There are two elements that define a good pizza: the seasoning of each chef and the type of propane pizza oven used.
In fact, there are three types of pizza ovens: wood-fired, electric, and gas. In order to decide which oven is best for your business and to make the most of your investment, it is essential that you know the characteristics and differences of each one.
Electric oven
Features
The temperature is the first thing to take into account when choosing an electric oven, as it is advisable to buy those that can reach -at least- 400 degrees Celsius (°C).
Pizza should be baked in an electric oven at a temperature of 300ºC, so that the base has time to become crispy as the mozzarella melts; normal baking time is between 3 and 4 minutes.
Some advantages of this oven are:
An electric oven is cheaper than a wood or gas oven.
It saves more space.
No gas installation is required.
It represents a significant saving in your initial investment.
And yes, although gas bills are usually cheaper than electricity bills, energy consumption will depend on the use and demand you have.
Firewood Oven
Features
The technical level of the pizza maker who works with a wood-burning oven must be much higher than the one who works with an electric one. The pizza chef must have experience in this type of cooking, as it requires a good understanding of heat transmission.
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Select suitable firewood (light, not too large or too thick pieces) that does not explode and does not transmit odours that could affect the product; for example, resinous woods are not recommended.
Usually wood-burning ovens keep the heat better. If the oven is made of good material and has been well constructed, it can be kept for more than eight hours at a temperature of – approximately – 200 °C.
This means: if it has to be lit again the next day, it will only take about 10 to 15 minutes of grilling to get it to the right temperature. On the other hand, if it has to be heated after a day off, it will take about 45 minutes to reach that temperature.
Although the amount of grill will vary according to the size of the oven, it should be borne in mind that a good fire is necessary to heat it well.
Some advantages of this oven are:
Its fumes are the least harmful to the environment.
The cost for energy consumption can be lower if the production is very high.
It has a higher production capacity.
Gas ovens
Features
It’s akin to making a pizza in a wood-burning oven. It requires a particular knowledge of oven convection. There are two types:
Live convection: when the fluid is put in motion, coming into contact with a hot wall (this is the case, for example, with the static ovens we all know, in which there are no fans to push the air)
Forced convection: when the fluid is mechanically set in motion by fans