Which is better, a gas oven or an electric oven? Let’s see the characteristics of both so that we can choose the best one for your needs.
Despite popular tradition still being fond of classic wood-fired ovens, today it is undeniable that excellent pizzas can also be baked using gas or electric ovens.
These cooking appliances, equipped with the latest technological innovations, are capable of delivering outstanding results while offering numerous advantages such as increased convenience and reduced energy consumption.
On the market, one can find numerous solutions with varying degrees of advanced features, making it often difficult to choose between a gas or electric professional oven.
Let’s take a look at the characteristics that differentiate these two types of power sources, in order to select the most suitable professional oven for your business.
- Why use a gas oven for pizza?
- Why choose an electric oven for pizza?
- What is better, a gas oven or an electric oven?
Why use a gas oven for pizza?
A gas oven operates thanks to a burner located at the bottom. When the oven is turned on, the heat spreads initially through radiation inside the combustion chamber and then circulates through convection.
The burner operates at maximum power until the desired temperature is reached. Once the sensor indicates the temperature has been reached, it switches to a minimum setting, providing only the heat necessary to maintain the temperature.
Typically designed to work with LPG or natural gas systems, modern gas ovens can reach high temperatures, safely reaching up to 450°C.
In fact, the best gas ovens for pizza are equipped with safety valves (in compliance with European Union directives) and various measures specifically designed to enhance their reliability.
Among the main advantages offered by gas ovens are:
- Reduced energy consumption;
- Convenience and ease of use;
- Easy cleaning;
- Quick heating to operating temperature.
Although some less advanced models may struggle to maintain a constant temperature during cooking, these types of professional ovens work similarly to wood-fired ovens. However, they offer the advantage of being more practical to use, cleaner, and more consistent in their operation.
The use of professional gas ovens is becoming increasingly popular in pizzerias.
Sometimes it is a necessity based on the available facility infrastructure, while other times it is a conscious choice by the pizzeria manager. For example, if their goal is to save on equipment costs without sacrificing reliability and quality in the cooking process.
Why choose an electric oven for pizza?
If abroad, the demand for electric pizza ovens has been steadily increasing compared to Italy, even in the Beautiful Country, more and more restaurateurs are turning to the purchase of this type of ovens.
Increasingly advanced technological solutions can ensure that modern electric ovens deliver the same cooking performance as traditional wood-fired ovens. However, they offer the advantage of having some functions that improve both the cooking process and the work of the pizza chef.
The choice of professional electric pizza ovens, therefore, proves to be an ideal solution from many perspectives. Let’s see what advantages they are able to offer.
The advantages of professional electric ovens
Two major advantages of electric pizza ovens are the speed at which they can reach the operating temperature and their size.
Indeed, managing the temperature of an electric oven is much simpler and consistent compared to wood-fired models.
Furthermore, electric ovens typically have more compact dimensions than traditional wood-fired ovens, making them an ideal solution for businesses with limited space.
In an electric oven, heating is achieved through electric resistances placed in various areas of the cooking chamber, generating heat. This results in a rapid temperature increase and the ability to independently control both the upper and lower heat.
In this type of oven, there is no combustion or associated residues, as there is no open flame.
Thanks to advancements in construction technologies, the achievable temperatures are now on par with the best wood-fired ovens, with the advantage of being able to be maintained consistently and controlled precisely.
The significant advantage of electric ovens, therefore, lies in their ability to maintain a constant temperature better, allowing for significant energy savings.
Caruso®, the first electric oven for Neapolitan pizza by Italforni, is a cutting-edge cooking tool in its category. It can reach 530°C, combining the same cooking performance as a wood-fired oven with all the benefits of modern electric ovens, resulting in the ability to consistently produce perfectly cooked pizzas, easily and quickly.
What is better, a gas oven or an electric oven?
The choice of the best gas or electric pizza oven is influenced by numerous factors, such as its intended use and the available space in the establishment.
In general, though, we can say that a professional gas pizza oven is practical to use and can reach very high temperatures. On the other hand, an electric oven has the advantage of being easy to install and operate, in addition to being extremely versatile.
When it comes to the energy consumption of pizzeria ovens, gas ovens typically consume slightly more than wood-fired ones, but they excel in being much easier to use and clean, even for less experienced staff. Unlike older models, modern electric ovens can keep consumption in check, thanks to advanced insulation systems and the use of highly insulating materials that prevent heat loss.
In conclusion, choosing the best oven for a pizzeria today means identifying the model that can deliver impeccable cooking results and facilitate the work of the pizza chef, while also meeting production needs while keeping an eye on energy efficiency.