The best pizza-making tools you can buy
The best pizza stone
The best pizza pan
If crispy crusts are your jam, the Lodge Pro-Logic Cast Iron Pizza Pan will get the job done. The large, side-loop handles make the 11-pound pan easy to move around. And, you can cook large pizzas thanks to the roomy 14-inch-diameter baking area.
When it comes time to clean the pan, put the soap away. Cast iron is much better after you season it for years so only wash the pan with water once it cools down. Then, dry it thoroughly. Lodge offers a lifetime limited warranty with this pan.
Insider Picks' senior editor Malarie Gokey uses this pizza pan to make pizza at home when she's not using her pizza stone. It bakes crust perfectly and evenly every time, so you don't get floppy unbaked pizza crust.
The reviewer at Serious Eats also recommends the Lodge Pro-Logic Pizza Pan because it produces crusts that are “as good as it gets.” The pan cooked a pizza in about eight minutes after an hour of preheating the oven at 550 degrees Fahrenheit. The reviewer was impressed with the superb crunchiness and the light charring on parts of the crust.
The Lodge Pro-Logic Cast Iron Pizza Pan has more than 1,600 five-star reviews on Amazon. Chef TK, the most helpful reviewer, lists several reasons why he recommends the pan, including it’s easy to clean, heats evenly, doesn’t stain, makes fantastic pizza, comes pre-seasoned, and has a broad range of uses. But, he warns that the pan is heavy.
Another buyer noted that she was able to make restaurant-quality dosas in this pan. However, to get the cast iron seasoned to her liking, it took a bit of work.
Pros: Lifetime limited warranty, heavy-duty, even heating, nonstick, easy to clean
Cons: The rim makes it hard to use a baking peel, somewhat pricey for a pizza pan
Buy the Lodge Pro-Logic Cast Iron Pizza Pan on Amazon for $39.90 (originally $60) Read our full guide to the best pizza pans you can buy.The best pizza peel
The EXO Non-Stick Polymer Sealed Super Peel is unique because it uses a pastry cloth to create a conveyor belt for your pizza. You lightly flour the cloth, put the pizza’s edge on the lip of the peel, and pull the slider back as you push the peel forward.
You just reverse the process to put the pizza on your stone. And, sliding and cleanup are effortless thanks to the nonstick polymer coating. The cloth comes off to facilitate cleaning.
My Pizza Stone, Village Bakery, Gimme Tasty, Best Advisor, and Cook’s Illustrated all recommend this peel. In tests, Cook’s Illustrated found it was the best peel for transferring pizzas to and from the oven. The reviewers noted that this model should last a long time thanks to the polymer coating guarding against moisture. The only negatives they found was that the peel has trouble rotating food already in the oven, and it takes a little practice to get the hang of it.
The EXO Non-Stick Polymer Sealed Super Peel received four or five stars from around 91% of the Amazon buyers who reviewed it. Prior to buying this peel upon a recommendation from America’s Test Kitchen, the most helpful reviewer Kevin M. Combes had a tough time getting uncooked pizza onto his pizza stone. The Super Peel’s smooth polymer finish fixed that. Several other buyers share similar experiences.
One reviewer found the peel paid for itself after a couple of uses since she no longer orders pizza out. She also noted that it’s incredibly durable.
Pros: Conveyor belt simplifies transferring uncooked pizza from peel to stone and back, durable construction
Cons: Has a bit of a learning curve, somewhat pricey
Buy the EXO Non-Stick Polymer Sealed Super Peel on Amazon for $57 Read our full guide to the best pizza peels you can buy.The best pizza cutter
OXO seems to have pizza cutters on lock, and the best of which appears to be the Good Grips Easy to Clean Pizza Wheel and Cutter. This direct-grip pizza wheel affords you the leverage you need to get through an array of crusts because you are pressing down on the blade rather than at an angle.
