Pizza Ovens: what’s the most effective choice?

KEY INSIGHTS

• Traditional woodfired ovens allow for more precise cooking, but require more expertise to operate and may be less energy efficient than modern conveyor ovens.
• Conveyor ovens deliver better energy usage overall but have a limited temperature range which can impact on your pizza’s texture and taste
• Many conveyor ovens now incorporate renewable energy sources and deliver very fast cooking times
• Some latest-gen ovens include a range of options from woodfired through to electric or gas-powered so you can choose the best option for what you’re cooking at the time.

Some pizzamakers swear by traditional woodfired ovens, which offer a smoky flavour and crispy crust, while others prefer the modern conveyor oven which is efficient, simple to operate and can produce a high volume of pizzas fast.

The right choice of pizza oven depends on the specific needs of your restaurant or foodservice operation, but there are some key points which may help you in deciding which way to go:

Some pizzamakers swear by traditional woodfired ovens, which offer a smoky flavour and crispy crust, while others prefer the modern conveyor oven which is efficient, simple to operate and can produce a high volume of pizzas fast.

The right choice of pizza oven depends on the specific needs of your restaurant or foodservice operation, but there are some key points which may help you in deciding which way to go:

·       Woodfired ovens operate at a high temperature range, allowing for more precise cooking; they therefore require more expertise to operate, as the chef needs to maintain the fire, adjust the temperature and move the pizza around during cooking to ensure an even toast. Traditional woodfired ovens also have a longer preheating time and require more wood to operate, which can make them less energy efficient than conveyor ovens.

·       Conveyor ovens are efficient in overall energy usage as they don’t require preheating and can be switched off when not in use. But they have a limited temperature range, which can impact your pizza’s texture and taste. They also require regular maintenance, including cleaning the conveyor belt, adjusting its temperature and speed, and replacing it when worn.

·       The growing awareness of the importance of sustainability energy initiatives has led many conveyor oven manufacturers to include energy efficient insulation and heating elements, which can reduce energy usage and lower operating costs over time. Many conveyor ovens now also incorporate renewable energy sources such as solar power to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability. And while traditional woodfired ovens require wood to burn as fuel, this can be sustainable if sourced from a renewable supply such as a managed forest. However, burning wood produces smoke and particulates which can be detrimental to air quality.

·       The latest generation conveyor ovens boast faster cooking times than ever, thanks to advanced temperature controls and multiple impingers to generate heat. This increases your throughput and minimises customer wait times, increasing your business’ productivity. Multiple cooking zones are a feature of many contemporary pizza ovens, allowing you to cook different types of foods simultaneously, further boosting your output and efficiency.

·       Greater versatility is another advantage of current generation ovens, with many models offering a range of cooking options from traditional woodfired through to electric or gas-powered, allowing you to choose the best option for whatever you’re cooking at the time. Intuitive control interfaces have rendered many of these models virtually foolproof to operate, while self-cleaning features and easy-clean surfaces have cut down on maintenance downtime and the effort involved in cleaning.

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