Author: Maurice Savaryego, M.Sc.Eng. (Learn More)
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Pizza Pans
Pizza Pan
A good pizza pan is usually made of a thick layer of either cast iron, aluminum or aluminized steel. These thick metallic pans absorb and accumulate a lot of heat in very short time and are able to distribute that heat rapidly to the bottom of the pizza crust, bringing in very little time the whole pizza to the same uniform oven temperature. Therefore, just like with the stone, the crust is able to cook uniformly resulting with no danger of the bottom getting burned by the time the pizza toppings are cooked.
Pizza pans do not have the microscopic pores found on pizza stones that absorb the humidity from the dough and help form a crisp crust. To compensate for that, and mostly in thinner pizza pans, tiny holes are perforated on their surface. Note that these holes are not needed when the pan is made of thick metal that retains a lot of heat.
The main advantage of pizza pans over pizza stones is that they do not break or crack if they undergo drastic temperature changes or if they are dropped. They can be placed in hot ovens with no worries. Also they can be washed with non-caustic soap or non-caustic detergents as they won't absorb liquids. But the detergent should be washed off with lots of water before the pan is dried.
Pizza pans do not have the microscopic pores found on pizza stones that absorb the humidity from the dough and help form a crisp crust. To compensate for that, and mostly in thinner pizza pans, tiny holes are perforated on their surface. Note that these holes are not needed when the pan is made of thick metal that retains a lot of heat.
The main advantage of pizza pans over pizza stones is that they do not break or crack if they undergo drastic temperature changes or if they are dropped. They can be placed in hot ovens with no worries. Also they can be washed with non-caustic soap or non-caustic detergents as they won't absorb liquids. But the detergent should be washed off with lots of water before the pan is dried.
So which to use: a Stone or a Pan?
In either case, heating rapidly the bottom of the pizza and reaching rapidly a uniform temperature throughout the pizza while baking are the main requirements for best results. Both type of pizza supports achieve these two points in their own way as described above.
Even though most pizza aficionados would prefer the pizza stone, nowadays there are pizza pans that produce perfectly cooked pizza crusts. As a matter of fact, many Amazon buyers of pizza pans have written in their reviews that they prefer them to pizza stones. However, at the end of the day, even if to a certain degree this is a matter of personal taste, a good pizza stone does have a slight edge over the best pizza pan in terms of cooking results, as long as the stone is not subjected to drastic heat changes and is not dropped,
You will find below a selection of the best pizza stones and pizza pans available on Amazon.
Two Important Notes:
1. Pizza stones come in various prices. You should be careful when you select your pizza stone as those that are very low priced will not last as long and may eventually crack.
2. If you buy a pizza stone or a pizza pan do not forget to get also your pizza peel and pizza wheel which facilitate greatly handling the hot pizza. Pizza peels are required to transfer the pizza dough onto the hot pizza stone or pan, and the cooked pizza from the hot pizza stone or pan onto a cutting board. Pizza wheels are used to cut easily the pizza into slices. Both tools are offered below in the Amazon section.
Even though most pizza aficionados would prefer the pizza stone, nowadays there are pizza pans that produce perfectly cooked pizza crusts. As a matter of fact, many Amazon buyers of pizza pans have written in their reviews that they prefer them to pizza stones. However, at the end of the day, even if to a certain degree this is a matter of personal taste, a good pizza stone does have a slight edge over the best pizza pan in terms of cooking results, as long as the stone is not subjected to drastic heat changes and is not dropped,
You will find below a selection of the best pizza stones and pizza pans available on Amazon.
Two Important Notes:
1. Pizza stones come in various prices. You should be careful when you select your pizza stone as those that are very low priced will not last as long and may eventually crack.
2. If you buy a pizza stone or a pizza pan do not forget to get also your pizza peel and pizza wheel which facilitate greatly handling the hot pizza. Pizza peels are required to transfer the pizza dough onto the hot pizza stone or pan, and the cooked pizza from the hot pizza stone or pan onto a cutting board. Pizza wheels are used to cut easily the pizza into slices. Both tools are offered below in the Amazon section.
Quality Pizza Stones on Amazon
Quality Pizza Pans on Amazon
Additional Tools for a Successful Home Pizza Experience
Pizza Peels and Pizza Wheels
Pizza Peels are required to transfer the pizza dough onto the hot pizza stone or pan, and the cooked pizza from the hot pizza stone or pan onto a cutting board
Pizza Wheels are used to cut easily the pizza into slices.
