You have a lot to think about while preparing pizza at home. The ingredients, the pizza stone, and double-checking the dough. Have you heard of a pizza peel? What exactly is it? A pizza peel is just a large spatula that will be used to move your pizza.
Hello, pizza lovers! My name is Shea, and I’ve been making pizzas since I can remember. It may be difficult at first, particularly with all of the new components and instruments, but I guarantee it will get simpler. When you utilize a pizza peel, it becomes much simpler.
A pizza peel is a game changer in pizza-making, but it won’t help you if you don’t know what it is. That is why I decided to write this essay to inform other pizza enthusiasts what a pizza peel is and how to use it properly.
Who’s ready to put your pizza peel to use?
What is a Pizza Peel?
Let us begin with the fundamentals. What exactly is a pizza peel? It’s not at all like your potato peeler. With a pizza peel, there is no peeling going on. Pizza peels are also unlike any other peeler. These seem more like large spatulas made of wood or metal.
A pizza peel will transport your pizza from the counter to the oven or grill and back to the counter. It will also be used to frequently flip the pizza as it is baking without worry of burning your fingers.
Pizza peels are normally available with either short or long handles. Some people like short handles since they don’t get in the way when you’re building your pizza on top. Long handles, on the other hand, are required for putting your pizza in and out of the oven.
So, which is best for you? You can have both, but I recommend going with the longer handle. That will give you lot more confidence while moving your pizza about the kitchen.
How to Use a Pizza Peel
So now you know what a pizza peel is and which kind I recommend you purchase. That’s fantastic and all. So how do you put this item to use? Really, it’s rather easy. Just follow a few simple steps and you’ll be cooking pizza like a pro in no time.
1. Flour the Pizza Peel
Keep in mind that the purpose of your pizza peel is to transfer the pizza from the tabletop to the oven or grill. It serves no use if your pizza adheres to the peel. That being stated, it is critical to lightly flour your pizza peel.
I also propose including semolina into the flour. Semolina will aid in the removal of the pizza from the pizza peel.
Another way to prevent a sticky mess is to use wood pizza peels instead of metal. Metal is known for clinging to components like pizza dough. Use wood, and you won’t have to worry about your pizza sticking to the peel as much.
Metal pizza peels, on the other hand, are not the enemy. They are lightweight and simple to clean, making them ideal for beginners. Check out this wonderful video on preventing sticking with a metal pizza peel.
2. Make Your Pizza
You will now create your pizza directly on top of the pizza peel. Begin by laying the dough on the peel and rolling it in the flour/semolina mixture. Stretch the dough out to the desired shape and size.
After that, add your toppings. Excessive toppings might cause the pizza to weigh down and get caught on the peel, so keep the toppings to a minimum. Avoid putting sauce on the peel as well, since this might create sticking.
It is critical to shake the pizza about a little when you are handcrafting it. Give the pizza peel a brief jolt, but not so much that the pizza slides off the peel completely. By moving the dough around on a frequent basis, you may lessen the likelihood of it sticking.
3. Place Pizza in the Oven/Grill
Take caution at this stage. There are two things that may go wrong. For one thing, you don’t utilize the pizza peel properly and wind up scorching yourself regardless. Two, your pizza falls off the pizza stone. Yikes!
It is critical to slide your pizza carefully onto the prepared pizza stone. Your pizza should be shimmied onto the pizza stone rather than slid. When cooking on a wood-fired grill, just slide the pizza directly onto the grill.
4. Turn the Pizza
Remember to flip your pizza every now and then while it’s baking! Rotating your pizza ensures a consistent bake with no burned patches. Consider your favorite pizza parlor’s excellent pizza; they spin their pizza, and you should, too.
5. Remove and Enjoy
It’s time to take your pizza out of the oven! Slip your pizza peel directly below the pizza. Then, gently and carefully take it out. This step should be self-explanatory. The only way things could go wrong is if you dropped the pizza.
FAQs
As you can see, a pizza peel might be just what your home pizza-making experience requires. Here are a few more often asked questions regarding this fascinating subject.
What do you put on a pizza peel?
Everything you’ll need to cook your pizza will be put on the pizza peel. Begin by coating the pan with a flour-semolina mixture to minimize stickiness. Next, add your dough and all of your favorite toppings, and you’re ready to bake or grill!
Do you build the pizza on the peel?
Absolutely, the pizza is built directly on the peel. Consider a pizza peel to be a workplace for handcrafting your delicious pizza. But be cautious not to pile on too many toppings. Too much weight might cause the pizza to adhere to the pizza peel, leaving it worthless.
Is a pizza peel worth it?
Definitely! A pizza peel will make baking your pizza from start to finish much simpler. Without a pizza peel, you’re more likely to get burns and messed-up pizzas. Also, since you can’t rotate a pizza without a pizza peel, you may wind up with burned patches.
Can you cut pizza on a pizza peel?
Yes! When your pizza is ready to serve, you may cut and serve it straight on the pizza peel. Just make sure you clean it well afterwards.
Final Words
A pizza peel is a doorway to superb pizza that is expertly prepared, exactly like the pros. Both wood and metal are excellent choices, although wood is less prone to adhering and metal is lighter. Regardless of the choice you pick, use the pizza peel to put, turn, and retrieve the pizza.
Do you employ pizza peels? What are your preferred pizza peels? Are you a fan of wood or metal?
FAQs
Do you really need a pizza turning peel?
When baking pizza in a home oven, a rotating peel isn’t necessarily essential, but it’s good to have. In conclusion, a pizza flipping peel is important when baking in a hot pizza oven, although it is pleasant to have but not absolutely necessary when baking in a home oven. A flipping peel is not required while baking sheet pan pizza.
What do you sprinkle on a pizza peel?
If your dough is too cold or sticky, it may adhere to the peel at the oven’s entry. Instead, you might sprinkle some cornmeal on the skin. It works excellent as a releasing substance, much like hundreds of tiny ball bearings beneath the dough skin.
Can you turn pizza with a pizza peel?
Use a tiny, circular peel to flip and move the pizzas in the oven. It may be as tiny as 8′′ in diameter, making it simple to spin the pizza to cook evenly facing the heat. Since the cooked pizza comes out level and does not droop over the edge, the compact round size is also ideal for removing it.
Should you oil a pizza peel?
Applying mineral oil on your peel before the first use will assist to avoid cracking and warping.
Do pizza peels go in the oven?
A pizza peel is a utensil used to lay pizzas in the oven without leaking any of the contents from the top. This handy utensil has been described as a huge spatula on which you may create your pizza before placing it in the oven.
What is the best flour to stop pizza sticking?
Either flour or cornmeal will help to prevent your dough from sticking to the pan. Nevertheless, if you want to add even more flavor and provide a better experience for your consumers, use cornmeal instead!
Can you put pizza dough directly on pizza stone?
Making Pizza on a Stone
Let at least 30 minutes for the pizza stone to heat before cooking. Let the dough come to room temperature before baking. When cold dough is put immediately on a hot stone, the sudden temperature difference may cause the stone to break.
