Sometimes I think I am too strict with my children when it comes to healthy meals and lifestyle. That’s why I occasionally let them decide what we are going to have for dinner. Out of all the things my kids like to eat, pizza is their favorite choice.
I must admit, the first time I made pizza at home, I was a little bit unprepared. Transferring a raw pizza into the convection oven is not an easy task, especially if you do it just with your hands!
I’ve spilled the pizza topping all over the kitchen and got burned. 🙁
That’s when I’ve realized I need to buy myself a pizza peel. I immediately started the search for the leading pizza peel on the market.
Best Pizza Peel
If you want to find out more about the usage of pizza peels and what are the top pizza peels on the market, in my opinion – please continue reading.
What is pizza peel, and why do you need it?
A pizza peel is a tool with a flat paddle and a long handle at one end. It is the safest way to put in and take out your pizza or bread from the oven.
I didn’t think about buying a pizza peel until I started to make homemade pizza more often. Due to a lack of free time, we usually ordered pizza. That is why I didn’t have it in my kitchen. Moreover, I’ve always thought of it as something that is used mostly in restaurants.
I wrote to you about the good-looking and good quality cookware and other kitchen tools that I have. If you read them, you will see that I like my kitchen tools to accommodate the style of my kitchen. In the past, I’ve found pizza peels not so pretty, but this search changed my mind.
The key to crispy and well-cooked pizza is the placement in the oven.
Moreover, you need to rotate the pizza a couple of times before you take it out of the oven. That way, it is going to be cooked evenly. You should also check the bottom of the pizza to know if it is ready.
These are the situations when pizza peel comes to help and makes everything easier.
What to consider when buying pizza peel?
Materials
Two different materials are used for pizza peels: wood, metal, or a combination of both.
Both of these materials have advantages and disadvantages. Some of them can be surpassed easily if you follow a few simple rules.
Wooden pizza peel
Wooden pizza peels are easy to use but hard to maintain. The biggest advantage of a wooden pizza peel is that your raw pizza is not going to stick on the peel.
Sometimes I totally forget about putting the cornmeal or sifted flour on the peel before putting the pizza. Wood will usually prevent sticking, so you won’t have to worry about that.
Aesthetically, they are more appealing than their metal counterparts, so that is why many people buy them, not knowing their biggest advantage.
Unfortunately, not everything is great with this material. They can be thick, so it is difficult to rotate the pizza during the baking process. Moreover, they can absorb food odor and are hard to maintain.
That is why I am going to give you a couple of tips so your wooden pizza peel can last more:
- Air dry them after washing.
- Don’t use them as a cutting board (if you need a new cutting board, recommendations may come in handy)
- Rub them with mineral oil occasionally
You should always look for the ones that are made of higher quality wood. Low-quality wooden pizza peels can crack easily, even split in half.
These accidents usually happen while transferring a raw pizza into the oven, leaving you with a lot of mess to clean and without pizza.
Metal pizza peel
This type of pizza peel is usually made out of aluminum or stainless steel. If you want it to last longer, stainless steel is the way to go. They are thin, so you can easily rotate the pizza while baking and take it out of the oven.
More so, they are easy to clean and long-lasting. Just wash it after you’ve finished cooking and you’re done. There are no stains, no odors, no air drying.
However, being made out of metal has its disadvantages. Raw pizza dough tends to stick to metal surfaces. The longer a raw pizza stays on the pizza peels, the harder it is to slide off of it.
Maybe it is better to prepare the pizza on another surface and put it on the metal pizza peel right before you plan to bake it.
You should also coat the surface of a pizza peel with cornmeal or flour before placing the raw pizza on it. That way, there is less chance of sticking.
Shape
There are two different shapes of pizza peel: rounded and square-headed.
Professionals use rounded peels because of the small doorway and easy maneuvering of the pizza in large stoves.
On the other hand, square-headed are more practical for small ovens and grills, like the ones you have at home.
See Also: Quality Oven Mitts For Your Kitchen
Size
The pizza peels come in more than one size. Usually, manufacturers only note the size of a paddle or a total length. This can be a problem, especially for those who have less space for kitchen tools.
