best pizza pan
 

My daughter wants to make pizza, something she actually started
doing in her pre-school years, and she wants a pizza pan. I am
not quite sure what characteristics I should look for.

Also, she has a gas stove. I have not used one for... about 45
years. She is also unfamiliar with them. What position should
the oven rack be in for pizza?

Thanks.
--
Jean B.

best pizza pan
 

?
"Jean B." > wrote in message
...
> My daughter wants to make pizza, something she actually started doing in
> her pre-school years, and she wants a pizza pan. I am not quite sure what
> characteristics I should look for.

A stone would be better, IMO.


>
> Also, she has a gas stove. I have not used one for... about 45 years.
> She is also unfamiliar with them. What position should the oven rack be
> in for pizza?

Horizontal.

best pizza pan
 

>A stone would be better, IMO.

The latest rage cooking research recommends a 1/4-inch thick steel
plate heated as high as you oven will go, and then positioned right
under the broiler.

-- Larry

Was: best pizza pan -- "Modernist Cooking"
 

>A stone would be better, IMO.

The latest hot (pi) cooking research recommends a 1/4-inch thick steel
plate heated as high as your oven will go, and then positioned right
under the broiler. Pop the pizza on, and it cooks in 1-2 minutes at
temperatures comparable to the hottest wood-fired pizza oven.

See the Wall Street Journal from last weekend: "Mr. Myhrvold's Weird
(Kitchen) Science." The book is entitled "Modernist Cooking" -- five
volumes, 2,400 pages, by Nathan Myhrvold. Only $625. 8;)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...S=myhrvold%27s

-- Larry

Was: best pizza pan -- "Modernist Cooking"
 

On Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:57:06 -0500, wrote:

>See the Wall Street Journal from last weekend: "Mr. Myhrvold's Weird
>(Kitchen) Science." The book is entitled "Modernist Cooking" -- five
>volumes, 2,400 pages, by Nathan Myhrvold. Only $625. 8;)
>
>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...S=myhrvold%27s

Sorry -- six volumes.

-- Larry

Was: best pizza pan -- "Modernist Cooking"
 

On Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:57:06 -0500, wrote:

>>A stone would be better, IMO.
>
>The latest hot (pi) cooking research recommends a 1/4-inch thick steel
>plate heated as high as your oven will go, and then positioned right
>under the broiler. Pop the pizza on, and it cooks in 1-2 minutes at
>temperatures comparable to the hottest wood-fired pizza oven.

Slight correction-- you pop the pizza in *and* turn the broiler on. I
might give that a try for giggles.

I might also just put the second rack 3-4 inches under the top one-
and cook the pizza on my pizza stone on the lower rack- with the
broiler going to give *some* top heat.
>
>See the Wall Street Journal from last weekend: "Mr. Myhrvold's Weird
>(Kitchen) Science." The book is entitled "Modernist Cooking" -- five
>volumes, 2,400 pages, by Nathan Myhrvold. Only $625. 8;)
>
>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...S=myhrvold%27s
>

Some interesting stuff there, to be sure.

Jim

best pizza pan
 

Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> ?
> "Jean B." > wrote in message
> ...
>> My daughter wants to make pizza, something she actually started doing
>> in her pre-school years, and she wants a pizza pan. I am not quite
>> sure what characteristics I should look for.
>
> A stone would be better, IMO.

Thanks. I'll see if she wants to go that route.

>>
>> Also, she has a gas stove. I have not used one for... about 45 years.
>> She is also unfamiliar with them. What position should the oven rack
>> be in for pizza?
>
> Horizontal.

