Introduction
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the Gozney Roccbox, a propane-fired portable pizza oven that promises a “restaurant-grade” experience. As a pizza lover and a fan of outdoor cooking, I was excited to test out this oven and see how it compares to other portable pizza ovens in the market, such as the Ooni Fyra. Let’s dive into the setup, cooking experience, and the overall performance of the Gozney Roccbox.
Setup and Design
The Gozney Roccbox arrived in a well-designed and efficiently packed cardboard box. Unboxing it was a pleasant experience, and the attention to detail and use of recyclable materials were evident.
The Roccbox comes fully assembled, so there’s no need for complex assembly instructions. It’s a single unit that weighs 44 pounds, and a convenient carry strap makes it easy to lift and transport. The setup involves unfolding the legs and attaching the propane burner to the bottom of the oven with a simple twist. Connecting the oven to a 20-pound propane tank is straightforward, but it’s essential to check for leaks before firing it up.
The oven’s design is impressive, featuring gleaming metal and a protective silicone shell. The silicone cover helps prevent accidental burns but tends to attract dust. Cleaning it is a breeze, though. The Roccbox feels sturdy and solid, even with its retractable legs.
Multi-Fuel Compatibility
One of the Roccbox’s notable features is its multi-fuel compatibility. It comes with a propane burner, but you can purchase an optional wood burner that connects in the same way. If you prefer wood-fired pizza, this option allows you to switch easily.
Cooking Experience
To start, I followed the instructions, running the oven for half an hour to burn off any residue and then cranked up the heat. Despite cool conditions (around 60ºF), the Roccbox heated up quickly. Within 20 minutes, it reached well over 700ºF, and with a bit more burning, it surpassed 900ºF. The built-in thermometer made it easy to monitor the temperature accurately.
Once preheated, it was time to cook the pizza. Gozney provides various recipes, but I stuck with my favorite pizza dough recipe. Sliding the pizza off the peel and into the oven takes practice, but the results were worth it. The oven’s rolling flame design ensures even heat distribution, and a minute and a half was all it took to get a perfectly cooked pizza with bubbled cheese and a nice char.
Accessories and Recommendation
Gozney includes a pizza peel in the box, but having extra peels is handy when cooking for multiple people. The optional Roccbox Turning Peel is recommended for rotating the pizza in the oven quickly to achieve even char.
Overall, the Gozney Roccbox is a well-designed and robust pizza oven. While it’s not ultra-light, its portability allows you to move it around the backyard or take it on camping trips. The silicone cover and retractable legs add to its user-friendly design. The option to use either propane or wood as a fuel source is a fantastic feature, catering to various cooking preferences.
If you’re looking to invest in a pizza oven that can quickly produce restaurant-quality pizzas, the Gozney Roccbox is an excellent choice.
Gozney Roccbox Key Specs:
- Maximum cooking temperature: 932ºF
- Cordierite stone cooking surface: 13.4 x 12.4 inches
- Insulated oven body
- Built-in thermometer
- Safe-touch, commercial-grade silicone cover (gray or olive)
- Retractable legs
- Oven weight: 44 lbs
- Dimensions: 16.3 x 20.9 x 18.6 inches
- Multi-fuel compatible
- Includes detachable gas burner, pizza peel, bottle opener, carry strap
- MSRP: $499
- 5-year warranty
- Full range of accessories available
