In this comprehensive review, we delve into the details of the Gozney Roccbox XL pizza oven, exploring its design, features, and overall performance. From unboxing and assembly to its initial firing and the crucial first pizza cook, we’ll cover everything you need to know before making a purchase. We'll examine its build quality, ease of use, and the cooking experience it provides, offering an honest and unbiased assessment based on real-world usage. Expect detailed insights into the oven's heating time, temperature control, and the final result of a Neapolitan-style pizza baked within.
This in-depth look will assess the Roccbox XL's strengths and weaknesses, addressing practical aspects like portability, stone removal, and overall ease of maintenance. We'll discuss the benefits of its thick pizza stone, lateral gas burner, and precise temperature controls. Ultimately, this review aims to provide you with the information needed to determine if the Gozney Roccbox XL is the right pizza oven for your needs and budget.
Pros And Cons
- Large cooking area (16-inch pizza oven)
- Good classic design
- Feels good quality
- Thick (20mm) pizza stone retains heat well for multiple pizzas
- Two layers of insulation help maintain oven temperature
- Removable pizza stone
- Electric ignition
- Precision dial for flame adjustment
- Lateral gas burner for authentic pizza oven style cooking
- Difficult to maneuver and carry
- Difficult to remove the pizza stone
- Takes approximately 40 minutes to heat up
- Non-eco-friendly packaging with lots of plastic
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Unboxing and Initial Impressions
The Gozney Arc XL arrived safely on a pallet, a reassuring sign of careful packaging. Unboxing revealed the oven itself, along with a technical manual, some protective polystyrene, and various components: a metal grill plate, a flame guard, and the gas hose. The oven's sleek, bone-white finish is immediately appealing.
The overall quality felt premium; it’s a sturdy and well-constructed piece of equipment. The initial setup involved removing protective layers from the pizza stone and assembling the various components in a fairly straightforward manner. The clear instructions, despite being partially in Polish, were simple to follow.
Assembly and Features
Assembly was surprisingly easy. After removing protective films from the pizza stone, I installed the flame guard inside the oven and placed the grill on top. The thermometer, with pre-installed batteries, was attached magnetically, and I added a final battery to the gas ignition system.
The gas hose attached securely with a simple push-fit mechanism. Key features include a 20mm thick pizza stone for excellent heat retention, double-layered insulation to maintain cooking temperature, and a removable stone for easy cleaning. The Arc XL's lateral gas burner delivers an authentic pizza oven experience.
Heating Up and First Pizza
The initial heating process took approximately 40 minutes to reach 400°C (752°F) on the thermometer, with the stone reaching a temperature of 426°C (799°F). This longer heating time is likely due to the thick stone and excellent insulation.
After a 30-minute burn-in period to remove factory residue, I cooked a Neapolitan-style margarita pizza. The precision dial allowed for easy flame adjustment, ensuring even cooking. The pizza baked perfectly in about 60 seconds, exhibiting a beautiful leopard-spotting effect and a well-cooked base.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The Gozney Arc XL is a high-quality, beautifully designed pizza oven with several impressive features. The large cooking area and excellent heat retention make it ideal for cooking multiple pizzas. The thick pizza stone and double insulation ensure consistent temperatures.
However, the oven's weight and lack of handles make it awkward to move. Removing the pizza stone proved challenging. The lengthy heat-up time and less-than-eco-friendly packaging are also minor drawbacks. Despite these minor issues, the overall cooking performance is excellent, producing delicious pizzas with ease.
Overall, the Gozney Arc XL is a fantastic outdoor pizza oven, well-worth the price for its performance and aesthetics, but be prepared for its weight and the time it takes to heat up. Considering the overall positive aspects, I would highly recommend it.