Very funny. :-)
--
Jean B.

best pizza pan
 

Was: best pizza pan -- "Modernist Cooking"
 

wrote:
>> A stone would be better, IMO.
>
> The latest hot (pi) cooking research recommends a 1/4-inch thick steel
> plate heated as high as your oven will go, and then positioned right
> under the broiler. Pop the pizza on, and it cooks in 1-2 minutes at
> temperatures comparable to the hottest wood-fired pizza oven.
>
> See the Wall Street Journal from last weekend: "Mr. Myhrvold's Weird
> (Kitchen) Science." The book is entitled "Modernist Cooking" -- five
> volumes, 2,400 pages, by Nathan Myhrvold. Only $625. 8;)
>
> http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...S=myhrvold%27s
>
> -- Larry

Very interesting! I think my daughter needs to remind herself of
the basics first? She hasn't made pizza for many years--started
doing the dough from scratch when she had not even entered school.

--
Jean B.

Was: best pizza pan -- "Modernist Cooking"
 

wrote:
> On Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:57:06 -0500, wrote:
>
>> See the Wall Street Journal from last weekend: "Mr. Myhrvold's Weird
>> (Kitchen) Science." The book is entitled "Modernist Cooking" -- five
>> volumes, 2,400 pages, by Nathan Myhrvold. Only $625. 8;)
>>
>> http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...S=myhrvold%27s
>
> Sorry -- six volumes.
>
> -- Larry

Oh, THAT! I saw that and am just going to run out and get it.
No, wait! Not just one set but several, so my friends can have it
too. NOT!

--
Jean B.

Was: best pizza pan -- "Modernist Cooking"
 

On Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:37:43 -0500, Jim Elbrecht >
wrote:

>I might also just put the second rack 3-4 inches under the top one-
>and cook the pizza on my pizza stone on the lower rack- with the
>broiler going to give *some* top heat.

I sort of do this now -- I use two pizza stones, about four inches
apart. Pre-heat for an hour to 550+, cook on the lower stone. Works
great.

-- Larry

best pizza pan
 

On Wed, 16 Feb 2011 20:44:20 -0500, "Jean B." > wrote:

>> The latest rage cooking research recommends a 1/4-inch thick steel
>> plate heated as high as you oven will go, and then positioned right
>> under the broiler.
>>
>> -- Larry
>
>Have those plates hit the cooking stores?

I think they're stuck trying to figure out how to get Rachel Ray's
signature onto them.

-- Larry

Was: best pizza pan -- "Modernist Cooking"
 

On Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:12:04 -0500, wrote:

>On Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:37:43 -0500, Jim Elbrecht >
>wrote:
>
>>I might also just put the second rack 3-4 inches under the top one-
>>and cook the pizza on my pizza stone on the lower rack- with the
>>broiler going to give *some* top heat.
>
>I sort of do this now -- I use two pizza stones, about four inches
>apart. Pre-heat for an hour to 550+, cook on the lower stone. Works
>great.
>

You do that on the bottom of the oven? [lowest rack position]

Ever use an infrared thermometer to see what the temp of that bottom
stone is?

Jim

Was: best pizza pan -- "Modernist Cooking"
 

On Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:01:14 -0500, Jim Elbrecht >
wrote:


>>I sort of do this now -- I use two pizza stones, about four inches
>>apart. Pre-heat for an hour to 550+, cook on the lower stone. Works
>>great.
>
>You do that on the bottom of the oven? [lowest rack position]

Yeah, simply because that's where I keep one stone all the time, and
I'm too lazy to move it. Don't know if it would work better at the top
of the oven or not.

>Ever use an infrared thermometer to see what the temp of that bottom
>stone is?

No, but I'll check both stones next time.

-- Larry

Was: best pizza pan -- "Modernist Cooking"
 

> wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:37:43 -0500, Jim Elbrecht >
> wrote:
>
>>I might also just put the second rack 3-4 inches under the top one-
>>and cook the pizza on my pizza stone on the lower rack- with the
>>broiler going to give *some* top heat.
>
> I sort of do this now -- I use two pizza stones, about four inches
> apart. Pre-heat for an hour to 550+, cook on the lower stone. Works
> great.
>
> -- Larry
>
>
Great idea. Spray with very fine mist when the pizza goes in. You'll have
duplicated a baker's oven. I mist my pizza routinely.

