How to Use a Pizza Peel on Your Pizzori

Making homemade pizza can seem like a daunting task, especially for beginners. With a little practice and the right tools, however, you'll be crafting delicious pizzas in no time.

In this article, we'll cover essential tips for beginners, pizza-to-peel methods, and peel selection tips to help you achieve pizza perfection.

Beginner Tips for Pizza Making Success

1. Make Extra Dough: Preparing more dough than you need allows you to practice your pizza-making skills without the pressure of getting it right on the first try.

2. Practice Without Toppings: Before diving into fully loaded pizzas, practice shaping and transferring plain dough to build confidence and refine your technique.

3. Start with Margherita Pizza: Once you're comfortable handling dough, begin with a simple Margherita pizza. The minimal toppings let you focus on perfecting your crust and cooking technique.

4. Avoid Too-Thin Pizzas: While thin-crust pizza may be tempting, it can be tricky for beginners. Start with a slightly thicker crust to make handling and transferring the pizza easier.

5. Try the Pull Method: When transferring your pizza to a peel, start with the pull method (explained below) to get a feel for how the dough moves.

6. Use Parchment Paper as a Backup: If all else fails, don't be afraid to cheat a little and use parchment paper to help slide your pizza onto the peel.

Pizza-to-Peel Methods

There are two primary techniques for transferring your pizza onto a peel:

1. The Pull: This method involves pulling the pizza directly onto the peel before adding toppings. Make sure your work surface is well-floured to prevent sticking.

2. The Swoop: For the swoop method, shape your pizza and add toppings before lifting the edge slightly and quickly swooping the peel underneath.

Experiment with both methods to find the one that works best for you.

Launching Your Pizza into the Oven: Tips for a Smooth Transfer

Successfully launching your pizza onto the hot pizza steel or stone in the oven is an essential skill to master for a perfectly cooked pie. This section will provide valuable tips and tricks to help you seamlessly transfer your pizza from the peel to the oven.

1. Prepare Your Peel

Before placing your pizza on the peel, lightly dust it with flour or cornmeal to prevent the dough from sticking.

This creates a barrier between the dough and the peel, allowing the pizza to slide off more easily.

2. Give It a Shake

Once your pizza is on the peel with all the toppings added, give the peel a gentle shake back and forth to ensure the pizza can move freely.

If the dough seems to be sticking, carefully lift the edge and add a little more flour or cornmeal underneath.

3. Position the Peel at the Oven's Entrance

When you're ready to launch your pizza, open the oven and carefully position the peel at a slight angle, with the leading edge resting on the pizza steel or stone.

The angle helps to ensure that the pizza slides off the peel smoothly.

4. Use a Quick, Confident Motion

With the peel in position, use a quick, confident motion to slide the pizza onto the steel or stone.

Gently jerk the peel towards you while simultaneously pulling it out from under the pizza. This motion will transfer the pizza onto the hot surface without disrupting its shape or toppings.

5. Keep an Eye on Your Pizza

As your pizza cooks, pay close attention to its progress. Depending on your oven's temperature and the thickness of your crust, cooking times may vary.

A thin-crust pizza typically takes 6-8 minutes, while a thicker crust may require 10-12 minutes. Be prepared to use your peel to rotate the pizza if necessary for even cooking.

By following these steps and practicing your launching technique, you'll soon be transferring pizzas into the oven like a pro. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if your first attempts don't go as smoothly as planned. With time and experience, you'll master the art of pizza launching and enjoy the satisfaction of creating beautiful, delicious homemade pizzas.

A video says more than a thousand words so here is one of the better videos on how work with a pizza peel:

Peel Selection Tips

Choosing the right pizza peel is crucial for successful pizza making. Here are some tips to help you find the perfect peel:

1. Read the Reviews: Some peels may look impressive, but a thick edge (such as the Ooni 2022 peel) can make the swoop method difficult. Read customer reviews to ensure you're selecting a peel with a thin, easy-to-use edge.

2. Size Matters: Your peel should match the size of the pizzas you plan to make. If you enjoy 14-inch pizzas, invest in a 14-inch peel.

3. Consider Perforation: Perforated pizza peels allow excess flour to fall away from the dough, preventing burnt flour on the bottom of your pizza. These peels can be a game-changer for both beginners and experienced pizza makers.

By following these tips and practicing your techniques, you'll be well on your way to mastering homemade pizza. Keep experimenting, have fun, and enjoy the delicious results of your efforts!