As a pizza lover, I know how much Americans enjoy this food. In fact, almost 13% of the population in the US eats pizza every day, contributing to an estimated $13 billion in sales annually. This makes pizza a significant part of the American economy and even accounts for nearly a third of the world’s total spending on pizza.
However, despite the widespread love for pizza, not many Americans are familiar with using the best pizza peel to make their favorite dish. While they love eating pizza, few of them actually have experience in making it. This is why it’s important to know more about pizza peels and how to use them effectively.
A pizza peel is a tool used to place pizzas in and take them out of the oven. It helps to ensure that your pizza is cooked evenly and prevents it from sticking. Find out more about how to use, clean, and avoid sticking while using pizza peels.
The Main Types of Pizza Peels
Pizza peels come in different shapes, sizes, and materials, each designed to suit different pizza sizes, cooking areas, and preferences. The main types of pizza peels are wooden, aluminum, and metal.
Wooden pizza peels are a classic option, and they offer excellent insulation to protect your hands from heat. They are also lightweight and easy to handle, making them a popular choice for home cooks. However, wooden peels can absorb moisture and food odors over time, so they require regular maintenance.
Aluminum pizza peels are lightweight and have a smooth surface, making them ideal for moving pizzas in and out of the oven quickly. They are also easy to clean and maintain, but they do not provide the insulation protection that wooden peels do.
Metal pizza peels, such as stainless steel, are heavy-duty and provide excellent heat resistance. They are also durable, making them a popular choice for commercial kitchens. However, metal peels can be heavy and difficult to handle, making them less suitable for home use.
In terms of shape, pizza peels can be round or rectangular. Round peels are great for circular pizzas, while rectangular peels are ideal for square or rectangular pizzas. The size of the peel should also be considered, as smaller peels are easier to handle and store, while larger peels are suitable for bigger pizzas.
In conclusion, the type of pizza peel you choose depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you opt for a wooden, aluminum, or metal peel, make sure to choose the right size and shape to suit your pizzas and cooking area.
How to Use a Pizza Peel: a Walkthrough on All the Peel Types
Pizza is a beloved food by many people around the world, and making it at home can be a fun and satisfying experience. But, one of the challenges in making pizza at home is getting it from the preparation surface to the oven. This is where a pizza peel comes in. A pizza peel is a flat and wide spatula-like tool that helps you transfer your pizza from the preparation surface to the oven and vice versa.
There are several types of pizza peels available in the market, each with their own unique features and benefits. In this guide, we will take a look at the main types of pizza peels and how to use them.
Wooden Pizza Peels:
Wooden pizza peels are the most traditional and classic type of peel. They are made of wood and are favored by many pizza makers for their traditional feel and natural look. They are also very affordable and can be found at most kitchen supply stores. The main disadvantage of wooden peels is that they can absorb moisture and can become warped over time. To avoid this, you should season your wooden peel regularly with oil.
Aluminum Pizza Peels:
Aluminum pizza peels are made of lightweight aluminum and are easy to maneuver. They are also rust-resistant, making them ideal for frequent use. The main disadvantage of aluminum peels is that they can scratch easily, so you should be careful when handling them.
Metal Pizza Peels:
Metal pizza peels are made of heavier-duty materials and are ideal for commercial kitchens and pizzerias. They are more durable than wooden and aluminum peels and can handle the demands of a busy kitchen. The main disadvantage of metal peels is that they are more expensive than other types of peels.
Regardless of the type of peel you choose, there are a few steps you need to follow when using your peel.
Step 1: Preparing the Peel: Before you start making your pizza, you need to prepare your peel. Sprinkle a layer of flour, cornmeal, or rice flour onto the peel to prevent your pizza from sticking. The choice of which one to use depends on personal preference. Flour is the traditional Italian method, cornmeal provides a crunchy texture, and rice flour is a good alternative for those who are gluten-free.
Step 2: Rolling Out the Dough: Roll out your pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness. Make sure that your pizza dough is not too thick or too thin as this can affect the cooking time and quality of your pizza.
Step 3: Adding Toppings: Add your toppings to the pizza dough, being careful not to overload the pizza with too many toppings. This can cause the pizza to become too heavy and difficult to transfer to the oven.
Step 4: Transferring the Pizza to the Oven: Once you have added your toppings, you can use your peel to transfer the pizza to the oven. Hold the peel at a slight angle and slide it under the pizza. Then, gently shake the peel to make sure that the pizza is not sticking to the surface.
