Everyone knows that pizza is one of the best foods for a party. It’s also the best for a quiet evening with your family. And when you visit your in-laws. And… Well, we’ll stop there, but the list goes on and on.
Basically, it’s best enjoyed… Well, everywhere.
But usually, bringing a frozen pizza to a gathering just doesn’t do the trick…
Ordering pizza for a group of people can get expensive (especially if everyone wants different toppings)…
And making your own homemade pizza in your regular oven doesn’t give you that Neapolitan crust.
If you want to make authentic pizza with a crispy crust no matter where you go… That cooks in only a minute or two (yes, literally)… And tastes like it’s straight from Italy…
You might be looking for a portable pizza oven.
These are great for on-the-go… And in your outdoor kitchen!
Today, we’ll be going over two great portable pizza ovens: Ooni Pizza Oven and the Solo Stove Pi!
But which is the better one for you?
Let’s start our comparison guide with an overview of the companies themselves.
Quick Links:
Ooni Company Overview
Ooni is a pizza oven company based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It used to be called Uuni, which means “oven” in Finnish (although the appliances themselves are made in Asia).
The company was started in 2012 by Kristian Tapaninaho and Darina Garland. At the time, they ran an education company.
The couple was frustrated that they couldn’t make pizzas at home that were as good as the ones in restaurants… So they decided to make their own pizza oven and sell it.
This new oven was one of the first ever portable pizza ovens!
They have since won a number of awards for their Ooni portable pizza oven, including the Retailers’ Choice Award at Glee Birmingham in 2015.
Ooni is part of a program called “1% for the Planet,” in which 1% of their annual revenue goes to help the environment.
Their website also offers recipes, blogs… And community groups with hundreds of thousands of members for Ooni owners to share their creations!
Now let’s look into Solo Stove, a company that sells outdoor products across the ocean from Ooni… All the way down in Texas!
Solo Stove Company Overview
In 2010, Jeff Jan and his brother Spencer Jan started Solo Stove in Southlake, Texas.
A few years prior, the brothers had discovered that they loved e-commerce. They wanted to sell something that they cared about.
They had always loved hiking and the outdoors… So they made a new product: their first camping stove. It was small and light enough for backpackers to carry on trips!
It was innovative and perfect for cooking meals or roasting marshmallows on the go. You didn’t need to bring any fuel along with you… Just some matches.
Understandably, people liked these camping stoves so much that they asked for bigger sizes… And Solo Stove expanded.
Eventually, they added backyard fire pits, portable grills, and tons of extra tools, too!
Just like Ooni, Solo Stove is involved in “1% for the Planet”!
Solo Stove also donates to multiple causes, such as One Tree Planted, the National Forest Foundation, the National Parks Foundation, and Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
In 2022, Solo Stove launched a brand new portable product: the Pi Pizza Oven!
This is what we’ll be looking into today.
Now that we’ve heard a bit about Ooni and Solo Stove as companies… Let’s review their oven options!
Have your own Outdoor Kitchen Idea?
Ooni Pizza Oven Options
Ooni only sells portable pizza ovens and accessories. They have three models (two of which come with size variations), and each one uses a different type of fuel.
With only a slight learning curve, they are all easy to use and clean up after!
They offer the Ooni Koda pizza oven, the Ooni Fyra, and the Ooni Karu… Let’s look at the differences between them!
Koda Gas-Powered Oven
The Ooni Koda outdoor pizza oven is the first Ooni pizza oven we’ll look at.
The shell of this Ooni gas pizza oven is made of commercial-grade cold-rolled carbon steel… And it has a powder-coated finish that can handle high temperatures.
The Ooni Koda gas-powered outdoor pizza oven doesn’t have a door, just an opening at the front.
While this may make it less insulated than other ovens… It also makes it easy to watch your pizzas bake and rotate them when they need it. That’s useful and fun!
There are two sizes (12 inches and 16 inches)… But we’re going to focus on the 12 inch (the Ooni Koda 12 pizza oven) since that’s the same size as Solo Stove’s!
The Ooni Koda 12 gas-powered pizza oven is only 20 pounds, so it’s light and easy to store.
It has one burner at the back, and the flames run on propane gas.
Not feeling gas? If you’re looking for something that uses pellets instead… You might want to consider the Ooni Fyra.
Ooni Fyra Wood Pellet Oven
Unlike some of your other options… This Ooni wood pellet pizza oven only comes in one size: 12 inches. It’s 22 pounds, making it very light!
This Ooni pellet pizza oven has a nice, powder-coated carbon steel shell with a polished stainless steel door and chimney.
The Ooni Fyra pizza oven is a good option if you enjoy cooking with pellets… It gives a great, authentic taste without the hassle of wood!
