There are numerous pizza ovens available, differing in terms of fuel type and consumption. Discover which ones are the best and how to make the most out of them.
For a pizzeria, the choice of the cooking instrument, namely the oven, is the most delicate and important decision.
Before opting for an electric, gas, or wood-fired oven, it is essential to know the pros and cons of each. The characteristics should be evaluated, and it must be understood which one can be more functional in growing one’s business.
To cook pizza optimally, reliable and high-performing tools are necessary, capable of reaching and maintaining very high temperatures.
Similarly, it is important to understand which type of oven can help increase productivity, customers, and profits.
The choice is far from simple: making the wrong type of oven selection or opting for a model unsuitable for one’s business size can become a dangerous boomerang.
For this reason, in this article, we will explore how pizza ovens work and how to maximize their potential (including energy consumption considerations).
We will also take a look at the cost of professional pizza ovens based on different types and technical performance offered.
In this article, we will cover:
- Pizza oven: which one is most suitable for your business?
- Is a gas or electric oven better?
- How much does a professional pizza oven cost?
- The best pizza ovens: Italforni solutions
Let’s begin.
Pizza oven: which one is most suitable for your business?
Before delving into the specific characteristics of pizza ovens, it is important to provide a general overview of the different types of ovens used by industry professionals.
This examination can help in choosing the most suitable oven for one’s business and the type of clientele one intends to attract. It will also provide an initial indication of the differences in operation, purchase cost, and energy consumption.
The wood-fired oven is the most captivating cooking tool for customers, who love to admire the pizzaiolo as they bake pizzas and tame the live flame. However, its use is demanding and requires thorough cleaning and careful management. Furthermore, its installation entails specific constraints related to the chimney.
Electric ovens and gas ovens are the most widely used alternatives in pizzerias worldwide, surpassing wood-fired ovens. Much of their success is due to technological advancements that have made these cooking tools increasingly:
- Automated;
- Intuitive;
- Multifunctional;
- High-performing;
- Capable of optimizing energy consumption.
Among pizza ovens, electric and gas models are by far the easiest to use and the most versatile in cooking.
Modern professional ovens in the food industry offer automatic temperature management and a range of advanced functions (such as the ability to separately adjust heat distribution from the top and bottom). These features ensure high cooking reliability, comparable to traditional methods.
Despite many similarities, there are also differences between electric and gas ovens.
Let’s discover them.
Is a gas or electric oven better?
Even though both gas and electric ovens are capable of delivering excellent cooking results, it is essential to understand the characteristics of both types and know how to use them effectively.
To achieve the proper cooking of pizza, high temperatures are required, generally ranging between 350 and 370°C. This temperature range allows for uniform evaporation of moisture.
The best pizza ovens can maintain and control the internal temperature consistently and automatically (potentially using pre-set programs) as well as manage humidity release. Electric ovens have become a preferred solution in the market due to their ease of use and programmability. However, gas ovens also have advantageous aspects that deserve further exploration.
Why choose an electric oven for your pizzeria?
In an electric oven, heat is transferred through conduction and radiation, thanks to the heating elements located beneath the refractory cooking surface and in the upper part.
Modern professional electric pizza ovens are equipped with thicker refractory surfaces and armored Hype heating elements. These features offer several advantages over old spiral heating elements:
- Ease of keeping the oven clean (as there are no fuel residues);
- Capillary heat distribution;
- Energy efficiency.
Let’s explore the reasons why choosing an electric model for your pizzeria is advantageous:
- Uniform temperature: With the increasingly innovative and high-performing models available in the market, electric ovens can now reach the same temperatures as wood-fired ovens. However, the significant advantage lies in having better control over heat distribution. The presence of refractory slabs and pre-set automated cooking programs allows for consistent and uniform cooking, improving both the quality of the pizza and the economic efficiency of the oven. A constant temperature also means optimizing energy consumption and avoiding waste.
- Versatile usage: It is possible to set different cooking programs based on what is being prepared.
- Precise and adjustable cooking: High-end electric ovens allow for setting different temperatures between the oven floor and ceiling. This enables precise and adjustable cooking based on the characteristics of the dough.
- Moisture control: Preferred electric ovens are those equipped with a “steam” function, which allows for evaluating the release of internal moisture. Controlling moisture diffusion is just as important as controlling temperature for achieving optimal pizza cooking.
