If you have a pizza stone, you can make pizza without a pizza peel. One alternative is to use a rimless cookie sheet: cardboard, parchment paper, or a serving platter.

A pizza peel is a long, narrow rectangle. Like a big spatula, a pizza peel should be long enough to slide under the crust without causing damage. The blade should be smooth so it won’t scratch the pizza stone. 

Thus, without any further ado, let’s see how you can utilize the pizza stone by itself and get the best out of your authentic Neapolitan pizza.

How To Use Pizza Peel and Stone Together

When using a pizza stone, follow the instructions. Avoid cleaning the stone with soap and removing the seasoning. Seasoning is essential for your food to taste delicious. Season your stone well if you want to make the best pizza possible.

Cover a pizza peel with flour or cornmeal before using it on a pizza stone. 

Alternatively, you can also use a pizza peel made of parchment paper. This will prevent the dough from sticking to the stone. When using parchment paper, you should cover the pizza peel with flour or cornmeal before putting it on the stone.

Advantages of Pizza Peel

Another advantage of using a pizza peel is that removing your pizza from the peel is easier. A pizza peel can also be used when grilling. Before placing your pizza on a grill, dust the grilling surface with flour or semolina.

There are different pizza peels, but they all have a useful function. A wooden peel, for instance, can help you insert your raw pizza into the oven, and you can even use it to cut and serve it. 

The downside of using a wooden peel is that it requires regular maintenance and doesn't protect your pizza from the open flames. A wooden pizza peel is also challenging to clean, leading to burns.

Which Pizza Peel Is Best?

There are several different types of pizza peels available. The best pizza peel is made of wood, which absorbs moisture from the dough and helps prevent it from sticking to the peel. A metal pizza peel tends to be too thin and tends to stick more than a wood peel. 

A wood peel will also be easier to remove from cooked pizzas. When preparing a pizza without a pizza peel, it is crucial to ensure it is at room temperature. Otherwise, the raw dough can stick to the baking surface. 

If the dough is too warm, it will sweat, absorbing moisture from the flour. You can find the differences between metal vs. wood pizza peel by clicking here! 

The dough can also stick to the worktop, resulting in over-stretching and an unevenly cooked pizza. If you want to avoid a pizza peel, use a baking sheet, cardboard, chopping board, or a platter.

Best Pizza Peel Substitutes

A pizza peel is one of the basic kitchen tools for baking pizza. You can get one on the internet for a reasonable price if you do not own one. 

A good pizza peel should be a long, thin rectangle shaped like a spatula, which will slide easily under the pizza crust and prevent it from deforming. It should also have a smooth surface, so it does not scratch the pizza stone.

Wood

There are several types of wood that you can use as a pizza peel. Maple wood is a good choice for pizza peels because it does not splinter or crack when cooking. 

Similarly, cedar wood will hold up to the oven's heat and will not burn the pizza. These peels are not only aesthetically pleasing but also a safe choice for kitchen use.

Cardboard

Another pizza peel substitute is a rigid piece of cardboard wrapped with tin foil. Just make sure that it does not get too hot. 

You can also use a cookie tray or a baking sheet to serve as a pizza peel. If you do not have one, you can also make your own using the materials listed above.

Baking Sheet

Another option is to use a rimmed baking sheet. Rimmed baking sheets have raised edges so you can use them as a pizza peel. 

Be sure to choose one with a thin surface because larger sheets tend to stick to the pizza stone and make a mess. If you don't have a rimmed baking sheet, you can also use a piece of parchment paper.

Use Pans Instead

You can also use wooden pizza pans. They are easier to clean than metal peels. While wooden pizza peels are often thicker, they may not be as flexible as those made of metal. 

Aluminum pans are also a good option because they are standard-sized and easy to use. They are also lightweight and can handle hot items. You can learn more about cooking pizza in a pan by clicking here! 

And as long as they are sturdy, you can easily wash them. Cutting boards don't have to be bulky; there are thin ones on the market now. They can also have a handle on them for added convenience.

Another option is to use a cookie sheet. These are designed specifically for this purpose. They are usually non-stick, which makes it easy to transfer your pizzas.

How to Use a Pizza Stone Without a Pizza Peel

A pizza stone can help you create a crispy, even crust when you're baking pizza. It can absorb and hold heat well, simulating the effect of a brick oven. Its extra-hot surface creates the perfect crust, and you can cut the baking time in half.

You can also cook your pizza stone in a convection oven instead of a traditional one. To know more, click here. 

If you don't have a pizza peel, you can still make a delicious pizza by launching the pizza onto the stone. Just be sure you don't shake the pizza as you drop it. Shaking the pizza too much can cause the crust to snag on the hot stone, ruining the shape of the pizza.

You can use a large plate without a rim to transfer the pizza onto the stone. Alternatively, you can use a cutting board or a serving platter. You should sprinkle the transfer surface with cornmeal. If the surface is slippery, tongs are best to help pull the pizza from the stone.

After you have mastered how to slide the pizza off the peel, you'll find using the stone a breeze. Using parchment paper or par-baking the crust beforehand will make the process easier. The pizza stone will also keep the crust from sticking when baking.

No Pizza Peel? No Problem!

When baking pizza without a pizza peel, it's essential to keep the pizza stone preheated. Before transferring the dough to the pizza peel, ensure your toppings are ready. Remember, all flour isn't created equal. You want your crust to slide easily off the peel, not stick to it.

If you're using a metal peel, consider getting one made of stainless steel. It's more durable than a wooden peel and requires less care. 

Metal peels are thinner than wooden peels, making them easier to slide underneath the dough. However, they're not as effective when pulling out the pizza.

Although a pizza peel is necessary for making a delicious, crispy crust, having one is unnecessary if you don't want to spend money on one. 

Using other tools will do just fine. Finding a surface with a handle and a flat base is critical. Wood, limestone, and other heated materials are good options.

Get A Pizza Peel If You Can

To make the best pizza possible, you'll need a pizza peel. Not only do they help with getting the crust off the stone, but they also help with flipping and shaping the pizza. So if you don’t have one, consider getting it while you can. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, a pizza peel is a helpful tool for making the perfect pizza every time. If you don't have one, it’s completely fine, and you can use our substitute methods to get the desired crispy crust. Hence, till the next time, happy feasting and stay with Pizza Bien!

Our real Italian pizzas from Italy are handmade with all-natural high quality and fresh ingredients in Naples, Italy delivered to you, anywhere in the U.S. Free Shipping Nationwide. Click Here to Buy Now!