What to Look for in a Commercial Pizza Oven
There’s hardly anyone who could resist the delicious aroma of a fresh-baked pizza, with its perfectly crisp crust and melted cheese. The way it magically comes together out of a hot, roaring oven is often the subject of pizza lovers’ dreams. But in order to achieve such dreamy results, you’ll need the right oven for the job.
Whether you’re planning on opening a bakery or a specialty pizzeria, there’s no denying that this piece of equipment is the most important item in your arsenal. But with the seemingly endless options available on the market, which one is best suited for your needs?
What Are the Two Major Types of Pizza Ovens?
Perhaps the first object of consideration when it comes to shopping for a pizza oven for commercial purposes is the type of power it uses. While this won’t necessarily affect the final product, it will dictate your electricity costs and maintenance over time.
Fire-Powered Ovens
The crackling of a wood-fired oven is the classic choice for pizza connoisseurs, and for good reason. The high temperatures these models can reach along with the unique flavour of smoke produced by burning logs give pizzas a special taste that makes them hard to resist. The way the ingredients melt together and the golden-brown colour of the crust make for an unforgettable experience.
One potential downside to using a fire-powered oven is the amount of maintenance required. Since wood logs burn quickly, you’ll need to constantly keep an eye on the fire and replace them as needed.
An appropriate ventilation system is also needed to ensure safety and proper air circulation. Normally, these ovens are installed outdoors, but if you plan on doing so indoors, make sure to check with local authorities for any special requirements.
Gas-Powered Ovens
If you’re looking for convenience and a more consistent performance, gas-powered ovens might be the way to go. Of course, you’ll need a source of natural gas or propane, but once that’s taken care of, you’ll have an endless supply of heat. The temperature can often be tweaked more accurately than with a wood-fired oven as well.
The downside to these models is that they don’t provide the same smoky flavour as their fire-powered counterparts. But even so, the baked products still turn out as delicious as ever and have a great crunchy texture.
What to Look for in a Pizza Oven
Once you swing one way or the other in terms of power, you’ll need to take a peek at the technical details of your pizza oven for commercial purposes. While these seemingly small features can make a big difference in the long run, it’s hard to know what to look for without experience or guidance.
Production Capacity
This goes hand in hand with the number of baked goods you want to produce. If you’re planning to make a large number of pizzas, then an oven with a higher production capacity would be the way to go. In other words, try to get an idea of the number of items you want to bake per hour beforehand and look for one that’ll match your needs accordingly.
Of course, if you’re just starting out, then you don’t have to go for the biggest and baddest model you come across. In fact, it might be best to start small and see how it goes before investing in a more expensive option. You don’t want to end up with more capacity than you need anyway.
Size and Available Space
This is arguably a vital component to consider when shopping for a pizza oven. Not only does it need to fit any space you already have in mind, but also the size of the model often dictates its cost and production capacity.
It’s important that you take precise measurements before buying an oven so there won’t be any surprises once you get it. A tool like a tape measurer can come in handy here, but alternatively, you could use a ruler as well. Compare the sizes of available models to the area you have in mind and make sure it fits.
Maintenance Costs
Installing pizza ovens is one thing, but by far one of the most overlooked details is the cost of maintenance. If you don’t take this into account, then you might be in for a nasty surprise if something goes wrong with your device down the line.
To prevent any issues, make sure to ask about insurance policies or warranties associated with the oven you’re thinking about buying. That way, you’ll at least be covered for any unexpected damages or repair costs down the road.
You should also take the time to deep-clean the oven every now and then to keep it in good condition. This includes removing any grease or burnt residue that might build up over time, as well as checking the internal parts for any problems.
If you’re confident in your cleaning skills, then you can do the job yourself. Otherwise, you should consider asking for professional assistance every few months if necessary. This might come at a cost but at least you’ll have a clean device that works like it’s supposed to.
