The Solo Stove Pi instructions in the official manual say to burn only kiln-dried hardwood outdoors and preheat the stone to about 650°F. Gas is an optional add-on with its own separate manual, so check your model first.
Read the printed manual in full before first use. Fire and carbon monoxide can cause serious injury, so follow every warning it contains.
Which Solo Stove Pi Instructions Apply to Your Oven
The Solo Stove Pi is a wood-fired oven, and the gas burner is a separate accessory with its own manual. Check the model name before you follow any solo stove pi instructions step.
| Setup | Fuel | Manual this guide uses |
|---|---|---|
| Solo Stove Pi wood-fired oven | Kiln-dried hardwood | Pizza Oven wood instruction manual (EU, v1.0) |
| Pi gas burner accessory | Propane | Gas Burner Accessory manual, which names the appliance PI 12 PIZZA OVEN (4.4 kW) |
The gas accessory manual names the appliance as the PI 12 model, so confirm that your oven matches before you apply its distances. These solo stove pi instructions do not cover the manuals for Pi Prime, Pi 12 wood or Pi Fire models.
Safety Checks Before You Light a Wood-Fired Pi
Follow these solo stove pi instructions: keep the Pi at least 10 feet from combustible materials, use it outdoors only, and burn only kiln-dried hardwood.
The safety section of Solo Stove’s wood-fired Pi manual sets 10 feet of clearance from combustible materials. It also keeps flammable liquids and unconnected gas tanks at least 25 feet away.
- Use the oven outdoors only. Carbon monoxide can build up in tents, garages and under covered patios.
- Burn only kiln-dried hardwood. The manual bans wood pellets, other fuels and fuels with additives.
- Light with natural, food-safe paraffin-based fire starters. Chemicals and accelerants are not allowed.
- Check the four rubber feet, the rear door and the handle before each use. Do not use the oven if any part is damaged or missing.
- Place the oven on a level, stable, heat-resistant surface. Do not use it on plastic tables or under tablecloths.
- Never burn wood and run the gas burner at the same time.
Keep children and pets away from the oven, and never leave it unattended while it is hot. The outer surfaces stay hot during use and after cooking, so the solo stove pi instructions on heat-resistant gloves apply every time.
How to Light and Preheat a Wood-Fired Pi
Light two or three natural starters under the fuel grate, add four to six kiln-dried pieces, then preheat for 15 minutes until the stone reads about 650°F.
The solo stove pi instructions ask for an infrared thermometer, aimed at the very center of the stone, so you can read the real cooking surface rather than the air.
- Remove the rear door with its detachable handle to reach the fuel grate.
- Place two or three natural fire starters evenly on the bottom of the fuel grate, then light them.
- Lay four to six pieces of kiln-dried wood on the starters. The manual suggests pieces about 4 to 5 inches long and 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Use the fuel stoker to spread the coals evenly once the fire is steady.
- Replace the rear door and preheat for 15 minutes, or until the center of the stone reads about 650°F.
- Add one or two pieces of wood every 5 minutes to hold the temperature. Start with the smallest amount and increase as needed.
Wood size changes the burn rate and the refueling interval, and the manual says temperature and refueling intervals may vary with your wood. For general fire and heat guidance, see our guide on wood pizza oven temperature. Smaller pieces burn too fast, while larger pieces smoke and take longer to catch.
How to Connect and Light the Gas Burner Accessory
Remove the wood door, fuel grate and ash pan, fit the burner with hand-tight thumbscrews, then connect a propane cylinder at least 12 inches from the oven.
Install the burner only after the ash pan and fuel grate are fully cool and clean. The solo stove pi instructions below follow Solo Stove’s gas burner accessory manual.
- Remove the wood-burning door, fuel grate and ash pan, and clean out the ash pan.
- Take out the two thumbscrews stored near the hose connector, then fit the burner into the housing.
- Tighten the thumbscrews by hand only. The manual says no tools are needed for assembly.
- Connect the regulator to the cylinder by hand, then test every connection for leaks with one part dish soap to one part water. Never use an open flame to check for leaks.
