Pizza Making Equipment
A home cooked pizza fills the kitchen with a fragrant aroma and can be a nutritious and enjoyable family meal. By having the right equipment and a few tools on hand, the pizza preparation is simplified and the cook will be rewarded with consistent results. Most kitchens are already stocked with the basics but by adding a few tools designed specifically for making pizza, everyone in the family will want to try their hand at duplicating a favorite recipe. Much of the equipment used by professional pizza chefs is available to consumers and can be purchased online or through a local kitchenware shop.
Equipment for Preparing the Pizza
Making a tasty pizza is a step-by-step process that when followed closely, produces a professional looking dish. After the recipe is selected and all ingredients are on hand, the following equipment should be gathered:
- A large mixing bowl, preferably glass or stainless steel. A bowl with a fitted cover works well or the bowl may be covered with a fresh towel during the rising process.
- A clean and flat surface area is necessary to work the dough. Some chefs recommend using a large wooden cutting board while others will work directly on a countertop. The surface will be floured during the preparation and will require thorough cleaning after use.
- A pair of large tongs should be available to use when handling the pre-formed dough.
Pizza pan sizes vary according to the style of the dish and personal preference. Deep-dish pizzas require a pan with 1 – 2 inch sides and are available in round or rectangular shapes. For a thin-crust pizza, available pizza trays will accommodate an individual size of 8 inches up to 14 inch pizzas.
Pizza Ovens, Stones and Cutting Tools
Cooking pizza in a wood-burning oven produces a delicious pie with a crisp crust and soft center. A pizza stone made of ceramic or brick composites duplicates the effect without investing in an expensive wood fire oven. Either a gas or electric oven will produce good results as long as the temperature is accurate and closely monitored. Having a peel on hand, similar to a large wooden spatula, helps remove the pie from the oven to the table. Pizza cutters with serrated edges are designed to cut easily through the crust and will quickly slice the pie into the desired pieces.
