Pizzeria Equipment: Must-Have List & Buying Guide

Embarking on the journey of opening a pizzeria? The right equipment is pivotal to crafting mouthwatering pizzas efficiently and ensuring smooth operations. Here's a comprehensive list of must-have gear for your pizza-making haven.

1. Baking Equipment

Pizza Ovens

• Convection Ovens: These ovens circulate hot air around the pizza, ensuring even baking. They are great for achieving a crispy crust and evenly melted cheese. Convection ovens are often more energy-efficient than other types. They can be a good option for smaller pizzerias or those looking for a more affordable baking solution. Countertop convection pizza ovens are available for even more compact spaces. The price of convection pizza ovens can range from $1,000 to $5,000.
• Deck Ovens: A classic choice, deck ovens use heated decks (usually made of stone or metal) to bake pizzas. Pizzas are placed directly on the deck, which transfers heat evenly to the crust. This results in a well-baked, crispy bottom. Deck ovens are versatile and can be used for various types of pizzas, from thin-crust to deep-dish. They come in single-deck or multi-deck models, with the latter allowing for more pizzas to be baked simultaneously. Deck ovens typically cost between $3,000 and $15,000.
• Conveyor Ovens: Ideal for high-volume pizzerias, conveyor ovens move pizzas along a belt through a heated chamber. They offer consistent results and can handle a large number of orders in a short time. The speed of the conveyor and the oven temperature can be adjusted, allowing for customization based on the type of pizza. They are relatively easy to operate and require less manual intervention. Prices for conveyor ovens range from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the size and features.

Pizza Baking Accessories

• Pizza Stones: Placing a pizza directly on a pre-heated pizza stone in the oven helps to create a crispy crust. Pizza stones retain heat well and transfer it evenly to the bottom of the pizza. They come in various sizes and materials, such as cordierite or ceramic. A good-quality pizza stone can cost between $50 and $200.
• Pizza Screens and Pans: Pizza screens are perforated, allowing air to circulate around the pizza, which contributes to a crispy crust. They are especially useful for thin-crust pizzas. Pizza pans, on the other hand, are suitable for thicker-crust or deep-dish pizzas. They come in different materials like aluminum or non-stick coated metal. A set of pizza screens or pans can cost from $30 to $100, depending on the size and quantity. 

2. Dough Preparation Equipment

Dough Mixers

• Spiral Mixers: Designed specifically for dough, spiral mixers have a spiral-shaped dough hook that rotates while the bowl also moves. This unique action kneads the dough gently but thoroughly, resulting in a well-developed gluten structure. Spiral mixers are great for large-volume dough production, as they can handle significant amounts of dough at once. They are ideal for pizzerias that need to make a large quantity of pizza dough daily. The price of spiral mixers ranges from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the capacity.
• Planetary Mixers: These mixers are more versatile, with interchangeable attachments like whisks, paddles, and dough hooks. While they can mix pizza dough, they are also useful for other tasks such as making sauces, batters, or salad dressings. Planetary mixers are suitable for smaller pizzerias or those with a more diverse menu. Their prices typically range from $1,000 to $5,000.

Dough Dividers and Rounders

• Dough Dividers: These machines divide large batches of dough into equal-sized portions, ensuring consistency in pizza size. They save a significant amount of time compared to manual dividing. Dough dividers can be adjusted to produce different portion sizes. A basic dough divider can cost around $1,000, while more advanced models with higher capacities may cost up to $3,000.
• Dough Rounders: After dividing the dough, dough rounders shape the portions into smooth balls. This helps to create a uniform pizza crust and also traps the gases produced during fermentation, which is essential for a light and airy crust. Dough rounders can cost between $500 and $2,000.

Dough Proofing Equipment

• Proofing Cabinets: These cabinets provide a controlled environment of temperature and humidity for dough proofing. They are crucial for ensuring consistent fermentation of the pizza dough, which directly impacts the flavor and texture of the final pizza. Proofing cabinets come in various sizes, with prices starting from around $1,500 for smaller units and going up to $5,000 for larger, more advanced models.

3. Ingredient Storage and Preparation Equipment

Refrigeration Units

• Walk-in Coolers: For larger pizzerias, walk-in coolers are essential for storing large quantities of ingredients such as cheese, vegetables, and dough. They provide ample space and allow for easy organization. Walk-in coolers can be customized in size and configuration. The cost of a walk-in cooler can range from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on size and features.
• Pizza Prep Refrigerators: These are smaller, often counter-top or under-counter units with a refrigerated compartment and a work surface on top. They are designed specifically for pizza preparation, allowing easy access to ingredients like sauces, cheese, and toppings while keeping them chilled. Pizza prep refrigerators typically cost between $1,000 and $5,000.

Food Preparation Tools

• Cheese Graters: Whether manual or electric, cheese graters are necessary for grating fresh cheese, which adds a better flavor and texture to pizzas compared to pre-grated cheese. Electric cheese graters can be more efficient for high-volume pizzerias. Manual graters can cost as little as $10, while electric ones may range from $100 to $500.
• Vegetable Cutters and Slicers: These tools help in quickly and evenly cutting vegetables like onions, peppers, and mushrooms for pizza toppings. They can significantly speed up the food preparation process. Vegetable cutters and slicers can cost from $200 to $1,000, depending on the type and functionality.

4. Pizza Assembly and Serving Tools

Pizza Peels

• Wooden Peels: Wooden peels are great for sliding uncooked pizzas onto the oven deck. Their non-stick surface makes it easier to transfer the pizza without disturbing the toppings. They are available in various sizes to accommodate different pizza sizes. A good-quality wooden pizza peel can cost between $20 and $50.
• Metal Peels: Metal peels are useful for retrieving cooked pizzas from the oven. Their thin, durable edges can easily slide under the pizza. Metal peels are also suitable for rotating the pizza in the oven for even baking. They typically cost between $15 and $40.

Pizza Cutters

• Wheel-Style Pizza Cutters: These are the most common type of pizza cutters. The sharp wheel makes it easy to cut through the pizza quickly and cleanly. Wheel-style pizza cutters are available in different sizes and handle designs. A basic wheel-style pizza cutter can cost around $10, while more high-quality or ergonomic models may cost up to $30.
• Rocking Blade Pizza Cutters: Rocking blade pizza cutters offer more precision in cutting, especially for thicker-crust pizzas or for creating decorative cuts. They require a different cutting motion but can provide a cleaner cut in some cases. Rocking blade pizza cutters usually cost between $15 and $40.

Serving Plates and Utensils

• Pizza Plates: These should be large enough to comfortably hold the pizzas you serve. They can be made of ceramic, porcelain, or plastic, depending on your pizzeria's style and budget. Pizza plates can cost from $2 to $10 each, depending on the material and design.
• Pizza Slicers and Servers: These utensils are used to serve slices of pizza to customers. They come in various styles, from simple metal slicers to more elaborate designs. A set of pizza slicers and servers can cost between $10 and $30.

5. Point-of-Sale (POS) and Business Management Equipment

POS Systems

• Restaurant-Specific POS Systems: A good POS system is essential for managing orders, processing payments, tracking inventory, and analyzing sales data. It can help streamline operations, improve customer service, and manage staff.

Cash Registers and Card Readers

• Cash Registers:Even if you have a POS system, a cash register can be a backup for handling cash transactions. Basic cash registers can cost around $100, while more advanced models with additional features may cost up to $500.
• Card Readers: In today's digital age, card readers are a must for accepting credit and debit card payments. They can be integrated with your POS system or used as standalone devices. Card readers typically cost between $50 and $200.