Who doesn’t love pizza? It’s a family favourite, enjoyed by everyone from toddlers to the elderly - and everyone in-between. With the variety of flavours and toppings available on the market today it’s no wonder pizza is so easily accessible and makes for a lovely addition to your movie-nights or celebrations.
Though ordering a pizza or going to a restaurant to eat a few delicious slices is very common, sometimes we want to make our pizza at home. This way we can choose which toppings to put on and know exactly what ingredients are going into the pizza.
To do this, you’ll need the best pizza pan to suit your kitchen, your tastes and your future pizza creations. In this article we’ve curated a list of pizza pans that may be perfect for you, so you won’t find yourself buying a product you wish you’d never set your eyes on.Best Pick
Our best pick would have to be the Lodge P14P3 Cast-Iron Pan because it is the perfect size for any occasion (14 inches) and has handles for easy carrying. The cast-iron pan will is durable and reliable and won't let you down for decades.
Budget Pick
Our best budget is the Home-Complete 14 Inch Cast-Iron Pizza Pan thanks to its even-heating, grilling/ baking options and durability.
Quick Comparison: Top 10 Best Pizza Pans
1. Lodge P14P3 Pro-Logic Cast Iron Pizza Pan
To begin, let's start by introducing this 14 inch Cast Iron pizza pan by Lodge. It is pre-seasoned with vegetable oil making it ready for immediate use. It has got two side handles that are looped to ensure you can carry it safely from the heat to the table with ease. This also allows for you to travel with the pan easily too.
This pizza pan is a standard pan that does its job without any confusion. You’ve got to be careful when washing the pan, however, as you can only wash it by hand to ensure you don’t damage it.
The cookware is 400ºF in 4 minutes on medium heat and is sterile at 212º F, which means that soap isn’t always necessary to wash the pan. Thanks to the tough material and exterior of the pan, it can last an entire lifetime without breaking and the need to replace it, making the Lodge pizza pan an investment which won’t let you down.
The cast-iron material which the pan is made from offers an immense amount of durability to the product. The pan also offers excellent heat retention, allowing for all of your pizzas to cook evenly each time and can be cooked in the oven, grill, or even over a campfire - making this product suitable for all occasions.
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2. Home-Complete Cast Iron Pizza Pan Skillet
This is another 14-inch pizza pan skillet that is fantastic for whipping up a classic pizza in. The skillet can also be used for other forms of cooking and baking which may be of interest to those of you who enjoy experimenting in the kitchen.
You can broil, fry and bake any type of meat and vegetables in this pan, for example. Thanks to most of the heat being in the middle of the pan when in use, and the outer edges being cooler, the pan is also fantastic to bake cookies, crepes and fries on.
Though the pizza pan in 14 inches, this product also comes in a variation of sizes including 6, 8, 10 and 12 inches - which makes this a fantastic product for those of you who travel or have campfires often and would like to carry something more lightweight. If you live alone or do not often have many guests around your house for dinner, a smaller sized pizza pan may be more appropriate and easy to store in your house.
You won't need to use a baking sheet or cardboard liners with this product as the pan is already pre-seasoned with vegetable oil and ready to use immediately after purchase. This product is not suitable to be put into the dishwasher, however, and can only be washed by hand with warm water.
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3. Cuisinart AMB-14PP Chef's Classic Nonstick Bakeware 14 Inch Pizza Pan
This pizza pan has a perforated surface to ensure each pizza you bake has an exquisitely crispy crust and thick rolled edges to prevent your pizza from warping.
It is made from heavy gauge aluminized steel construction to ensure the pan is evenly heated all around so that your pizza can be cooked evenly.
The pan has also got a nonstick interior and exterior making the cleanup process easy and less time-consuming than other pans. The nonstick interior will also help to release the food with ease once it is done. This pan is dishwasher safe which makes it convenient and easy to wash up and store away until the next time you choose to bake pizza.
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4. T-fal AirBake Nonstick Pizza Pan
This pan comes in at 12.75 inches making it slightly smaller than the previous pizza pans mentioned already in this article, but a 15.75-inch version is available too.
This pan has a perforated surface, once again ensuring that every pizza you cook will be cooked evenly. It also made with two sheets of aluminium. The bottom sheet blocks the direct oven heat which will otherwise burn the pizza and the top layer acts as an insulator to prevent the top of the pizza from burning.