You can remove the blade by opening up the handle. This makes it easier to wash it in the dishwasher or by hand. Thanks to the protective blade cover you can store this compact device in a drawer with your other utensils.
The reviewer at MomDot recommends the OXO Good Grips Easy to Clean Pizza Wheel and Cutter because it’s easy to use and clean. She found it had a good grip thanks to the comfy, non-slip handle. And, when it was time to clean, the handle opened effortlessly. However, since she was used to the long-handled wheel cutters, it felt weird to use this style at first.
This model is the best overall pizza cutter according to Cooking Detective and The Spruce Eats. Also, various staffers at The Kitchn use this cutter in their kitchens.
The OXO Good Grips Easy to Clean Pizza Wheel and Cutter has positive ratings from approximately 92% of the people who reviewed it on Amazon. There are many comments about how easy it is to pop the blade out and put it in the dishwasher.
Others appreciate that the safety cover protects their fingers. The biggest negative is that some of the buyers have had trouble getting the hang of this style of pizza cutter.
Pros: Comfortable handle, features safety blade cover, comes apart to make cleaning a breeze
Cons: Direct-grip pizza wheels may take some getting used to
Buy the OXO Good Grips Easy to Clean Pizza Wheel and Cutter on Amazon for $12.99 Read our full guide to the best pizza cutters you can buy.The best toaster oven
The best toaster oven we’ve tested is the Cuisinart Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven. It bakes evenly, is easy to use, and has a wide array of presets, including pizza. And, most impressively for pizza making, it comes with a 13-inch pizza stone.
The oven has a capacity of 0.95 cubic feet, and it’s large enough to hold a 13-inch pizza. Despite its roomy interior, this unit isn’t too big. At 21 inches by 17 inches by 11 inches, it fits under the cupboards on most counters, and the brushed stainless steel finish looks good in any kitchen.
When we used the toaster oven to make homemade pizza, the 1800-watt oven never took long to pre-heat. The interior light made it easy to monitor the progress of our creation through the big glass door.
The Chef’s Convection Toaster Over is recommended by a number of other product reviewers. Good Housekeeping Institute recommended an older model of this oven that they tested. Techlicious also recommends the older version. The Wirecutter tested this newer oven and rated it the best large toaster oven.
This model is rated highly by buyers on Amazon and Bed Bath & Beyond. However, there are a few complaints about the oven getting hot to the touch, labels rubbing off the buttons, and the door failing over time. Yet, you can contact Cuisinart for a replacement if you run into issues within the three-year warranty period.
Pros: Lots of pre-sets, bakes evenly, user-friendly, comes with a pizza stone
Cons: Takes up counter space, expensive
Buy the Cuisinart Chef's Convection Toaster Oven on Amazon for $197.47 Read our full guide to the best toaster ovens you can buy.The best oven mitts
FDA-approved, BPA-free silicone is used to make the exterior of the Homwe Extra Long Professional Oven Mitts. These gloves give your hands and forearms protection up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, which may not be enough for handling a pizza stone at top temperatures, but it will allow you to use a peel to remove pizza without discomfort. Plus, the mitts can be used for baking, grilling, and handling scalding hot liquids.
The quilted cotton lining adds to the comfort. Plus, the mitts are washing machine and dishwasher safe. They come in several colors and 14.7-inch and 13.7-inch lengths. If the oven mitts don’t meet your expectations, Homwe offers a full refund.
Wirecutter, Your Best Digs, and Chili Everyday also recommend the Homwe mitts as the best oven mitts available. In Wirecutter’s tests, they were able to hold a 400-degree cast iron skillet for 11 seconds. The mitts were also easy to clean and proved water-resistant.
The reviewer at Your Best Digs was impressed with the secure grip, the superior forearm and wrist coverage, and the great flexibility. And, Chili Everyday notes that the mitts are flexible but thought they could be grippier.
