A very important item a pizza lover cannot joke about is the pizza stone. It is the best manner to have a perfectly baked, chewy crust. However, you need to find how you will get the pizza off the stone. A pizza peel is the most popular manner to do this. A pizza peel looks like a shovel and it is very large with the flat surface used to carry a pizza by placing and removing your pizza from the pizza stone.
In case you do not have your pizza peel, you don’t have to fret because you can use other household tools that can be used as a substitute. This is why we want to find out how you can use the pizza stone in the absence of pizza peels. Once you do not have your pizza peel, you will get a similarly-shaped flat object that will perfect substitute for it. We prefer to use rimless cookie sheets, however, there are many other options out there like serving platter, cutting board, cardboard, parchment paper, or rimmed baking sheet.
Depending on how big the pie is, it could be tricky to get the pie away from the pizza stone without any peel. However, it is not an impossible thing to do. If only you can continue reading to find out the items you can use as a replacement for pizza peels ranging from cardboard to a rimless cookie.
The 6 (Six) Best Pizza Peel Substitutes
Check below our recommended items to use to replace pizza peels:
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Serving Platter
A serving platter could be used as an alternative to pizza peels if the one you have is the right thickness and size. You can easily slide the wooden serving platter between the pizza and the pizza stone. Also, the serving platters could be round in certain cases, and it means they are perfect for traditionally made pizza shape.
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Cutting Board
Using a cutting board is another option, this is dependent on how big the one you have is. A large cutting board is similar in shape to that of your pizza peel. You can use it to remove pizza from your pizza stone in as much as the size of the pizza is not larger than it.
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Cardboard
This could sound a little strange, you can use cardboard as an alternative to pizza peels. As long as the cardboard is a large one and it is very well sturdy, all you need to do is to slip it in between the pizza and your pizza stone to effortless remove it. You could cut the top of your pizza box to perform this but in case you do not have it, you could cut a regular box. Just make sure that you are using cardboard that is well sturdy for it not to collapse as a result of the heat used for the pizza.
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Parchment Paper
This is a unique method because the pizza is baked on parchment paper. Put the dough on your parchment paper after you have shaped the pizza dough and add the toppings. After then, put your parchment paper that contains the pizza on your pizza stone before you bake it. The baking process should be done with the paper to facilitate the removal from your pizza stone.
We find it important to inform you that wax paper and parchment paper are different from each other. They are both similar in appearance, however, wax paper will not withstand the high heat that is needed to make the pizza on your pizza stone. You will notice the parchment being a bit brittle and brown when you remove it from the oven but you don’t have to fret. Just use tongs to remove the pizza from it.
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Upside Down Rimmed Baking Sheet
Rimmed baking sheets are present in almost every household. The sheet has raised edges that ensure that oil or grease does not spill into your oven when you are roasting vegetables or meats. Whenever you want to use rimmed baking sheets as a replacement for pizza peels, just simply flip them upside down. You will get the chance to push them under your pizza thanks to the raised edges. You can combine two and insert it under the pizza to remove it from your pizza stone if the pizza is bigger than one baking sheet.
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Rimless Cookie Sheet
When we categorize something as the best substitute for pizza peels, this is it. The rimless cookie sheet is fully flat aside from a raised side that has been designed to lift it as well as transfer cookies. It has a sturdy and large surface that makes it an ideal alternative for the pizza peel, it has a similar shape to pizza peels. You also have a sturdy material you can hold onto with the raised edge, allowing you to place and remove from your pizza stone easily.
Can you cook a frozen pizza on a pizza stone?
The easiest method to use to make your pizza stone or pizza is to cook a frozen pizza on the pizza stone. All you should do it to heat your cold pizza stone and frozen pizza together at the same time. Don’t put frozen pizzas on hot pizza stones because it could lead to temperature shock that could crack it. Frozen pizza can also be cooked inside the microwave.
Can you cut pizza on a pizza stone?
This will be the worst scenario that could happen. Almost all the materials used for making pizza stones are fragile and porous, cutting pizza on the pizza stone directly will lead to permanent damage.
How do you clean a pizza stone?
Don’t use chemicals or soap on your pizza stone because it could permanently absorb them. Whenever you want to clean it, just pour hot water on the pizza stone that has been completed cooled. Use a dry, stiff brush to scrub it. If you have a very serious mess, mix warm water and baking soda until a paste is formed and then use it to scrub the pizza stone. Ensure it is properly washed off.
Do you put oil on a pizza stone?
Even if you are tempted to do it, don’t use oil on the pizza stone because it has a porous surface that will easily soak up everything you place on it. The grease and oil exposed to it from your pizza are enough.
How long do you cook pizza on a pizza stone?
Cooking pizzas should not take more than 10 to 12 minutes if the pizza stone has been properly preheated. For each of the sides to cook evenly, rotate the pizza about 180° when it is halfway done. Don’t forget that it will take longer for a thicker pizza to cook and it must be at a lower temperature.
At what temperature do you cook pizza on a pizza stone?
You must cook pizza on a pizza stone that is extremely hot, which means you might need to put the oven to the maximum heat, at a temperature between 450°F and 500°F. The temperature should be higher based on how thin the pizza is. You can cook thicker pizzas at a temperature of 400°F which is a bit lower. This is to ensure the dough becomes cooked through completely before browning the surface.
Are you supposed to preheat a pizza stone?
The pizza stone should always be preheated to make sure the dough does not stick. Ensure you place the pizza stone in your cold oven. If it is heated too quickly, there could be a risk of cracking. The stone should be plentifully hot before the pizza is placed on it, this means it should be preheated for a minimum of 30 minutes to an hour. Ensure it is well preheated to make sure the pizza stone is heated fully through, the fact that the oven is hot does not mean the pizza stone has gotten hot.
How do you prevent a pizza from sticking to a pizza stone?
You have some common methods to ensure that your pizza does not stick to the pizza stone when you are using it. You may feel the method to use is to add all-purpose regular flour, but flours that have coarser grains are better to be used to make sure they are not turned into pastes whenever it becomes wet. You should spread out semolina flour, cornmeal, or polenta before you place the pizza on your stone to make sure there is an easy removal
What are pizza stones made of?
There are several natural materials used to make pizza stones. Tile, clay, and marble are the most popular ones. They could be glazed based on how they are made as well as what they are made of. It is your choice to choose between unglazed and glazed pizza stones. The glazed ones are usually easily cleaned, however, if the unglazed ones are properly prepared, clean should not be an issue.
