Does A Pizza Oven Need A Hood? (Explained) 2022 2023

Last updated on October 26th, 2022 at 05:21 pm

The use of pizza ovens in the kitchen has become a popular trend over the decades. However, its efficiency in cooking and reheating pizzas is one feature that remains unmatched.

Additionally, its convenience provides a fabulous touch to your schedule if you’re a pizza freak like me. Recently, there have been inquiries about whether these pizza ovens require hoods.

Most pizza ovens need a hood that should stand right over them. These hoods work to hold grease vapors; they also remove heat from the ovens. So, because every pizza oven carries a different design, the hoods may vary significantly. Specifically, pizza ovens with commercial use should weld a fully functional hood due to their regular usage.

Why Does Pizza Oven Need Hood?

Pizza ovens need hoods for several reasons; one of these is removing vapors emanating from the pizza.

If this component is not present, these vapors accumulate in the oven, disrupting its proper functioning.

Additionally, hoods on pizza ovens remove heat from the cooking appliance, preventing overheating and subsequent burning and overcooking of the pizza.

If you cook pizza in large amounts, it is compulsory to use an exhaust hood for your pizza oven.

Well, it doesn’t matter if you cook your pizza at home or in a restaurant; a hood must follow the setup of your pizza oven.

Newer designs provide specialized hoods which function on specific types of pizza ovens.

Additionally, because pizza ovens work at high temperatures exceeding 500° Fahrenheit, there are increased risks of fire outbreaks.

So, the proper installation of exhaust hoods on your pizza oven reduces the occurrences of fire hazards. Subsequently, several features define a well-functional and efficient pizza oven hood.

Firstly, there should be considerable spacing between the hood and the ceiling, ranging over three inches. Also, there should be proper insulation to enhance your safety as personnel.

After considering everything, you should understand that the exhaust hood is an essential part of your pizza oven.

Can We Use Pizza Oven Without A Hood?

There are several different pizza ovens; these ovens carry additional requirements and function differently.

So, while most pizza ovens require hoods, others do not necessarily need them. These differences may be in the environment where you set the ovens up in other situations.

Some pizza ovens in their normal state do not produce grease vapors while working; so, using hoods along with these kinds of pizza ovens will be highly unnecessary.

Consequently, the key lies in understanding the functionality of your oven. For instance, pizza ovens running on wood fire possess chimney-like vents and no exhaust hood.

Therefore, these vents function to remove heat and vapors during cooking. On the other hand, countertop cookers do not go along with exhaust hoods.

This is because their inherent designs do not create a possibility of installing hoods. So, this setup’s absence of an exhaust hood is quite understandable.

Consequently, you should always know whether your pizza oven supports a hood or not. And if it does, it is very advisable to install it along with the setup; you cannot challenge the importance of a hood.

What Type Of Hood Does A Pizza Oven Require? (Type 1 Or Type 2)

The type of hood your pizza oven needs for its smooth functioning depends on your ventilation purpose.

While other pizza ovens need a system of ventilation that removes oil vapors, grease, condensation, and others need hoods to remove heat and moisture.

These are the Type 1 and Type 2 pizza ovens, respectively. To understand the type of hood you need for your pizza oven, you should consider the quality of the air you’re producing.

Additionally, you should consider the kind of equipment you’ll place under the exhaust hood. Going forward, your pizza oven’s entire setup and its model determine whether you need a Type 1 hood or a Type 2 hood.

Following the International Building Code, you can use a Type 1 hood in some instances.

However, some city and municipal authorities specify that you use the Type 2 hood. Usually, pizza ovens designed with a conveyor style need a Type 1 hood.

On the other hand, pizza deck ovens require Type 2 hoods. This is because the Type 2 hood works perfectly on small ovens that do not produce grease; it removes vapor, odors, and heat.

Do Pizza Ovens Require A Type 1 Hood?

You can install Type 1 hoods on top of cooking facilities that emit smoke or give out grease. This exhaust hood removes smoke, heat, grease, and vapors rich in oil during cooking.

So, Type 1 hoods can be used with pizza ovens as the International Building Code stipulates. Consequently, pizza ovens that carry a conveyor-styled design need a Type 1 hood.

Although most ovens require a Type 1 hood, confirming with local codes before you install one is more advisable.

This is because similar designs can be compatible with Type 2 hoods, so you have to be sure before you go ahead.

Several upsides accompany this type of pizza oven hood; one benefit is the presence of grease filters that work to hold grease.

This array of baffle filters holds grease and other materials that may flow into your exhaust system and cause contamination.

So, you end up having cleaner ducts and exhaust fans even when maintenance isn’t regular.

An overall, Type 1 hoods provide smooth and highly efficient functioning of your pizza oven, producing top-notch ventilation.

Does An Electric Pizza Oven Require A Hood?

When an electric pizza oven produces tons of smoke, you most definitely need a hood; the smoke comes from preparing greasy foods.

On the other hand, you do not require a hood if you use your pizza oven to prepare food devoid of smoke as opposed to gas ovens which always require hoods,

By using combinations of filters, ducts, and fans, hood systems extract grease, smoke, and heat from the cooking facilities.

So, because electric pizza ovens do not produce extra smoke and other gaseous contaminants, hoods may not be necessary when the food itself does not make those.

On the other hand, several different kinds of pizza ovens need hoods to tackle the constant emissions due to their activity.

So, the hood is unnecessary on an electric pizza oven while baking foods that do not produce smoke.

However, hoods are essential when using your pizza oven for smoky foods.

Does A Wood-Fired Pizza Oven Require Hood?

Although some codes indicate that certain wood-fired pizza ovens do not need hoods, it is best to use a hood on these pieces of equipment.

This is because this cooking appliance produces smoke; therefore, the hood will sharply tackle the smoke and grease fumes, making the environment convenient for you.

Thus, from the manufacturer’s instructions and the listing codes, all listed wood-fired pizza ovens importantly require hoods.

Subsequently, the presence of effluent and a proper draft enhances the overall efficiency of the oven’s hood.

On the other hand, because these codes differ with different localities, it is always best to check the building codes before venturing into the activity.

Removing these grease fumes and smoke also helps maintain a consistently pleasant environment for you and others around.

What Ovens Do Not Require A Hood?

Because carrying out ventilation on a large scale can be pretty expensive, you may be in search of ovens that do not need hoods to cut the expenses. Well, a few principal ovens do not need a hood.

#1. Blodgett Freestanding Ventless Convection Oven

This ventless oven carries easy to use, touchscreen controls and functions by removing cooking vapors through a condenser system.

It is a fantastic alternative for ovens that require hoods as it efficiently removes smoke and grease.

#2. CVap RTV Retherm Oven

The CVap Retherm oven optimizes space, saves you money, and works not just with pizza but also with a variety of other foods. It covers the role of a hood with perfection.