But what if you can’t settle on just one type of fuel?
We get it. Just like with built-in grills… There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of fuel.
So if the decision is too hard… You don’t have to decide! Our next option gives you the choice between wood or gas.
Ooni Karu Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven
If you want a bit of variety in how you make your food… The Ooni Karu would be a good choice for you.
If one day, you’re feeling the flavor of a charcoal or wood-fired pizza… The Ooni Karu can do that!
But if sometimes you want the convenience of gas… Look no further! It is compatible with a burner attachment that is sold separately for $99.99.
Again, there are two size options for this Ooni wood-fired pizza oven… But we’ll just focus on the 12 inch option since that’s the same size as the Solo Stove Pi!
The Ooni Karu 12 multi-fuel pizza oven has (you guessed it) 12 inches of cooking surface.
This 26-pound oven has a brushed 430 stainless steel exterior and a metal door to keep the heat in.
Now, onto Solo Stove’s pizza oven…
Solo Stove's Pizza Oven Option
Solo Stove has just launched their first ever pizza oven, the Pi Pizza Oven!
It’s versatile, so you don’t have to decide on just one fuel type. You can make pizzas with wood… Or a propane tank if you use the gas burner attachment (sold for an additional $175)!
Just like the Ooni options, it also has a slight learning curve… But you’ll be a pro after a little practice!
It’s made out of sleek, polished stainless steel and has a 12-inch cooking surface, just like the Ooni options that we’re looking at.
This 22 pound oven has a unique, circular design that would look good with any modern outdoor kitchen.
But what exactly can it do? What features does it have? Let’s compare it with Ooni.
Features
We’ve gone over several different options…But now let’s compare some of the features that make each of these ovens shine!
First off, we have portability!
Portability
With a portable pizza oven… Weight is obviously very important!
There are many great ideas for outdoor kitchens with pizza ovens… But you might prefer a portable option so you can enjoy your pizza beyond your grill island.
It isn’t recommended that you leave any of these ovens outside… So even if you don’t travel with it, you’ll still need to be able to move it to and from storage.
Let’s get into just how easy to transport they actually are.
Ooni
Koda 12
Fyra 12
Karu 12
We’ll just be looking at Ooni’s 12-inch options, since they’re the same size as Solo Stove’s.
Ooni’s lightest is the Koda pizza oven, which is only 20 pounds.
Their other 12 inch options are similar in weight. The Fyra is 22 pounds, and the Karu is 26.5 pounds.
Solo stove
The Solo Stove option is also very lightweight.
At 22 pounds, it’s almost the same weight as Ooni’s lightest model!
This is absolutely something you can carry wherever you go!
In the end, all four of these options are similar in weight and easy to transport.
Have your own Outdoor Kitchen Idea?
Cook Time
If you want dinner fast, a portable pizza oven is absolutely a good choice.
So let’s compare just how fast they really are. After all, you don’t want to wait around just for a couple pizzas. You’ve got people to feed!
Ooni
The Ooni outdoor pizza oven gets hot! Once you start the fire… Ooni takes about 15 minutes to heat up to its maximum temperature of around 930ºF.
This is the perfect amount of time to quickly grab some semolina flour from the pantry, make some pizza dough, and throw on the toppings!
With this kind of heat, your dinner will be cooked in about 60 seconds… So get your pizza peel ready for action!
Solo Stove
Once you start the fire… The Solo Stove Pi gets up to 900ºF in the same amount of time as the Ooni ovens do (about 15 minutes).
Again, this is a great amount of time to take flour, make some dough, and put on your toppings.
Your pizza cooks in about a minute or two.
So overall, they’re very similar in cook-time: impressively fast!
Now, let’s get into how functional these appliances are… Starting off with their fuel options.
Multiple Fuel Options
Some people like to bake with gas… Others prefer wood-fired ovens.
No matter what type of fuel you enjoy using, there’s probably an option for you!
Ooni
Since Ooni has several different ovens… They also cater to a wider range of fuels.
The Fyra uses pellets.
The Koda uses propane.
And the Ooni Karu pizza oven cooks with wood or charcoal… Or propane if you buy the conversion kit separately.
There are four possible types of fuel across the board.
Solo Stove
Even though Solo Stove only offers one type of oven… It still has two fuel options!
Their oven uses wood… Or propane if you purchase the conversion kit!
There is no option for charcoal or pellets.
Versatility
Did you know that you can make more than just pizzas in your oven?
The options don’t stop at dough!
Ooni
There’s a long list of foods you can make in your pizza oven… And they have a recipe for just about everything!
You can find recipes on Ooni’s website.
They even have sections that are specifically gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian!
Ooni also offers an entire bundle of cast iron pans and plates for things like meat, vegetables, and fish.
