If you’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting a pizza that was baked in a wood-fired oven, well then, you know why pizza geeks are so obsessed with pizza peels.
A peel is essentially a flat shovel used to slide pizzas in and out of those blazing-hot wood-fired ovens. In fact, the word “peel” means shovel, and its use dates back hundreds of years.
Pizza peel can be made from metal or wood. Metal is better for newbies because it slides more easily under the pizza dough. But once you get your technique down, a wooden peel will give you better results because the moisture from the dough won’t stick to it as it does with metal. This results in a crispier crust and a tastier pie.
What shape do peels come in?
Some peels have flat blades, while others, especially metal ones, are shaped like paddles with holes in them that let air flow through. Flat peels are better for putting pizzas in the oven; paddle-shaped ones are best for removing pizza from the oven.
What size do peels come in?
You don’t want your peel to be too small (you’ll struggle to get the pizza on it) or too big (it won’t fit in your oven). A good size is about two inches wider than your pizza all around — this should give you enough room to move the peel around without
Tell me more about a metal peel
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Anyone who has ever been to a pizzeria or watched a pizza maker knows that the pizza is lifted off the counter and onto the oven grate with a long-handled spatula. This tool is called a metal pizza peel.
Pizza peels, in general, are used to slide uncooked pizzas into an oven from a work surface and also to lift them out when they’re done. They come in many different sizes, shapes, and materials (metal, wood, or plastic). Metal pizza peels are made of aluminum or stainless steel. Both are strong and durable enough to handle the weight of a pizza.
The length of the handle on metal pizza peels can vary depending on your particular needs. For example:
If you have a built-in oven at home, you can probably get away with purchasing a metal peel that is 16″ long because there’s no need to reach all the way into the back of the oven.
If you’re running a professional pizzeria, you should opt for longer handles on your metal pizza peels so that you don’t burn yourself reaching all the way into your commercial ovens.
Features of a metal peel to consider
Are you looking for a metal pizza peel that will help you cook the perfect pizza?
Are you tired of all the clutter and mess associated with making your own pizza?
The good news is, I have the answer!
A metal pizza peel is a great way to make the perfect slice of pizza. It’s also handy when it comes to cleaning up after cooking. Here are 4 features that you should look for in a metal pizza peel:
- A handle that’s strong enough to support your weight. The last thing you want is to have your hands get stuck in the handle while trying to lift the pan off of your stovetop!
- Non-stick surface. You don’t want any sauce dripping down onto your countertop or floor while trying to make dinner!
- A large surface area so that when you’re done with one side of the dough, there will still be plenty left over for another batch of slices. This way you won’t waste any food by having too little space on hand for next time around!
- A flat bottom so it won’t wobble as much when placed down onto hot surfaces like stoves or grills. Also, this makes removing pizzas from their pans easier because there isn’t anything sticking.
Tips for maintaining a metal peel
Pizza peels are a great tool for keeping your pizzas organized and in order. Peels are an excellent way to transfer pizzas in and out of the oven, as well as to keep your pizza on the peel while dressing it up.
However, if you don’t take proper care of your pizza peel, you could end up scratching the surface of the stone or even rusting the peel itself.
Here are some tips for maintaining a metal pizza peel:
- Don’t leave the peel in water. Moisture leads to rust. After cleaning your pizza peel, make sure you wipe it down with a dry towel before putting it away.
- Use a soft brush when cleaning your peel. Using a rough scrubber can easily scratch the surface of your stone and leave it vulnerable to bacteria and other germs that can be harmful over time.
- Store your peel somewhere dry and in a moisture-free environment.
Tell me more about wooden peels
The main benefit of using a wooden pizza peel is that it allows you to slide the pizza into the oven, and then easily remove it when it’s ready. A peel will also help you transfer the dough to your pizza stone or pizza pan without having it stick.
It allows for better air circulation under the pizza. Since wood is porous, it allows air to circulate better from underneath the pizza. This means that your bottom crust will be crispier when using a wooden peel rather than metal. In addition, pizzas tend to slide onto the oven floor less often when using wooden peels, which means less mess in your oven.
Wooden peels are more likely to be user-friendly. While metal peels can conduct heat very quickly and may burn your hands or arms if not careful, wooden peels don’t conduct heat nearly as well. They do get warm after being in the oven, but they’ll rarely burn your
Features of a wooden peel to consider
Wooden pizza peels are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. It is important that you buy one that fits your oven and baking needs. Buying the right size of pizza peel will make the process easier for you. Here are 3 features to consider:
- The length of the handle. The length of the handle should be enough to help you reach into the oven without having to bend over or stretch too much, which can cause accidents.
- The thickness of the handle. Thin handles aren’t ideal because they can break easily when you use them for flipping pizza, especially if it has lots of toppings on it. It is best to choose a thicker handle with a comfortable grip, so it would be easy for you to grab the pizza and place it in the oven or remove it from there.
- The material used. Wood is considered one of the best materials because it is heat-resistant and it doesn’t absorb moisture as quickly as other materials do. This means that they won’t warp easily even if they are exposed to heat and moisture repeatedly over time. However, wood can be more prone to cracking than metal pizza peels, so it is important that you choose a wooden peel with a thick
Tips for maintaining a wooden pizza peel
A pizza peel is a wooden board used to slide pizzas in and out of the oven. It’s an essential item for any serious foodie, and with a few simple tips, you can keep it in great condition for years to come.
- Don’t soak in water. You should never soak a wooden peel in water because this can cause the wood to warp, split or crack. If your peel has burned food residue on it, don’t soak it in water, instead, scrape off the residue with a putty knife or other tool, then wipe clean with a moist cloth or sponge.
- Let it dry naturally after washing. Wood is naturally porous, which means that moisture can become trapped inside the fibers of your peel if it isn’t allowed to dry properly. If this happens, mold and bacteria may grow in the damp areas and cause unpleasant odors. To ensure this doesn’t happen, always leave your peel somewhere where it can dry naturally after washing.
- Use a sharpening stone to remove burned food residue. If you have stubborn burned-on food residue on your peel, use a sharpening stone or other fine abrasive like sandpaper and gently rub the stone over the surface of the peel where there is the residue.
- Fight against bacteria. If you’re worried about insects or bacteria, wipe the surface with a vinegar/water solution and allow it to dry.
- Keep it away from heat. If possible, store your peel in an area away from direct sunlight or any heat source (like next to the stove). This will help prevent warping and splitting caused by changes in temperature/humidity over time.
FAQ
Is a pizza peel necessary?
If you are not baking pizza in the oven, then a pizza peel is probably not necessary. If you want to bake your pizza on the grill, you can definitely get away with using a cookie sheet. However, if you plan on making homemade pizza in any capacity, then you will definitely want to invest in a quality peel.
One thing that I really like about using one for making pizza is that it makes it very easy to transfer the dough from the counter to the pan without having to worry about messing up the dough by trying to pick it up without tearing it apart.
How do you get a pizza to slide off a pill?
The first step in getting your pizza on your peel is to make sure your dough is shaped properly. The best way to get it off the peel is to make it easy for it to slide off from the beginning. Next, use enough flour or cornmeal on your peel so that the dough doesn’t stick — but not so much that it burns in the oven.
If you’re still having trouble getting your pizza off the peel, don’t be afraid to shake it a little bit to loosen it up. If that doesn’t work, take a spatula and gently remove any parts sticking to the paddle.
Can I cut my pizza on a peel?
It depends.
If you have a wood peel, the answer is no. The pizza will stick to the wood, and you’ll end up creating holes in the dough where the blade of your cutter gets stuck.
You can cut on a metal peel if it’s large enough that you can rest the blade on top of it without it touching the pizza itself. If it’s not, you’ll need to be careful that your cutter doesn’t get stuck in the dough and make a hole as you try to cut. In any case, if you have a small pizza and a small peel, it’s best not to try cutting on the peel at all — just slide a cutting board under it and cut there instead.
What do I do if I am using a new peel for the first time?
The following steps will help you prepare your new pizza peel:
- Sprinkle the inside of the peel with flour and gently shake off any excess.
- Place a piece of uncooked dough on the peel. If the dough slides around easily, you are ready to start using your pizza peel. If it sticks, sprinkle more flour and try again until the dough slides around easily.
- Once your dough is on the peel, begin adding your sauce and toppings as desired.
Is wood or metal pizza peel better?
It depends on preference. The pizza peel is a simple tool, but there are some important differences between metal and wooden versions. Here’s what you need to know:
Wooden peels are inexpensive and have the advantage of being able to slide the pizza into the oven without sticking, unlike metal. The downside is they can be hard to clean, absorb moisture and odors, and won’t last as long as metal.
Metal peels are more expensive and heavier than wood, but they don’t absorb moisture or odors like wood can. They also won’t splinter or crack like wood can over time.
Metal peels can be harder to slide under a pizza than wooden ones because they have no give. And if you don’t flour them well, they can stick to the pizza dough when you try to slide it into the oven. However, you don’t want to use too much flour on your peel or it will burn in the oven.