Baking Pizza: Wire Pan Oven Method

How to Bake Pizza in the Oven with a Wire Pan

Baking pizza at home can be a fun and rewarding experience, and with the right tools and techniques, you can achieve delicious results. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you bake pizza in your oven using a wire pan:

1. Plan ahead: Make the dough at least a day in advance to allow it sufficient time to rise. This will ensure a more flavourful and airy crust.

2. Preheat your oven: Set your oven to its highest temperature, typically between 475-550°F (246-288°C). Let it preheat for at least 30 minutes, but preferably an hour, to ensure the oven reaches the desired temperature.

3. Prepare your wire pan: Place the wire pan in the oven during preheating. This will ensure the pan is hot and ready for baking.

4. Make your pizza dough: Combine flour, salt, yeast, and olive oil with lukewarm water to form a soft dough. Knead the dough for a few minutes, then let it rest. Divide the dough into balls and let them rise for a few hours at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

5. Shape the dough: On a floured surface, use your hands or a rolling pin to shape the dough into a circle or desired shape. Stretch and flatten the dough to your desired thickness, usually around 1/4-inch thick.

6. Top your pizza: Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce, keeping a margin around the edges. Add your favourite toppings and cheeses. Be mindful not to overload the pizza to ensure even cooking.

7. Bake your pizza: Carefully transfer the topped pizza onto the preheated wire pan in the oven. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

8. Slice and serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool slightly. Transfer it to a cutting board and slice into pieces. Serve and enjoy your freshly baked pizza!

By following these steps and allowing your oven and wire pan to reach the appropriate temperature, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious, restaurant-quality pizzas in the comfort of your own home.

Prepare the dough

The key to a great pizza is the dough. While you can buy pre-made dough, making your own is easy and will give your pizza a superior flavour and texture. The ingredients are simple, and the process is straightforward. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing pizza dough:

Ingredients

You will need the following:

• Flour (either plain/all-purpose, bread flour, or Italian Tipo '00' flour)
• Water (lukewarm or warm)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Yeast (either active dry yeast or instant yeast)
• Caster sugar (optional)
• Cornmeal (optional)

Mixing the Dough

Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Create a well in the centre and pour in the water, olive oil, and yeast mixture. Use a fork to gradually mix the dry ingredients into the liquid, starting from the sides of the well and working your way in. Once it starts to come together, use your hands to work the rest of the flour into a smooth, springy dough.

Kneading the Dough

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. Kneading the dough helps develop the gluten, which gives the dough strength and structure. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle a little more flour onto your work surface.

First Rise

Place the dough in a large, oiled bowl and turn it to coat with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp cloth and let the dough rise in a warm, draught-free place. The dough should double in size, which will take about 30 minutes to an hour. This process allows the yeast to activate and gives the dough a lighter, airier texture.

Shaping the Dough

Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface and gently knead it again to remove any air bubbles. You can now divide the dough into balls, depending on how many pizzas you want to make. Roll each ball into a circle, about 0.5 cm thick, using a rolling pin. If the dough shrinks back, let it rest for a few minutes before trying again. You can also stretch the dough by holding it up and letting gravity do the work.

Second Rise

Place the shaped dough rounds on a lightly oiled or floured surface and cover them with plastic wrap or a damp cloth. Let the dough rise again for about 15-20 minutes at room temperature. This second rise will give your pizza a softer, fluffier texture.

Your pizza dough is now ready to be baked! Remember to preheat your oven and baking surface before placing your pizza in the oven. Enjoy creating your own delicious, homemade pizzas!

Preheat the oven and wire pan

Preheating your oven and wire pan is an important step in ensuring your pizza turns out perfectly. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

First, it's crucial to understand the role of temperature in baking pizza. Pizza cooks from the top, sides, and bottom, using two main sources of heat transfer: conduction and radiation. Conduction is the direct transfer of energy from one object to another, which is how the underside of your pizza cooks. Radiation, on the other hand, is the movement of energy by electromagnetic waves, cooking the top and sides of the pizza. To get these two sources of heat to work together effectively, you need to preheat your oven and wire pan adequately.

To achieve optimal heat transfer, preheat your oven to its highest temperature setting. Most home ovens can reach temperatures between 475°F and 550°F. Set your oven to its maximum temperature and let it preheat for at least 30 minutes, but preferably for about an hour. This extended preheating period ensures that your oven reaches a consistent high temperature, which is crucial for cooking the pizza evenly.

While the oven is preheating, prepare your wire pan by placing it inside the oven. The exact placement of the wire pan depends on your oven's configuration. If you have a single oven, place the wire pan on a rack in the lowest position. If you have a range/oven combo with a small oven on top and a larger one below, you can use the small oven for individual pizzas or the larger one for baking multiple pizzas simultaneously.

If you're using a pizza stone or baking steel in addition to your wire pan, there are a few extra steps to follow. First, allow the pizza stone or steel to come to room temperature before placing it in the oven. Then, place it on the middle rack of the oven before turning it on and let it preheat along with the oven for at least an hour. This ensures that your baking surface reaches the desired temperature. Additionally, consider placing the pizza stone or steel about 6 to 8 inches from the top of the oven, as heat rises, and this placement maximizes the amount of heat the pizza's top and sides are exposed to.

