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Gozney Arc Lite Gas Pizza Oven vs Solo Stove Pi Prime Propane Pizza Oven
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Gozney Arc Lite Gas Pizza Oven ranks higher (#3 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on heat-up & recovery, size & portability. Solo Stove Pi Prime Propane Pizza Oven wins on build & durability.
The biggest complaint about the Gozney Arc Lite Gas Pizza Oven is 12-inch limit and narrow opening; for the Solo Stove Pi Prime Propane Pizza Oven it's cramped opening and stone. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Gozney Arc Lite Gas Pizza Oven | Solo Stove Pi Prime Propane Pizza Oven | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in pizza ovens | #3 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$ | $$ |
| Type | Gas | Gas |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 5% | 6% |
| Overall score | 4.1 | 4.0 |
| Pizza results | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Heat-up & recovery | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Ease of use (turning, learning curve) | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Size & portability | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Build & durability | 3.5 | 4.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $300 · $$ $300–600 · $$$ over $600. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Gozney Arc Lite Gas Pizza Oven
- 12-inch limit and narrow opening
Tom's Guide says some will feel restricted by the 12-inch capacity. Serious Eats says, as with all small ovens, you must take greater care moving and turning pies through the narrow opening (12.8 x 3.3 inches).
Source: Tom's Guide review, Serious Eats - No temperature display
Unlike the regular Arc, it has no built-in temperature readout, so Tom's Guide relied on an infrared thermometer.
Source: Tom's Guide review, Tom's Guide - Costs more than the Koda 12 on sale
Serious Eats notes it costs more than the similar (now-discontinued) Ooni Koda 12 when that model is on sale.
Source: Serious Eats
Solo Stove Pi Prime Propane Pizza Oven
- Cramped opening and stone
Wirecutter found the 13 x 3.5 inch opening and small baking surface made turning harder, and it bumped dough into the rear burner a few times, scorching it immediately. Serious Eats notes your peel must be under 13 inches wide.
Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats review - Tops burn before the crust is done
Several 1-star Walmart reviews say the top burns before the crust cooks, or the middle stays doughy while the edges overcook, and that pies must be rotated or the back burns. Tom's Guide also had a crust turn to ash when left a bit too long.
- Slower preheat than claimed; short hose
Serious Eats needed 40-45 minutes to pass 800°F on a cold, windy day, versus the 15 minutes claimed, and the left side ran cooler. Tom's Guide's only listed con is a propane hose that could be longer.
Source: Serious Eats review, Tom's Guide review
Who should pick which
Pick the Gozney Arc Lite Gas Pizza Oven if
Balconies and small patios
Carrying to the park or campsite
Beginners making 12-inch pies
Skip it if: You want pies larger than 12 inches; You want a built-in thermometer; You want proven long-term reliability data
Pick the Solo Stove Pi Prime Propane Pizza Oven if
Beginners who want one knob and no fuel fiddling
Small patios, tailgating and car camping
10- to 12-inch pizzas
Skip it if: You want 14- to 16-inch pies or to roast in a skillet; You want wood or charcoal flavor; You need natural gas (it can't be converted)
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