Solo Stove
Although they don’t sell extra pans or plates… Solo Stove recommends cooking flatbread and other things that need to be crispy right on your stone.
They suggest that you keep your recipes low-moisture and low-fat. This protects your stone from absorbing “unfriendly” flavors.
This means that the things you can make on your Solo Stove Pi are a little more limited… But that bready food like flatbread will do very well!
Now, will you be able to watch your food cook? Or will your oven have a door?
Openings
An important decision to make is whether or not you want a door on your oven!
While a door may help keep the heat in… They can sometimes obstruct visibility.
Fortunately, this is all a matter of preference. You will be able to make great food whether you have a door or not.
Ooni
There are two 12 inch Ooni options with doors: The pellet-fired Fyra and the dual-fuel Ooni Karu.
The multi-fuel Karu 12 and the pellet-run Fyra both have stainless steel doors… So you can’t see through them. However, the doors are removable.
This leaves the Koda 12 without a door… It may not keep the same amount of heat in, but you can see the pizza cook!
Solo Stove
The Solo Stove does not have a door, but that may be your preference!
You’ll always be able to see your dough while it cooks. This also makes it quick and easy to rotate your dough without messing up your toppings.
Just like with the Koda 12, the tradeoff is that you may not keep as much heat in.
Now, let’s get into the materials that make all of this possible… Starting with Ooni, what are they made out of?
Ooni Pizza Oven Materials
If you’re familiar with our content… You know that we care deeply about what materials are being used in our outdoor kitchens.
The materials are just as important for any appliance that you want to last long-term, like your pizza oven!
So of course, we have to go through what these outdoor ovens are made of, starting with Ooni!
We hate to say it, but… It’s complicated.
They use a wide mix of materials, and it varies per model.
The stone will always be made out of cordierite ceramic… This stone is durable and can withstand extremely high temperatures.
The interior of the oven will be made of stainless steel (we’re not sure what grade). The exterior will be made out of either powder-coated steel or 430 stainless steel.
If your oven comes with a chimney… It will be made of 430 stainless steel.
430 stainless steel is a weaker grade than we would typically recommend… But powder-coating can help prevent rust, corrosion, and scratches.
They will either be insulated with rock-spun wool or ceramic fiber. While rock wool is lighter, it provides less insulation than ceramic fiber.
Now, how does that compare to the Pi Pizza Oven?
Solo Stove Pizza Oven Materials
The Pi pizza oven has a 304 stainless steel body for the interior and exterior, which is always a great choice.
They utilize ceramic insulation… So your oven will stay warm on the inside.
The Pi Pizza oven uses a cordierite ceramic pizza stone, which is extremely durable!
What else do these ovens come with?
Ooni Accessories and Add-Ons
There are many different Ooni pizza oven accessories and add-ons… There is a pizza peel, a gas burner, an Ooni pizza oven cover for each model, a thermometer, fuel, an Ooni pizza oven brush, stone, cookware, several books, and more.
They also offer three accessory bundles with some of their most popular selections.
These include a bundle with a pizza peel and cutter wheel, one with a turning peel and a pizza peel, and finally a serving board and pizza cutter wheel.
Just looking for the essentials? There’s a bundle for you. And if you want more? Ooni has plenty of options!
You’ll love what Solo Stove offers, too. Let’s take a look.
Solo Stove Accessories and Add-Ons
Especially for having just launched their first pizza oven… Solo Stove has an impressive assortment of tools and add-ons.
On their site, you’ll find a gas burner, an infrared thermometer, peels, a turner, a pizza cutter, a pizza stone, and more.
All of these items can be found in pizza bundles, as well as purchased separately.
They offer two bundles: the “starter” bundle with six items and the “essential” with eight items.
These bundles will both include the pizza oven itself, the wood-burning assembly, a pizza stone, an IR thermometer, a stainless peel, and a pizza cutter.
The essential bundle includes all of these items, plus a stainless turner and a shelter that can protect your oven from the elements.
Both bundles have the option of adding the gas burner attachment.
The starter bundle and the essential bundle both include the Pi Pizza Oven… So if you’re considering buying the oven, look into the bundles too!
Speaking of buying bundles… How much will your oven cost?
Ooni Cost
If you’re going the BBQ island route with your new pizza oven… The appliances you choose will all factor into the overall cost of your outdoor kitchen.
For the sake of a better comparison… We’re just going to list the prices for Ooni’s 12 inch ovens since they’re the same size as Solo Stove’s.
You can find the pellet-oven Fyra for $349… While the propane-powered Ooni Koda costs $399.
The Ooni Karu (the model most similar to the Solo Stove Pi in materials, dimensions, and fuel type) is sold for $399.
Let’s review how much the Solo Stove Pi costs.