This particular pan is dishwasher safe which makes the cleaning process very easy, but of course, it can be washed with hot water by hand too. This pan can be cooked up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and this is the recommended amount by T-fal but some people have found that they can go even hotter at around 425 degrees. Be careful with going too hot, though, as too much heat can cause your pan to crack.
Unfortunately, this pan does not have handles on either side of it and can make carrying the pan a little difficult. Aside from this, its nonstick surface makes the pan a simple and easy option when it comes to baking a pizza at home. To use, you can place the pan in an oven and let it do all the baking for you. Just simply throw all of your ingredients on top and soon you will have a tasty pizza ready for you to enjoy.
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5. Chicago Metallic 16124 Professional Deep Dish Pizza Pan
Though the previous pizza pan options are great and work fantastically for regular pizzas, if you love to eat thicker pizzas, Chicago Metallic may be of interest. Deep dish pizzas have become more popular in recent years and are enjoyed by many try pizza fanatics.
This pan is a great option if you want to bake your deep-dish pizza at home. It comes with an easy release surface as is silicone-based making sure your deep-dish pizza does not stick to the pan.
This is also aids in cleaning the pan as you won't have pieces of burnt pizza stuck to your pan that seems impossible to scrape off. The pan is made from heavy-duty carbon steel for immense strength and durability. It is 14 inches wide and 1.5 inches high, making it a great tool to use for other deep and thick dishes/desserts.
Though you can use a dishwasher to wash this pan, it is recommended that you wash by hand to extend the life of the pan. You can use this product in the oven to a maximum of 450°F / 232°C but it is not intended to be used under a broiler. Also, please take note not to use sharp utensils with the pan as it could harm the pan.
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6. Calphalon Nonstick Bakeware 7 Inch Mini Pizza Pan
Though the previous pizza pans mentioned in this article are fantastic for bigger pizzas that will cater to big family dinners and events, if you live alone or cook only for yourself, having a smaller pizza pan option would be much better suited for you.
Calphalon offer 7-inch mini pizza pans that are the perfect size for one person. The pizza pan is made from heavy gauge steel which prevents your pizzas from burning, cooking evenly, and makes sure your pizza doesn’t warp.
The interior of the Calphalon pans includes interlocking non-stick layers that protect the pizza and allow it to be released without complications. These pans are also dishwasher safe and normally can be bought in a pack of 4, making it the perfect pizza pan to travel with without having to worry about losing it. It’s also important to note that these pans can be heated up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven.
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7. Calphalon Non-Stick Bakeware 16 inch Pizza Pan
This pizza pan is similar to the previous Calphalon pizza pan mentioned. They’re made out of heavy-gauge steel, have perforations on the bottom of the pan which helps bake the pizza evenly, is dishwasher safe and can be heated up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven.
The major difference, however, is the size difference. The 16-inch pizza pan is great for those who like to go big or for those who like to cook for friends and family.
If you like to have several different toppings on one pizza, you can use half of the pan for one type of pizza and the other side of the pan for another - making this pan convenient and beneficial. Be wary of the size, however, as it may not fit comfortably in your oven. The cleanup and storage may also be an issue if you have a small kitchen and do not own a dishwasher.
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8. Wilton Recipe Right Pizza Pan
This is a versatile pizza pan that is also perfect for baking cookies, cakes, muffins and pizza in. Though it does not have a perforated bottom, the pan can still evenly distribute heat to all of its contents - which is one of the key jobs of a good pizza pan.
It's got a non-stick coating and can be washed in the dishwasher for easy cleanup. However, it is recommended that you wash by hand with warm soapy water to expand the product's life.
It’s got two handles on the side of the pan making it easy to carry from one part of the kitchen to the next, but be careful as you will need to use gloves whilst doing so. The handles are also great for taking this pan on trips with you and the product comes with a plastic cover which makes carrying the pan to your next trip even easier.
You’ve also got to be careful when it comes to cutting up your pizza in the pan, though. Sharp utensils can leave scratches in your pan. To avoid this, remove the pizza/contents onto a separate plate or surface and then slice. This pan can be heated up in the oven and can also be used directly on a gas burner. Coming in at just under 13 inches, this pan is the perfect size for a decent-sized pizza that doesn’t take up too much room in your cupboards.
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9. New Star Foodservice 50769 Pizza Pan
This is another 16-inch pizza pan that could help you whip up a monstrous pizza very easily.
