How to set up and use a Gozney Roccbox

Unboxing and choosing a spot

Lift the oven out carefully: it has a heavy stone floor and dense insulation, so it is worth having two people for the first unpack. Remove all packaging, tape and any protective film, including anything inside the mouth of the oven. Check that the burner, regulator, hose and any small parts listed in the manual are present before you start.

Choose a level, sturdy surface made of a non-flammable material, outdoors and in open air. Keep it well away from fences, sheds, overhanging branches, plants and anything that could melt. The outside of the oven gets hot in use, so position it where nobody will brush against it, and keep children and pets well back.

Legs and gas connection

According to Gozney, the Roccbox legs fold out from underneath and lock into place. Make sure they are fully locked and the oven sits flat before connecting anything. Fit the gas burner to the back of the oven as shown in the manual, so it seats firmly.

Use only the gas type, regulator and hose that Gozney specifies for your country. Regulators are not interchangeable between gas types or regions. Connect the regulator to the bottle hand-tight or as instructed, then check every joint with soapy water: brush it on with the gas turned on at the bottle and the oven off. Bubbles mean a leak. If you see any, turn off at the bottle, remake the connection and test again. Our guide to what gas for a pizza oven explains propane and butane in more detail.

Note:Outdoor use only. Never use the oven indoors, in a tent, awning, caravan or garage. Check the hose and regulator for cracks or damage before each use, do a soapy-water leak test, keep the bottle upright, outdoors and away from the heat, and turn off at the bottle when you finish. Follow Gozney's manual. If you suspect a gas leak, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. Use a Gas Safe registered engineer for any fixed gas work. Fuel-burning ovens produce carbon monoxide, so keep the oven in open air away from doors and windows, and never leave it lit and unattended.

Lighting and the first burn

On most gas pizza ovens, including the Roccbox as described in Gozney's instructions, you open the valve at the bottle, then push in and turn the control dial to ignite. Many gas ovens have a flame safety device that needs the dial held in for several seconds after lighting so the flame stays on. If it does not light, turn it off, wait for any gas to clear and try again as the manual describes. See gas pizza oven not lighting if you have repeated trouble.

Gozney recommends a first burn before cooking to drive off moisture and manufacturing residues. Run the oven as the manual instructs, with nothing inside. A little smoke or smell at first is normal for many new ovens and should fade. Do not cook until this has finished.

Heating up and flame settings

The Roccbox opening is fairly low and the stone is suited to pizzas of about 12 inches, so a small round turning peel helps. Our guide on how to use a turning peel and the pizza oven temperature guide are useful next reads.

1. 1

   Light the oven on full and let it heat for the time the manual suggests, often around 20 to 30 minutes for a portable gas oven.

2. 2

   Check the centre of the stone with an infrared thermometer: around 400 to 450°C suits Neapolitan-style pizza.

3. 3

   Just before launching, many cooks turn the flame down slightly so the top does not scorch before the base is done.

4. 4

   Launch near the back and rotate with a turning peel every 20 to 30 seconds.

5. 5

   Turn the flame back up between pizzas so the stone can recover.

When to swap to the wood burner

Gozney sells a wood burner that replaces the gas burner. Some people prefer it for the flavour and the look of a live flame, while gas is easier to control and quicker to get going. If you have the accessory, swap only when the oven is completely cool and the gas is off at the bottle and disconnected. Remove the gas burner and fit the wood burner exactly as Gozney's instructions describe.

Wood cooking needs dry, kiln-dried hardwood in small pieces and regular topping up. Our best wood for pizza ovens and how to light a wood-fired pizza oven guides cover fuel and fire management. If you are weighing up the Roccbox against other models, read Gozney Roccbox vs Arc or browse our best gas pizza ovens.

After cooking and cleaning

Turn the dial off, then close the valve at the bottle. Let the oven cool fully before touching the stone, moving it or folding the legs. Disconnect the regulator for storage and keep the bottle outdoors, upright and away from heat.

Most food residue on the stone burns off during the next preheat. Brush away ash and crumbs once cool, and avoid soap or water on the stone. See how to clean a pizza oven stone for more, and check Gozney's manual before trying to remove the stone, as procedures vary.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Roccbox come with a gas regulator? This depends on the region and the bundle. Check the box contents list and Gozney's website for your model, and only use the regulator and hose Gozney specifies.

How long does a Roccbox take to heat up? Portable gas ovens of this type typically need around 20 to 30 minutes for the stone to reach pizza temperature. Measure the stone rather than going by time alone.

Can I use the Roccbox indoors or in a garage? No. It is a gas, outdoor-only appliance and produces carbon monoxide. Use it in open air only.

Where can I find the official instructions? Gozney publishes manuals and support guides on its website. If anything here differs from the manual for your oven, follow the manual.