Over 2,500 Amazon buyers have left five-star reviews of the Homwe Extra Long Professional Silicone Oven Mitts. People appreciate that they can bend their fingers to grip items with these mitts, and they feel safe reaching into the back of hot evens.
While wearing her Homwe mitts, Amazon reviewer Melinda Cole didn’t even notice when she touched her oven’s hot heating element. Other buyers have removed jars from boiling water with these mitts. The biggest complaint is that the mitts get slippery when wet.
Pros: Inexpensive, dishwasher and washing machine safe, protects wrists and forearms, flexible
Cons: Can get slippery, not ideal for people with small hands
Buy the Homwe Extra Long Professional Silicone Oven Mitts on Amazon for $12.97 Read our full guide to the best oven mitts you can buy.The best parchment paper
Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper is a useful item to have on hand for a broad range of kitchen tasks from freezing berries so they don’t clump together to baking cookies. When it comes to making pizza, it’s always a challenge getting your uncooked dough to slide off the peel and onto the stone easily without making a mess or misshaping the pizza. Parchment paper helps with this.
Reynolds parchment paper is excellent because the “SmartGrid” makes it easy for you to cut the sheets to fit your pans or stone. Even though the manufacturer says the paper is only oven safe up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, it works at much higher temperatures and will not burn or release toxic fumes.
Cook’s Illustrated recommends Reynolds Parchment Paper because it performed well in their cookie and pizza-making tests. Also, when the reviewers tucked the lid into the box before tearing, they were able to get sheets with even edges. However, they do note that the edges curl, especially when they were at the end of a roll. In order to fit in baking pans, the sheets need to be trimmed.
About 95% of the Amazon buyers who reviewed the Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper gave it four or five stars. Several of the reviewers liked that the grids on the sheets made it easy to cut the paper to fit their needs.
There were a few buyers who mention that this paper did an excellent job when transferring homemade pizzas to their pizza stone. The biggest complaint is that the box’s serrated blade didn’t always cut as it was supposed to.
Pros: Experts and buyers say it works well for homemade pizza, features grid guidelines to fit different pans
Cons: The serrated blade on the box isn’t always effective
Buy the Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper (150 square feet) on Amazon for $12.49The best rolling pin
One of the most frustrating steps in making homemade pizza is rolling out the dough so it has a uniform thickness and looks like a pizza, whether round or rectangular. The Fletchers’ Mill 20-inch Maple French Rolling Pin is the right tool to take some of the frustration out of this task.
Made of beautiful maple wood, this is one of the most attractive pins you will find. This Fletchers’ Mill model is not like your traditional rolling pin. There are no handles. Instead, it has tapered ends that are easy to work with once you get the hang of it. Plus, this design is perfectly suited for rolling out pizza dough of any size.
Amazon reviewers appreciate that it can be used for a broad array of baked goods that require a little finesse, such as mille-feuille and croissants. It’s also incredibly durable and glides over your dough without sticking.
There are several different lengths and finishes to pick from. And, Fletchers’ Mill stands by the craftsmanship and attention to detail with a lifetime limited warranty.
Pros: Great for pizzas of any size, lightweight, durable, lifetime limited warranty
Cons: Has a little bit of a learning curve for people accustomed to baker’s rolling pins
Buy the Fletchers' Mill 20-inch Maple French Rolling Pin on Amazon for $28.48 Read our full guide to the best rolling pins you can buy.The best pizza crust mix
If you want to make your own pizza dough from scratch, more power to you! I’ve had a few okay experiences making my own dough and several absolutely terrible experiences. So, I go with premade doughs and mixes. One of the best available is Weisenberger Pizza Crust Mix.
The mix only has seven ingredients: flour, shortening, yeast, sugar, salt, dry milk, and wheat gluten. You just add half a cup of warm tap water, stir vigorously, form the dough into a ball, add a teaspoon of oil, let it rise for 5 to 30 minutes (the longer, the better), then roll it out.
