To master the perfect pizza, you need the right pizza oven and tools. Here at Norwich Camping and Leisure, we have years of experience in pizza products to provide you with guidance and advice when it comes to choosing your pizza prep accessories. In this post, we’ll share our top six essential tools to upgrade your pizza-making experience.

1. Pizza peels

So, what is a pizza peel? A peel is a tool used to slide food such as pizza, bread and pastries in and out of ovens and grills without spilling ingredients. You may be wondering ‘Do I really need a pizza peel?’. We believe that if you want to achieve a perfectly cooked pizza, the answer is yes.

There are many peel designs and sizes to choose from, one of the most popular being a 12-inch peel, but which type should you choose?

Perforated peels

Used by professionals, the perforated peel is the best of the best. This peel design allows airflow between the dough and peel through the holes to allow the pizza to slide off nicely. The holes have the added benefit of allowing the extra flour or semolina to escape, rather than enter the oven and coat the bottom.

Classic peels

For those just starting their pizza-making journey, standard peel designs are an excellent and affordable option. You may have to deal with a bit of flour at the bottom of your oven, but they make an ideal beginner’s tool.

Turning peels

The most underrated pizza oven accessory, turning peels greatly improve your pizza-making experience. These tools allow you to turn your pizza in the oven to get an even bake without taking your pizza out to spin it. Turning peels also allow you to take the pizza out of the oven, meaning your launch peel is clean and ready for the next pizza.

2. Serving board and peels

Two products rolled into one, these tools can act as a surface to make your pizza, a peel, and a serving board. Although this isn’t fully essential, why wouldn’t you add this to your pizza collection? Serve up those delicious slices to friends and family straight from the board after cooking.

3. Cast iron skillets and griddles

Did you know you can use your pizza oven for more than just pizza? Get more out of your oven and add a cast iron skillet or griddle to prepare other foods and increase your cooking and entertaining skills.

Skillets and griddles are great for cooking at slower, lower temperatures, perfect for food like chicken wings and vegetables. Get the cast iron nice and hot and you’ll even be able to sear the perfect steaks.

We suggest looking for a skillet with a removable handle to be able to get it in and out of the oven with ease, plus a good set of oven BBQ gloves to protect you from burns.

4. Pizza oven mantels

An oven mantel is a small shelf you can attach to the front of your oven to allow you to rest and keep warm either the pizza or a skillet. It extends the surface area of the oven and helps you use other accessories while upgrading the oven’s appearance for your guests.

We currently stock several mantels for our Gozney pizza oven range but are excited to stock options for Oonie pizza ovens in future.

5. Digital thermometers

Another underrated accessory which contributes to pizza success is the digital thermometer. Many advanced pizza oven models feature built-in thermometers, but for those that don’t, this tool is essential.

By using the digital thermometer gun and pointing it at the stone in your oven, you’ll know exactly when your oven is hot enough for you to launch your pizza. This is important for not only the cook-time and quality of your pizza but also for ensuring your ingredients are properly cooked.

Need some advice? Ideally, the oven’s stone temperature should be between 300-450 degrees when launching your pizza. This will make your dough rise and cook in under 90 seconds. Remember: once you’ve cooked a pizza, you’ll need to wait for the stone to reach the goal temperature again before cooking the next one.

6. Pizza oven brushes

Cooking up crowd-pleasing pizzas is all well and good, but don’t forget to clean your pizza oven for the next pizza party. With a top-quality wire brush, scrub and scrape your pizza stone to ensure the next pizza comes out perfect. We like the Ooni Pizza Oven Brush for its two-in-one bristles and scraper blade design.

Pizza accessories, ovens and more

Looking to kick-start your pizza-making journey and become a professional? Take a look at our suggested products and you’ll be a pizza pro in no time at all. If you have any questions about our ranges or need advice, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our helpful team at 01603 717600, or visit us in-store at the Norwich Camping and Leisure Centre.