Kent

best pizza pan
 

> wrote in message
...
> >A stone would be better, IMO.
>
> The latest rage cooking research recommends a 1/4-inch thick steel
> plate heated as high as you oven will go, and then positioned right
> under the broiler.
>
> -- Larry
>
>
It's very important when you get this to check your oven temp. Some methane
burning ovens won't heat to 550F, the minimally good pizza temp.

If it's lowish I think the "metal stone" would be a good idea. Cast iron
would be better than steel. Still if your oven can hit 550F I'd go with
stone. I like the double stone idea. I may have a go at it.

Kent

best pizza pan
 

"Jean B." > wrote in message
...
> My daughter wants to make pizza, something she actually started doing in
> her pre-school years, and she wants a pizza pan. I am not quite sure what
> characteristics I should look for.
>
> Also, she has a gas stove. I have not used one for... about 45 years.
> She is also unfamiliar with them. What position should the oven rack be
> in for pizza?
>
> Thanks.
> --
> Jean B.>
>
>
I've used a hefty 16" round stone for years and swear by it. I leave it on
the lower rack all the time.
1. You need 16", at least. It must be a hefty stone, not a light wimpy one.
It has to hold heat.
2. If you're going to try metal, I'd vote for cast iron, though you do have
to keep it seasoned in some way to prevent rust.

Kent

Was: best pizza pan -- "Modernist Cooking"
 

In article >, "Jean B." > wrote:
wrote:

>> The latest hot (pi) cooking research recommends a 1/4-inch thick steel
>> plate heated as high as your oven will go, and then positioned right
>> under the broiler. Pop the pizza on, and it cooks in 1-2 minutes at
>> temperatures comparable to the hottest wood-fired pizza oven.

Very interesting article.

How do folks think this would work with a store-bought frozen pizza? (Yeah,
I know it isn't gourmet but the convenience factor is worth something for a
routine meal.)

Art

Was: best pizza pan -- "Modernist Cooking"
 

Arthur Shapiro > wrote:

>
>>> The latest hot (pi) cooking research recommends a 1/4-inch thick steel
>>> plate heated as high as your oven will go, and then positioned right
>>> under the broiler. Pop the pizza on, and it cooks in 1-2 minutes at
>>> temperatures comparable to the hottest wood-fired pizza oven.

>Very interesting article.

>How do folks think this would work with a store-bought frozen pizza? (Yeah,
>I know it isn't gourmet but the convenience factor is worth something for a
>routine meal.)

I'd say there is no reason to do this with frozen pizza -- it's already
baked.


Steve
>
>Art

Was: best pizza pan -- "Modernist Cooking"
 

On Thu, 24 Feb 2011 22:58:40 GMT, (Arthur
Shapiro) wrote:

>How do folks think this would work with a store-bought frozen pizza? (Yeah,
>I know it isn't gourmet but the convenience factor is worth something for a
>routine meal.)

If you keep a plastic tub of live all-purpose dough in the
refrigerator all the time, home-made pizza doesn't take much longer
than opening a box from the freezer.

-- Larry

best pizza pan
 

On Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:45:02 -0800, "Kent" >
wrote:

>> The latest rage cooking research recommends a 1/4-inch thick steel
>> plate heated as high as you oven will go, and then positioned right
>> under the broiler.
>
>
>If it's lowish I think the "metal stone" would be a good idea. Cast iron
>would be better than steel. Still if your oven can hit 550F I'd go with
>stone. I like the double stone idea. I may have a go at it.

Good thought. I have my mother's Welsh bakestone -- cast iron 3/4 inch
thick, about 16 inches in diameter. Think I'll try that.

I routinely keep two large rectangular bakestones in the oven -- one
on the bottom of the oven (which has a hidden heating element) and one
on the lowest of three racks.

