When you hear "pizza oven," you probably picture a mouth-watering Margherita or a classic pepperoni pizza baking to perfection. While that is the primary purpose, modern pizza ovens have much more to offer. In a competitive marketplace, restaurants and hospitality services need to optimise resources to stand out, and that includes getting creative with equipment. There are several ways that your pizza oven can be used to offer an expanded menu and cost-saving opportunities.

The Anatomy of a Pizza Oven 

Understanding the design features of a commercial pizza oven helps in realising its versatility. All of Cooksmill’s pizza ovens offer high-temperature capability, even heat distribution, and rapid preheat times. These are just a few characteristics that make these ovens suitable for more than just pizza.

Searing and Grilling

With temperatures soaring up to 400°C, pizza ovens can perfectly sear steaks, fish, and vegetables in record time. The intense heat locks in flavours and juices, creating an incredible crust that your customers will love and keep coming back for. As commercial pizza ovens have adjustable temperature settings, you can easily control the cooking process, making it perfect for grilling as well. You can easily sear meat in our high-quality roasting pans that can be used in any pizza oven to deliver the best results.

Bread and Beyond

Your pizza oven isn't limited to dinner service. Consider kickstarting your breakfast offerings by baking various types of bread, pastries, and even bagels. The consistent temperature ensures an even bake, resulting in delectable, crusty loaves or fluffy croissants that can expand your menu and attract a broader customer base. Take a look at our range of top-quality loaf tins to help to bake the best bread in your pizza oven.

A Treat for the Sweet Tooth

From crisping up apple tarts to baking skillet cookies, the high heat and consistent temperature work wonders. Plus, the quick cooking times mean you can efficiently serve fresh desserts during peak hours. We have a wide range of cast iron skillets to ensure your skillet cookies come out perfect every time.

Save Space and Energy

With real estate costs escalating, optimising kitchen space is a primary concern for many business owners. The more you can do with less, the better. A pizza oven can replace multiple other appliances like a grill, broiler, and a traditional oven, offering excellent cost-saving opportunities.

Additionally, most modern pizza ovens are designed to be energy-efficient, operating at a fraction of the energy consumption compared to multiple other appliances running simultaneously. This is not only good for saving costs but also aligns with the growing concern towards sustainable practices in the food and hospitality industry.

From Fine Dining to Quick Service

The adaptability of a pizza oven fits a wide range of business models, from high-end dining establishments to quick-service restaurants. The oven's capability to delicately handle gourmet ingredients can make it ideal for use in fine dining establishments. From baked camembert to prawn tapas, pizza ovens allow perfectly cooked dishes each time. On the other hand, quick-service restaurants and fast food takeaways can benefit from the rapid cooking times, which are ideal for handling large volumes of orders.

Cooksmill’s Pizza Oven Recipes

To illustrate the versatility of pizza ovens further, here are some quick recipes that you can easily incorporate into your restaurant or cafe. These are designed to be simple yet flavourful, requiring minimal prep time.

Searing Steak

Ingredients:

• 1-inch thick ribeye steak
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat the pizza oven to 400°C.
2. Season the steak generously with salt and pepper.
3. Drizzle some olive oil on both sides.
4. Place the steak in the oven for about 2 minutes per side for a medium-rare finish.
5. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Artisan Bread

Ingredients:

• 420g plain flour
• 355ml warm water
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp yeast

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients and let the dough rise for at least 2 hours.
2. Preheat the oven to 230°C.
3. Shape the dough into a loaf and place it in the oven.
4.  Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.

Skillet Cookie

Ingredients:

• 115g melted butter
• 150g brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 120g plain flour
• 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 85g chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C. 
2. Mix all ingredients except chocolate chips.
3. Fold in the chocolate chips and transfer the dough to a skillet.
4. Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the edges are crisp but the centre is still soft.

Adding these recipes to your menu can offer a fresh culinary experience to your customers while maximising the utility of your existing equipment. The key is to play around with temperatures and cooking times to get your dishes just right, as pizza ovens operate differently from conventional ovens. 

Expanding your culinary horizons with a commercial pizza oven is not only a smart business move but also a creative culinary venture. With Cooksmill’s wide range of pizza ovens, the capabilities go far beyond the simple yet beloved pizza, offering you a chance to innovate, save on operational costs, and please an even broader range of palates.