What is a pizza peel?

A pizza peel is a kitchen tool that is used to transfer pizzas from the preparation surface to the oven. It is typically a long wooden or metal paddle with a flat surface on one end and a handle on the other.

The peel allows the cook to slide the pizza onto and off of the baking stone in the oven without burning their hands. You will also use the pizza peel to get the pizza out of the pizza oven, to turn the pizza, or take it out of the oven when it is ready to get eaten. So basically it is a must-have tool when you are buying a pizza oven.

The best way to use  a pizza peel:

When your pizza is ready for the oven simply slide the pizza on the pizza peel. Then transport it to the pizza oven en let the pizza slide in from the pizza peel. Because the pizza peel has a handle you can place the pizza in the right spot near the heat.

When it is time to turn the pizza you can slide the pizza on the pizza peel again, then turn the pizza a bit and put it back in the oven, or you could buy a specifical design pizza turning peel for that part. When the pizza is ready you can use the pizza peel to take it out of the oven without burning your hands.

Some pizza ovens come with a pizza peel if that is the case you can simply start with that one and see if you like it. Once you are more experienced you can opt for another pizza peel because you want to experiment or heard good things about a type of peel, because you do not like your current pizza peel. 

There are a lot of different types of pizza peels available below you will find a list of different types of pizza peels:

1) Wooden pizza peel

A wooden pizza peel most of the time has a sloped end. The sloped edge makes it easier to slide a pizza from your worktop onto the shovel. A wooden pizza shovel without a sloped front is really just a pizza board.

2) Aluminum pizza peel

Aluminum pizza peel has a great advantage in that it is a light and strong material. Perfect properties for a pizza peel. Pizza peels can be made of untreated aluminum.

But pizza peels can also be made with treated aluminum. Because it is treated it has a nice smooth finish. These pizza peels are generally slightly more expensive than those made of untreated aluminum. But they will last a lifetime if you take care of them.

3) Stainless steel pizza peel

Stainless steel is a bit heavier than aluminum. It is also somewhat stronger and stiffer than aluminum.  A stainless steel pizza peel is an excellent option for the hobby baker and will last you for many years.

4) Perforated pizza peel

These pizza peels are perforated, which makes the pizza easier to slide off. The perforations will also make it possible for the flower to drop of before you put it in the pizza oven.

5) Nonstick coated pizza peel

It is all in the name, these pizza peels have a nonstick coating similar to the coating used on your normal pans. 

Some pizza peels are a combination of both pizza peels for example a steel pizza peel that is perforated or a steel pizza peel that has a nonstick coating or a perforated steel nonstick coated pizza peel.

The best way to store a pizza peel:

The best way to store your pizza peel is to hang it or to let it stand somewhere. We prefer hanging it because then the risk of it falling is minimal. 

What to watch for when buying a pizza peel

If you are buying online it is often hard to see if the pizza peel is of good quality. You are then best off looking at reviews or recommendations from someone you trust.

One thing to look at is the way how the stem and blade are attached to each other. This is the weakest point of the pizza peel and if something goes wrong it will probably be here.

Pizza turning peel

We just talked about pizza peels and these are typically used for putting the pizza in and taking the pizza out of the pizza oven. But we also need to turn the pizza during its time in the oven, this is possible with a normal pizza peel, but you have to get the pizza out of the oven with the peel then turn it and put it back in the oven.

Now this means that the pizza could cool down a bit because you have the pizza out of the oven. That’s why they made a pizza turning peel.

This is typically a smaller peel that is most of the time round, with this peel it is possible to turn the pizza while it stays in the oven. If you want to up your pizza-making game, this is a must-have.

Conclusion

At the moment we prefer the perforated pizza peel, just because we like the feel of it, it seems to be less sticking of pizza to the peel and because of the perforations, the excess flower will fall through the perforations and not end up in your pizza oven.