Expert: Robert Connolly - 2/18/2009

Question
what is the best commercial oven to buy when making Italian bread?

Answer
hi dan, sorry i took so long, this is a better one for an equipment expert,there is just too much to know here with all the new technologies of the past 10 or so years. keep in mind all of your needs and demands this oven may have to live up to.brick is nostalgic,makes great bread but may not be sufficient volume wise to meet your needs. the retail bakers of america organization which you can google can help steer you in the right direction,also there are baking shows around the country where you can actually see whats available,there is one every year in october run by the rba in a different city,every other year it's in atlantic city,a great place to network and rub elbows with bread bakery owners to get thier advise,i have a bakery which specializes mostly in deserts,we do make lots of breads but my oven has to acomidate everything and is made by the fish oven company,they verry well may manufacture bread ovens,call them,they are always helpfull and can recomend one if they don't make one suitable for you. hope i helped somewhat. good luck and i hope you find what you are looking for. bob connolly, mills bakery,wood-ridge,n.j.