Have you taken the leap and started cooking pizzas from the comfort of your home?
If so, you’re aware of the many benefits brought forward by this venture. Not only is it less expensive and healthier than ordering takeaway, but cooking your own delicious meals is very rewarding (take it from me, who’s been making pizzas at home for years!).
Just like you need a quality pizza oven, you also need to use the right accessories. This includes fresh ingredients, a quality stone, and of course, a good pizza peel.
NEVER go with the first or the cheapest pizza peel you come across. Seasoned pizza makers like myself understand why this is a big mistake. A pizza peel is essential to the cooking process. In this buyer’s guide, I’ll talk more about why this tool is so important. Make sure to stick around!
Product | Review | Rating | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Roccbox Pizza Peel | Read Review | 5.0 | Check Prices |
Ooni Pizza Peel | Read Review | 4.5 | Check Prices |
Argon Tableware Aluminium Pizza Peel | Read Review | 4.5 | |
GA Homefavor Wooden Pizza Peel | Read Review | 4.5 | |
GA Homefavor Aluminium Pizza Paddle | Read Review | 4.8 |
Perfect for placing dough or trays in and out of the oven, this Gozney Roccbox pizza peel is expertly designed with one tapered edge that allows ease when accessing baked goods or pans.
This Ooni Pizza Peel is just that—a pizza peel. It does not come with a handle, which makes it very easy to clean and store in a home kitchen. Because of its compact size, it is perfect in conjunction with smaller ovens, particularly tabletop ones.
On a budget? Just looking for a cheap pizza paddle that will get the job done? The Argon Tableware Aluminium Pizza Peel is for you.
The GA Homefavor Wooden Pizza Peel is very different from the previous two metal options. In the buyer’s guide below, we discuss the difference between wood and metal paddles.
This is yet another great option from GA Homefavor. This paddle is perfect for rotating and taking your pizza out of the oven. The thin, lightweight aluminium blade is manageable while still being durable. It slides easily under your finished crust, ensuring that your pizza retains its integrity.
A pizza peel is a shovel-like tool you use to take your dough in and out of the oven. You also use it to rotate the dough throughout the baking process to ensure it is cooked thoroughly and consistently. Without a peel, baking is difficult. You won’t be able to efficiently turn the pizza as it is cooking. Plus, peels protect you from the hot temperatures of the oven.
Looking to buy a pizza peel? There are many factors you should take into consideration to get the one that’s right for you.
Across the board, pizza peels are relatively inexpensive. You don’t have to worry as much about finding one for a fair price as you would a pizza oven or other high-end pieces of equipment.
However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider price. No matter what kind of paddle you are looking for, you shouldn’t have to break the bank to get a quality one.
More expensive ones might offer better features, but keep in mind that a higher price doesn’t always translate to higher quality.
You’ll find that most paddles are made with either wood or some kind of metal. Each has its pros and cons. At the end of the day, it comes down to your personal preference. As you’ll see in the next two sections, it is beneficial to have both on hand.
One of the main advantages of a wooden pizza paddle is the aesthetic. They are very traditional and create a rustic look. This is great not only for your kitchen’s style but also for serving guests. You can leave the pizza on wooden peels and use them as elegant serving trays!
A wooden pizza paddle is perfect for assembling your pizza. Then, you can use it to load the dough and toppings into the oven. Even though the dough is less likely to stick to wood, you should still apply flour to the wood’s surface.
One downfall of wood is that it tends to absorb flavour and food particles. You have to carefully clean and sanitize it, being sure to not use harsh chemicals. You should also avoid abrasive scrubbers as they can damage the grain. After washing it, you must wait until it is completely dry before using it again.
Two of the most popular metals include stainless steel and aluminium. Compared to wood, these metals are much easier to clean and sanitize. Many are dishwasher-safe, and you don’t have to let them air-dry for hours before using them again.
Metal paddles aren’t great for building your dough and toppings on. This is because the dough tends to stick to them more easily even if you cover them in flour. However, metal peels are perfect for quickly loading and rotating your pizza during the baking process. They are also great for taking a finished product right out of the oven.
There’s nothing wrong with using metal as a serving platter, but it’s typically not as attractive as wood.
The handle is what protects you from serious burns, so it’s definitely an important factor to consider. Here are some questions you should ask yourself:
The peel size you use to handle uncooked dough should be big enough to hold the whole thing. This will prevent dough from falling off the sides and ruining your final product.
As for the peel size you use to handle cooked or partially cooked pizzas, it can be a little smaller. Cooked dough is firmer and, therefore, won’t drop off of the sides.
You want to make sure you can easily store your paddle. Of course, a smaller paddle will make it more convenient. Features such as removable or foldable handles will also make this easier. If your kitchen has a lot of space, you don’t need to worry about finding a tool with convenient storing capabilities.
Now that you know what a pizza paddle is, you should know how to properly use one. This will help you determine what kind is best for your home kitchen.
Most professionals assemble the dough and toppings on a cool countertop. Then, they’ll use a metal peel to put it in the oven. It won’t stick because it’s only going to be on the metal peel for a short time.
Another method involves building your dough and toppings on a wooden pizza paddle. Then, you load it into the oven. You can also transfer it to a metal peel to put it in the oven. Regardless, you should use a metal one when rotating the pizza and taking it out of the oven.
No matter what kind of paddle you use, be sure to coat it with flour to prevent the dough from sticking. Peels are very versatile and don’t have to be used just for pizza. They are great for other ventures such as baking bread or pastries.
As you can probably tell, there’s a lot to know about buying a pizza peel in the UK. There are plenty of products on the market, but not all of them will help you cook the perfect pizza.
Hopefully, with these recommendations and the buyer’s guide, I’ve made the process of finding the right one for you a little easier.