Each 6.5-ounce package produces a 12-inch classic crust or 14-inch thin crust. You can also use the mix for calzones, breadsticks, flatbread, cinnamon rolls, and more.
About 79% of the Amazon buyers who reviewed the Weisenberger Pizza Crust Mix gave it a positive rating. Many of the commenters like that the mixed dough only has to proof for about five minutes, and it doesn’t need to come up to room temperature like the premade doughs you buy at the store.
Buyers do recommend letting the dough sit for longer than 20 minutes before rolling it out for best results.
Pros: Only need to add water and a little oil, no long proofing period required, makes pizzas up to 14 inches in diameter
Cons: A few buyers have complained of quality control issues
Buy the Weisenberger Pizza Crust Mix (12 pack) on Amazon for $29.95The best crushed tomatoes
One of the keys to a good homemade pizza is an excellent sauce, and San Marzano Crushed Tomatoes are a great place to start when making that sauce. Though the crushed tomatoes from Simpson Imports are grown domestically and are not technically San Marzano (it’s similar to how you can’t call sparkling wine from California “champagne”), many claim the taste and texture are indistinguishable from the real deal.
In the taste tests at Cook’s Illustrated, Simpson Imports’ San Marzano Crushed Tomatoes came out on top. The reviewers recommend this brand because it produces a full tomato flavor and tastes very bright and sweet. Their panel was also impressed by the firm, tender texture contributed by the added diced tomatoes.
There are only 10 reviews of these canned tomatoes on Amazon, and all but three give this product five stars. Several buyers say that it’s the best brand of crushed tomatoes they’ve found, and they ordered from Amazon because their local grocer no longer carried it. One reviewer complained that these are not real San Marzano tomatoes since they are not grown in Italy.
If you’re in a hurry and just want a good marinara sauce to spread on your dough, we recommend trying Victoria Marinara Sauce. It’s made from Italian tomatoes, imported olive oil, and other fresh ingredients. There’s no added sugar, water, or preservatives. And, it’s slow kettle-cooked for a homemade taste.
Pros: Produces a full tomato flavor that will make your homemade pizzas pop
Cons: Expensive, the tomatoes are not grown in Italy
Buy the San Marzano Crushed Tomatoes (6-to-28-ounce cans) on Amazon for $40.22The best mozzarella cheese
We can’t stand shredding our own cheese. We’ll do it occasionally, but if there is a good affordable shredded alternative available, we go with it. The biggest complaint about shredded cheese is that there are added fillers.
While Sargento Shredded Mozzarella Cheese does have a couple added ingredients to prevent caking and inhibit mold, it’s shredded fresh off the block and doesn’t have any artificial flavors. The cheese shreds are also larger than your typical shredded cheese.
Cook’s Illustrated also recommends Sargento Shredded Mozzarella Cheese because the pliable and soft shreds produced an even, golden-brown sheet when melted on pizza. Tasters in their tests found the flavor to be rich with a tanginess to it.
All but two of the Amazon reviewers give Sargento Shredded Mozzarella Cheese five stars. Buyers were particularly impressed with how well it melted. One reviewer noted that the cheese shreds are thick and don’t stick to each other in the refrigerator. There are also several comments about how good the flavor is.
Pros: Thick shreds of cheese, melts evenly on pizza, tastes excellent
Cons: Melted strands may be a bit tough
Buy the Sargento Shredded Mozzarella Cheese on Amazon Fresh for $3.39The best pepperoni
No matter how you slice it, the most popular pizza topping is pepperoni. It’s not even close. In fact, about as many people prefer pepperoni as the next four most popular toppings – sausage, mushrooms, chicken, and beef — combined. And, for decades, one of the most popular pepperoni brands has been Margherita.
To preserve freshness, this dry, hard pepperoni has a natural casing and is commonly packaged without a vacuum seal. You can find it pre-sliced or in sticks. The sticks are usually much cheaper. If you plan on slicing it by hand, you will have a better experience if you throw the stick in the freezer for about an hour beforehand.
