If you’re a pizzeria, bakery, rooftop bar, or specialty restaurant, choosing the right commercial convection oven is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. If you’re opening up a new restaurant or remodeling your current kitchen, the choice between gas or electric oven is there, the right oven can improve efficiency, increase food quality, and even make things easier.
At Canada Food Equipment, we’ve been serving restaurants, cafes, and food service businesses across Canada for over 30 years with commercial kitchen equipment. We also have a showroom in Toronto and an enormous selection of new, used, and reconditioned food and kitchen equipment to select from, which allows us to help small and big restaurants alike to optimally equip their kitchens.
In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of gas and electric pizza ovens, so you can make the right decision for your business.
Gas vs. Electric Pizza Ovens: Which One is Right for Your Restaurant?
Both gas and electric pizza ovens have distinct advantages and potential drawbacks. Your choice will depend on factors like your budget, space, energy costs, and menu.
The main difference comes down to how they generate heat:
- Gas pizza ovens use natural gas or propane to heat up quickly and reach high temperatures.
- Electric convection ovens rely on heating elements to cook food more evenly and precisely.
To make the best choice for your restaurant, let’s explore how these ovens compare in performance, cost, and practicality.
How Does Each Type of Pizza Oven Work?
Gas Pizza Ovens: The Powerhouse for High-Volume Cooking
Buying gas pizza ovens is the traditional choice for high-volume pizzerias. These ovens generate heat through burners, creating a crispier crust and achieving that authentic pizzeria-style flavour.
Benefits of a Gas Oven
- Faster cooking times: Gas ovens heat up quickly and recover heat efficiently, making them great for high-demand kitchens.
- Better for Neapolitan and gourmet pizzas: The high temperatures create the perfect charred crust and authentic texture.
- Lower energy costs (in certain regions): If your restaurant is located in an area where natural gas is cheaper than electricity, a gas oven is a cost-effective choice.
- Suitable for large-scale restaurants and pizzerias: If you’re churning out hundreds of pizzas daily, a gas oven can handle the load without slowing down service.
Drawbacks of a Gas Oven
- Ventilation requirements: Gas ovens require proper hood systems and ventilation, which can be an added cost.
- Uneven heating: Hot spots can develop, requiring pizza rotation for even cooking.
- Higher upfront installation costs: You’ll need a gas line, and if your restaurant isn’t set up for gas, installation can be expensive.
Electric Ovens: Precision and Convenience
Shopping for electric pizza ovens is a versatile and easy-to-install option, especially for cafes, bakeries, food trucks, and small restaurants. These ovens use heating elements to maintain even temperatures, making them ideal for consistent cooking results.
Benefits of an Electric Pizza Oven
- Even heating and precise temperature control: Electric ovens distribute heat more consistently, ensuring that every pizza is cooked evenly.
- Easier to install: Unlike gas ovens, electric models don’t require gas lines or special ventilation, making them ideal for small kitchens or food trucks.
- More versatile: If your restaurant serves pastries, bread, or baked dishes alongside pizza, an electric oven is a better all-around option.
- Better for locations with high gas costs: If you’re in a region where electricity is more affordable than gas, an electric oven may be the smarter long-term investment.
Drawbacks of an Electric Convection Oven
- Higher electricity costs: Electric ovens tend to consume more energy, increasing operating costs in areas where electricity rates are high.
- Slightly slower cooking times: Electric ovens take longer to reach their peak temperature compared to gas ovens.
- Lacks the traditional fire-baked flavor: While electric ovens provide consistent results, they don’t offer the same charred crust as a gas-powered oven.
Gas vs. Electric Ovens: Side-by-Side Comparison
Feature |
Gas Pizza Oven |
Electric Pizza Oven |
| Heat Source | Uses natural gas or propane, requiring a dedicated gas line. | Powered by electric heating elements, no gas line needed. |
| Installation & Setup | Requires commercial kitchen setup, including gas line installation, proper ventilation, and a hood system. | Plug-and-play installation for most commercial kitchens, cafes, food trucks, and bakeries. No ventilation required. |
| Energy Costs & Efficiency | More cost-effective in areas with low gas prices. Gas burns hotter and requires less energy consumption per pizza. | Higher operational cost in regions where electricity rates are high. Some models are energy-efficient with insulated chambers. |
| Cooking Performance | Authentic fire-baked crust with slightly charred edges, preferred for artisanal and gourmet pizzas. | Even heat distribution for a consistently baked pizza, ideal for restaurants offering diverse menu items. |
| Speed & Heat Recovery | Heats up quickly and recovers heat faster after multiple uses, making it ideal for high-volume commercial operations. | Slower heat recovery than gas, but retains consistent temperatures for steady output in busy restaurants. |
| Ventilation & Compliance | Requires a commercial hood and ventilation system to meet restaurant health and safety codes. | Easier compliance with local regulations, as it doesn’t require gas venting or exhaust hoods. |
| Kitchen Space Requirements | Takes up more space due to gas hookups, exhaust, and ventilation systems. Best suited for large-scale pizzerias, high-volume restaurants, and specialty pizza shops. | Compact and stackable designs available, making it an excellent choice for small kitchens, multi-purpose restaurants, and ghost kitchens. |
| Best for Restaurant Types | Traditional pizzerias, Italian restaurants, and high-traffic establishments that focus on Neapolitan, New York-style, or gourmet pizzas. | Cafes, bakeries, food trucks, hotel kitchens, and cloud kitchens needing a versatile oven for multiple menu items beyond just pizza. |
What Type of Restaurant Should Use: Gas or Electric Oven?
Best for Gas Pizza Ovens
- Busy pizzerias and Italian restaurants that focus on authentic wood-fired flavors.
- Restaurants that produce high volumes of pizza daily.
- Businesses with an existing gas setup, makes installation easier.
Best for Electric Pizza Ovens
- Cafes and bakeries that need a versatile oven for multiple menu items.
- Small kitchens, food trucks, and pop-up restaurants that lack gas line access.
- Restaurants that prioritize consistent results over fire-baked texture.
Where to Buy the Best Commercial Ovens in Canada
If you’re looking to buy a convection oven online or want to explore your options in person, Canada Food Equipment has an extensive selection of new, used kitchen equipments, and refurbished ovens.
We supply top brands in commercial kitchen equipment, including:
- Commercial Ranges & Countertop Ranges
- ITV Ice Machines, Hobart Planetary Mixers, and Robot Coupe Food Processors
- Winholt Proofers & Warmers
- Stero Dishwashers and Jet Tech Dishwashers
- Berkel Meat Slicers & Omcan Meat Grinders
- Restaurant Smallwares, Kitchen Tools, and Gadgets
With Canada-wide delivery to Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, and Calgary, we make it convenient for food establishments to shop for the top commercial ovens at affordable prices.
Gas or Electric Oven: Which One Wins?
At the end of the day, both gas and electric pizza ovens have their advantages. The best choice depends on your restaurant type, kitchen setup, and budget.
- Choose Gas if you need a fast, high-heat oven for classic, fire-baked pizza.
- Choose Electric if you need a versatile, easy-to-install oven with consistent results.
If you’re unsure which pizza oven is right for you, Canada Food Equipment is here to help. Contact us today or visit our Toronto showroom to find the perfect commercial pizza oven for your restaurant.