It is made from commercial grade aluminium and comes with no coating which will flake off. This pan may oxidize if it is used in the dishwasher so make sure to wash by hand with warm water and soap.
This pan also comes in 7 different sizes all ranging from 8 inches - 20 inches, which can cater to your needs. The pan has gently sloped edges to ensure your toppings don't spill over in the oven and instead turn into a delicious crust. This can be used to either eliminate crusts for those who don't like them or to add a little extra crust for those who do.
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10. Nordic Ware 365 Indoor/Outdoor Large Pizza Pan
Of course, pizza is not a meal that is just enjoyed indoors. It also makes for a fantastic outdoor treat and can be easy to make with the right pizza pan.
The Nordic Ware 365 Pizza Pan is a fantastic option for those of you who like the cook up a pizza in your garden, on camping trips, and in the comfort of your own home.
Thanks to its perforated bottom and Teflon coated steel material this pan is durable and easy to work with. It is perfect for fresh dough and home-made pizzas or store-bought frozen pizzas too. The pan also doubles for grilling and baking so you can use the pan for various other foods too.
The inside of the pan is 12 inches but be wary as the outside perimeter of the pan is around 13 and a half inches, which means it may not fit in a smaller sized oven. Aside from this, most pizzas can be cooked in around 15-20 minutes on 400 degrees Fahrenheit, making this pizza pan incredibly convenient to use.
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Things to Consider Before Buying a Pizza Pan
No two pizza pans are the same. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of things to consider to make sure you pick the best pizza pan for your needs.
Pizza pans are necessary to create the best pizza that is cooked evenly, crispy enough, and to prevent it from burning. Since pizzas have become such a big part of our cuisine thanks to the Italians who invented it around 997 A.D. it has made its way all throughout the world and can be enjoyed by everyone, almost anytime. Overtime pizzas have evolved so much that now there are a big variety of pizzas that you can create.
The size, thickness, toppings, texture and consistency of each pizza should cater to your tastes and needs. That is why it’s important to pick the perfect pizza pan for you as it’s not always convenient to order pizza to your home and go to restaurants.
Here is a list of things to consider that may help you pick out the perfect pizza pan for you.
The Size
First and foremost, you must consider the size of the pizza pan before anything else. Most likely you may be using the oven you have at home to bake the pizza - so ensure you pick a pizza pan that can fit into your oven easily
This is also important because you will also need to store the pan when you are not using it. If you’ve got a very spacious kitchen then a bigger pan will be okay, but if you don’t have much space at home then a smaller pan may be more convenient for you.
Where Can You Cook it?
With most pizza pans, an oven is the best place to bake your pizza on. There are also other options aside from an oven, however, when it comes to baking pizza. You can also do it on the stovetop, grill or over a fire, but you must make sure that the pizza pan you buy is suitable to be cooked by your preferred method.
It is also crucial you understand how high you can heat the pan as you don't want to ruin the pan accidentally when cooking.
Can The Pan Be Easily Stored/Carried?
Not all pizza pans come with handles which can be troublesome if you want to carry the pizza pan from an oven to a table, for example. If you often like to go on camping trips or cook outside in your garden, handles will be crucial for you to cook with ease. The size of the pan will also help you determine how easy it is to take on trips too, for example.
It is also important to consider how easily you can store your pan. This mainly depends on the size of the pan and how much space you have at home.
How To Clean The Pan
Make sure you read up on a product to see if you must wash the product by hand or if you can use a dishwasher too. It is apparent that even with pizza pans that can be used in the dishwasher, oftentimes companies recommend that you still wash the pan by hand to avoid removing the non-stick coating on the pan. Washing by hand often will allow the pan to work well for many years without any problems.
We understand that washing by hand is not suitable for everyone, however, so a dishwasher-safe pan will be crucial for you if this is the case.
On top of this, it is important to buy a pan that can release the food with ease once it is ready. The last thing you would want is to have the bottom of your pizza stuck the pan - ripping your perfect meal and leaving it with holes. This results in a messy pan that you will need to spend extra time cleaning.
Conclusion
The best pizza pan is crucial to ensure you make the best-tasting pizza that can leave your tummy feeling very happy. We hope that this article has given you some insight on the different types of pizza pans out there, and has educated you on what to look out for when picking a pizza pan for yourself.
