What is a pizza peel?

A pizza peel is a kitchen tool used in the preparation and serving of pizzas. It is essentially a wooden or metal paddle with a long handle, designed to slide underneath a pizza in a hot oven so it can be safely moved in and out of the oven.

Peels come in various sizes and shapes, with the most common being a large, flat, long-handled paddle. They are typically made of wood, such as maple or birch, or metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum. Wooden peels are often preferred because they do not conduct heat as quickly as metal, making it easier to slide the pizza on and off.

Using a pizza peel allows for easy and safe transfer of pizzas in and out of a hot oven, as well as for shaping and stretching dough before baking. It is an essential tool for any home pizza maker or professional pizza chef.