Operating a pizza shop requires that you have certain specialized equipment. This is so because preparing pizza involves some processes and these processes are carried out with the aid of specialized equipment.
In this article, we are going to look at the essential equipment you must have if you want to open a pizza shop, and what the equipment is used for.
Interestingly, anyone who wants to start a pizza shop may decide to purchase this equipment either as brand new if they have the money or as a used item if they are running on a low budget. The truth is that they will both serve the same purpose however, their durability may differ.
Essential Equipment You Need to Start a Pizza Shop
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Commercial Pizza Oven
A commercial pizza oven is a specialized cooking appliance designed for high-volume pizza production in professional settings such as pizzerias and restaurants.
It comes in various types, including deck ovens, conveyor ovens, and brick ovens, each with distinct features. These ovens are built to achieve high temperatures, ensuring quick and even baking of pizzas.
Commercial pizza ovens are essential for maintaining efficiency and delivering consistent, quality pizzas in a fast-paced culinary environment. We have deck ovens, conveyor ovens, or brick ovens, and they are popular choices for baking pizzas.
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Industrial Dough Mixer
Industrial dough mixers are used to prepare pizza dough in large quantities. The role of an industrial dough mixer is to gently and efficiently mix the dough used in making pizza, thereby producing a high-quality pizza.
Note that industrial dough mixers come in different capacities and different speeds (single-speed and double-speed). You can choose as per your dough requirement.
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Dough Sheeter/Roller
The dough sheeter or roller comes in two different forms, a countertop or a tabletop dough sheeter. A dough sheeter or roller is a piece of industrial equipment that bakers or pizza makers use to make dough in large quantities without taking a lot of time.
It also helps in rolling out and shaping pizza dough uniformly. Note that the sheeter can be used with many different types of dough, such as cookie dough, pâte sucrée, pâte brisée, cracker dough, pasta dough, and even fondant and gum paste.
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Refrigeration Units
You will need refrigeration units in your pizza shop such as walk-in coolers or commercial refrigerators for storing the ingredients you used in making pizzas such as cheese, vegetables, and meats.
Refrigerated units with built-in preparation space are used for storing pizza toppings. Apart from that, you will also need a refrigeration unit for chilling drinks and water. Trust me, you cannot sell only pizzas without selling drinks and water.
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Preparation Tables
Preparation tables in a pizza shop serve as essential workstations for assembling and preparing pizza ingredients. Constructed with durable, easy-to-clean materials like stainless steel, these tables provide ample space for chefs to organize and portion toppings, sauce, and dough.
The tables contribute to the efficiency of the pizza-making process, facilitating a systematic and organized workflow. Preparation tables are important because they ensure that all components are readily available, promoting a streamlined and effective preparation routine in a busy kitchen environment.
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Proofing Cabinet
Proofing cabinets are essential for pizza operations that make crust in-house and/or bake from scratch. Unlike the open air, the temperature and humidity levels reached in a proofing cabinet are ideal for allowing the dough to rise to perfection.
Proofing is a stage in the pizza-making process where the dough is left to rise, after being cut and shaped into dough balls.
This process allows the yeast to ferment which adds to the flavor and texture. Pizza needs this proof to fill the dough with small bubbles of carbon dioxide.
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Pizza Pans and Screens
Pizza pans and screens are integral tools in a pizza shop, serving distinct purposes. Pizza pans, typically made of aluminum or steel, are used to shape and bake pizzas in various sizes.
Screens, made of perforated metal or mesh, provide a crispy crust by allowing heat to circulate. Pizza pans and screens aid in achieving consistent and desirable pizza textures.
These equipment or tools if you like contribute to the uniform baking of pizzas, ensuring a quality product with the desired crust thickness and overall taste.
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Pizza Peels
Pizza peels are long-handled tools for placing and removing pizzas from the oven. A pizza peel is used to place pizzas in the oven without spilling any ingredients or toppings.
It also lets you remove pizzas from the oven once they are cooked. Because of their long handle, these tools help to reduce the risk of injury or burns during the pizza-making process.
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Cutting Boards and Pizza Cutters
As simple as the equipment or tools are, you cannot efficiently operate a pizza shop without them. Cutting boards and pizza cutters are essential tools in a pizza shop for the final stages of pizza preparation.
Cutting boards, usually made of durable materials like wood or plastic, provide a clean surface for slicing and portioning pizzas. Pizza cutters, equipped with sharp blades, allow precise and efficient cutting of pizzas into slices.
Together, these tools ensure the presentation of neatly sliced pizzas, facilitating a seamless serving process and enhancing the overall customer experience in the pizza shop.
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Dough Retarder
The dough retarder is an equipment that slows down and stops the proofing process of the dough used in making pizza. It also serves as a storage which keeps the fermented dough fresh until it becomes ready for use.
The Retarder uses a temperature controller to keep the internal temperature constant, thus, giving the same result in each batch.
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POS System
Although a POS system might not be used in the process of making pizzas, but it is an indispensable piece of equipment in a pizza shop.
This is so because point-of-sale systems are needed for processing orders, tracking sales, and managing inventory in a pizza shop.
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Delivery Bags/Boxes
The fact that the pizza business thrives on delivery makes delivery bags or boxes highly needed in your operations. When planning to buy delivery bags or boxes for your pizza shop business, make sure you go for insulated bags or boxes because they are ideal for maintaining the temperature of delivered pizzas.
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Commercial Dishwashing Equipment
Commercial dishwashing equipment in a pizza shop plays an important role in maintaining hygiene and operational efficiency.
These industrial-grade appliances, including dishwashers, sinks, and drying racks, are designed to handle the high volume of dishes, utensils, and cookware produced during pizza preparation. They ensure thorough cleaning and sanitization, meeting hygiene standards.
By streamlining the dishwashing process, this equipment contributes to a smooth workflow in the kitchen, enabling the pizza shop to provide clean and safe dining utensils to customers.
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Fire Suppression System
A Fire Suppression System in a pizza shop is a critical safety measure designed to prevent and control kitchen fires. This specialized system automatically detects and suppresses fires in cooking equipment, particularly where open flames are used.
It deploys fire-extinguishing agents swiftly, limiting fire damage and protecting both personnel and property. You will need them for compliance with safety regulations, the Fire Suppression System enhances overall safety, reducing the risk of fire-related accidents in a pizza shop’s kitchen environment.
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Exhaust Hood or Ventilation System
Exhaust hoods in a pizza shop serve as ventilation systems, vital for maintaining air quality and safety in the kitchen. Positioned above cooking equipment, especially ovens and stoves, exhaust hoods capture and remove heat, smoke, and cooking odors.
They play an important role in preventing the buildup of grease and improving overall air circulation. To ensure a healthier and more comfortable working environment, exhaust hoods are essential for compliance with safety regulations and maintaining a clean, efficient pizza shop kitchen.