Outdoor enthusiasts and camp chefs are always on the lookout for innovative and efficient solutions to enhance the outdoor experience. Solo Stove, maker of popular outdoor firepits, has expanded its product offerings to include outdoor cooking.
The Pi Prime is a portable and compact propane pizza oven that has been making waves in the outdoor cooking community due to its compact size and ease of use. We spent some time with the oven making our best homemade pizza out in nature.
The first thing that caught our attention is the sleek and compact design constructed with high-quality 304 stainless steel. Its minimalist yet robust construction is not only visually appealing but also durable, ensuring longevity even in challenging outdoor environments. The Pi Prime looks as great at the campsite as it does in the backyard.
One of the Pi Prime’s highlights is its ease of use. It’s practically ready to go right out of the box. Setting up only takes a couple of minutes, and much like other propane accessories you simply connect a propane tank to the back of the oven with the provided hose.
I paired it with the compact and portable Ignik Gas Growler, and the two have worked well together, having now cooked more than a dozen pizzas with enough propane left over to make many more.
The oven comes with a Cordierite Pizza Stone, which is simple to install, but you’ll want to refer to the manual to ensure both pieces are placed properly. A temperature control dial is located conveniently at the front of the oven to start the flame and make any needed heat adjustments.
It takes about 15 minutes or so to get the oven to the desired temperature, which is also dependent on various conditions such as ambient temperature and elevation.
According to the Solo Stove, the oven can reach temperatures topping 950-degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll want to gauge the proper temperature on the thickness of your crust, the type of toppings, and the style of pizza you want to make.
An infrared thermometer can help monitor the temperature. It then only takes a few additional minutes for the pizza to cook.
Even for an amateur outdoor chef, preparing the pizza wasn’t too difficult—albeit it was a bit messy. To keep things easy and convenient, I purchased all of the ingredients from Trader Joe’s as they have pre-made dough, sauce, cheese and most of the popular toppings ready and on-hand.
One tip is to use a healthy dusting of flour as a base so the dough doesn’t stick to the peel; otherwise, it becomes messy when trying to place it into the oven.
The Solo Stove Pi Prime features a wide-mouthed panoramic opening that makes it easy to keep an eye on the pizza while cooking and to make adjustments turning the pizza for an even cook. A pizza peel is highly recommended to safely insert the pizza into the extremely hot oven.
Once inserted, it only takes a few minutes for the pizza to cook. We found the oven to have impressive performance. The heat was evenly distributed and it only required a couple of turns for a finished pie.
You’ll start to see the toppings bubble as the aroma of fresh dough and cheese wafts through the campsite. Rotating the pizza within the tight space does take some getting used to, but after a few attempts you’ll become a pizza-making pro.
Another benefit of the Pi Prime is its space-saving design. With a silicone mat (sold separately), the top of the oven can be used to house other pizza-making accessories such as a pizza cutter or various peels/turners.
So aside from the space that it requires if you were to bring it out for camping, you will also need some space for the additional accessories.
For travelers, the oven weighs 30 pounds and takes up a space of about 15.5 inches tall by 20.5 in diameter. Some vehicles simply won’t have the room, but for those with ample space it’s worth taking on your next adventure.
The oven also comes with a cover to help protect it from being damaged. I did experience that after a couple of trips; the oven collected a ding on its exterior, probably from shifting while in transit. You’ll need to make sure it’s secure, as well the other items next to it, to keep it safe from harm.
Priced at $350, the Pi Prime is a little more costly than the standard camp stove. The beauty is that the oven can easily be used on the road or at home, so it’s something that can be used year-round whether you’re on the move or not.
The Solo Stove Pi Prime impresses with its sleek design, ease of use and the quality of the pizza that it produces. It stands out as an excellent choice for aspiring camp chefs, tailgaters and backyard cooks alike.
Its portability makes it a great travel companion, although it can occupy valuable cargo space in your rig and you’ll need to ensure you pack all essential accessories and your pizza-making ingredients.
If you have room, bringing it along on your next trip is worthwhile and allows you to make pizza practically anywhere. While the price and size of the oven may deter some, its performance and durability make it a worthwhile investment to please any pizza lover.
Solo Stove Pi Prime
Weight: 30 lbs.
Dimensions: Height: 15.5 in.
Diameter: 20.5 in.
Panoramic Opening Length: 13 in.
Panoramic Opening Height: 3.5 in.
Material: 304 stainless steel
MSRP: $350
URL: solostove.com
Access More Great Stories!
This article originally appeared in OVR Issue 08. For more informative articles like this, consider subscribing to OVR Magazine in print or digital versions here. You can also find the print edition of OVR at your local newsstand by using our Magazine Finder.
No comments yet