Struggling to find the right oven for your pizza shop, bakery, or café? Using the wrong one can lead to soggy bases, uneven bakes, and unhappy customers. That’s why deck ovens are a go-to choice for many Aussie kitchens.

They’re designed to handle high temperatures and give that crisp, stone-baked finish pizzas need. Whether you’re baking pizzas, bread, or other goods, deck ovens deliver consistent results every time.

In this guide, "What Is a Deck Oven? Everything You Need to Know Before Buying" – we explain how these ovens work, their key features, and what to look for before you buy. Explore top options at Industry Kitchens to find the perfect fit for your pizza business or commercial kitchen.

How a Deck Oven Works

A deck oven is a type of oven with an enclosed baking chamber and flat stone or ceramic decks where food is baked directly. These ovens use top and bottom heating elements to create even heat distribution, making sure everything is cooked evenly, ideal for pizzas and baked goods.

Unlike a convection oven, which circulates air, a deck oven relies on radiant heat for consistent baking results. Some models, especially electric deck ovens and gas deck ovens, include steam injection to boost crust development, a must for bread baking.

Built for commercial use,commercial deck ovens are strong and reliable, perfect for handling high volumes. Whether you're baking dough, pastries, or other baked products, this equipment delivers exceptional results with great versatility. It’s a top choice for bakers wanting quality and durability in their kitchen.

Commercial triple deck pizza oven withwith digital temperature controls for high-volume production

Types of Deck Ovens

When deciding what type of oven to get for your bakery or food business, it's essential to understand the different types of deck ovens available. Each option has its own benefits, depending on your cooking style, utility connections, and available space.

Electric Deck Ovens

Electric deck ovens are popular for their precise temperature control and easy installation. They use heating elements to generate heat from the top and bottom of the baking chamber, creating even heat distribution and uniform baking. These ovens are great for businesses wanting consistent crust development on bread and other baked goods without needing a gas line. Many also come with digital controls, making it easier to bake a variety of recipes with high-quality results.

Gas Deck Ovens

Gas deck ovens heat up faster and may offer long-term cost savings, especially in high-volume kitchens. A reliable heat source, these ovens provide intense radiant heat, perfect for achieving crispy crusts on pizzas, bread, and pastries. While they need proper utility connections, gas deck models are known for their efficiency and consistent baking results.

The number of decks affects how much you can bake at once.Single-deck ovens are ideal for smaller spaces or lower output needs. If you're baking large quantities of food like breads, pizza, or baked products, multiple decks let you cook more at the same time. More decks also support better workflow and consistent results, especially in busy bakeries.

Moretti Forni NEAP9 Neapolis Electric Deck Oven with dome design for authentic pizza baking

Why Deck Ovens Are a Top Choice in Commercial Kitchens

Deck ovens are a go-to choice for bakeries, pizza shops, and food businesses thanks to their unique design and consistent performance. Unlike convection ovens, deck ovens use a flat stone surface and radiant heat from both the top and bottom to deliver even, reliable results. Whether you’re preparing pizza, sweet treats, or savoury goods, a deck oven offers excellent control and quality.

Key Benefits and Common Uses:

  • Even heat distribution from the top and bottom for uniform baking

  • Creates a crispy crust – ideal for pizza and crusty bread

  • Excellent for baking pastries, cookies, cakes and more

  • Reaches high temperatures for a variety of baked products

  • Delivers consistent results, even with large batch baking

  • Can roast meats or vegetables evenly across the deck

  • Available in gas or electric models to suit different kitchen setups

  • Perfect for busy kitchens with its strong build and tight-sealing doors

  • Great for both small runs and large-volume baking

  • A smart choice when compared to standard convection ovens

From baking artisanal loaves to roasting vegetables or cooking stone-baked pizzas, deck ovens are versatile tools that elevate the quality of every dish.

Europa Edison E43 24PA Electric Stone Deck Oven from Industry Kitchens with three baking chambers

Choosing the Right Deck Oven

Picking the right deck oven is key for any bakery, whether you’re making pastries, pizzas, or loaves. This type of oven plays a fundamental role in getting even heat, crisp bases, and soft, fluffy insides. But with so many choices—gas, electric deck, or multi-deck—it’s important to know what to look for.

What to consider:

  • The difference between gas and electric models

  • Size and number of decks

  • Your bread-baking needs

  • How easy the oven door is to use

  • Space and power availability in your kitchen

Must-have features include:

  • Independent controls for top and bottom heat (the ceiling and base)

  • Stone or ceramic decks for even baking

  • A strong, clear oven door for easy viewing

  • The ability to adjust the temperature per deck

  • Reliable insulation to keep heat consistent

The right deck oven makes all the difference in quality and speed.

Chef using a pizza peel to place pizza in a commercial deck oven

Maintaining Your Deck Oven

Proper maintenance ensures your deck oven performs at its best and extends its service life. Regular care ensures consistent baking results and prevents costly repairs.

Essential Maintenance Tips:

  • Clean the stone deck daily after cooling using appropriate scrapers

  • Remove food debris and crumbs from the baking chamber regularly

  • Wipe down exterior surfaces and check door seals weekly

  • For gas models, regularly inspect connections and burners for safety

  • Electric models need routine checks of controls and heating elements

  • Schedule professional servicing every 6-12 months for thorough maintenance

Why It Matters: Proper maintenance ensures even heat, a steady temperature, and lower energy consumption. It also helps avoid breakdowns and keeps your warranty valid. A clean, well-tuned oven means better baked goods and fewer problems down the track.

Final Thought

Choosing the right oven is crucial for achieving top results in your bakery or pizza business. Deck ovens offer even heat, great crusts, and reliable performance, making them a smart choice for baking bread, pizzas, and other goods. They’re built to handle daily use while delivering consistent results every time.

Before making a purchase, consider your space, cooking needs, and fuel type—whether it’s gas or electric. A quality deck oven can be a game changer in any commercial kitchen. If you’re ready to upgrade your setup, explore the options at Industry Kitchens to find the perfect fit for your business.

Want to learn what a deck oven can really do? Check out our quick guide on What Is a Deck Oven Used For? Top Uses in Bakeries, Pizzerias & More.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

What is the purpose of a deck oven?

Deck ovens are designed for preparing pastries, pizza, and other baked goods with consistent and even heat. They use stone decks to give consistent results. Ideal for bakeries and pizza shops, these units work well for a variety of products that use either gas or electric heat.

What is the difference between a deck oven and a pizza oven?

Pizza ovens are made just for pizza, often reaching higher temperatures quickly. Deck ovens, on the other hand, are more versatile. They bake pizzas, bread, and other items evenly using radiant heat and stone decks.

Can you cook meat in a deck oven?

Yes, you can. Deck ovens can roast meats, such as lamb or chicken. The steady heat and strong build make them suitable for more than just baked goods or pizzas in a commercial kitchen or bakery.

What can you bake in a deck oven?

You can bake bread, pizzas, cookies, cakes, and pastries in deck ovens. They're perfect for a bakery or pizza shop. The stone deck and even heat help deliver top results for a wide range of food types.

Can you cook pizza in a deck oven?

Definitely, deck ovens are great for pizza. The stone deck gives a crispy base while radiant heat cooks the toppings evenly. They're a favourite in pizza shops across Australia for this reason.

What temperature do you bake in a deck oven?

Deck ovens operate between 150-350°C (300-660°F). For pizza, temperatures typically reach 350-450°C (660-840°F), with Neapolitan style requiring 430-480°C (800-900°F). These ovens provide excellent heat control for both bread and pizza.



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