Which are the most common kinds of professional pizza ovens, and why is this so important? Actually, choosing the right oven is indeed one of the most essential choices for any pizzeria, as we neves cease to stress out.
As a matter of fact, it impacts not only the quality of your pizzas but also the speed and efficiency of your kitchen. At Modalita, we specialize in first-class electric ovens, as well as deck, gas, and conveyor models. In our experience, when working with the new generation of modern ovens, it seems in fact pretty clear that electric ovens offer significant advantages, especially over traditional wood-fired ovens.
This is indeed especially true when considering the world’s most advanced and best performing models, such as the wonders made by the Italian leading brand Moretti Forni. We chose them as our partners for a reason, after all!
But when comparing different kinds of professional pizza ovens, it’s interesting to point out all the pros and cons that relate each category.
In this guide, we’ll explore the five most popular types of pizza ovens, their pros and cons, and finally why in our opinion electric ovens are usually the smartest choice for modern restaurants.
Which kinds of professional pizza ovens we do recommend?
In this blog post, we chose 5 main kinds of professional ovens that might fit your restaurant’s needs. Then we highlighted all the key pros and cons for each of them, based on our long term expertise in the industry.
Anyway, keep in mind that we always refer to the new generation, top-notch products available today for each category!
1. Wood-Fired Pizza Oven: The Traditional Choice
Pros of Wood-Fired Ovens
Wood-fired ovens deliver an authentic, smoky flavor and create a distinct texture with crispy crusts and melted cheese. These ovens reach high temperatures quickly, allowing for fast cooking times. Some customers enjoy the traditional cooking method, associating it with artisanal quality.
Cons of Wood-Fired Ovens
Despite their romantic appeal, wood-fired ovens come with several drawbacks. They require constant maintenance, including cleaning out ash and managing the fire. Achieving consistent cooking results can be difficult due to uneven heat distribution. Moreover, wood-fired ovens take up a lot of space and require costly ventilation systems.
Compared to electric ovens, wood-fired models are less efficient and more labor-intensive, making them a less practical choice for high-demand restaurants.
2. Conveyor Pizza Oven: Perfect for High-Volume Restaurants
Pros of Conveyor Ovens
Conveyor ovens are highly efficient, especially for restaurants that need to produce a high volume of pizzas quickly. These ovens are automated, allowing pizzas to pass through on a conveyor belt, ensuring consistent cooking every time. They are ideal for chain restaurants or fast-casual dining where speed and uniformity are priorities.
Cons of Conveyor Ovens
While great for high output, conveyor ovens may lack the authentic taste and rustic appeal that wood-fired or deck ovens provide. The automation process also reduces the artisan feel of pizza-making, which might not align with restaurants offering gourmet pizzas.
However, conveyor ovens still outperform wood-fired models in terms of efficiency and ease of use.
3. Deck Pizza Oven: A Versatile Option
Pros of Deck Ovens
Deck ovens offer versatility, making them ideal for restaurants that serve multiple styles of pizza. They feature stone or metal decks that cook pizzas evenly from the bottom, ensuring crispy crusts. Deck ovens can cook several pizzas at once, making them efficient for busy restaurants.
Cons of Deck Ovens
One downside is that deck ovens require more manual control compared to the classic electric or conveyor ovens. A chef needs to monitor and adjust the temperature frequently to ensure even cooking. Anyway, new generation ovens such as Moretti Forni, solve this problem with its innovative temperature control technology.
That said, despite their flexibility, deck ovens usually require more effort and skill. If you look for versatility and you need to bake several kinds of pizza, they might be the ideal solution for your pizzeria. Otherwise, classic electric ovens may be a simpler and more user-friendly option for consistent results.
4. Gas Pizza Oven: A Powerful and Efficient Option
Pros of Gas Ovens
Gas ovens offer excellent heat control, allowing for fast cooking times and high temperatures. They are powerful and can maintain consistent heat, thus being ideal for pizzerias that need to bake pizzas quickly.
Gas ovens are also more energy-efficient than wood-fired models, as they don’t require constant fuel replenishment. They also provide a slightly charred crust, similar to wood-fired ovens, but without the need for manual fire management. Last but not least, they don’t need electricity so they don’t fear sudden power shortages.
Cons of Gas Ovens
Despite their benefits, gas ovens come with some downsides. They require a gas line, which might not be available in every location and could add to installation costs. Gas ovens also require ventilation systems to manage emissions, similar to wood-fired ovens. Additionally, while they offer efficiency and speed, they often lack the traditional flavor that some customers might seek from wood-fired or brick ovens.
Compared to electric ovens, gas ovens involve more complex installation and higher operational costs, making electric ovens a more practical option for many restaurants.
5. Electric Pizza Oven: The Best Choice for Modern Restaurants
Pros of Electric Ovens
Electric ovens are the most versatile, reliable, and energy-efficient choice for restaurants of any size. They heat up quickly, provide consistent cooking temperatures, and require minimal maintenance. Electric ovens are ideal for small spaces, making them perfect for compact kitchens or high-density urban locations. They allow for precise temperature control, ensuring every pizza is cooked perfectly.
Another significant advantage is their environmental friendliness. Electric ovens don’t produce emissions, making them a cleaner option compared to wood-fired ovens, which release smoke and contribute to pollution.
Cons of Electric Ovens
The most common drawback they have is the lack of a smoky, wood-fired flavor. However, most restaurants find that the trade-off in ease, consistency, and energy savings more than makes up for this.
Also, typically electric ovens may not reach the ultra-high temperatures of wood-fired or brick ovens. But today that issue no longer exists, since the new generation of top-notch electric ovens such as Moretti Forni’s Neapolis, can reach up to 450°C, thus becoming the world’s most powerful electric oven.
Among the top kinds of Professional Pizza Ovens, Electric ones might be your best choice
While wood-fired ovens bring a nostalgic appeal, they fall short in terms of efficiency, maintenance, and consistency. Electric ovens provide a more reliable and user-friendly experience, making them ideal for modern restaurants that want to streamline operations while maintaining the highest quality pizza output.
At Modalita, we recommend electric ovens because they offer the perfect balance between performance, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. They suit the demands of busy kitchens, whether small or large, and ensure that every pizza is cooked to perfection without the hassle of traditional wood-fired methods.
In these past blog posts, we explained in detail why the newest Moretti Forni’s electric ovens are better than both wood-fired and gas ones:
Choose the Best Pizza Oven for Your Restaurant
When deciding between the different kinds of professional pizza ovens, it’s clear that electric ovens stand out as the top choice. They indeed offer unmatched consistency, require minimal maintenance, and fit into compact spaces, making them the best option for modern pizzerias.
Ready to upgrade your kitchen with a top-tier electric oven? At Modalita, we offer a range of high-quality electric ovens tailored to your restaurant’s specific needs.
Contact us today for a personalized quote and take the first step toward perfecting your pizza-making process!