How much energy does an electric pizza oven consume?
The average consumption for a pizza oven with a capacity of 4 pizzas ranges between 4.6 kW and 6 kW.
Professional electric pizza ovens operate at temperatures around 300 – 350°C and can reach up to 500°C. A modular oven with multiple shelves offers the possibility of baking multiple pizzas simultaneously, increasing the production capacity of the establishment and, consequently, the earnings.
Cooking more quickly (and more pizzas at once) translates into savings in electricity consumption, not to mention the implicit advantage of reducing waiting times for customers.
The savings provided by a professional electric oven are not limited to energy. It encompasses a range of factors, including:
- Optimization of cooking times thanks to the modular system with multiple shelves;
- Ability to maintain a constant temperature (reducing energy consumption);
- Increased production capacity and revenue.
Now, let’s analyze the characteristics and advantages of professional gas ovens for pizzerias.
Why choose a gas pizza oven?
Despite electric ovens being prevalent in the market, gas ovens remain highly reliable cooking tools for pizzerias. They are chosen primarily for their operational efficiency and ease of management.
Simplicity of use is perhaps the concept that best describes them: once the temperature is set, the pizzaiolo doesn’t have to worry about anything else.
With a gas oven, there are no additional parameters to set, unlike what is required with:
- Electric ovens, for example, where you can release moisture or set independent heat distribution between the top and bottom;
- Wood-fired ovens, where managing the live fire is necessary.
The automatic temperature management of gas pizza ovens ensures high cooking efficiency and reliability. This is achieved through the oven’s operation: the burner delivers maximum power until the set temperature is reached and then shuts off, only reigniting when the temperature begins to drop.
The main characteristic of a gas oven is its static cooking, which is more delicate and allows foods to rise at the correct times and in the correct manner.
How much energy does a gas pizza oven consume?
In general, a gas oven is more cost-effective than an electric oven, both in terms of the initial purchase price and energy consumption.
The lower purchase cost is due to the fact that electric models have more sophisticated technological components, which inevitably increase the price.
Other factors that affect energy consumption include the quality and energy efficiency class of the oven.
Generally, those starting a new business could benefit economically by purchasing a gas oven due to lower energy consumption and operating expenses.
How much does a professional pizza oven cost?
The quality of the product is the starting point for the success of a pizzeria, and this largely depends on the choice of oven. However, it is not always possible to invest large sums of money in equipment.
In this sense, gas and electric pizza ovens offer greater flexibility. While the price of a wood-fired oven is always high, with electric and gas ovens, it is possible to choose between expensive models equipped with cutting-edge technologies or more affordable models that offer a good value for money.
When evaluating the cost of a professional oven, it is important to also consider energy consumption. Electric and gas ovens allow for a significant reduction in energy consumption due to their ability to maintain a constant temperature and minimize heat loss.
The best pizza ovens: Italforni solutions
Italforni, a leading company in the industry, offers state-of-the-art professional electric and gas pizza ovens that deliver the best possible results.
Regarding electric ovens, let’s look at the main features of the latest models released, which incorporate the best in design and technological innovations:
- Visor;
- Bull;
- Diamond.
All three models ensure maximum energy efficiency despite reaching high temperatures (up to 450°C), made possible by the refractory stone cooking chambers.
The Visor pizza oven is the ideal tool for those seeking convenience and versatility. Available in two sizes, with 1, 2, or 3 cooking chambers, it can accommodate 6 to 9 pizzas with a diameter of 35 cm in each baking cycle.
With Visor, it is possible to independently adjust the settings of the different cooking chambers and separately manage the heat distribution from the bottom and top. This functionality allows for simultaneous cooking with different settings using a single tool.
The professional electric Bull oven can also be configured in various sizes to meet specific needs, accommodating up to 12 pizzas simultaneously. The option to add a steam generator in each cooking chamber makes this model perfect not only for pizzerias but also for pastry shops and bakeries.
Diamond is the most innovative and captivating professional electric oven in terms of design. It is often placed in the center of the room in exclusive and prestigious settings. Diamond combines outstanding design with Italforni’s signature quality, ensuring versatility, ease of use, and excellent cooking performance.
Italforni also offers modular gas ovens for pizzerias, bakeries, and pastry shops, such as the Eco-Gas model. This oven embodies the company’s values, guaranteeing efficiency, reliability, innovation, and sustainability.