-- Larry

Was: best pizza pan -- "Modernist Cooking"
 

"Arthur Shapiro" > wrote in message
...
> In article >, "Jean B." >
> wrote:
wrote:
>
>>> The latest hot (pi) cooking research recommends a 1/4-inch thick steel
>>> plate heated as high as your oven will go, and then positioned right
>>> under the broiler. Pop the pizza on, and it cooks in 1-2 minutes at
>>> temperatures comparable to the hottest wood-fired pizza oven.
>
> Very interesting article.
>
> How do folks think this would work with a store-bought frozen pizza?
> (Yeah,
> I know it isn't gourmet but the convenience factor is worth something for
> a
> routine meal.)
>
> Art
>
>
A frozen pizza is "designed" to heatup properly on the middle rack of a
400-450F oven, depending on the brand. Anything other than that works less
well. At least that's been my experience. We don't like store bought pizza.

Kent

Was: best pizza pan -- "Modernist Cooking"
 

> wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 24 Feb 2011 22:58:40 GMT, (Arthur
> Shapiro) wrote:
>
>>How do folks think this would work with a store-bought frozen pizza?
>>(Yeah,
>>I know it isn't gourmet but the convenience factor is worth something for
>>a
>>routine meal.)
>
> If you keep a plastic tub of live all-purpose dough in the
> refrigerator all the time, home-made pizza doesn't take much longer
> than opening a box from the freezer.
>
> -- Larry
>
>
Lately when I've made pizza I make several partially cooked pizza rounds.
Throw and press the dough to make a small round, Slide it onto the stone
for 90 seconds. Remove it and freeze it. When we want pizza at lunchtime or
something, I thaw it, top it, and bake it at 450F on the middle rack of the
oven. Lunchtime pizzas are made with less cheese, tomatoes rather than
sauce, and only a small amount of meat, if any. It's a nice change from a
sandwich.

Kent

best pizza pan
 

On Feb 15, 1:07*am, "Jean B." > wrote:
> My daughter wants to make pizza, something she actually started
> doing in her pre-school years, and she wants a pizza pan. *I am
> not quite sure what characteristics I should look for.
>
> Also, she has a gas stove. *I have not used one for... about 45
> years. *She is also unfamiliar with them. *What position should
> the oven rack be in for pizza?
>
> Thanks.
> --
> Jean B.

My 2 cents.....forget abt the pan. I've tried them - terrible
results. Get a decent stone and a peel. My stone is in the middle of
the oven - (electric). Use parchment paper tween dough and peel to
slide it more easily onto the stone.

Yank out the paper halfway thru the baking time. I always remove my
crust after 8 minutes, then add toppings, then put back into oven for
another 10-12 minutes.

best pizza pan
 

On Mon, 28 Feb 2011 07:42:18 -0800 (PST), Kalmia
> wrote:

>Yank out the paper halfway thru the baking time. I always remove my
>crust after 8 minutes, then add toppings, then put back into oven for
>another 10-12 minutes.

At what temperature? If I left mine in the oven that long, I'd have
cinders.

-- Larry

best pizza pan
 

> wrote in message
...
> On Mon, 28 Feb 2011 07:42:18 -0800 (PST), Kalmia
> > wrote:
>
>>Yank out the paper halfway thru the baking time. I always remove my
>>crust after 8 minutes, then add toppings, then put back into oven for
>>another 10-12 minutes.
>
> At what temperature? If I left mine in the oven that long, I'd have
> cinders.
>
> -- Larry
>
>
So would I have cinders. We keep the stone on the bottom rack all the time.
Heat the stone for 45 minutes at maximal oven temp. Pizza is done in 7-8
minutes.

Kent

i have pizza pen
it is non stick so it is so much suitable for pizza

best pizza pan
 

On Feb 28, 7:30*pm, wrote:
> On Mon, 28 Feb 2011 07:42:18 -0800 (PST), Kalmia
>
> > wrote:
> >Yank out the paper halfway thru the baking time. I always remove my
> >crust after 8 minutes, then add toppings, then put back into oven *for
> >another 10-12 minutes.
>
> At what temperature? If I left mine in the oven that long, I'd have
> cinders.
>
> -- Larry

About 425.