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Research industrial pizza ovens

A large portion of your wholesale pizza supplies budget will be eaten up by one or more commercial pizza ovens. Carefully research your options, then purchase the highest quality, fastest oven you can afford. Although it will cost more initially, it will save you a great deal of time--and therefore money--in the long run.

I recommend: BerkelBiz.com offers several commercial pizza ovens, including a brick oven touted as "faster and more cost effective than any other industrial oven," baking pizzas in 60 to 90 seconds. Northern Pizza Equipment also sells a variety of quality conveyor ovens.

Find other large pieces of commercial pizza equipment

After you have an oven in mind, look at other large pieces of equipment you'll be needing. Consider buying at least some of these used. This will save your business about 50 percent in equipment costs.

I recommend: Pizza Equipment World sells a variety of larger items, including dough sheeters, prep tables, heated holding cabinets, dough presses, dispensing cabinets and more; for more information, click on the photo of the sort of equipment you're interested in. CPAPC Restaurant Design & Supply carries some large equipment (like prep tables and mixers.

Purchase smaller pizza supply items

Pizza businesses require many small pizza supplies, including pizza pans and trays, cutters, scales and possibly delivery items, like bags and boxes. It's a good idea to find a single source for purchasing smaller pizza supplies wholesale to save time and shipping costs.

I recommend: Big Tray has a great selection of smaller pizza supplies, including cutters, pans, delivery boxes, racks and screens. KegWorks.com sells scales, dough dockers, dough scrapers, trays and more.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  One option for reducing the cost of pizza business supplies is to lease large pieces of equipment--especially your oven. This may also be a good way for you to discover which type of commercial pizza works best for your business.

Guide to Commercial Pizza Supplies

Keep your pizza business running smoothly with pizza supplies

By Lorri Mealey, Owner, The Boiler Room Restaurant

1. Preparation
2. Cooking
3. Serving
4. Delivery

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Start with the basic ingredients

Good pizza starts with good dough. However, keeping large quantities of pizza dough fresh and ready to use has presented problems for many a pizza maker. Today there are specially made pizza dough boxes that increase the life of dough by storing it in boxes with individual compartments. These dough racks are stackable, helping to save space in the walk-in refrigerator, and are dishwasher-safe, making clean up a breeze.

I recommend: Lloyd Industries is a leader in the pizza supply industry. Along with dough boxes, they carry dough racks, pans, cutting utensils and other pizzeria supplies. Carlson Products is another vendor of pizza supplies. Find wholesale pizzeria supplies at AceMart.com

Choose the right kind of pizza oven

Most commercial pizza equipment includes an industrial pizza oven. Industrial pizza ovens can cook a few pizzas at a time or several dozen, depending on your operation's needs. Because today's pizza comes in a variety of styles and flavors, ranging from traditional to deep dish to wood-fired pizzas baked on stones, selecting the right oven is essential.

I recommend: Northern Pizza Equipment Inc. carries pizza ovens, as well as pizzeria supplies, like baking stones, mixers and smallwares. Wood Stone is a leading manufacturer of wood-fired pizza ovens. AMS Enterprises offers reconditioned commercial pizza equipment, including used pizza ovens.

Serve and deliver pizza to your customers

There are a lot of commercial pizza supplies needed to serve pizza, both in house and through delivery. Good quality pizza cutters, pizza paddles and pans are all part of pizza presentation in house. For delivery, you need sturdy pizza boxes and thermal bags to keep pizzas piping hot.

I recommend: PizzaTools.com is a pizza supply company that carries everything you need to outfit your restaurant and delivery service. BigTray.com carries a line of high quality pizza cutters, with reinforced blades and slip resistant grips which withstand high and low temperatures.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't let price be the final factor when looking at commercial pizza supplies. Pizza equipment goes through a lot of wear and tear, and you want it to last for years to come.

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Educate yourself on options of the industrial pizza oven

Industrial pizza ovens deserve a section all their own because of the wide variety of ovens available. First investigate the options, then match the right oven to your desired taste. Once you decide which oven you want, ask the company about training. Many of the oven suppliers offer training so that you and your employees know how to operate the oven appropriately.

I recommend: For wood fired commercial ovens by companies that offer education and training, see Forno Bravo, the Pizza Oven Specialist and EarthStone Ovens. For information and help with Wood Stone ovens, see Wood Stone.

Learn from the pizza equipment suppliers

With all the wholesale pizza supplies available, make sure you know what you need or have a pizza supplier who educates you. A supplier, who is concerned about your buying the product you need, is priceless. Supplies and equipment are too expensive to buy something unnecessary, so take the time to know the different products available and their relevance for your business.

I recommend: Pizza Mixer Store offers free analysis of your kitchen equipment on the left side of the page, and it explains the differences in dough depending on the dough mixer. For an explanation of each individual pizza tool offered, see KegWorks. For commercial supplies and equipment check out the Food Service Warehouse education center.

Take advantage of educational information available for commercial pizza equipment

Several magazines and websites offer independent information about pizza business supplies and pizza business equipment. They feature articles from other pizza restaurant owners, information for tweaking your tools and recipes, plus kitchen safety items to address. The magazines and websites focus on improving and increasing your business.

I recommend: PMQ is a monthly magazine source for pizza supplies, equipment and education. Another monthly magazine that keeps you up-to-date on methods, equipment and more is Pizza Today.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Seek training from experienced sources. Big Dave, a successful pizza and sub shop owner, spends his time consulting, speaking and training pizza business owners, and his website has articles and opportunities to ask your own questions.

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Stone hearth oven

To produce an authentic wood fire flavor in your pizzas, consider adding a stone hearth oven to your kitchen.

I recommend: Learn more about the cooking surface, ceiling heights and specifications of stone hearth ovens at Wood Stone.

Dough sheeter

Reduce the back strain that comes with manual dough rolling by using a dough sheeter to produce uniform pizza crust rounds. The units can also be used to roll dough for calzones or pastries.

I recommend: Find different standalone and countertop dough sheeter models on the Pizza Equipment World website.

Roller docker

Create pizza dough without blistering or uneven rising and baking with a roller docker. When the spiked, handled tool is rolled over the flattened pizza dough, the unit creates perforations that allow the dough to bake more evenly.

I recommend: See plastic and metal models of roller dockers at the Ace Mart website.

Pizza peel

Make it easy to insert, reposition and remove pizzas from the oven with a metal or wood pizza peel. Consider different sizes and handle lengths to find the peel that works best for your operation.

I recommend: Check out different styles of pizza peels and get specifics on their materials and styles through the Mission Restaurant Supply website.

Hot bags

If you include pizza delivery as part of your restaurant services, stock up on hot bags to keep the food warm during transit. Purchase the insulated bags in different sizes to prevent sliding.

I recommend: Get sizes and information on hot bags through the Pizza Tools website.

Perforated pizza pan

Bake pizza crust with the perfect color and consistency with perforated pizza pans. With a texture to promote airflow during the baking process, perforated pans can also reduce scorching.

I recommend: See photos and get sizes and feature details for perforated pizza pans through the Carlson Products website.