity without the risk or hassle of reaching behind a blazing hot oven.
Simple Flame Adjustment: Essential for preventing burnt edges; easy to dial back as soon as the pizza launches.
Minimal Mess: Clean-up involves a quick scrape of the stone and a wipe down—no ash or wood debris to deal with.

How Does It Stack Up Against Other Pizza Ovens?

Oven	Fuel	Max Pizza Size	Front Control	Price (approx.)	Special Features
Solo Stove Pi Prime	Propane	12 inches	Yes	$349	Very easy to use; consistently even cook
Solo Stove Pi (Original)	Wood/Gas	12 inches	No (rear control with gas)	$500 (with gas)	Dual-fuel flexibility; similar shape/design
Ooni Koda 16	Gas	16 inches	Yes	$599	Larger capacity, higher top heat, bigger footprint
Pi Fire	Wood (below)	Varies	N/A	~$299	Integrated with fire pit for smoked flavor, less top-down heat

Solo Stove Pi Prime vs. Ooni and Other Brands

Capacity: Pi Prime is limited to 12″ pizzas. Competing models, like the Ooni Koda 16, accommodate larger pies but at a higher price.
Even Cooking: Pi Prime excels at avoiding burnt edges thanks to balanced heat distribution; some other models can scorch crust or leave centers doughy.
Ease of Control: Front-located controls are an ergonomic win over rear placements seen in many other ovens.
Fuel Type: Pi Prime is propane-only, which sacrifices wood-fired flavor but significantly streamlines the cooking process and cleanup.
Price: Pi Prime is usually available for $299–$349, putting it well below many competitors in cost.

Neapolitan and Other Pizza Styles

The oven’s design favors high-heat, quick-bake pizzas like classic Neapolitans—think puffed-up crusts, delicate char, and properly melted cheese in less than 90 seconds. For thicker-crust pies or New York–style slices, you may want to drop the temperature or extend the bake time slightly to ensure even doneness throughout.

Neapolitan Pizza: 80–90 seconds at 830–870°F, resulting in excellent rise, leopard spotting, and cheese melt.
New York Style or Thicker Crusts: Lower flame after launch, bake for 3–5 minutes, checking the underside to avoid burning.

The learning curve is gentle—after two or three pies, most users find success with even browning, puffy crusts, and well-cooked toppings. The only real challenge may involve launching the pizza—using enough flour or semolina on the peel to prevent sticking is a must!

Pros and Cons

Pros:
- Fast preheat and efficient use of propane.
- No wood, no ash, and no mess to clean up.
- User-friendly front control allows safe flame adjustments.
- Compact, portable, and ideal for most patios or balconies.
- Offers pizzeria-quality results at a lower price.
Cons:
- Cannot cook with wood—no smoky flavor option.
- Maximum pizza size is 12 inches—may not satisfy those wanting large family pies.
- Stone does not reach the absolute hottest temps compared to elite ovens, but balances heat well for most needs.

What About Cleaning and Maintenance?

Cleaning: Since this is a propane-only oven, there is no need to empty ash. Simply let the oven cool, wipe the stone or brush away cooked-on flour/cheese, and wipe down exterior as needed.
Stone Care: Remove the stone to brush off crumbs or stubborn bits. Avoid soap—just dry brushing and a quick scrape suffice.
Exterior: The stainless construction is easy to keep clean; a damp cloth will restore its shine.

Solo Stove Pi Prime vs. Solo Stove Pi (Original)

For those comparing the Pi Prime to the original Solo Stove Pi:

Feature	Pi Prime	Original Pi
Fuel	Propane only	Wood or gas
Price (with gas)	$349 ($299 on sale)	$500
Control Knob	Front	Rear (with gas)
Max Pizza Size	12″	12″
Setup	Easier	Wood option can be fiddly

The Pi Prime is for those who want simplicity, speed, and value. If you crave the romantic (but less practical) option of wood cooking, the original Pi still fits, but expect more effort and higher cost.

Value: Who Is It For?

Beginners—just starting out and want pizza success without much fuss or a large investment.
Frequent Entertainers—families and hosts looking for fast turnarounds and easy cleaning.
Apartment Dwellers—anyone with limited outdoor space who still wants perfect pies at home.
Bargain Seekers—those who want great pizza but aren’t interested in every available bell and whistle.

Expert Tips for Best Results

Let the stone fully preheat, even if the dome reads hot quickly.
After launching your pizza, turn the flame to medium—this avoids burning the crust while finishing the bottom and toppings.
Use plenty of semolina or flour on your peel to ensure smooth pizza transfer into the oven.
Try different dough recipes and hydration levels to match the oven’s heat—high-hydration doughs puff beautifully in intense heat.
After your first pizza, use a brush to sweep away excess flour or any burnt bits to keep flavors clean.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the Solo Stove Pi Prime worth it for beginners?

Yes, the oven’s forgiving heating pattern, straightforward setup, and easy flame control make it ideal for first-time pizza oven users or casual cooks.

Can I use wood in the Solo Stove Pi Prime?

No, the Pi Prime is gas-only. If you want the option to cook with wood, consider the original Pi, but it’s pricier and more hands-on.

What size pizzas can I cook?

The Pi Prime supports pizzas up to 12 inches in diameter—just right for most family or personal-sized pies but not for extra-large party pizzas.

Is it portable?

Yes, the compact and lightweight build makes it easy to store, set up for outdoor gatherings, or move as needed.

How do you clean the oven?

Let the oven and stone cool, then brush away crumbs or charred flour. The stainless surface wipes clean easily—no ash to dump thanks to the gas-only design.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Solo Stove Pi Prime?

The Solo Stove Pi Prime is a standout choice for cooks who want delicious, restaurant-grade pizza at home without the complexity, mess, or price tag found in other high-end pizza ovens. Its affordable price, reliable performance, and straightforward operation make it a smart buy for both amateurs and fans of backyard pizza parties. Though it lacks wood fire capability and is limited to 12-inch pies, the ease of use, stellar results, and clean design more than compensate for most home users.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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