Knowing what kind of commercial pizza oven you are going to invest in is a great start if you are planning on starting a pizzeria. Commercial pizza ovens have different types and a deck pizza oven is one of them.
A deck pizza oven is a type of oven that has several decks or shelves stacked on top of each other. These types of ovens can reach high temperatures which is ideal for baking pizza. Deck pizza ovens can come in different sizes: half-size, single, double, and triple-deck.
If you are wondering what a deck pizza oven is, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will be explaining what a deck pizza oven is in detail. We will also be talking about the benefits of a deck pizza oven for your pizzeria. If you stick until the end, we will also talk about some factors you should consider before buying a deck pizza oven!
What Is A Deck Pizza Oven?
A deck pizza oven is most commonly seen in pizza restaurants. It is a type of oven that is specifically designed to cook pizzas.
As its name suggests, a deck pizza oven has several decks or shelves that are stacked on top of each other. Depending on the size, a deck oven can have at least 2 to 3 decks. Larger deck ovens that are used in bakeries can have more decks. Most pizza restaurants use a commercial deck oven to cook pizza as it is efficient in baking multiple pizzas at the same time.
Unlike a residential oven, deck pizza ovens can be heated at a high temperature, which is needed to bake pizza. Deck ovens are typically made from durable stainless steel, but there are other deck ovens that are made from refractory materials like ceramic or stone. These materials can withstand high temperatures which is ideal for cooking pizza.
Some deck ovens are lined with refractory bricks or clay hearthstones to quickly produce a crispy pizza crust. Since deck ovens can produce high heat, you can expect a crispy crust without overcooking the toppings.
What is good about a deck oven is that each deck can be controlled individually. You can also set different temperatures for each deck if you have an electric deck oven. This is a good option if you are cooking various types of pizzas, especially if they have different cooking times. Since the decks can be controlled individually, you can also bake other food, like bread, while cooking pizza at the same time.
Types Of Deck Ovens
Deck ovens have two main types and these are gas and electric deck ovens. A gas deck oven’s primary fuel source is natural gas or propane.
A gas deck oven provides precise temperature control and can quickly heat up the oven. The quick preheating time is essential, especially if you have a busy pizzeria. Since you will be able to control the temperature precisely, the pizza will be baked evenly.
Gas deck pizza ovens are also more cost-effective than electric deck pizza ovens. An electric deck oven can take too long to preheat which consumes more energy. However, electric deck ovens also have their advantages.
An electric deck oven can also be an energy-saver as you can use some decks while the others are powered off. Electric deck ovens are also more environmentally friendly than gas deck ovens. Since natural gas is not used, the oven will not be emitting gas. Electric deck ovens are often preferred by establishments that are promoting sustainability.
With an electric deck oven, you will be able to bake pizza in multiple decks at different temperatures. The downside with a gas deck oven is you will only be able to set one temperature for all of the decks.
How Does A Pizza Deck Oven Work?
As we said earlier, pizza deck ovens either run on gas or electric heating elements. Whether the deck pizza oven is gas or electric, when you preheat the oven, it generates heat and the heat circulates evenly throughout the decks.
Preheating a pizza oven usually takes time. Once the oven reaches the appropriate temperature, the pizza is then placed inside the cooking chamber to be baked. The pizzas can be placed directly on the deck by using a pizza peel. You may also need to rotate the pizza during the cooking process to make sure that it is cooking evenly, especially if you are cooking multiple pizzas at once.
Benefits Of Deck Pizza Ovens
Deck pizza ovens are a great alternative to traditional pizza ovens, especially for pizzerias that produce high-volume pizzas. Deck pizza ovens can produce authentic flavor and texture to a pizza, like how a wood-fired oven wood.
If you like to really replicate the result of wood-fired ovens, getting a stone deck pizza oven is a great investment. A stone deck pizza oven is made of stone and can produce a crispy pizza that has a charred or smokey flavor.
Deck ovens can also reach higher temperatures as they have a higher BTU output than regular ovens. You will be able to cook pizza faster while still producing a crispy crust.
Factors To Consider Before Buying A Deck Pizza Oven
Before investing in a deck pizza oven, there are several factors that you need to consider to ensure success with your pizza business.
Capacity And Size
Deck pizza ovens typically come in a half-size, single, double, or triple deck. Some ovens can even have up to 5 decks. A triple-deck oven is larger and can take up more space in a kitchen.
Make sure that you have enough space in the kitchen if you are going to buy a large deck oven. You also need to consider how many ovens you need based on how many pizzas you need to produce in a day. If your expected production volume is high, a small deck oven may not be able to handle large amounts of pizza.
Energy Source
Another factor to consider is the oven’s energy source. As we have said earlier, gas deck ovens offer precise temperature control and faster heating time. An electric oven, on the other hand, can be an energy-saver.
If your business is promoting sustainability, using an electric oven is the best option as it is more environmentally friendly. You will also be able to power off any deck that you are not using. Setting each deck at different temperatures is also possible with an electric deck oven. If you are looking to invest in a gas deck oven, make sure that you have gas lines and exhaust systems in place.
Brand Reputation
When buying commercial deck pizza ovens, it is important to buy from trusted and reputable pizza oven brands. This will ensure that you are buying equipment that is high in quality. Make sure to also consider the manufacturer’s warranty policy and after-sales support should you experience some technical issues regarding the oven.
Other Types Of Commercial Pizza Ovens
Pizza deck ovens are not the only type of pizza oven. The other type of pizza ovens are brick pizza ovens, conveyor ovens, and convection ovens.
Conclusion
Opening a pizzeria is not just about getting a pizza oven and then you’re done. Knowing what you are investing in is one way to ensure your success.
Deck pizza ovens are a good option if you are expecting a high volume in your pizzeria. These pizza ovens can have up to 3 or more decks which you can use to cook multiple pizzas at the same time.
This article talked about what a deck pizza oven is, its benefits, and several factors you should consider before buying one. We hope this article was helpful in giving you the information you need. If you have any more questions, let us know!
