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December 5, 2023What is a Pizza Peel?
The pizza peel is an iconic piece of equipment, familiar to bakeries and pizza kitchens, and used to transfer a pizza from a hot oven to a countertop or serving vessel. Sometimes called a pizza launcher, a pizza paddle may look like a peel, but chefs mainly use paddles to prep a pizza and place it in the oven rack or pizza stone. Although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, peels extract and move the pies around in a deck or wood-fired oven, while paddles are mainly used for prep and sometimes for serving. Peels can also manipulate bread, flatbreads, or other baked goods.
There are many variables to weigh when considering the proper pizza peel for your commercial kitchen, including size, blade type, handle length and shape, and material. SignatureWares, the high-quality brand of commercial kitchen goods exclusive to Russell Hendrix, offers pizza accessories based on your menu and specific kitchen needs.
Blade Size and Style
Pizza peels and paddles resemble blunt shovels. They come in various sizes to match the size of your pies. Customarily, blades range between 9 and 18 inches long and 7 to 16 inches wide. Additionally, the shape of the blade varies depending on the purpose. Round or circle blades turn pizzas in the oven to ensure even heating. Rectangular/square ones pull pies out of the oven or reposition them to a different rack, warmer, or countertop. Perforated peels are suitable for wood-fired ovens because the holes allow excess flour to shake out before hitting the cooking surface, which prevents burning.
Note that deep-dish pizzas often have a specialty pan and don’t necessarily need peels.
Also read: Three Core Concepts of Highly Successful Commercial Kitchen Design
Handle Length and Shape
How long should the handle of the paddle or pizza peel or paddle be? It depends on the kitchen. High-volume kitchens with a deck oven or something similar will need longer handles with a sturdy grip and solid construction. Low-volume or boutique operations may have a smaller oven, so a shorter handle might be adequate. Storage is also a consideration. Ultimately, the handle must be long enough for pizza cooks to safely and confidently handle the products in blazing-hot conditions.
Generally, round handles are more comfortable and solid, whole shafts are preferable to folding or rectangular options. Wood construction prevents handles from overheating, as does particle board.
Also read: Choosing the Right Food Chopper for Your Commercial Kitchen
Material Choices
Most pizza peels and paddles are built from one of three materials:
Wood
Wood is the material of choice for pizza launchers/paddles. High-quality models are naturally non-stick (with proper seasoning and a little semolina flour). Peels are available in wood, but metal is more common. Wood peels/paddles are not dishwasher safe. Due to the challenges of sanitizing wooden models, some areas restrict the use of wooden peels. Check your local food safety guidelines for details.
Metal
Most peels are either steel or aluminum. Unlike their wood counterparts, these models are dishwasher safe and do not risk burning the blades. However, raw dough tends to stick to the blades. Like wooden blades, a little flour or semolina flour can solve this issue. Because of the durability of the metal, metal peels are much thinner, making it easier to slide under pizzas, bread, or other baked goods. Metal peels have wooden handles, and very long handles are sometimes hollow to reduce the weight. Additionally, some models have heat-resistant silicone grips near the blade to further prevent operator burns.
Particle board/Composite
Composite peels or paddles are made from wood fibers and resin. They are heat-proof, an attractive serving option, and dishwasher-safe. However, they are much heavier and have shorter handles than the other two options.
Also read: Buying Guide: The Food Warmers Every Kitchen Needs
Why choose SignatureWares for Pizza Peels and Accessories?
The chef-tested and approved SignatureWares line of pizza accessories is ideal for pizzerias and kitchens of all sizes. Experienced pizza cooks often keep several types of peels and paddles to service their complete menu.
SignatureWares pizza peels are constructed from 16 gauge aluminum and durable wood handles, with a beveled blade that easily slides under pizzas and bread. The SignatureWares Pizza Paddle features a two-sided design with cut marks and sized guides for faster prep.
All SignatureWares products are built to last rigorous use in commercial kitchens.
Russell Hendrix representatives have the expertise to guide you through the vast options available to kitchens. Contact your local RH rep to determine which pizza accessories are ideal for your unique needs, or browse the SignatureWares catalog to explore hundreds of solutions for your busy commercial kitchen.