It’s National Pizza Week, and we’ve got the perfect way to celebrate — eating a perfect home-cooked pizza! Did you know that pizza is one of the most popular foods in the United States? That’s right - Americans eat over three billion pizzas every year. Deep dish, flatbread, cauliflower crust, stuffed crust, red sauce, white sauce, presto, BBQ sauce, all-meat, vegetarian... the possibilities are just endless. It makes sense why we dedicate a whole week to celebrating this delicious, versatile pie. But what’s the secret to the best home-cooked pizza? Read on to find out.
What is the Best Cookware for My Pizza?
No matter what you are cooking up in your kitchen, your cookware and kitchen tools make a big difference in the outcome of your food! Here are 4 different types of cookware for your home-cooked pizza:
Pizza Stone
Pizza stones help transform your oven to act like a brick oven by cooking your pizza at a higher temperature than your oven allows. The stone absorbs heat easily and retains it for long periods of time, helping you cook the perfect pizza.
Pizza Stone Tips:
- Leave the stone in your oven while it preheats. You want your pizza stone to be hot from the moment your pizza begins cooking. Do not place a pizza stone in a hot oven, or your stone could break or explode due to thermal shock.
- When cleaning, allow the stone to cool completely before rinsing. Do not use soap to clean your stone. If needed, use salt or baking soda to help scrub off pizza residue.
Pizza Pan
If you are using a pizza pan to cook your pizza, you have a big choice to make: holes or no holes. If you prefer a crispy pizza, you should use a perforated pizza pan. The holes along the bottom of the pan allow heat to move across the base of the pizza, cooking it quickly and giving it a crispy crust. If you prefer a chewy crust, a pan without holes maintains more moisture, giving you a softer crust. Try this easy Cheesy Pan Pizza recipe!
Cast Iron
Like a pizza stone, a cast iron skillet has amazing heat retention that cooks your pizza fast and creates a crispy crust. Check out this simple cast iron pizza recipe!
Cast Iron Tips:
- Preheat the cast iron skillet on your stovetop over medium to high heat for five minutes before adding the pizza.
- If you are making homemade pizza, allow your dough to bubble in the skillet on the stove before adding the rest of the ingredients and cooking in the oven.
Baking Sheet
You probably already have a baking sheet in your kitchen, which makes it an easy tool for home-cooked pizza. Cooking pizza on a baking sheet may take a bit longer, but you can still create a delicious meal! Try this Classic Sheet Pan Pizza recipe using your baking sheet.
Baking Sheet Tips:
- Light-colored pans require a higher temperature and more baking time.
- Precook the dough for five minutes to achieve a crispier crust.
What is the Ideal Temperature for a Pizza?
The ideal temperature to cook your pizza really depends on your cooking method. Let’s compare the ideal temperature for different kinds of ovens.
Conventional Oven
A conventional oven has two heating elements inside, one from the bottom and one from the top. Since there is no fan to help air circulate, rotating your pizza may be a good idea to ensure it cooks evenly. When it comes to pizza, the hotter the temperature, the better. The ideal temperature for cooking pizza in a conventional oven is 450-500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Convection Oven
A convection oven has the same heating elements as a conventional oven PLUS a fan that helps circulate hot air. This fan helps cook your food faster because it distributes hot air on all sides of your meal. As a result, the temperature of your convection oven should be a little bit lower than a conventional oven. The ideal temperature for cooking pizza in a convection oven is 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pizza Oven
If you’re lucky enough to own this appliance, cooking your pizza takes much less time. Most home ovens only reach up to 500-550 degrees Fahrenheit. A pizza oven can reach higher temperatures, cooking your pizza extremely quickly. The ideal temperature for cooking a pizza in a pizza oven is between 650-750 degrees Fahrenheit. The high temperature will ensure a crispy crust for your pie. *Chefs kiss.*
Let’s Cook!
Now that you know all about the best methods for home-cooked pizza, it’s time to get cooking! Call or visit our store if you need a new oven to cook that perfect pizza pie. At Elders Appliance, we’ll help you compare options and find what works best! The only thing left to decide after that is whether pineapple belongs on pizza!