The Gozney Tread portable pizza oven promises the perfect pizza, anywhere. This review dives deep into its performance, portability, and value, examining whether its impressive features justify the significant price tag. We unpack the oven's build quality, ease of use, and cooking capabilities, exploring both its strengths and weaknesses. From initial setup and heat-up time to the quality of the resulting pizzas and the usefulness of included accessories, we leave no stone unturned.This comprehensive assessment covers the crucial aspects of the Tread's design, including the sturdy carrying case and the versatile Venture frame. We analyze the performance of the side burner and the effectiveness of the integrated temperature gauge, while also considering the impact of the oven's size and weight on its overall portability. Ultimately, this review aims to help you decide if the Gozney Tread's blend of mobility and high-performance pizza baking is worth the investment.
Pros And Cons
- Designed and optimized for maximum mobility.
- Well-thought-out design.
- Integrated spirit level for precise alignment on uneven terrain.
- Excellent locking mechanism.
- Oven quickly attaches to the stand.
- Quick-release fastener for gas hose.
- Fast heat-up time (15 minutes to reach 440-445°C).
- Practical pizza peel and pizza turner.
- Accessories (pizza peel, turner, lid with serving plate) fit easily in the carrying bag.
- Rotating stand function is practical.
- Side burner works very well.
- Robust and durable.
- Weighs 13.5 kg (plus accessories).
- Can be a bit tricky to set up initially.
- Expensive (€249.99 for the oven, additional cost for accessories).
- Requires transporting a separate gas bottle.
- Thermometer is difficult to read (small Celsius scale, large Fahrenheit scale).
- Serving plate gets warm, but not super hot; difficult to remove.
- Limited baking surface (fits a 30cm pizza).
- Accessories are expensive.
- Carrying bag lacks attachment points for the stand.
- Not ideal for those who don't need mobility.
- The design isn't ideal for backpackers or hikers due to weight and size
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Unboxing and Initial Impressions
The Gozney Tread arrived, and my first impression was one of a well-built, albeit weighty, piece of equipment. The 13.5kg oven itself, along with accessories like the stand and carrying bag, adds up to a significant load for transport. While the design prioritizes mobility, it’s undeniably bulky.
The included accessories are a plus, though. The carrying bag seems durable enough to protect the oven during transport, and the optional pizza peel and turning peel integrate smoothly with the system. The quick-release gas hose connection is a nice touch, familiar to users of other Gozney products.
Setting Up the Venture Frame
The Venture frame is a key component for using the Tread outdoors. Its four-legged tripod-like design allows for height adjustment and setup on uneven terrain. While the setup process initially presented some minor challenges, it became easier with practice.
A clever integrated spirit level ensures precise leveling, a vital feature for even cooking. However, the price (€249.99) is significant and adds considerable cost to the overall system.
Cooking Performance and Features
The Gozney Tread boasts a remarkably quick heat-up time of just 15 minutes. During testing, the stone reached temperatures exceeding 440°C, even nearing 500°C in some instances. The included side burner offers excellent heat control.
Pizza cooking results varied initially, with the first pizza slightly overcooked on the edges, showcasing the need for a learning curve. However, subsequent pizzas demonstrated the system's potential for perfectly crispy crusts and delicious results. The temperature gauge included is of limited use, the Fahrenheit scale being overly prominent whilst the Celsius is too small.
Accessories and Design Considerations
The optional accessories, like the pizza peel and turner, are well-designed and enhance the user experience. The carrying bag is also useful for storing the accessories neatly. The oven's size accommodates a 30cm pizza stone very closely, leaving only a few millimeters of extra space, showing limitation of baking space.
A removable serving plate integrated into the lid provides convenient pizza serving, although this does get hot and requires careful removal. The sturdy construction and design are positive aspects, while minor flaws like the slightly wobbly lid are evident.
Overall Assessment and Conclusion
The Gozney Tread excels in portability, offering a quick and efficient way to bake pizzas in diverse locations. The side burner is a standout feature. However, it is expensive. The total cost, considering the oven and additional accessories, is substantial. This makes it a niche product best suited for those who prioritize mobility and frequent outdoor cooking.
Ultimately, the Gozney Tread is a well-designed mobile pizza oven with impressive performance. However, the cost is considerable, limiting its accessibility to many users. Its portability and convenient features shine for those who regularly need outdoor pizza-making capabilities. Its size is a limitation. Consider the value proposition carefully before purchasing.