Does Roccbox Use Propane or Butane?

The Gozney Roccbox pizza oven can use both propane (LPG) or butane gas as fuel sources. Natural gas, on the other hand, hasn’t been tested for use with the Roccbox, so you shouldn’t try to use it under any circumstances.

In this post, I’ll go into detail about the benefits of propane vs butane, and help you make a decision about which one is the best choice for you.

Quick Summary: Propane has a high-energy output and performs well in both hot and cold weather. Butane performs well in warm weather, and the tanks are more portable, but it performs poorly in cold weather. That means, for most people, propane is the best fuel source to use with the Roccbox due to its high performance and versatility.

Propane and Butane: The Only Certified Gas Fuel For The Roccbox

Propane and butane are the only types of liquid fuel that is officially certified by Gozney for use in the Roccbox. Both propane and butane are known for their high energy output and their ability to reach high temperatures quickly—a crucial feature for something like a pizza oven. 

Propane and butane are also readily available almost everywhere, which makes either one a convenient option depending on your circumstances and what’s available for you.

Related Post: Can you use wood pellets in a Roccbox?

Propane vs Butane: Which Should You Use?

If you’re unsure whether to use propane or butane in your Roccbox, it’s useful to know the pros and cons of each. That said, in most cases, propane is going to be the best option due to its better performance and the fact that most people are already using propane with other appliances they own, like outdoor grills and camping stoves.

Pros and Cons of Propane:

Propane has a lower boiling point than butane, making it a better performer in colder temperatures. It’s also known for its high energy output, which means your Roccbox will reach a higher temperature faster than with butane. However, propane tanks are often larger and heavier than butane ones, which is something to consider if space is an issue, or you frequently bring your Roccbox on the road.

Pros and Cons of Butane:

Butane can be a good choice for use in warmer temperatures because of its higher boiling point. It’s also typically stored in lighter, more compact cylinders compared to propane, so it’s easier to make space for them if you’re taking it with you on the go. 

However, butane’s energy output is slightly lower than propane (because of molecular differences), which means it may not heat up as quickly or reach the same high temperatures.

How to Choose Between Propane and Butane:

Given the different properties of propane and butane I mentioned above, here’s how I recommend making your choice. If you live in a warm climate, don’t necessarily need your Roccbox to heat up super quickly,and value a more compact fuel tank, butane is a good option for you. Otherwise, it’s more efficient to use propane because of its higher temperatures and quicker heat up time. 

Propane is also a much more common fuel source, so you probably already have one at home anyways for use with other types of outdoor cooking appliances. So, going with propane is a great way to kill two birds with one stone, unless you have a specific reason to want butane instead.

Here’s a quick comparison of the three types of gas:

Gas Type	Energy Output	Performance in Cold Weather	Portability	Suitability for Roccbox
Propane	High	Excellent	Good	Certified
Butane	Medium	Poor	Excellent	Certified
Natural Gas	Low	Good	Poor	Not Certified

Comparing Propane, Butane, and Natural Gas

While propane and butane are the only certified fuels for Roccbox, it’s worth understanding the differences between these gasses and natural gas (which you can use with certain Ooni pizza ovens).

What Makes Natural Gas Different

Natural gas is primarily used for heating homes and powering specialized appliances. It’s the lightest of the three gasses and so requires a larger volume to produce the same amount of energy as propane or butane. 

While natural gas is often cheaper, and more environmentally friendly, it requires a fixed pipeline for delivery, making it less portable and not suitable for a portable appliance like the Roccbox. In fact, in many parts of the world, portable tanks of natural gas aren’t even available for purchase.

So, unless you have a direct source of natural gas at your home you can tap into, you probably don’t want to use natural gas—which is convenient since the Roccbox doesn’t support it anyways!

Pizza oven options that can use natural gas

If you have your heart set of natural gas, there are some options available to you. For example, the Ooni Karu 16 and Ooni Koda 16 both support natural gas when you purchase an optional natural gas conversion kit. This is especially useful for those who have a natural gas hookup at their homes specifically to avoid having to lug around and store tanks of propane or butane.

Both the Ooni Karu 16 and Ooni Koda 16 compare quite favorably to the Roccbox in their own ways. The Ooni Karu 16 is bigger and more feature packed than the Roccbox, and also more expensive at $799. On the other hand, the Ooni Koda 16 is similar in price to the Roccbox ($599), but it has a 16 inch baking surface and only supports propane and natural gas (no wood or charcoal). 

Either of these pizza ovens are a good choice for anyone looking specifically to use natural gas. You can find information on the Ooni Karu 16 here and the Ooni Koda 16 here. 

Why You Should Never Try To Use Natural Gas In Your Roccbox

While it may theoretically be possible to use natural gas with the Roccbox, doing so poses huge safety risks, including carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks, and fire.

On top of that, using an uncertified gas type will void the warranty of the Roccbox, leaving you liable for whatever damage might occur.

Related Questions: