Many people neglect the most important part in making a pizza: baking. Several things like the dough and the quality of the ingredients are important but any good cook knows that the most crucial part is the baking. It is during this step that we distinguish the good from the perfect pizza.
What is a pizza peel?
Whenever you do not plan to place your dough on the grid of a kitchen oven, the pizza peel becomes the essential kitchen utensil for baking your pizza. Indeed, nothing beats a real wood-fired pizza oven to bring out all the flavors.
This object is like a large spatula designed to place and remove pizza from the oven. It has a large flat surface which is suitable for a large dough. This is called the blade. It is on this part that a long handle is attached to it.
Chef Pomodoro Pizza Peel
Aluminium blade
Chef Pomodoro’s pizza peel is the perfect companion for baking and preparing pizzas and pastries. You can use it to bake your pies, pastries, pizzas, cakes or breads.
With a 35 x 30 cm aluminum head, baking and unpacking will never be a difficult task again. Thanks to a 28 cm folding handle, you can safely place your dish in the oven while benefiting from the compact size of this pizza peel for easy storage. Plus, the stainless blade can be detached from the 100% natural pine wood handle and placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
Benefits
- Foldable and detachable handle
- Stainless aluminium blade
Disadvantage
- Small handle
Homefavor Pizza Peel
In aluminum
This Homefavor pizza peel has a 40 cm long wooden handle ensuring a good and safe grip. Its aluminum blade is very light and resists heat very well. It is also very easy to clean it by removing the handle of its blade.
However, it is recommended not to constantly screw and unscrew these two elements in order not to damage the pizza peel.
Benefits
- Unscrewable handle
- Long wooden handle
- Easy cleaning
Disadvantage
- Diameter of only 30 cm
Relaxdays Pizza Peel
Bamboo
Relaxdays offers you this bamboo pizza peel with a diameter of 30 cm. Thanks to its leveled edges, this kitchen utensil is perfect for placing or collecting all preparations directly in the oven. Thanks to the small hole on the handle, you can easily hang it on a hook and store it in your cellar or kitchen.
Benefits
- Lightweight
- Natural bamboo
Disadvantage
- Low heat resistance
Hecef Pizza Peel
Acacia wood
Made of acacia, this pizza peel from Hecef has a surface area of 30 cm allowing you to cook fairly large dishes. Whether it’s pizza, quiche or flamenkuche, this tool will help you cook your best dishes with great ease. Its large handle gives you a very good grip and its tapered edges allow you to slide your preparation smoothly into your oven.
In addition to being very resistant, acacia wood is easy to maintain. For storage, the small string at the edge of the handle allows you to hang it on any support.
Benefits
- Comes with a pizza wheel
- Elegant design
- Easy to clean
Disadvantage
- Quite heavy
Weber Pizza Peel
Stainless steel
Weber is a great reference brand in barbecue design. With a great reputation, it is therefore logical that he offers us his pizza peel. If you are a fan of barbecue pizza, then trust Weber.
Equipped with a rubber handle, the grip is pleasant and its foldable handle allows you to store it in a cupboard or hang it thanks to its eyelet.
Benefits
- Popular brand
- Folding handle
Disadvantage
- Plastic handle more sensitive to heat
Pizzacraft Pizza Peel
Bamboo
Delivered with a brush, this Pizzacraft pizza peel has a wooden handle and an aluminum blade. With a common width of 30 cm, this utensil adapts perfectly to all types of culinary preparations: pies, quiches, calzones etc.
Very light, with only 490 grams on the counter, this shovel is very manoeuvrable and easy to handle. In addition, its removable handle will facilitate storage.
Benefits
- Comes with a brush
- Foldable handle
Disadvantage
- Price slightly higher than average
How to choose a pizza peel?
Equipment
The materials usually used for making pizza peels are wood and metal. Each component has its own characteristics which each bring advantages and disadvantages. The best choice will therefore be made depending on what you are looking for.
Wooden shovels are more aesthetic and authentic, more elegant and traditional. If the handle of your kitchen utensil is short enough, you may want to consider serving your pizza directly on it without this being a problem. On the contrary, a metal model is less suitable for this type of presentation. It is then preferable to serve your preparation on a plate.
However, note that wooden pizza peels require more maintenance and should be completely dried after washing. You should also clean them thoroughly by hand and make sure not to use detergents that are harmful to the wood.
On the other hand, metal pizza peels like aluminum or steel ones are easier to use for beginners because they have a very thin blade that makes it easier to drop or remove the dough in the oven. They also tend to be lighter than wooden ones, making them easier to use and handle.
Cut
You will find many sizes of pizza peels in stores or online stores. So choose the diameter of the blade according to your needs and the capacity of your oven. Note that the standard size of a pizza varies between 26 and 33 cm in diameter.
To determine the ideal size for your shovel, use the size of the entrance to your pizza oven. Your utensil should not be too small to support your pizza and not too large to fit in your oven.
Handle
The length of the handle is an important factor to consider when selecting your pizza peel. If the handle is too short, it will be difficult for you to reach the bottom of your oven, especially if it is designed to cook multiple pizzas. However, a handle that is too long is also not ideal as it will be more difficult for you to maneuver your shovel. So choose a shovel according to the space you have around your oven.
Note that there are foldable handles on the market that allow you to save space when storing. Whether you choose a wood or metal pizza peel, the handle should be made of heat insensitive material to protect your hands from the heat of the oven
Blade shape
The blades of pizza peels are usually round or square. A square shape, however, can have the front edges rounded. There are actually no more advantages to using one form than the other.
Storage
Where is the best place to keep your pizza peel? The longer the handle, the more difficult it is to store it. Find below the list of the best places to store your tool:
- Hanging on a wall thanks to the handle fixing eyelet.
- Stored above your refrigerator or cupboards.
- Hanging in a broom cupboard.
- Below your pizza oven, if you have the change to have space.
How to maintain a pizza peel?
The maintenance of a pizza peel will differ depending on its composition. In fact, metal cannot be cleaned like wood.
Clean a metal pizza peel
Metal pizza peels are easy to maintain. The larger models do not fit in a dishwasher but can be hand washed with soap and water. Once washed, let it air dry.
Clean a wooden pizza peel
Material requires, wooden pizza peels require more care. Too much exposure to water and humidity will warp its blade. In addition, the heat from the oven can also contribute to its deformation.
To protect it, you can apply a light coating of oil on its surface. The oil will act as a sealant and help prevent warping. You can repeat this process about once a month.
It is advisable not to wash the pizza peel with water. We recommend that you wipe the surface with white vinegar instead. This acts as a disinfectant killing any microorganisms lodged in the slide.
If you need to use soap, however, dry your pizza peel immediately and then allow it to air dry. Be especially careful not to put it away until it is completely dry.
Above all, don’t: slicing your pizza on a wooden shovel can damage its surface. The cuts can then reduce the efficiency of the pizza peel by creating friction when removing the pizza.
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