The oven is the heart of every good bakery. Having a high-quality commercial bread baking oven is what ensures a great finished product and keeps the customers happy and coming back for more. With so many oven options on the market, how do you find the best commercial bread-baking oven to suit your needs? In this comprehensive guide, we put our 47+ years of experience and expertise to work and break down the top features and types of commercial bread ovens to help you make the best choice for your bakery.

Key Features to Look For in a Commercial Bread Baking Oven

With so many options on the market, you need to take a deep look into the features of each oven and how they can benefit your bakery and the products you are baking. Some of the key features to look at are:

  • Temperature Consistency: Maintaining a steady temperature is crucial for quality baking. How well an oven can evenly distribute heat is important. Even baking leads to better quality products and happier customers.
  • Steam Capabilities: If your bakery bakes artisan bread, then having an oven with steam capabilities is a necessity. You'll want an oven that has a quality and consistent steam system that efficiently provides steam on each oven deck, which is essential for perfect French baguettes, sourdoughs, and other crusty loaves.
  • Capacity and Size: How much production are you doing in your bakery? Is it efficient? Do you need to do more? Can you do more? Make sure the oven you choose is able to keep up with your daily production.
  • Energy Efficiency: If there is a way you can produce quality products and save money on your fuel bills, wouldn't you want to? High energy bills can be a pain for bakery owners. Luckily, Empire Deck Ovens are high-quality ovens that use up to 75% less fuel, saving you money on fuel costs.
  • Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance: You do not want an oven that takes too much time to maintain. Equipping your bakery with an oven that is easy to clean and service means less downtime and a more efficient bakery operation overall.
  • Versatility: When it comes to bakery ovens, no one wants a one-trick pony. You will want an oven that is versatile and can bake a variety of products. This level of versatility can help a bakery offer more to its customers and expand its menu items.

Types of Commercial Bread Baking Ovens

Understanding the different types of commercial bread baking ovens can help you find the best fit for your bakery’s needs. Here’s a look at some of the best oven options on the market for your bakery:

1. Deck Ovens

Deck ovens are a popular choice for artisanal bread baking due to their stone hearth baking surfaces that provide direct heat to the product, creating a perfect crispy crust. If you are looking to make artisanal loaves and baguettes, there is no better option than a deck oven. Each deck is capable of its own temperature control, allowing bakers to bake different types of bread simultaneously. This feature is a huge benefit to bakeries offering multiple menu options. It allows for a more efficient bakery operation. The steam generators in deck ovens are also crucial for the production of the perfect breads.

Pros: Excellent for crusty breads and artisan breads. Multiple decks allow for high output and versatile baking. Consistent heat and optimal heat retention.

Cons: Could potentially take up a lot of space in your bakery.

2. Rack Ovens

Ideal for the large-scale baking of a variety of different products, rack ovens can handle high volumes and accommodate multiple racks of products at once. Bakery racks rotate within the oven, ensuring even heat distribution for consistent baking. This level of consistency will ensure your customers are happy with the product every time they visit. The rack oven baking process is best suited for rolls, softer breads and bagels. Empire Rack Ovens also provide steam for those products that require it, making them some of the highest-quality rack ovens in the industry.

Pros: High volume capacities available. Even and consistent baking. Extremely versatile for different baked goods.

Cons: Not the most ideal option for artisan style bread baking.

3. Convection Ovens

Convection ovens are a popular option in bakeries. These ovens use fans to circulate hot air, promoting fast and even baking of your items. The speed and versatility of convection ovens make them a perfect option for busy and demanding bakeries. Convection ovens are best for pastries, sweet breads and other more delicate bread products. Convection ovens are also a smaller and more compact option than a larger rack oven, making them perfect for smaller retail bakeries.

Pros: Quick baking, energy-efficient, versatile for various baked goods.

Cons: May not achieve the same crust texture as deck ovens, limited capacity for large loaves.

5. Revolving Ovens

Revolving ovens, also known as carousel ovens, feature rotating shelves that allow for even baking across all loaves. The tray rotation of these ovens helps maintain consistent heat distribution, providing a quality and consistent bake. Revolving ovens are most popular in bagel shops as they provide the best baking environment and output capacity for busy stores. They are capable of more than just bagels however and their durability and high output ability makes them an ideal oven solution for large bakeries.

Pros: High volume with consistent baking, excellent for heavy-duty production, reliable heat distribution due to rotation.

Cons: Requires more space, and may be more complex to maintain.

Choosing the Right Oven for Your Bakery

The best commercial bread baking oven for your bakery depends on your production volume, types of bread products you are baking, and available space. For artisan and other cursty bread, a deck oven is the most optimal choice. Larger bakeries producing high volumes that are not focusing on artisan breads should consider a rack or revolving oven, while those looking for versatility and more compact options might lean toward a convection oven.

Acquiring a high-quality commercial bread baking oven represents a strategic decision that can significantly contribute to the success of your bakery. A reliable and efficient oven not only increases your productivity but also improves the quality of each loaf produced. By thoroughly evaluating your requirements and selecting an oven equipped with the appropriate features, you will be well-positioned to create outstanding bread that encourages customer loyalty.