The size of a paddle varies from 12 to more than 16 inches. Choosing the right size depends on the size of your oven. Usually, manufacturers make the same type of pizza peel in different sizes, so I am sure you will find the right for you.
If you are a beginner, it is a good idea to get the smaller one, around 14 inches. I do not recommend anything smaller than that. With this size, you can learn to handle pizza peels easily. It is easier to rotate it during the baking process, and you probably won’t spill the pizza topping while transferring.
I don’t like to expose my hands to a really hot oven. That is why I recommend getting a pizza peel with a medium-size handle. Why medium size, you ask? If the handle is too big, it will be harder to rotate the pizza while baking.
You should always look for a metal pizza peel with a wooden handle. Metal conducts heat easier than wood, so even if you take care, you can get burned.
Current popular pizza peels on the market – My Reviews 2022
Pizza Royale Ethically Sourced Premium Natural Bamboo Pizza Peel
This beautiful bamboo pizza peel by Pizza Royale will make placing and removing pizza or bread from the oven much easier. Plus, it will impress everyone when you use it to serve the pizza on the table and give them the feeling that they are being served at a real Italian restaurant.
The ethically sourced bamboo wood used for making this peel has a gorgeous natural look and patterning.
The pizza peel is offered in a large (19.6 x 12 inch) size, as well as in an extra-large (23.5 x 15 inch) size.
Even if you don’t make pizza so often and maybe think that buying a dedicated peel for it is a bit of overkill, you don’t have to worry about purchasing this product because you can use it for a wide range of purposes.
You can use it for serving beautifully cut cheese, meats, fruits, and just about any other type of food. You can also use it as a cutting board for bread or cheese.
The paddle is large but not too hefty (it weighs 1.9 lbs.), so you shouldn’t have problems handling the pizza or bread.
The handle is contoured and offers a secure and comfortable grip, so you don’t drop the food on the floor.
This peel is made of top-quality wood, which has been finished in a way that will prevent any splintering, cracking, or warping. It can be washed safely with warm water and soap.
Plus, it is sold with a 180-day satisfaction guarantee.
Pros
- Made of premium quality sustainable bamboo
- Available in two sizes – large and extra-large
- It can be used for serving or cutting food
- It looks beautiful
- Comfortable to hold and light
- Not too thick to load or unload the bread or pizza
- The dough won’t stick on the peel.
Cons
- The large size is too small for 14-inch pizzas.
Aluminum Metal Pizza Peel with Foldable Wood Handle for Easy Storage
Probably the greatest feature of this Aluminum Pizza Peel is its foldable handle. This makes it much more compact and easy to store in a drawer when not in use. This, as you probably will agree, is essential, if you like me are tired of trying to sort all the bulky kitchen appliances and utensils in a small-sized kitchen.
This aluminum pizza paddle is 12 (W) x 14 (L) inches in size and has a foldable 10-inch handle made of wood, so the total length, when extended, is 24 inches.
The paddle is made of safe, commercial-grade aluminum, and the handle is made of real pine wood.
Thanks to its thin edges, loading and unloading the pizza or bread in the oven will be hassle-free.
You can use it to gently transfer cakes and other delicate desserts and goods from their pans into serving dishes. You can also use it to place them in the oven to be baked.
Thanks to the safety backstop, the handle will not bend under the weight of the pizza.
The paddle is easy to wash with a soft sponge and water and is light and comfortable to hold.
Pros
- A nifty foldable design to save storage space in the kitchen
- Easy to use for loading and unloading pizza, cakes, bread, and other foods in and out of the oven
- Made of safe and durable aluminum and real pine wood
- It is light
Cons
- It may be too narrow for you if you are used to making 14-inch pizzas.
Kitchen Supply 14-Inch x 16-Inch Aluminum Pizza Peel with Wood Handle
To be honest, I expected more out of this pizza peel. The first thing I noticed is the lower quality in comparison to the previous two pizza peels that I’ve tried. It has really sharp edges, so be careful when you unbox this pizza peel. However, this can be fixed easily with a bit of sanding.
I also noticed it is lightweight. Maybe too lightweight for my taste. I was scared that it’s going to bend easily, especially with heavier pizza.
