Mmm, pizza! There’s nothing like the smell of a freshly baked pie coming out of the oven. When cooked to perfection the crust is crisp and chewy, the toppings are cooked throughout and the bubbling cheese has just a hint of golden-brown goodness at the edges. But what kind of oven does the best job at cooking your favorite dish? There are several different types of pizza ovens and each has its own advantages. There are ovens made for high-volume pizza parlors, artisanal pizza cafes, delis that only cook the occasional frozen pizza and even pizza ovens that are perfect for the home kitchen.

Commercial Ovens

Ovens that are fueled by wood or coal cook pizza under super-hot temperatures – up to 1000 F. The result is the most authentic Italian-style pizza with a thin, crispy crust and a light smattering of flavorful ingredients. Wood-burning pizza ovens are used in all types of applications, in high-traffic and gourmet restaurants and at home in high-end and outdoor kitchens.

Deck ovens and conveyer ovens are the most common types of pizza ovens used in restaurants that specialize in pizza, perhaps cranking out several hundred in a day. A deck oven features shelves made of stone. Pizzas are stacked on the heated stone to cook and the result is crisp, authentic crust that closely mimics the flavor of pizza cooked in a wood-burning oven.

Conveyer ovens make pizza cooking simple and quick. Raw pizza is placed on one end of the conveyer belt and comes out the other end perfectly done in just a few minutes. Both gas and electric conveyer models are available.

Cart Ovens

Cart ovens are perfect for street vendors or for making pizza at fairs and carnivals. They are small, easy to transport and can be powered by gas or electricity.

Convection Ovens

Convection ovens cook pizza by circulating hot air inside the stove. Convection cooking results in even cooking and is favored for all types of baking. Pizza cooked in a convection oven will be perfectly cooked with no hot or cold spots to worry about.

Home Ovens

Toaster ovens, convection ovens, and wood-burning ovens are common for home use and there are models made just for home use. Home pizza ovens aren’t intended to produce a high volume of pies, but can often be the centerpiece of any indoor or outdoor kitchen.

Buying a Used Pizza Oven

There are pros and cons to buying a used pizza oven, but a smart buyer can eliminate many of the risks associated with buying used equipment by following these guidelines:

• Know the seller. Buying a used pizza oven only saves you money if the appliance works correctly. Knowing the reputation of the seller and clearly understanding his return policy and/or guarantees will help you make a wise investment.
• Find out why the oven is for sale. The number one reason for selling restaurant equipment is because the restaurant has gone out of business, but if a professional pizza maker is selling an oven try to find out why. It may be simply because business is great and she needs to upgrade for a higher volume appliance or it may be because the oven is faulty. Selling a home model is understandable if a homeowner is redecorating and no longer wants a pizza oven – find out if she plans to replace the oven (which could be a red flag) before agreeing to make the purchase.
• Research your savings. You may think a used oven is better deal than it actually is if you haven’t taken the time to learn what a new model will cost. Consider any warranties, credits, shipping charges, installation fees, energy savings or upgrades when you crunch the numbers.
• Keep in mind ovens are not the only used equipment that is commonly sold dough handling units, hoods, tables and racks, as well as warmers are often sold pre-owned or reconditioned.
• Don’t settle for less. There are many great deals to be had when it comes to buying a used pizza oven, but purchasing an oven that’s really less than you want or need just because it’s a good price doesn’t mean you’re getting a good deal. For example, if your heart’s set on a traditional brick oven and you purchase a used convection oven instead, you may just end spending money twice.

Conveyer models, wood-burning, counter-top, high-volume, home ovens new and used – there is more to the world of pizza ovens than may first meet the eye. By working with a reputable new or used equipment dealer and taking the time to do your homework you can ensure that the oven you purchase will deliver delicious results for years to come.