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Pizza: the world’s greatest food. Well, maybe not the greatest, but most people seem to enjoy it. Most of us are used to ordering pizza, but wouldn’t it be great to make your own? We certainly think so. Of course, if you’re going to make your own pizza, you’ll need a few necessary tools. One tool you’ll need is a pizza pan.
These pans are designed to hold and heat the crust and other ingredients in a pizza so that they can be cooked together thoroughly in the oven. There are a number of great pans on the market today, but which one is right for you? Use this guide to find out!
Compare the Top Ten Best Pizza Pans of 2018
Picture | Name | Brand | Size | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lodge P14P3 Seasoned Cast Iron Baking and Pizza Pan | Lodge | 14 inches | $$$$ | |
Home-Complete Cast Iron Pizza Pan | Home-Complete | 14 inches | $$$ | |
ProBake Teflon Xtra Non-Stick Pizza Pan | ProBake | 16 inches | $$$ | |
Calphalon Nonstick Bakeware | Calphalon | 16 inches | $$ | |
Cuisinart AMB-14PP Chef's Classic Nonstick Bakeware 14-Inch Pizza Pan | Cuisinart | 14 inches | $$ | |
OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Pizza Pan | OXO | 15 inches | $$ | |
Wilton Perfect Results Pizza Pan | Wilton | 14 inches | $$ | |
Chef Made Deep Dish Pizza Pan | Chef Made | 10 inches | $$ | |
New Star Foodservice 50837 Pizza Pan | New Star Foodservice | 16 inches | $ | |
World Kitchen Pizza Pan | World Kitchen | 12 inches | $ | |
Picture | Name | Brand | Size | Price |
What to Consider When Choosing a Pizza Pan
Contents
For the most part, pizza pans are pretty basic items. At the very least, they are flat sheets of metal upon which you can slide pizza in and out of the oven. At the very most, they can give your pizza some additional shape. Yet still, there are differences from pan to pan. The differences can usually be seen in their size, materials, ease of maintenance, and durability.
Size
These pizzas come in all different sizes, usually ranging from around 10 inches in diameter to 18 inches in diameter. The size of pan you purchase depends entirely on the size of pizza you want to bake. A standard sized pizza usually measures in at about 14 inches in diameter.
Material
One of the major things you’re going to want to consider when choosing a pan is the material that it’s made out of. Pizza trays are typically made out of one of two materials: aluminum and cast iron. Aluminum is usually cheaper than cast iron, but lacks the heat retention and durability which makes cast iron valuable.
Ease of Maintenance
Another thing you’ll want to consider is a pizza tray’s ability to be cleaned. In most cases, cast iron is not supposed to be washed in a dishwasher. Aluminum, on the other hand, can typically withstand dishwashers. Essentially, you’ll have to decide between easy maintenance and heat retention.
Durability
As was noted above, cast iron is typically more durable than aluminum. This isn’t to say that aluminum isn’t durable. Most aluminum pizza pans on the market are capable of making it through at least a few years of regular use. But cast iron, in comparison, can last for decades.
1. Lodge P14P3 Seasoned Cast Iron Baking and Pizza Pan
First, we’ll review the Lodge P14P3 Seasoned Cast Iron Baking and Pizza Pan. This pan is a little expensive, but is also extremely functional. Not only does it possess ridiculously durable construction quality, but it does a terrific job of retaining heat.
It measures in at 14 inches in diameter, allowing you to make a reasonably large pie. Equipped with two handles, it’s very easy to pick up whether you’re getting it out of the oven or placing it over a fire.
This pan is made out of strong and heat-retaining cast iron that ensures a thorough cook throughout your entire pizza. If you’re looking for the best pizza pan on the market, look no further. It doesn’t get any better than this.
Pros
- Made out of tough cast iron
- Does a terrific job of retaining heat
- Equipped with two handles
- Very easy to clean
Cons
- A little expensive
2. Home-Complete Cast Iron Pizza Pan
Next, we’ve got the Home-Complete Cast Iron Pizza Pan. This pan is a little less expensive than the Lodge pan reviewed above, but offers a lot of the same in the ways of construction quality and and functionality.