There are some questionable design choices too. The handle is made out of wood, which is a plus. But it is so big and doesn’t have a hole, so forget about hanging it on the wall. That is unless you drill a hole by yourself.
When it comes to usage, it gets the job done. The thin edges can easily go under the pizza. The flexibility of its lightweight aluminum makes rotating the pizza easier. The paddle size is just right for medium size pizzas. I just wish it was higher quality, and I’m not sure how long it’s going to last.
Pros
- Cheap
- Wooden handle
- Thin edges slide under the pizza easily.
- The flexibility of the aluminum paddle is good for rotating the pizza in the oven.
Cons
- Sharp edges
- Too lightweight
- Lengthy handle
- Hard to store
- It doesn’t have a hole for hanging on the wall
Related article – Pizza Stone Reviews 2022: Top 5+ Recommended
Ironwood 28744 Lucca Mini Pizza Peel, Acacia Wood
This pizza peel is more expensive than all of the above. You now probably understand why I had big expectations. Sure, the higher price doesn’t always mean higher quality. But you know I like to check if some products are worth their price. This situation is no different.
Because it is only the second on this list made of wood, I am going to compare them.
If you don’t look carefully, you will think that this is the same product as the first one. It is made out of acacia wood, looks beautiful, and has a hole for hanging on the wall. They also have the same shape too.
However, comparing them side by side, there are differences. The biggest differences are the edges and quality.
The edge is not as tapered as on the first one, leaving you with only one way to handle your pizza. I’ve also noticed that the surface is not as smooth as on the first one. You should definitely sand it before you use it, or your pizza will stick.
Acacia wood is known for its unique contrasting patterns. Unfortunately, this pizza peel doesn’t look as attractive as the first one. You can barely see patterns and looks bland in comparison to the one made by Heritage. This is not a downside. Maybe I was spoiled with the beautiful look of the Heritage pizza peel.
The handle is sturdy with a wider base. The broader base of the handle will give you a secure grip. It will also reduce slips.
In my opinion, this is not worthy of a higher price than the one made by Heritage. If you decide to buy a wooden pizza peel, the first one is a better option and has more value for the price.
Pros
- Gorgeous looks
- Sturdy wooden handle
- There is a hole for hanging on the wall
Cons
- The surface is not perfectly smooth
- Not a good value for the price
See also: Top 5 Flour Sifters in 2022
American Metalcraft 3714 Pizza Peels, 37″ Length x 14″ Width
This pizza peel is pretty similar to the previous one. The big difference is higher quality.
The first thing to do after unboxing is to remove the plastic cover on both sides of the pizza peel. This is not some special coating that will prevent your pizza from sticking. It is there to protect the surface from damage during the manufacturing process. It is barely visible, so you might not notice it.
If you leave it, the plastic will melt and ruin your pizza and your pizza stone. I’m surprised manufacturers didn’t include a note to warn the users.
The paddle is made of aluminum, while the handle is made out of wood. It is really well made.
The handle is securely attached to the metal part, so there is no fear that it’s going to come loose.
Even though it comes in two different sizes, I still find them to be on the bigger side. This one doesn’t have a hole in the handle too. If you want to hang it on the wall, you need to drill a hole by yourself. At least you don’t have to sand the edges.
Pros
- Well built
- Available in two different sizes
- Wooden handle
Cons
- The manufacturer didn’t note that it has a plastic cover on the surface that you need to remove before using
- Hard to store because of its size
- Doesn’t have a hole in for hanging on the wall
See also: Which is the perfect frozen pizza?
Conclusion & My Recommendation
The Pizza Royale Ethically Sourced Premium Natural Bamboo Pizza Peel is, my favorite when it comes to designing and loading the pizza. However, if you want it to last longer, you need to take good care.
I would recommend you to buy one more pizza peel that is made of metal. Wooden pizza peels will never be as thin as metal counterparts.
The thinness of metal pizza peels makes rotating and unloading the pizza from the oven more practical, especially if you are a beginner. Sometimes even I have difficulties with sticking and handling.
Therefore, I make my pizza on the wooden one, then I slide it into the oven. When it’s baked I use the metal one to unload it.
And don’t forget to coat the surface with cornmeal, even if your pizza peel is made of wood. Just to make sure your pizza won’t stick. 🙂
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