- Keep the cylinder at least 12 inches (31 cm) from the oven, keep 36 inches (92 cm) of clearance from the sides and back to a wall, and keep the hose under 1.5 meters (1.2 meters in Finland).
- Turn the burner knob to off and open the cylinder valve. Push the knob in and turn it counter-clockwise until you hear a click.
- If the burner does not light, turn the knob off, wait 5 minutes, and try again.
A lit flame should look blue at the base with yellow tips. Heat the oven at full setting for 15 minutes, then run it 30 more minutes on first use to burn off factory coatings. Turn off the knob and the cylinder valve after each use. For how gas ovens compare on heat, see propane pizza oven temperature.
The manual says not to use the front door with the gas burner, and not to use it in windy conditions. Cylinders must be stored outdoors and disconnected when the appliance is not in use, and they should not be filled beyond 80 percent. Keep the Solo Stove Pi instructions for the gas burner separate from the wood ones.
Cooking and Temperature Tips
Dust the peel with semolina, cornmeal or flour, keep frozen food off the stone, and remember that interior air can reach 250 to 500°C.
- Use a light dusting of semolina, cornmeal or flour so food does not stick to the stone.
- Keep frozen or very cold food away from the stone, because it can damage the stone.
- Keep hands and face away from the openings, since the air and surfaces run very hot.
- Keep oils and fatty foods off the stone to prevent unpleasant smells, heavy smoke and grease fires.
The manual notes that loose cornmeal burns off over time and can be brushed to the sides between bakes and removed once the oven has cooled.
Ash, Cleaning and Stone Care
Empty the ash pan only after the oven has cooled, as the solo stove pi instructions require, which normally takes about 2 to 3 hours of use to fill the pan.
- Empty ash into a metal container with a sealed lid, at least 25 feet from combustible materials.
- Do not empty ash in windy weather, and do not store it in an enclosed area.
- Clean the interior by firing the oven on high heat to burn off crumbs, then brushing it out once it has cooled.
- Wipe the stainless steel body with warm soapy water on a lint-free towel. Never use abrasive cleaners, and expect normal discoloration over time.
- Each stone half is reversible and lasts up to 1 to 3 years with normal use.
Clean the stone only when it is cold, following the solo stove pi instructions for stone care; our general guide on how to clean a pizza stone adds background. Use a stiff nylon brush or plastic scraper for burnt-on food, and avoid metal scrapers, soap and submerging it in water. The manual allows 100 to 120 grit sandpaper for stubborn deposits only.
If grease catches fire, do not use water. The manual says to call the fire department if the flames do not go out within 15 seconds or spread outside the oven openings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn wood pellets in a Solo Stove Pi?
No. The solo stove pi instructions in the wood manual say to use only kiln-dried hardwood and explicitly bans wood pellets, other fuels and fuels with additives. Those limits protect the stone and reduce smoke, so check the manual before you try any other fuel.
How long should I preheat the Pi?
The solo stove pi instructions say to preheat for 15 minutes or until the center of the pizza stone reaches about 650°F, measured with an infrared thermometer. Add one or two pieces of wood every five minutes to keep that temperature.
Can I use the wood fire and the gas burner together?
No. The solo stove pi instructions warn that burning wood while using the gas burner can cause serious injury or property damage. Remove the wood door, fuel grate and ash pan before you fit the burner.
Can I use the Pi indoors or in a garage?
No. Both sets of solo stove pi instructions say outdoor use only, because carbon monoxide can build up in enclosed spaces. The gas manual also bans use in a building, garage, tent, car or RV.
How often should I empty the ash pan?
The solo stove pi instructions say the ash pan lasts up to 2 to 3 hours of normal use. Empty it only after the oven has cooled completely, and place the ash in a metal container.
Keep the printed manual with the oven, read our note on leaving a pizza oven outside for storage, and check the model name before you follow any solo stove pi instructions step. Use one fuel at a time, keep the clearances the manual sets, and empty ash only when it is cold. If your manual differs from this guide, follow your manual.