I Realized Find out how to Make Pizza in Italy, and These Are the Instruments I Love

In November of 2019 I used to be on the residence of a chef pal in London, serving to her prep for a cocktail party, after I noticed an odd UFO-shaped piece of kit saved on a excessive shelf. After I requested about it, she mentioned it was a Chadwick Oven, a small pizza oven you employ proper on prime of your fuel stovetop. It made, she mentioned, among the finest pizzas she had ever had, full cease. I liked the concept, nevertheless it was a staggeringly costly piece of kit that actually solely makes one factor. And I reside in Chicago, the place we have now three totally different kinds of fantastic native pizza that you just might need heard about, so at-home pizza had by no means been one thing I cared a lot to discover.

Then 2020 occurred and the two-week European journey we have been presupposed to take to have a good time my fiftieth went the way in which of all issues that 12 months — and as a substitute, I used among the refunded journey cash to purchase myself a Chadwick, as a result of emotions. Many people began an at-home pizza journey that 12 months, and realizing that I might efficiently create pizza in my kitchen that tasted like pizza and never like baked bread with toppings baked on prime lit a fireplace below me. The indoor Chadwick was quickly joined by an outside Gozney. I perfected my dough, and acquired good at launching and turning pies. However issues didn’t actually solidify till I went to Italy and had an opportunity to take some pizza courses from world-renowned pizzaioli.

I’ve now taken 5 pizza courses in Rome, Naples, and Parma. And sure, I’ve discovered that Italian 00 flour is price searching for out on your dough, and I solely use real San Marzano tomatoes for my sauce. And a Breeo Pizza Oven for genuine wood-fired pies has joined the household. However it’s the correct instruments which have made the most important distinction in my residence pizza-making expertise.

In case you or somebody you like has gone down the pizza rabbit gap, listed below are the 9 items of kit which have made the most important distinction for me.

Professional-Stage Instruments for At-Residence Pizza

Babadoh Dough Containers  

Shaping your dough goes to be the toughest studying curve for making at-home pizza. And beginning with a pleasant ball of dough within the good form will get you off to an awesome begin. These silicone containers are one of the best issues I’ve discovered for storing your dough. They pop your dough balls out simply with out deflating them, and also you begin with that ultimate spherical form to start your shaping. They’re additionally nice for transporting dough balls.

Ooni Topping Station 

Being organized together with your elements can also be important for environment friendly pizza making. Having your sauce, cheese, and toppings all prepared makes a world of distinction for rapidly knocking out pies. This station from Ooni contains containers with tight lids for storage, and the sizes are good for holding every thing you want. The slight tilt of the bottom makes assembling pizzas as straightforward as may be.

Gozney Infrared Thermometer Gun

I knew that the inside temperature in a pizza oven was important for excellent pies. However it was Chef Davide Civitiello who taught me that the deck temperature on the stone is simply as essential, and the important thing to nice crust. Most pizza ovens have a gauge for that common temperature, however you undoubtedly want an infrared thermometer to check the temperature of the stone. I really like this one from Gozney, which is sufficiently small to slot in an apron pocket, straightforward to make use of, and really correct.

Gozney Launch Peel

Getting your pizza from the counter to the oven is essentially the most sophisticated a part of pizza making. And you’re going to mess it up lots as you be taught. So, having a extremely good peel to get you began may be very useful. I’ve examined upward of a dozen peels, and my favourite is that this one by Gozney. The ridged nonstick floor wants little flour to maintain your pizza cellular, the open slots assist extra flour fall away, and the dimensions is right for these at-home pies.

Ooni Turning Peel

In case you watched Stanley Tucci eat pizza in Naples on Looking for Italy, you noticed Enzo Coccia at Pizzeria La Notizia make his superb pies. He was the one who actually confirmed me the significance of turning the pizza within the oven for completely cooked pies with nice crusts and correct spots of char. These small, nimble turners can help you simply rotate the pizza within the oven and elevate it gently to sizzle the highest. They’ve longer handles than many of the launch peels, which preserve you again from the warmth as you flip. Ooni makes my favourite turning peel — simply lengthy sufficient for security however quick sufficient to really feel in management.

Maggio Pizza Board

Serving pizza requires a spot to land the new pie that permits you to slice it after which serve, and I really like this all-in-one answer. The big walnut board is fairly sufficient on your desk, but in addition reducing and serving board. It doubles as a beautiful cheese and charcuterie server if you end up not making pizza.

Breeo Pizza Rocker

A rocker blade is one in every of my favourite methods to chop my pizzas, particularly those which have barely thicker or crispier crusts. I really like this one from Breeo for its comfy handles, super-sharp and extra-thick chrome steel blade, and a flexible 15-inch size to get by huge pies. Plus, it’s dishwasher-safe.

Midnight Slice Pizza Cutter Wheel

In case you love a wheel-style pizza cutter, this one by Midnight Slice is my go-to. It options an ergonomic deal with for management, and a thick, sharp blade for easy motion. Particularly designed to place much less pressure in your wrist, it additionally features a guard to guard your fingers and is dishwasher-safe.

Dreamfarm Scizza Pizza Scissors

In Parma, one of many kinds of pizza we made was pizza al taglio, an extended, nearly focaccia-like pizza that’s historically bought by size. For these slices, Chef Alberto Boni of Panificio Boni taught us to make use of scissors to chop the items. I like these Dreamfarm Scizza scissors, which characteristic a built-in spatula that slides proper below the crust for good slices.