Solo Stove Pi Prime Review

The Pi Prime proved itself as a reliable pizza oven. It may not have any fancy electronic displays, but we found these completely unnecessary when cooking with this oven. Its intuitive design is easy to use and consistently turns out high-quality pizzas.

Cooking Performance

Pizza quality defines the success of any pizza oven, and the Pi Prime consistently produced some of the best pizzas of any oven we tested. Crusts emerged with that coveted combination of crispy and slightly charred on the outside while maintaining a tender, airy interior. The middle of our pizzas cooked through completely without having to constantly rotate or monitor them, which is a common frustration with lesser ovens.

The Pi Prime easily kept pace with much more expensive models to churn out plenty of pies for a party. The 12-inch pizza stone comfortably accommodates a small pizza, while the 13-inch opening provides just enough extra room for maneuvering your peel. When we cooked for a larger group, our plan to make about one pizza per person was spot on.

We were amazed by how easy it was to achieve restaurant-quality results even on our very first attempt. Solo Stove claims that you will find success within the range marked with orange on the dial, and this proved invaluable for learning how to operate this oven quickly.

This simple visual guide eliminated much of the trial and error that typically accompanies learning a new pizza oven, and made it so much easier to achieve success from the get-go. Unlike some other comparable pizza ovens we tested, the burner at the back of the oven distributes the flame evenly. By venting excessive heat directly out the back, you avoid excessively heating the top of the oven, which helps avoid the potential of burning the top of a pizza.

Output Power

Temperature capabilities separate serious pizza ovens from pretenders, and the Pi Prime definitely falls into the serious category. When we cranked it up, this oven was able to push a maximum temperature of 1100 °F. These aren't just impressive numbers on paper—they translate directly to authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas with proper leopard spotting on the crusts.

Optimal cooking range falls between 750 °F and 850 °F, which perfectly aligns with those helpful orange markers on the control dial. These visual indicators are surprisingly accurate, consistently delivering the stone temperatures needed for different pizza styles.

Want a classic Neapolitan with a soft, pillowy crust? Set it toward the lower orange mark. Prefer a crispier New York-style base? Push toward the upper marking. This intuitive system makes the Pi Prime accessible to beginners while still offering the control experienced pizza makers demand.

What really impressed us about the Pi Prime is the oven's insulation quality. Excellent heat retention helps with fuel efficiency and keeps temperatures consistent between pizzas. The exterior remains reasonably cool, even during extended cooking sessions. We felt completely confident placing it near the backing of our wooden deck. The bottom is also particularly well-insulated, a crucial safety feature that other budget options overlook.

Control

Despite its budget positioning, the simple control system on the Pi Prime is thoughtfully designed. Without an infrared thermometer, you're flying somewhat blind if you want to cook at an exact temperature, and the lack of a digital readout might frustrate data-driven cooks. However, after just a few cooking sessions, we developed an intuitive feel for this oven's behavior.

As we've already mentioned, the clear visual indicators on the dial make this oven surprisingly user-friendly. We measured stone temperatures around 847 °F when set within the orange zone, right in the sweet spot for most pizza styles.

Thanks to its consistent performance, we were confident that this oven would maintain its temperature. Very quickly, we felt no need to monitor the temperature of the pizza stone. If you need to fine-tune the temperature on the Pi Prime, the control knob is smooth and precise.

Ease of Use

From unboxing to that first perfect pizza, the Pi Prime is one of the most approachable gas-fired pizza ovens we've used. Setup couldn't be simpler—we had it assembled and ready to season the stone in under 10 minutes. A picture-heavy manual deserves special recognition for making even first-time pizza oven owners feel confident.

The seasoning process requires patience but not skill. Simply set it to high heat and let it run for 30-60 minutes to burn off manufacturing residues. After this one-time process, it takes just 15 minutes to preheat the Pi Prime, which is notably faster than many competitors. Cleaning is refreshingly straightforward thanks to the two-piece stone design. Use an oven brush to scrape away debris, then wipe with a damp towel (just remember never to submerge the stones in water!) For stubborn cheese or toppings, we found cranking the heat to high for five minutes effectively burns off residue, after which a wire brush makes quick work of any remaining spots.

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The size and shape of the Pi Prime seem to strike an ideal balance for a backyard pizza oven—it's substantial enough to feel stable and retain heat effectively, yet manageable enough to store seasonally. While the efficient demi-dome design maximizes heat retention while minimizing fuel consumption, it's not easily portable. Although versatility is somewhat limited compared to larger ovens, this oven can still be used for searing vegetables and achieving restaurant-quality char on steaks.

Should You Buy the Solo Stove Pi Prime?

The Pi Prime represents an outstanding value among the pizza ovens we tested. You can make restaurant-quality pizzas at home, without having to spend the money on restaurant-quality equipment. We particularly recommend it for families and casual entertainers who want to make pizzas without the fuss of having to run a more complex oven. The intuitive temperature control makes it perfect for beginners, while the impressive heat output and consistent performance will satisfy experienced pizza makers. If you've been hesitant about investing in a pizza oven due to cost or concerns over complexity, the Pi Prime eliminates both barriers.

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