Step 5: Baking the Pizza: Place the pizza in the oven and bake for the recommended time. Keep an eye on your pizza and use the peel to check the bottom of the crust to make sure it is cooking evenly.
Step 6: Removing the Pizza from the Oven: Once the pizza is fully cooked, use the peel to remove it from the oven. Carefully slide the peel under the pizza and transfer it to a cutting board.
In conclusion, a pizza peel is a valuable tool for anyone who loves to make pizza at home. With the right type of peel and a few simple steps, you can
How to Clean a Pizza Peel: All the Tips and Tricks
Cleaning different types of pizza peels requires following specific steps to ensure that food particles are not left behind, which could end up sticking to your pizza and giving it a bitter taste. Here are some guidelines for cleaning different types of pizza peels:
How to Clean a Wooden Pizza Peel Efficiently?
When it comes to preparing pizza, I prefer to use wood peels. The wooden material allows for easier release of the dough compared to metal peels, reducing the risk of the pizza skin becoming stuck and having all the toppings slide into the oven. However, it’s important to note that in some places, the use of wooden peels is discouraged due to their difficulty in being properly sanitized.
To maintain a wooden peel, it is necessary to wash it daily to prevent warping. To minimize damage during the cleaning process, it is recommended to start with a new peel and seal it by wiping it several times with mineral oil. This creates a barrier that prevents the absorption of moisture during washing.
To clean the peel, simply dip it into soapy water, gently scrub away any debris, rinse it, and dip it into a sanitizing solution. After that, wipe the peel with a clean, dry towel and let it dry completely. Finally, apply a layer of mineral oil to reseal any open pores in the wood. By following these steps daily, you can minimize problems and keep your wooden peel in good condition.
How to Clean an Aluminium Pizza Peel: Understanding the Process
Aluminum pizza peels are popular due to their lightweight and durability, and they don’t tarnish like stainless steel. Cleaning an aluminum pizza peel is relatively easy, and it can be done with a few simple steps.
To start, fill a pot with water and add 2 tablespoons of tartar cream or half a cup of vinegar for every quart of water used. Boil the water for about 10 minutes, then remove the peel and pour out the cleaner. Let the peel cool down, and then use a handheld scrubber to clean it thoroughly. It’s important to remember that the handle of most aluminum peels is made of wood, so it won’t get hot while cleaning.
After cleaning, let the peel dry completely before using it again. Following these steps will help keep your aluminum pizza peel in good condition and ready for use whenever you’re in the mood for a homemade pizza.
How to Keep Pizza Dough from Sticking: Never Destroy Your Pizza Again
Sticking pizzas to the pizza peel is a common challenge faced by many home cooks who are trying to make their own pizza. This issue can be extremely frustrating, especially when you have put in a lot of effort into making the dough, proofing it, and adding the toppings, only for it to stick to the peel and ruin your hard work. This problem affects all types of peels, whether they are made of wood, stainless steel, or aluminum.
What I Use to Prevent My Pizza from Sticking
Preventing your pizza from sticking to the peel is crucial in ensuring that you get the best possible result. There are several things you can use to help prevent the pizza from sticking. One of the most common methods is to use cornmeal or flour. Both of these ingredients create a barrier between the pizza and the peel, making it easier to slide the pizza into the oven.
Another option is to use parchment paper. This is especially useful if you’re making a pizza that has a lot of toppings or if you’re using a wooden peel. The parchment paper not only helps to prevent sticking, but it also makes cleanup much easier.
Finally, you can use a silicone mat. These mats are non-stick and provide a great surface for making pizza. They’re also easy to clean and reusable, making them a cost-effective solution.
In conclusion, there are several things you can use to prevent your pizza from sticking to the peel. Experiment with different methods to find what works best for you, and you’ll be on your way to making perfect pizzas every time.
Closing Remarks
When making homemade pizza, it’s important to choose the right pizza peel. One option is a wooden peel, which is ideal for transferring pizzas to ovens due to its porous surface that can absorb moisture from the dough and prevent sticking.
On the other hand, stainless steel and aluminum peels are thin and have high heat capacities, making them suitable for removing cooked pizza, but they tend to stick more frequently. To avoid this issue, be careful not to overload the pizza with too many toppings, as extra weight can cause stickiness.
Steel peels are the easiest to clean, as materials don’t stick to them as easily. What material do you prefer for your pizza peel? What techniques do you use to prevent sticking and what methods do you use for cleaning? Share your thoughts in the comments section.