It’s made out of cast iron which can take quite a beating. In addition, it also does a terrific job of retaining heat so that its contents will be cooked to thorough perfection. Measuring in at 14 inches in diameter, it’s designed to cook large, full-size pizzas.
There is a very smooth surface on this tray, allowing it to be cleaned and maintained with the utmost of ease. Sporting two separate handles, it can be easily placed in and pulled out of ovens. Coming with a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty, it’s covered by its creators. Though it might not be the best pizza pan, it’s not far off either.
Pros
- Comes with a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Made out of tough and durable cast iron
- Equipped with two handles
- Does a terrific job of retaining heat
Cons
- Prone to rust
3. ProBake Teflon Xtra Non-Stick Pizza Pan
If you’re looking for something a little bigger than the pans reviewed above, you might very well be interested in the ProBake Teflon Xtra Non-Stick Pizza Pan. This pan measures in at 16 inches in diameter, allowing it to accommodate very large pizzas.
It’s designed to prevent sticking, and is made out of a combination of teflon and steel. This gives it terrific durability and heat retaining properties. You won’t have to worry about your pizza being cooked all the way through.
The downside to this particular pan is that it has no lip on its edges. This means that it’s really only designed to accommodate flat crust pizza. In addition, it’s not equipped with any handles. This means that you’ll have to grab it from its bottom with oven mitts. So, while it’s not a bad pan for pizza, it’s not the best either.
Pros
- Tough and durable construction
- Possesses non-stick properties
- Measures in at 16 inches in diameter
Cons
- Doesn’t come with any handles
- Has no edge lips to contain crust
4. Calphalon Nonstick Bakeware
Another solid mid-level pizza pan is this one from Calphalon. This pan is a little different than the ones reviewed above in that it possess holes in its bottom to assist in air circulation. It’s not quite on the level of the ones reviewed above, but is certainly not bad either.
It measures in at 16 inches in diameter, accommodating pizzas that are both small and large. Made out of heavy-duty steel, it’s designed to take on quite a bit of wear and tear. This pizza tray is designed to prevent sticking, ensuring that you don’t lose any crust during the cooking process.
A downside of it is that it contains no handles. This can make it a little difficult to pull out of the oven, but is not a huge problem overall. Capable of being washed in a dishwasher, it’s incredibly easy to maintain and take care of.
Pros
- Capable of being washed in a dishwasher
- Made out of tough and durable steel
- Perforated surface allows for excellent air circulation
- Packs a lot of power for its price
Cons
- Doesn’t possess any handles
- Doesn’t possess much of a lip on its edges
5. Cuisinart AMB-14PP Chef’s Classic Nonstick Bakeware 14-Inch Pizza Pan
The Cuisinart AMB-14PP is similar to the Calphalon pan reviewed above in that it’s equipped with perforations on its surface. Because of this, it offers excellent air circulation, accommodating a fluffy and chewy crust.
This tray is made out of tough and durable aluminized steel, allowing it to thrive through years and years of wear and tear. Measuring in at 14 inches in diameter, it’s capable of making both small and large pizzas.
A nice thing about this tray is that it’s got a lip on its edges. This lip will give your pizza some shape, allowing its ingredients to stay shaped compactly. A completely dishwasher-safe product, this can be cleaned and maintained with absolute ease. Available for a reasonable price, it’s a solid pizza tray that will get the job done.
Pros
- Available for a reasonable price
- Surface perforations allow for air movement
- Made out of durable aluminized steel
- Capable of being cleaned in a dishwasher
Cons
- Not equipped with any handles
6. OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Pizza Pan
Looking for quality non-stick pizza pan? If so, you would be well-served by the OXO Good Grips Non-Stick. Available for a middle of the road price, this pan measures in with a diameter of 15 inches.
This is a rather lightweight tray which is made out of aluminized steel. So, while it doesn’t possess the heat retention characteristic of cast iron, it’s still very durable. It’s equipped with slight curves on its edges, allowing it to give some shape to your pies.
The surface on this pan is textured, allowing air to move throughout the bottom of the pizza to prevent sogginess. Made to be scratch-resistant, it will last for years of use.
