Essential Pizza Shop Equipment: What Every Pizzeria Needs
By Nathaniel Ndakotsu · 28. May 2024
Equipping a pizza🍕 shop? Knowing what equipment to choose is essential.
From ovens that perfect your crust to prep tools ensuring efficiency, this article dives straight into the must-haves and why they matter for your business.
Here, ‘pizza shop equipment’ isn’t just listed—it’s expertly curated for a successful pizzeria.
Key Takeaways
- Your oven choice affects how your pizzas turn out. 🍽️
- Think about your kitchen space and how many pizzas you’ll make. 📏
- Different pizza styles need different ovens. 🍕
Choosing the Right Pizza Oven
Cook Placing Pizza in Oven
The pizza oven is more than a piece of equipment; it serves as the culinary stage for dough transformation into a delicious, piping hot pizza.
The choice of oven will shape the very essence of your pizzas, from crust to crown.
Brick Ovens
Brick ovens have been around forever. They’re not just for cooking; they’re pieces of history.
Fire bricks inside store heat, giving your pizza that smoky flavour and crispy crust.🧱🔥
Conveyor Ovens
Conveyor ovens keep up with fast-paced pizza delivery.
They cook pizzas consistently and keep them from drying out. They’re great for high-volume shops. 🕒🍕
Deck Ovens
Deck ovens are like Swiss Army knives.
They can handle lots of different foods and cook pizzas evenly. Just watch out for heat loss when you open the door too often. 🎭🍽️
Dough Preparation Essentials
pastry chef adds flour in dough mixer
Making dough is where the magic happens. Letting it rise is essential for that fluffy texture and great flavour. Just keep an eye on the temperature.
Top pizza shop pizzerias understand that an unforgettable crust secret involves allowing the dough to cold-ferment in quality bakeware for up to 72 hours – that’s certainly delayed gratification.
Commercial Dough Mixers
Selecting the right dough mixer resembles choosing a dance partner – it should operate with both grace and power.
Spiral and planetary mixers are the Fred and Ginger of the dough world, each bringing their own flair to the mix.
Planetary mixers are the versatile all-rounders, while spiral mixers are the specialists, working the dough with a gentle touch that’s perfect for your pizza.
Whether you’re a quaint corner shop or a pizza palace, there’s a mixer out there with the right capacity for your needs – from 20-litre minis to 85-litre giants.
Dough Trays and Boxes
Introducing the often overlooked heroes of the dough world – dough boxes.
These stackable wonders are the perfect resting beds for your pizza dough, allowing it to rise and cool in peace.
They come in various depths to accommodate different dough personalities, from the slim 70mm to the deep 130mm, ensuring every dough ball has its personal space.
Must-Have Pizza Making Tools
chef using a pizza cutter
With the dough ready for its close-up, it’s time to shine a spotlight on the supporting cast of tools that turn a good pizza into a great one.
Here are the essential tools for making the perfect pizza:
- Pizza peels: These are the conductors, guiding your creations safely onto the stage that is the oven.
- Pizza cutters: The unsung heroes that ensure every slice is a work of art.
- Screens and racks: The secret to a base that’s crispier than a fresh dollar bill.
Pizza Peels
Pizza peels serve as reliable allies in every pizzaiolo’s toolkit, gracefully guiding your culinary masterpieces into the oven’s fiery clasp.
Whether you’re manoeuvring a single pizza peel or juggling a few, they’re designed with stainless steel blades and high-density polymer handles for that perfect balance of safety and storage.
Pizza Cutters
A pizza without the perfect slice is like a dance without the dip – incomplete. That’s where pizza cutters take centre stage, with their stainless steel blades and ergonomic handles that keep your hands happy and your pizzas perfectly portioned.
They come equipped with all sorts of safety features, like built-in finger protection, because the only thing that should be cut is the pizza, not your fingers.
And with cutting wheels ranging from 60mm to blades up to 140mm, these cutters are ready to tackle pizzas of any size with the grace of a seasoned chef.
Pizza Screens and Racks
Pizza screens are the secret ingredient to that golden, crispy crust that customers dream about.
They ensure your thin crust pizzas are baked evenly and prevent any doughy disasters.
These mesh marvels are all about speed and even heat distribution, perfect for keeping up with the demands of a hungry crowd while avoiding any burnt crust casualties.
Pizza Bakeware and Refrigeration
As every pizzaiolo knows, the journey from dough to delicious isn’t over until it’s been through the gauntlet of proper bakeware and refrigeration.
