Buying a pizza peel wasn’t really something I considered for quite a long time. It just never really entered my head that I needed one for home. However, once I bought one I realized just how easier it makes things, especially when making homemade pizza. If you ever make pizza at home you will know that it is a pain to transfer your freshly created masterpiece from the counter top to the oven without the shape getting ruined and the toppings going everywhere. The pizza peel is the answer to professional quality pizza from your own oven.
You will need to make the choice between getting a wooden peel or a metal peel. Wooden ones are easier as the dough doesn’t stick but they do take more maintenance and washing them is a pain. I like wood as I can make the pizza directly on the peel and then transfer to the oven. With metal you can’t really do this as by the time the pizza is ready for the oven it will be stuck to the metal surface, although you can overcome this problem by remembering to add some flour before you begin. The advantages of metal include; are easier to wash, they last longer and they are easier to get pizzas out of the oven with as you can slide them right underneath.
So let’s take a look at some of the best ones available right now.
Contents
- 1. Kitchen Supply 14-Inch x 16-Inch Aluminum Pizza Peel
- 2. Pizza Royale Ethically Sourced Premium Natural Bamboo Pizza Peel
- 3. Heritage Acacia Wood Pizza Peel
- 4. Epicurean Pizza Peel, 21.5-Inch by 14-Inch, Natural
- 5. Chef Pomodoro Aluminum Metal Pizza Peel with Foldable Wood Handle
- Things to consider before buying
- Conclusion
1. Kitchen Supply 14-Inch x 16-Inch Aluminum Pizza Peel
This pizza peel has been a hugely popular seller on Amazon and is their choice item in this category. Made in the USA with an aluminum head and wooden handle this peel is ideal for sliding pizzas in and out of all kinds of ovens.
It is 14-inch wide by 16-inch long and has an 8 inch long handle meaning it can reach the back of even the deepest ovens whilst keeping your hands away from the heat.
As it is metal you will need to apply flour or preferably cornmeal to the surface before the pizza to avoid the raw dough sticking.
We aren’t huge fans of the look of this one, it looks like a shovel but it does the job really well.
2. Pizza Royale Ethically Sourced Premium Natural Bamboo Pizza Peel
Being made from Bamboo gives this peel a premium feel. Bamboo doesn’t split or splinter and as these peels often get exposed to high heat and pizza cutters you need a wood that is up to the job. Bamboo also has natural defenses against bacteria as you won’t put grooves in it with a knife or cutter, these grooves are where bacteria can grow as it is often impossible to get them clean. So there are no worries about that with this product.
The paddle size is 19.6 x 12 x 0.6 inch and it comes with a nice ergonomically shaped handle. Being wood it is heavier than an aluminum option but the weight is not enough to make it hard to use. It’s actually a really nice weight that tells you it is sturdy and well made without being cumbersome.
This wood will need flour, in the same way an aluminum one would to stop the dough sticking.
3. Heritage Acacia Wood Pizza Peel
We really love this one. Acacia wood just has an extra special quality to it. It feels and looks fantastic.
This one is a little smaller (22″ x 14″) with a much shorter handle so it’s fine for use in home ovens but if you have a pizza oven you may need to look for one with a longer handle.
The tapered edge makes sliding pizzas off a breeze though it is still a little tricky to get them back on if you are using it to get pizzas out of the oven. This board requires much less flour/cornmeal to stop the dough sticking but it is still advised to add a little for the best experience.
4. Epicurean Pizza Peel, 21.5-Inch by 14-Inch, Natural
Epicurean pride themselves on creating quality and sustainable products. Made in the USA to the guidelines of the North America Sustainable Forestry Standards.
This peel is made from natural materials but they have been altered to live up to modern standards. This peel is resistant to 350 degrees F and is even dishwasher safe which is rare for a wooden peel. This is made from 30% Eucalyptus 70% Pine.
Has a tapered edge to make sliding the pizza that bit easier.
Not the best looking peel on the market but the premium materials make it great to use.
5. Chef Pomodoro Aluminum Metal Pizza Peel with Foldable Wood Handle
This peel has a handy folding handle making it easier to store. That might not be something you have considered but some of these peels are quite long so a folding option is quite convenient. The total length when fully extended is 24 inches.
This one has a backstep design to stop the pizza sliding towards you and potentially burning your hand.
The paddle is aluminum so a good dusting of cornmeal is required here. The handle is made from pine. This is not dishwasher safe.
Overall this is a quality peel with a nice build quality and the folding handle is a bit of a bonus.
Things to consider before buying
Material
Do you want a wooden or a metal paddle? As I mentioned earlier wood has the advantage of being more non-stick for the raw dough however you do still need a dusting of cornmeal to get the best performance. With metal, you will need quite a bit of cornmeal to stop the dough completely sticking.
Typically the wooden peels are thicker so they are not a good choice for getting pizzas back out of the oven. It’s really difficult to slide them under the pizza. Metal peels do not have this issue as they are so thin.
Shape
The shape of the paddle is not a huge factor but it’s still worth considering. We found paddles that were completely round to match the shape of the pizza were not easy to use. That is why we haven’t featured a round one. Flat sides with a rounded end tended to be the best design for both sliding on and off.
Size
Not a massive issue if you are planning on using it in a standard kitchen oven but if you have a pizza oven you are going to want to get one with a long handle so you put the pizza all the way to the back of the oven. Some of these peels have quite short handles, especially the wooden ones.
Conclusion
After considering the above points you should be in a position to pick a good peel. The ones we have featured in our list were all great quality and pretty easy to use.
Our favorite was the Chef Pomodoro as we found it the easiest to use. If you want a nice looking one to hang up in the kitchen then we recommend the Heritage Acacia at number 3 on the list. This is a quality peel that works well and looks fantastic too.
Let us know in the comments which pizza peel you went for or which one you thought was the best.
