5 reasons why a Stone Deck Oven is the best for cooking a Gourmet Pizza
Given that you can charge 20-50% more for a Gourmet Pizza over standard Pizza. The customer will be more demanding of the quality of the dish served up to them. So careful selection of your Pizza oven is important to produce a mouth-watering Pizza and grow a profitable Pizzeria. Here are 5 reasons why selecting a Stone Deck Pizza Oven will produce better quality gourmet pizzas.
- Superior Heat Retention: Stone deck ovens are known for their exceptional heat retention capabilities. The stone surface absorbs and distributes heat evenly, creating a consistent cooking environment for gourmet pizzas. This results in a crispy and evenly cooked crust while maintaining the toppings’ flavours and textures.
- Authentic Flavour and Texture: Stone deck ovens replicate the traditional wood-fired pizza ovens used in Italy, which gives pizzas an authentic flavour and texture. The hot stone surface helps to achieve a perfect balance of a crispy bottom crust and a slightly chewy interior. It creates the ideal environment for achieving the charred, smoky flavour that is characteristic of gourmet pizzas.
- Efficient Moisture Control: Stone deck ovens offer excellent moisture control during the baking process. The porous nature of the stone helps absorb excess moisture from the dough, preventing a soggy crust. It allows the pizza to cook evenly while maintaining the ideal moisture content, resulting in a well-balanced and flavourful pizza.
- Versatility: Stone deck ovens are versatile cooking appliances that can handle a variety of pizza styles and other culinary creations. Whether you’re making thin-crust Neapolitan pizzas, thick and hearty Chicago-style deep-dish pizzas, or gourmet artisanal creations, a stone deck oven provides the flexibility to achieve excellent results with different pizza styles.
- Even Heat Distribution: The stone deck in these ovens ensures even heat distribution, eliminating hot spots that can lead to unevenly cooked pizzas. The consistent heat flow allows for uniform cooking, resulting in a perfectly cooked pizza with toppings that are evenly melted and cooked through. This feature is especially crucial for gourmet pizzas, where precise cooking is necessary to achieve the desired flavours and textures.
Overall, the combination of superior heat retention, authentic flavour, efficient moisture control, versatility, and even heat distribution makes a stone deck oven an excellent choice for cooking gourmet pizzas. It helps elevate the pizza-making experience and allows for consistent, high-quality results that satisfy even the most discerning pizza connoisseurs.
How long does it take to cook a pizza with a stone deck oven?
The cooking time for a pizza in a stone deck oven can vary depending on several factors, including the oven temperature, the thickness of the crust, the toppings, and personal preference. However, as a general guideline, pizzas cooked in a stone deck oven typically take between 8 to 12 minutes to cook.
The high temperatures maintained in a stone deck oven, usually ranging from 500 to 700 degrees Fahrenheit (260 to 370 degrees Celsius), allow for a relatively quick cooking process. The intense heat of the stone surface helps to create a crispy crust while ensuring that the toppings are thoroughly cooked.
Thinner crust pizzas or those with fewer toppings tend to cook faster, typically in the lower end of the time range. On the other hand, thicker crust pizzas or those with numerous toppings may require a bit more time to cook through.
It’s important to monitor the pizza closely while it’s cooking to ensure it reaches the desired level of doneness. Factors such as oven temperature variations and personal preferences for crust crispness can also influence the cooking time.
Why is the Australian Bakery and Pizza range only electric ovens?
These are reasons why we prefer to offer electric stone deck oven over a gas oven:
- Availability and Convenience: Electric ovens do not require a gas connection, making them a more convenient option in locations where gas lines are not readily available or difficult to install. Electric ovens can be easily installed and operated with access to electrical power, providing flexibility in terms of kitchen layout and setup.
- Lower Upfront Costs: Electric ovens generally have a lower upfront cost compared to gas ovens. They often require less complex installation, as there is no need for gas piping or ventilation systems. This can be advantageous for businesses with budget constraints or those looking for cost-effective options.
- Precise Temperature Control: Electric ovens offer precise temperature control, allowing for more accurate adjustments and maintaining consistent heat levels. This can be beneficial for achieving specific cooking requirements and ensuring consistent results for gourmet pizzas. Electric ovens often come with digital controls and timers, making it easier to monitor and manage the cooking process.
- Energy Efficiency: While gas ovens are often more energy-efficient during operation, electric ovens are generally more efficient when it comes to heat distribution. Electric heating elements can provide more even and consistent heat across the entire cooking surface, resulting in improved cooking performance and reducing the risk of hot spots or unevenly cooked pizzas.
- Safety and Cleanliness: Electric ovens do not produce open flames or combustion byproducts, making them safer in terms of fire hazards and indoor air quality. They also tend to be easier to clean and maintain since there are no gas burners or associated components that require regular cleaning or maintenance.
- Both Australian Federal and state Governments are increasingly incentivising the conversion of Gas to Electric appliances so your yearly energy costs could also be reduced.