BTU Calculator

What is BTU? British Thermal Unit (BTU) measures heat energy. One BTU is the energy needed to raise 1 pound of water by 1°F. For pizza ovens, BTU/hour indicates heating power. Higher BTU = faster heating and ability to reach higher temperatures. A 20,000 BTU oven heats faster and hotter than 10,000 BTU.

BTU vs Temperature: More BTU doesn't automatically mean higher max temperature - insulation matters equally. A well-insulated 15,000 BTU oven can reach 900°F, while a poorly insulated 25,000 BTU oven might struggle to hit 800°F. BTU determines how fast you reach temp and how well you maintain it when the door opens.

Gas Consumption: Propane contains about 91,500 BTU per gallon. A 20,000 BTU oven at full blast uses 0.22 gallons/hour (20,000 ÷ 91,500). A standard 5-gallon tank provides 22+ hours at full power, but most cooking uses 30-50% capacity once at temp, so one tank lasts many sessions.

Commercial vs Residential: Home ovens typically range 12,000-25,000 BTU. Commercial ovens need 35,000-100,000+ BTU to maintain temperature with frequent door opening and continuous cooking. Commercial also requires larger gas lines (3/4" vs 1/2") and higher pressure regulators. Don't undersize commercial applications!