Both at room temperature and baked on a pizza, the 21 tasters at America’s Test Kitchen found Margherita sliced pepperoni had the right amount of chew. The reviewers also noted that this brand has a good balance of spice and meatiness. Some tasters also said they found hints of peppery fennel and fruity licorice.
About 84% of the people who reviewed Margherita Pepperoni on Amazon gave it four or five stars. The most helpful reviewer provided a thorough assessment of six top brands and rated Margherita the best. The main reasons he enjoyed it was because it tasted great and had a depth of flavor. He also liked that it wasn’t greasy, and it was easy to slice.
Another buyer has been eating this brand for 68 years and recommends wrapping the sticks in a paper towel for a couple of weeks to draw out the oil and enhance the flavor.
Pros: Excellent depth of flavor, not too greasy, slices easily, has the right amount of chew
Cons: Expensive
Buy Margherita Pepperoni (5 oz. sliced) on Amazon for $11.99 Buy Margherita Pepperoni (2 sticks) on Amazon for $13.99The best novelty pizza maker
No guide to making pizza at home would be complete without the device that’s devoted entirely to homemade pizza: the Pizzazz. This quirky appliance features heating elements on the top and bottom that cooking food as the 12-inch nonstick baking pan rotates. Presto backs the Pizzazz with a two-year warranty.
My friend Ryan Wert collects the novelty items you might find clogging the kitchen appliance section of your local secondhand store. But, what started as a joke has earned a coveted spot on his counter. He shows up to parties with the Pizzazz and in no time throws together delectable pizzas with crispy crusts.
Several product reviewers recommend the Pizzazz, including The Best Toaster Oven Reviews, Countertop Pizza Oven, Kitchenette Jen, and Best Advisor.
The Pizzazz appears to have a bit of a cult following with more than 2,700 five-star reviews on Amazon. Buyers are impressed with how the Pizzazz can cook just about anything they would make in the oven but in a shorter time.
Reviewers note that it quickly cooks frozen and dessert pizzas without heating up the whole house. And, separate control of the top and bottom heat help you avoid overcooking the crust or toppings while the other area finishes up.
Pros: Cooks pizzas evenly and quickly, fits pizzas up to 12 inches in diameter, bakes a variety of foods, easy to see when your pizza is ready
Cons: You may not want to give counter space to such a specialized appliance
Buy the Presto Pizzazz Plus Rotating Oven at Walmart for $58.76 (originally $80.85) Buy the Presto 03430 Pizzazz Plus Rotating Oven on Amazon for $51.15 (out of stock)The best homemade pizza cookbook
"The Elements of Pizza: Unlocking the Secrets to World-Class Pies at Home" is a must for any homemade pizza maker.
Written by Ken Forkish, owner of Portland, Oregon’s Ken’s Artisan Pizza, this well-researched book gives the basics for making excellent dough and sauce, while offering an array of recipes that will expand your ideas of what is possible with pizza. The book is well photographed and can benefit people of all culinary skill levels.
WITF recommends "The Elements of Pizza" because it brings artisan pizzas into your home. The reviewer found that it forever changed her idea of what good pizza is with its long list of tips and tricks. The reviewer at The Kitchen Post claims this book changed his life. Rather than using store-bought dough, he makes his three days ahead of time now.
About 95% of the Amazon buyers who reviewed "The Elements of Pizza" gave it four or five stars. Reviewers were impressed with how the book approaches dough. Some call it the “heart” of the book. Others are just happy that there is a whole chapter devoted to it along with 12 dough recipes. And, instead of focusing on just making the best pizza, buyers like that the author touches on several styles.
Pros: 12 different dough recipes, engaging information, inspirational topping ideas
Cons: Biggest complaints are cosmetic
Buy "The Elements of Pizza: Unlocking the Secrets to World-Class Pies at Home" on Amazon for $17.98
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