Home pizza chefs know that homemade pizza is truly the best way to make a pizza. However, these chefs also know how frustrating it can be when the don’t have the correct equipment to make their pizza. One of the most important things they can have in their kitchen is a pizza peel. A pizza peel helps remove the pizza from the stone in the oven, even if it is stuck on by cheese. The peel also helps prevent you from burning your hands trying to get the pizza out of the oven. Here is the correct way to use a pizza peel.
Step-By-Step Guide: How to Use a Pizza Peel
Step 1: Sprinkle flour onto the peel and make sure it is well dusted. You may even want to lightly rub it into the peel, especially if you are using a wood peel.
Step 2: If you are planning on making your pizza right on the peel, make sure you have all the ingredients ready to go. You don’t want the dough to get warm and stick on the peel so you have to work fast.
Step 3: Place the rolled out dough on the peel and gently shake the peel back and forth to make sure the dough doesn’t stick to it. Quickly make your pizza.
Step 4: Once the pizza stone has been heated for at least a half hour, open the oven door and hover the peel an inch over the pizza stone.
Step 5: This step requires practice but you’ll get it in no time. In one quick jerk, push the peel forward and flick it back to slide the pizza on the stone while you pull the peel out of the oven. Use the video below for guidance.
Step 6: Close the oven door and bake the pizza 10-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted. You can use the peel to lift up the pizza to check the bottom of the crust.
Step 7: When the pizza is done cooking, open the oven door and slide the peel under the pizza.
Step 8: Pull the peel out of the oven with the pizza on top.
Step 9: Set the peel on top of the stove or slide the pizza onto a wooden cutting board on the counter. Cut the pizza and enjoy!