Put it altogether, and you get a very solid mid-level pizza pan. Though it’s not dishwasher compatible, because it possesses non-stick properties, it’s very simple to clean and maintain. It’s certainly worth a buy.
Pros
- Possesses non-stick properties
- Extremely lightweight construction
- Excellent durability for its price
- Allows for the circulation of air
Cons
- Must be washed by hand
7. Wilton Perfect Results Pizza Pan
A solid budget option is the Wilton Perfect Results Pizza Pan. Available for around half the price of the OXO reviewed above, it offers much of the same when it comes to construction quality and functionality.
It’s made out of an aluminized steel and possesses a teflon outer coating. This coating prevents it from scratches and also allows it to be washed in a dishwasher. In essence, it’s extremely durable and easy to clean. In fact, it comes with a 10-year warranty.
This pan measures in at 14 inches in diameter, making it big enough to accommodate standard size pizzas at the very most.
To help give your dough some shape, it sports slightly curved edges. These edges will hold your pizza firmly into place so that it can develop some thickness. Overall, this is a great value pizza tray. You won’t find any better for its price.
Pros
- Comes with 10-year warranty
- Can be washed in a dishwasher
- Extremely affordable
- Possesses non-stick properties
Cons
- A little difficult to hold onto
8. Chef Made Deep Dish Pizza Pan
Perhaps you’re interested in making deep dish pizza? If so, this pan from Chef Made would be a terrific option for you. For its quality and capabilities, it’s available for a fairly reasonable price.
It’s made out of a combination of aluminum and steel, making it very lightweight and durable. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite possesses the heat-retaining properties that you’ll find in a cast iron model. However, it still does a fairly good job of transferring heat through pizza.
This pan is equipped with a non-stick coating which keeps it fairly clean the majority of the time. While it can’t be put in the dishwasher, it’s very easy to wipe clean with your hands.
The best thing about this pan is that it comes with a lifetime warranty. You can rest assured knowing that your pan will always be available. If you’re looking to make deep dish pizza, you won’t find a pan too much better than this one.
Pros
- Lightweight, yet very durable
- Comes with lifetime warranty
- Equipped to make deep dish pizza
- Non-stick surface is easy to clean
Cons
- Lacks high-end heat-retaining capabilities
9. New Star Foodservice 50837 Pizza Pan
A solid budget option is the New Star Foodservice 50837. This pan measures in at 16 inches in diameter, making it just a bit bigger than most pans on the market.
While it’s reasonably durable, this pan, unfortunately, does not possess stellar heat-retaining properties. For this reason, it’s really only appropriate for sliding pies in and out of the oven. If this is all you’ll use it for, you’ll be golden.
Though it’s compatible with dishwashers, it may oxidize after being washed. This will not ruin your pizza in any way. It will only affect the aesthetic of the pan itself.
Altogether, this is a solid budget pizza pan. It doesn’t possess anything that would make it worthy of professional-grade pizza, but it serves its general purpose well enough to be worth a buy. Considering it’s fairly cheap, it’s a decent option for some.
Pros
- Capable of being washed in a dishwasher
- Priced very reasonably
- Fairly solid construction quality
Cons
- Doesn’t retain heat well
- Will oxidize in dishwasher
10. World Kitchen Pizza Pan
The last pizza tray we’ll review is this one from World Kitchen. Measuring in at 12 inches, it’s big enough for most standard sized pizzas, and is available for a very affordable price.
This is an exceptionally durable product which is made out of a high-quality aluminum. Unfortunately, because it’s made out of aluminum, it does only an average job of retaining heat.
Where it shines is in its ability to be cleaned. It’s completely dishwasher safe, allowing you to take care of it with very little effort. With a non-stick silicone coating, it prevents crumbs and residue from clinging to its exterior.
It comes with a lifetime warranty, meaning that there is no risk in buying it. And even so, it’s so cheap that you won’t exactly be left wanting for money. If you just need something to slide pizza in and out of the oven, this is the pan for you.
Pros
- Completely dishwasher safe
- Comes with lifetime warranty
- Possesses a non-stick coating
- Very affordable
Cons
- Doesn’t retain heat well