These are the unsung heroes that ensure your pizza dough is ready to rise to the occasion, and your toppings stay fresh and full of zest.
Pizza Pans and Stones
Choosing the right pizza pan or stone is like picking the perfect suit for a night out – it’s got to look good, and it’s got to fit just right.
Perforated pans let the dough breathe, resulting in a crust that’s as crispy as a morning frost, while deep dish pans are for those who like their crust with a bit more heft.
And for those who prefer a touch of the artisan, ceramic pans distribute heat like a warm hug, ensuring every inch of your pizza is cooked to perfection through hot air transfer.
Refrigeration Units
Let’s talk about cold hard facts – without proper refrigeration, your pizza dough might as well be a science experiment gone awry.
Refrigeration units are the guardians of freshness, ensuring that your ingredients stay as fresh as the day they were picked.
They’re not just about keeping things cool; they’re about preserving your pizza, from the tang of the tomato to the zing of the zucchini.
And size does matter – the right configuration can mean the difference between a smooth service and a kitchen nightmare.
Takeout and Delivery Supplies
In today’s hustle and bustle, takeout and delivery are the twin engines that keep the pizza business soaring.
Delivering piping hot pizza is essential, and quality packaging ensures that your culinary creations arrive just as intended – hot, fresh, and utterly irresistible.
Investing in the right pizza equipment, like quality packaging, can make your brand a memorable entrance at every doorstep, turning a simple meal into an experience that begs to be repeated.
Pizza Boxes
Pizza boxes are more than just cardboard contraptions; they’re mobile billboards for your brand and the chariots that carry your pizzas to their final destination.
Eco-friendly options show your commitment to the planet while keeping your pizzas snug and secure on their journey. With the help of pizza servers, the process of selling pizzas becomes even more seamless and professional.
Whether you’re using plant-based materials for that sustainable edge or sticking with traditional, insulating cardboard, ensuring that every pizza arrives in prime condition is what sets apart the best from the rest.
Pizza Delivery Bags
When it comes to delivery, insulated pizza bags are the secret sauce to success. They’re the unsung heroes that keep your pies piping hot and ready for that first bite.
Equipped to handle the elements and easy to clean, these bags are the trusty sidekicks for your delivery drivers, ensuring that each pizza arrives as if it’s straight out of the oven.
Pizza Prep Tables
The pizza prep table is where all the elements come together in a delicious symphony of flavours.
With customizable features and integrated refrigeration, these tables keep your ingredients at arm’s reach and at the perfect temperature, minimising wait times and maximising flavour.
Cleaning Supplies and Tools
Lastly, we mustn’t overlook the often unseen champions of cleanliness – the cleaning supplies and tools.
A clean pizzeria is a happy pizzeria, and with the right tools like the Spare Brush Brass from GI Metal, you’ll be sweeping away the remnants of a busy day with ease.
Crafted for professional use, these tools guarantee a spotless kitchen, from the pizza oven to the prep table, prepping you for the next day’s culinary journey.
Summary
Every piece of equipment in your pizza shop plays a role in making great pizza. From the oven to the pizza box, everything matters.
Remember, the right equipment isn’t just a purchase; it’s an investment in every slice you serve. Equip your pizzeria with the best and watch as your pizzas become the talk of the town.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors should I consider when choosing a pizza oven for my shop?
When choosing a pizza oven for your shop, consider factors such as kitchen space, customer volume, and the style of pizza you want to produce. Each oven type has its own strengths, so choose wisely!
How long should pizza dough be proofed for the best flavour?
Proof your pizza dough for at least 24 hours, and ideally up to 72 hours, for the best flavour and texture. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
Are there eco-friendly options for pizza boxes?
Absolutely! You can find eco-friendly pizza boxes made from plant-based materials that help reduce waste and support environmental initiatives, all while keeping your pizza fresh. So, go green and enjoy your guilt-free slice!
Can the type of pizza pan I use affect the outcome of my pizza?
Yes, the type of pizza pan can significantly impact the texture and bake of your crust, so choose wisely. Opt for a pan that suits your desired outcome, and consider factors like heat retention and distribution as well.
What’s the importance of pizza delivery bags?
Pizza delivery bags are crucial for keeping pizzas hot and fresh during transport, ensuring your customers get the best quality meal possible. Don’t let your pizza lose its oomph during delivery!
