To make a great pizza at home, many people opt to use a pizza stone.
They then use a pizza peel to remove the pizza from the oven but what do you use when you do not have a pizza peel available to use?
First, let’s take a look at what a pizza stone is and how it is used.
What Is a Pizza Stone?
A pizza stone is a flat slab that is made of stone or ceramic.
You place a pizza stone directly on the rack of your oven then Preheat your oven to the temperature in which you will be using to bake your pizza.
As the oven heats up, so does the pizza stone. It is a type of baking stone the was created to allow the transfer of heat to the bottom area but the food that you are cooking which allows for more even baking.
Pizza stones come in a variety of sizes as well as thickness and usually the thicker the stone the better.
Many people agree that a pizza stone results in a pizza that tastes much better than simply baking it in a pan since it allows the heat produced in the oven to thoroughly cook the pizza.
It can also remove excess moisture during the cooking process to allow for a better texture for your pizza crust.
A metal pizza pan can actually trap the steam which can cause your pizza dough to become soggy and not provide you with the crust you were aiming for.
Basically, the heat transmitted from the stone through the dough is what makes a pizza stone a better option to use than the metal pan.
Using the Pizza Stone
To use your pizza stone, the first thing you want to do is prep it.
Simply preheat your oven to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit then place the pizza pan on the rack of your oven and allow it to heat up.
Whip up a batch of your favorite pizza dough and roll it out to be a bit smaller than the size of your pizza stone.
You can then place your toppings, sauce, and cheese on top of your dough before you place your pizza onto the stone.
You can use a pizza paddle, also referred to as a pizza peel, to accomplish this while avoiding the chance of burning yourself on the inside of your oven or on the pizza stone.
You can also use oven mitts, but a pizza peel works much better, so you may want to invest in one to use with your pizza stone.
Keep an eye on your pizza as it cooks and when the crust starts to turn a golden-brown color and your cheese is melted, you can use the pizza peel to remove the pizza from the oven.
If you do not have a pizza peel, there are other options you can utilize.
Read on for more information on how to use a pizza stone without a pizza peel.
Substitutes for a Pizza Peel
Below are a few alternatives you can use in place of a pizza peel and some of them you may already have on hand in your kitchen.
Cookie Sheet without a Rim
You more than likely have a cookie sheet lying around your house, but one without a rim works best in place of a pizza peel.
You can slide the rim list cookie sheet between your pizza and pizza stone to slide your pizza from the oven without burning yourself.
If your cookie sheet does not have a nonstick surface, be sure to spray it first with some cooking spray.
Flip it Over
If you have a baking sheet that has ridges around the sides, you can simply flip it upside down.
This is so you can use the raised edges to give you leverage as you move the pizza from the pizza stone onto your baking sheet.
Parchment Paper
Baking on parchment paper is always a great idea for the simple fact that it allows for less of a mess when it’s clean-up time.
Parchment paper is nonstick, so you can place your dough and toppings right onto the parchment paper then slide it onto your pizza stone to bake.
Unlike wax paper, parchment paper will not catch on fire or start smoking during the cooking process.
When your pizza is finished cooking, just pull on the parchment paper to slide your pizza onto a waiting pan.
Cardboard Solution
You can use a stiff piece of cardboard to slide your pizza onto to remove it from the pizza stone when it is done cooking.
Be sure that you cut your piece of cardboard large enough to match the size of your pizza.
If your pizza is round, you can cut your cardboard into a circle or if you’re cooking a square pizza, you can shape the cardboard as a square.
Serve it on a Platter
You can also use a cutting board or wooden serving platter to remove your pizza from the pizza stone and the oven if you do not have a pizza peel on hand.
Hopefully, these possible substitutes for a pizza peel will help you the next time you are using a pizza stone to cook your delicious pizza pie and do not have a pizza peel available to you.
