
Ever wondered how restaurants and pizzerias manage to make their pizza seem so perfect?
The perfect pizza will always have the perfect crust.
At the end of each bite, the texture will always have the most considerable influence on the experience, don’t you agree?
The way pizza is cooked make all the difference. To do that, you got to have the right oven and the right Pizza Peel.
What is a Pizza Peel?
A Pizza Peel is usually a shovel-shaped paddle that is used by bakers to set the pizza in an out of the oven.
There are different kinds of peels out there for the different type of bread or pastry. Like they say, to each their own.
Traditionally, peels are entirely made out of wood and have long handles, which are used to reach up to the far back of huge ovens.
Peels like these traditionally have a rounded shape and are thick. There are also smaller ones that are used for smaller ovens usually found at home. Experts suggest using square shaped peels to make home-cooking easier.
There are also peels that use a metal sheet instead of wood to achieve a flatter and smoother surface and to make it easier to slide the bread in.
Some also have wooden handles attached to avoid injuries as metal conducts heat quite well. You will see peels that are made of composite materials also which makes it thinner than a wooden peel but still thicker than a metal sheet pizza peel.
How To Use A Pizza Peel Properly?
If you aim to be quite the seasoned pizzaiolo, then you got to learn how to use a pizza peel properly.
To get that crust with the right amount of crisp and the well-toasted underside, you have to set your dough on a hot surface as you would find in a traditional stone oven.
At home, you could use a pizza stone for that. The oven would often reach temperatures up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, and direct exposure to heat like this would mean severe burns and injuries.
To set the pizza inside the oven, You should drizzle the peel with a bit of flour or cornmeal to lubricate the surface of the peel and make the bread slide into the oven easily.
The dough would frequently stick to the peel and ruin the pizza if this step is skipped.
After baking, the peel would literally 'peel' the bread from the hot surface and then taken out of the oven. Doing this using a wooden peel takes a lot of practice and skill.
Where To Buy a Pizza Peel
You could check out some local stores nearby. If you had no luck and wanted something that is of excellent quality, I’ve handpicked some stores for you to check out.
1. Epicurean
You should definitely check out the Epicurean. The products they have are of good quality, and they sell at fairly reasonable prices.
They use a paper-based fiber composite to make their materials which is of good quality, and the production of the material is environmentally friendly.
They have several choices for the pizza peels, and they also sell a lot of other wares that are great for any kitchen.
2. Amazon
There is a vast number of choices that can be found in Amazon. It basically has your back if you are in a rush.
If you are about to begin and looking for a gentle peel just to try out, or an intermediate cook that has an eye for detail, Amazon will definitely have a product that will surely satisfy your needs.
3. Nisbets
Nisbets also has a lot to offer with its vast arsenal of catering equipment. This is your all around store that can get you anything you need that is kitchen related.
There isn’t much to mention here, the brand speaks for itself. If you have nowhere else to go, this should be your go-to place for kitchenware and care.
4. eBay
You could always check-out eBay with a countless number of items for sale.
You’ll have to be quite the veteran to get something that’s well worth your cash. With a bit of patience, you will surely find a peel that is right for you.
Though some might think that it would be a bit sketchy, it’s definitely worth a try.
Ending Words
Relying on the perfect crust and texture alone wouldn’t give you the results you are looking for.
You’ve got to try out different techniques and recipes that would turn out best for your tastes.
And last but not the least, don't forget to leave a comment for us here about your pizza experience.
Thanks, William for the nice article.
You are welcome, Zoua!