Owning a pizza oven can give you the flexibility of preparing pizza the way you like it—whether that’s golden brown or slightly charred. However, the pizza oven keeps advancing, and it can be tricky to know what type is best and how deep you’ll need to dig into your wallet.
Pizza ovens generally cost from $100 to $1000+. Prices differ depending on the type, size, and material. The various pizza ovens available are electric, wood, gas, and conveyor belt. Gas pizza ovens are the least expensive, while wood ovens are the most costly.
This article discusses the types of pizza ovens in the market, their features, prices, and examples. Keep reading to find out which pizza oven falls into your budget.
How Much Electric Pizza Ovens Cost
Electric pizza ovens use electricity to generate and evenly distribute a temperature of approximately 400 °F (204 °C) within. To prevent the pizza from burning, these ovens have a built-in thermometer that helps you regulate heat. This feature allows you to worry less about some parts of the pizza overcooking and others remaining raw.
Electric pizza ovens have a simple installation process: simply connect the plug to a power source. These appliances are portable and convenient for outdoor events. Also, they are multifunctional, and you can use them for cooking other delicacies such as cakes and bread.
They come in different shapes, sizes, capacities, and temperature ranges. Below are two types of electric pizza ovens and their prices.
Countertop Pizza Ovens Cost Between $100 and $2000
These ovens are 30 to 60 cubic feet (0.85 to 1.7 cubic meters) and are perfect for those that want to save on space and still enjoy quality pizza. They can handle a temperature of 360-400 °F (182-204 °C), which is ideal for cooking and reheating ready-made pizza.
Regarding efficiency, countertop ovens take 15 to 20 minutes to cook a single pie. They are suitable for making crust pizza and frozen flatbread.
The interior of countertop ovens consists of aluminum plates or ceramic tiles, which help to spread heat evenly. You can find a small countertop pizza oven for as little as $100 to serve your needs. However, these smaller ovens typically can’t cook large pizzas.
Deck Pizza Ovens Cost Between $150 and $3000
Deck pizza ovens are made of stone or stainless steel, which can reach temperatures up to 600 °F (315 °C). The stone absorbs moisture and distributes heat evenly, making the pizza brown and crispy in 6 to 8 minutes. However, they require preheating for 60 minutes.
These ovens are ideal for pizzas with multiple toppings because the stone heats the crust directly without charring the toppings.
Pros of Electric Pizza Ovens
- Electric pizza ovens are portable and can function anywhere electricity is present.
- Most electric ovens can also use gas as an alternative.
- They are suitable for pizza with toppings because they distribute heat evenly.
- They have a quick turnaround time.
- You can easily regulate temperatures inside these ovens.
Cons of Electric Pizza Ovens
- These appliances take a long time to preheat, which may delay production batches if the oven is for commercial purposes.
- They require medium to high operating skills.
Wood Pizza Ovens Range From $150 to $9000
Wood-fired ovens use dry wood or charcoal and are famous for adding a smoky flavor to pizzas cooked inside. Pizzas made from these ovens are generally considered more delicious than those made using electricity and gas ovens.
To use these ovens, you’ll simply light the wood and let the stone preheat up to 500 °F (260 °C). The ceramic stone used in these ovens heats relatively quickly and distributes heat evenly to cook pizza in 2 to 3 minutes.
Unlike other cookers, there’s no easy way to quickly adjust the heat, and a chimney is mandatory to discard the smoke. Brick ovens are the most common type of wood pizza oven.
Brick Ovens Cost Between $150 and $5000
Brick ovens typically range from 150 to 400 cubic feet (4 to 11 cubic meters) and can hold 10 to 12 pizzas. Their base can occupy up to 30 square feet (2.8 square meters), and the chimney extends to the ceiling. As such, you’ll need ample space if you choose to buy one.
It takes around 45 minutes to preheat these ovens to 500 °F (260 °C). Once heated, they radiate heat and cook pizza in about 3 minutes. If you have a taste for authentic Italian food, this should be your go-to oven. With proper maintenance, its ironstone or clay bricks can withstand high heat and remain in good condition for long periods of time.
Pros of Wood Pizza Ovens
- They have a low operation cost because wood heats the stone in 45 minutes and cooks in 2-5 minutes.
- The wood used to heat the oven adds an unmatched smoky flavor to your pizza.
- They can cook other foods, such as bread and dessert.
Cons of Wood Pizza Ovens
- They require proper ventilation.
- Cooking demands a good supply of dry wood.
- They need regular maintenance to remove soot from the chimney.
- They have no built-in temperature control gear; you have to regulate heat manually, which may ruin the pizza.
Gas Pizza Ovens Cost Between $50 and $2000
Gas pizza ovens come in different models:
- A traditional model made of refractory bricks
- A modern model made of stainless steel
Though both models cook pizza evenly, the modern steel model heats faster and lasts longer.
Gas pizza ovens have a burner at the bottom and an extra at the top for broiling. These burners use natural gas or propane. When the oven reaches the desired temperature, a thermostat shuts the burner off. This way, you don’t have to do a lot of monitoring.
A convection oven is a common type of gas pizza oven.
Convection Pizza Ovens Cost Between $50 and $1000
The convection pizza oven has a countertop and standalone design that is easy to move around. The ovens range from 15 to 60 cubic feet (0.4 to 1.7 cubic meters), which is an ideal size if you don’t have much available space. On average, these ovens preheat for 15 minutes to a temperature of 500 °F (260 °C) and can cook a pizza in 5 to 7 minutes.
The oven comes with at least two racks per chamber, making it possible to produce many pizzas at once. An oven with two shelves and compartments can deliver around 30 pizzas in an hour. They are a good fit for restaurants.
Pros of Gas Pizza Ovens
- They have both brick and steel designs for you to choose from.
- Some models can also use electricity.
- They retain heat for a long time compared to electric pizza ovens.
- The ovens require minimal cleaning.
Cons of Gas Pizza Ovens
- Controlling the flame requires medium to high operating skills.
- The oven makes noticeable noise when cooking.
Conveyor Belt Pizza Ovens Range From $100 to $5000+
Conveyor belt pizza ovens or tunnel ovens have a movable belt that passes pizza in the oven cavity at a constant speed to ensure it cooks evenly. Once your pizza is ready, the conveyor belt removes it from the oven to prevent burning.
These ovens can use gas or electricity and operate at an average temperature of 400-600 °F (204 to 315 °C). In 3 to 5 minutes, your pizza is ready. A medium-sized oven of 100 to 180 cubic feet (2.8 to 5 cubic meters) can hold eight pizzas, amounting to around 50 cooked pies in an hour.
Pros of Conveyer Belt Pizza Ovens
- They can cook many pizzas at once.
- They require less supervision and can be used by someone with low operating skills.
- The oven is multifunctional. It can also cook sandwiches and flatbread.
Cons of Conveyer Belt Pizza Ovens
- They are not ideal for small spaces.
- The conveyor belt tends to break down after about one year of use and thus requires regular maintenance.
- The quality of the pizza is low compared to wood, gas, and electric ovens.
Final Thoughts
Few things feel better than the power to make your own pizza at home and as often as you like. Overall, owning a pizza oven is worth the investment. You can find a pizza oven for your needs from as low as $100 to a few thousand dollars. However, the price will ultimately depend on the type and size of the oven you use.