Solo Stove Cost
The Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven is priced at $624.99 (or $894.99 if you get the gas burner attachment)… But this will change if you’re considering a bundle.
The Starter Bundle costs $744.99 without the burner… And $1,014 with it included.
You can get the Essential Bundle for $834.99 without the burner and $1,104.99 with it.
This is a really good deal for an outdoor pizza oven.
One of the best ways to protect your new investment is through a good warranty. Let’s look into what Ooni offers first.
Ooni Warranties
A new pizza oven is a big investment… This costs hundreds of dollars, so you want to make sure the company you choose will stand behind their product with a warranty.
Ooni offers a 3-year warranty… And a buyback option within 60 days if you’re dissatisfied with the product.
This warranty is on the shorter side. If you’re comfortable with that, that’s great! But you’ll be responsible if anything goes wrong after those three years.
How does Solo Stove compare?
Solo Stove Warranties
Solo Stove offers a lifetime warranty!
If your product is defective… Solo Stove will replace it!
If you damage it yourself… They will work to help you find a way to fix it. Not fixable? They will let you buy a new product at half off the MSRP price.
This is a great offer. You want your appliances to last forever!
We’ve gone over a lot of information. Let’s briefly summarize it so you can figure out which is the best option for you.
Quick Summary
Ooni
Solo Stove
Founded
2012
2010
Warranty
3 Years
Lifetime
Price Range
$349 – $399
$624
Cooking Surface Size Range
12″ – 16″
12″
Fuel Options
Propane Gas; Pellets; or Wood/Charcoal Multi-Fuel (With option for Propane Gas attachment sold separately)
Multi-Fuel (Wood, with option for Propane Gas attachment sold separately)
Cook Time
1 Minute
2 Minutes
Founded: 2012
Warranty: 3 years
Price Range: $349 – $399
Cooking Surface Size Range: 12″ – 16″
Fuel options: Propane Gas; Pellets; or Wood/Charcoal Multi-Fuel (With option for Propane Gas attachment sold separately)
Cook time: 1 minute
Founded: 2010
Warranty: Lifetime
Price Range: $624
Cooking Surface Size Range: 12″
Fuel options: Multi-Fuel (Wood, with option for Propane Gas attachment sold separately)
Cook time: 2 minutes
Solo Stove and Ooni Pizza Oven Review
If you want to know how these ovens really stack up… We’d recommend you look at the reviews that other customers have left.
You can find thousands of Ooni reviews on their website. Just click on the oven you think you’d like… And you’ll get to hear from all kinds of people.
Likewise, you can also learn more about Solo Stove’s Pi Pizza Oven through reviews on their website!
Solo Stove’s Pi Pizza Oven has a perfect 5 stars.
The Karu 12 also has a 5 star rating.
The Koda 12 and Fyra have 4.5 stars.
So now what? Which one do we recommend?
Which is Best?
You’ve seen the comparisons. Both Solo Stove and Ooni make great products… But Solo Stove just edges out over Ooni.
The features that Solo Stove and Ooni offer are neck and neck. The products are very similar… They’re all very portable… And we love Ooni’s variety of options…
But Solo Stove offers something that you just don’t see very often from pizza ovens: A lifetime warranty!
Having a long warranty is super important if you want your oven to last. We always recommend it for any grill you buy… So your pizza oven shouldn’t be any different.
You can’t beat the fact that you’re guaranteed to have this oven around for decades to come.
Ready to start cooking? What do you do next?
What's Next?
It’s great to travel with your pizza oven! But sometimes you want to host your own parties… Or make pizzas with a beautifully-cooked crust at home in your own backyard!
If you’re starting off with a new pizza oven… Maybe you’re also looking to take your outdoor space to the next level with a complete cooking station.
If this is the case, RTA is here to help!
You’ll have all the kitchen countertop space you need to grab some flour and make your dough…
And options for all kinds of other helpful appliances like a fridge, sink, and more.
Not to mention the assurance that all RTA products are made out of high-quality materials… And the islands and grills have a lifetime warranty.
There’s even a free and simple design tool you can use to start creating your dream outdoor kitchen.
Grab some dough and toppings, and set up a call with our Design Experts… You’ll be on your way to an outdoor cooking oasis in no time!
We look forward to hearing from you!
HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? WERE HERE TO HELP>
Q&A
No, you should only use your Ooni oven outdoors.
You can cook almost anything in your pizza oven with Ooni’s specially made cast-iron plates and skillet pans. They have recipes on their website for meats, vegetables, and fish.
Once your Ooni oven is preheated (15-20 minutes), it only takes 60 seconds to cook your pizza!
You can cook frozen pizza in Ooni pizza ovens! Preheat the oven to around 450ºF, and cook your frozen pizza for about 10 minutes.
