What Is A Deck Oven & Why You Need One
If you’ve ever wondered how bakeries get that perfectly golden crust on their bread, or how a pizza can be soft in the middle yet crispy around the edges, chances are a deck oven is behind it.
At Vanrooy Machinery, we’re all about connecting bakers and chefs with the best baking equipment. In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about deck ovens, how they work, and why they might be a great addition to your kitchen.
Introduction To Deck Ovens
A deck oven is a type of commercial oven commonly used in professional pastry and bakery kitchens. It’s especially popular for baking breads, pizzas, and pastries. Unlike a convection oven, which uses a fan to circulate hot air, a deck oven relies on radiant and conductive heat to bake food evenly and consistently.
These ovens come with a stone deck where the product sits during baking. The heat comes from both the top (ceiling) and bottom (deck) and can usually be controlled separately. This helps ensure that your baked goods come out just the way you want them: crispy on the outside, soft on the inside.
So, How Does a Deck Oven Work?
Radiant Heat
Heat is transferred through the air inside the oven, wrapping around the product.
Conductive Heat
Heat travels from the heated baking stone deck directly into the dough.
Thanks to this combo, deck ovens provide consistent, even heat distribution. Many models also include steam injection and venting systems, which help control the humidity levels inside the baking chamber—perfect for getting that crackly artisan bread crust.
What Are The Benefits of Using a Deck Oven?
Uniform Baking and Artisan Results
Because of the static heat and separate controls, your bread rises evenly, holds its shape, and develops that natural golden colour we all love.
Ideal Moisture and Texture
Deck ovens retain moisture in the early stages of baking. This is essential for soft, fluffy insides and a crisp outer crust.
Energy Efficiency
Modern deck ovens, like the ones we offer at Vanrooy, are highly insulated. This means they hold heat better, use less energy, and keep your kitchen cooler.
Better Shelf Life
Baked goods stay fresher longer thanks to the slow and even baking process. This slows down the hardening of starches, meaning less waste and more customer satisfaction.
Dough Quality Preservation
Deck ovens support the natural structure of dough, especially in products like pizza and bread. The dough rises without collapsing, giving you that perfect finish.
How To Choose the Right Deck Oven
When picking the right deck oven for your business, consider:
Size & Capacity: Single-deck vs. multi-deck depending on how much you bake.
Baking Needs: Bread, pizza, pastries—all have different ideal settings.
At Vanrooy Machinery, we help you find the best solution tailored to your kitchen’s needs. Here are some of our recommendations that will suit any production need:
Ideal for smaller production kitchens.
The Venix Squero Deck Oven features a small footprint, perfect for restaurants, cafes, and pubs, and can be stacked for multiple decks or combined with a combi oven for an ultimate space-saving solution.
- Refractory stone base and steam/static cooking for optimal baking up to 400°C.
- Adjustable top and bottom heating with intuitive 2.4″ LCD display.
- Fits 2 x 600×400 trays (5kg max) with 100 programmable settings and 4 cycles each.
- Thermally insulated for reduced energy consumption and greater efficiency.
- Wi-Fi and USB connectivity for remote control, updates, and data management.
Perfect for small to medium production kitchens.
The Salva EMT Boutique Oven is ideal for smaller shop fronts, offering the flexibility to create your own setup by combining the Salva Kwik-co Convection Oven, the Salva Modular EMT Deck Oven, and the Salva Prover.
- Customisable, space-saving oven solution ideal for small shop fronts.
- Supports simultaneous baking with independent convection, deck, and prover modules.
- Advanced touch controls with 100 programmable settings for precision and ease.
- High tray capacity across all modules for efficient production.
- Energy-efficient design with uniform heat, ECO mode, and smart temperature control.
Great for small, medium and large scale production.
The Salva NXE Modular Deck Oven range is recognised worldwide for its baking quality, flexibility and versatility. The range boasts industry-leading features, programs and power-saving qualities to help you bake better.
- Modular, expandable design with 1–5 independently controlled decks for diverse baking needs.
- Handmade ceramic heating elements and efficient heat distribution ensure consistent, energy-saving results.
- Each deck fits 3 trays, with optional steam units, stone floors, and multiple setter-loader options.
- Intuitive Control Panel includes pictogram library, 150 programs per deck, and 3 control zones.
- Programmable motorised draft optimises airflow for even, reliable baking outcomes.
The solution for medium to large scale production kitchens.
The Salva Solaris Deck Oven delivers unparalleled baking precision, energy efficiency, and flexibility, with ceramic heating elements, advanced steam control, and a robust design built for long-term performance.
- A large range of sizes from 2.89 sqm to 13.98sqm to meet small and large production.
- Available with 3, 4, or 5 chambers, and 1 or 2 doors.
- Optional full belt width integrated setter loader.
- High-quality artisan baking with ceramic heating elements for uniform heat distribution.
- Smart Heating System alternates ceiling and floor heating for efficiency.
For large scale and industrial sized productions.
The Hein Universal Plus Industrial Oven is a high-performance annular tube oven with an all-masonry hearth and advanced heat distribution system, ensuring superior baking results, energy efficiency, and long-term reliability for professional bakeries.
- Baking surface options from 2.9 to 41 sqm suit a range of production needs, from small to industrial scale.
- Integrated automated loading/unloading boosts efficiency and streamlines large-scale baking.
- Touchscreen interface supports 299 programs, with real-time monitoring, remote control, and USB sharing.
- Eco-conscious design with low energy consumption, optimised thermal retention, and minimal noise.
- Smart maintenance features include automatic error logging and service reminders for easy upkeep.
FAQs about Deck Ovens
What’s the difference between a deck oven and a convection oven?
A convection oven uses a fan to circulate air, which can dry out some baked goods. A deck oven uses radiant and conductive heat for gentler, more even baking.
What can I cook in a deck oven?
Breads, pizzas, croissants, puff pastry, choux pastry, cakes—almost anything that benefits from even, controlled baking.
How long do deck ovens last?
With proper care and maintenance, a good deck oven can last decades.
Is a deck oven worth the investment?
Absolutely. If you value consistent, high-quality results and longer-lasting baked goods, it’s a smart investment. Vanrooy Machinery can assist you on your journey to finding the best deck oven that is suitable for your business.
FAQs about Vanrooy Machinery
Who is Vanrooy Machinery?
We’re Australia’s leading supplier of commercial baking equipment, helping food businesses elevate their baking game since 1978.
What brands of deck ovens do you stock?
We stock high-end brands like Salva, Venix and Hein. All world-renowned manufacturers known for their reliability and performance.
Do you offer installation and support?
Yes! We provide full installation services, training, and ongoing support to make sure you get the most out of your equipment.
Can I get a custom recommendation for my bakery?
Of course. Just get in touch with our expert team and we’ll help you find the perfect fit based on your specific needs.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re baking artisan bread or crafting the perfect pizza, a deck oven offers unmatched control and consistency. It’s one of the best tools you can add to your kitchen to take your products to the next level.
Need help finding the right deck oven? Contact Vanrooy Machinery today, we’d love to help you bake better!
