When it comes to artisan baking, having the right tools for the job is the difference between good products and great products. When it comes to equipment, the oven is the heartbeat of every bakery. Artisan bakers know better than anyone that the quality and look of their meticulously crafted artisanal breads depend not just on their skills as bakers, but also on the oven they use. For bakery owners, choosing the best oven is a critical investment that impacts product quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. In this guide, we’ll explore what makes an oven ideal for artisan baking and why Empire Deck Ovens are considered to be some of the best artisan bread ovens in the industry.

There are a variety of factors that make a bakery oven ideal for artisan baking. The experts at Empire have identified some of the key factors to look for in an oven for your bakery.

Temperature Control and Consistency

Precise and consistent temperature is so important when baking bread of any kind. Having the ability to precisely control the temperature of your oven and each individual oven deck will help you produce quality artisan bread. Artisan breads rely on a perfect crust and crumb structure, and consistent temperatures allow the bread to bake evenly both inside and out. Empire deck ovens like the LFKR Stone Hearth Deck Oven use a vapor tube heating system that radiates heat evenly throughout each oven deck for the most consistent and even bake in the business.

LFKR Stone Hearth Deck Oven

Steam Injection

When you are making artisan breads, you need steam. The steam is what gives the artisan loaves that signature shine and crispy crust that customers love. Look for an oven with built-in steam injection capabilities. Empire Deck Ovens offer individual steam generators on each deck which provide adequate steam for high-quality breads.

Energy Efficiency

Something that does not necessarily affect the quality of the product, but is a big deal for bakers, is energy efficiency. An artisan oven that is energy efficient will help save bakers money each month. Empire's LFKR Deck Oven and similar Empire deck oven models use a single-burner heating system that uses significantly less fuel and can save bakers up to 75% on their total fuel costs. Empire ovens will not only bake perfectly consistent loaves, but save the baker money as well!

Durability and Reliability

Bakers want an oven that will last and be able to keep up with fast-paced environment of a busy artisan bakery. Artisan baking ovens need to withstand heavy use while maintaining their performance. High-quality materials and robust construction are non-negotiable.

Investing in the right oven goes beyond just improving your overall product quality. The right oven will help streamline production, save money on fuel costs and keep customers happy and coming back for more. Artisan baking is as much about the experience as it is about the final product.

For bakery owners looking for the perfect artisan bread oven, the Empire LFKR oven is a game-changer. Its advanced radiant and consistent heat, great energy efficiency, and reliability make it an leader in artisan bread ovens. Choosing the right oven isn’t just a purchase; it’s an investment in your bakery’s success.