During the preheating process, you can also prepare your pizza dough and toppings. It's recommended to make the dough ahead of time, allowing it to rise slowly in the refrigerator for a more flavorful crust. Take the dough out of the refrigerator about an hour before shaping it to bring it to room temperature. You can also prepare your desired toppings and sauce during this time.

In summary, preheating your oven and wire pan is crucial for achieving the desired temperature for cooking your pizza. Set your oven to its highest temperature and allow it to preheat for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Place the wire pan inside the oven during the preheating process, and if using a pizza stone or baking steel, ensure it's at room temperature and placed correctly in the oven. By following these steps, you'll create the ideal environment for cooking your pizza to perfection.

Add toppings

Now that your oven is hot and your pizza dough is ready, it's time to add your toppings.

The order in which you add your toppings is important. Typically, you should add tomato sauce first, directly on top of the dough, followed by cheese, and then your toppings. This allows the cheese to bubble and brown, and your toppings to get direct heat and become crisp. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, Sicilian-style pizzas put the cheese directly on the pizza crust, and then the sauce goes on top. This helps the thick, bread-like dough underneath stay crisp.

If you're making a pizza with raw meat, such as sausage, chicken, or bacon, be sure to precook it. You can also microwave pepperoni to get rid of some of the grease. If you're using vegetables like root veggies, hard squashes, or hearty leafy greens, you'll want to precook these as well. Mushrooms and onions should also be cooked before going on the pizza. However, delicate greens like arugula and spinach don't need to be precooked.

When adding your toppings, use a light touch and try not to overload the pizza, especially in the center, as this will lead to an undercooked crust. Two to three tablespoons of sauce are usually enough, along with a small drizzle of olive oil and a couple of other toppings.

Remember, the key to great pizza is balance. You want the right amount of sauce, cheese, and toppings, so they all cook evenly and the flavors come together perfectly.

Slide the pizza onto the wire pan

Sliding the pizza onto the wire pan is a delicate operation, but it can be done smoothly with the right preparation. Here are some tips to help you master this step:

First, make sure your pizza peel or transfer sheet is well-prepared. A pizza peel is the large, flat tool used to slide the pizza into the oven. If you're using a wooden peel, ensure it's smooth rather than rough, as too much friction can make it difficult to slide the pizza off. You can also use the back of a baking sheet or a flat cookie sheet without a lip. Dust your peel or sheet generously with cornmeal or flour to create a barrier that prevents sticking and helps the pizza slide off smoothly. Be sure to have all your toppings ready and close at hand so you can work quickly once the pizza is on the peel.

Next, prepare your dough. The dough should not be too wet; if it is, apply a little extra flour as you shape it. Work the dough into a circle, gently stretching it out from the centre until it reaches your desired diameter. Be careful not to stretch it too thin, or it may tear when you try to transfer it. Let the dough relax for a few minutes, then stretch it again if needed.

Now you're ready to slide the pizza onto the wire pan. Place your shaped dough onto the prepared peel or sheet. Give the peel a gentle shake to ensure the dough can move freely. Quickly add your toppings, being careful not to overload the pizza, as this can cause it to stick. Leave a little space around the edges to help the crust rise and bake evenly.

Once your pizza is topped, it's time for the critical slide. Gently shake the peel again to loosen the dough, then carefully slide the pizza off the peel and onto the preheated wire pan in your oven. Take your time with this step, and if the pizza starts to stick, gently loosen the edges with your hands and add a little more cornmeal or flour.

With these tips in mind, you'll be sliding pizzas like a pro in no time!

Bake the pizza

Now that you've prepared your pizza, it's time to bake it!

Preheat your oven

First, preheat your oven to 475°F or 500°F (or 550°F if your oven goes that high). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up as well. If you don't have a pizza stone, you can use a heavy-duty baking sheet, a pizza pan, or a thick baking sheet. You can also use a baking steel, which has higher thermal conductivity than a ceramic pizza stone, resulting in faster cooking. Firebricks are another great option—they're inexpensive and have excellent thermal mass. Preheat your oven for at least 30 minutes, but preferably an hour.

Prepare your pizza

While the oven is preheating, prepare your pizza. Stretch the dough into a circle, rotating it as you go, until it reaches your desired diameter (usually around 10-12 inches). Use your fingertips to press down and make dents along the surface of the dough to prevent bubbling, and brush the top with olive oil. Let the dough rest for 10-15 minutes.

Next, add your toppings. Start with the sauce, spreading it out to about 1/2 inch from the edges of the dough. Be careful not to overload the pizza with too many toppings, or it will turn out soggy. Two to three tablespoons of sauce and a light sprinkling of cheese are usually enough.

Bake your pizza

Once your pizza is ready and your oven is preheated, it's time to bake! If you're using a pizza stone, steel, or firebricks, place your pizza directly on the preheated surface. If you're using a baking sheet, place the pizza on the sheet before putting it in the oven. Bake your pizza for about 10 minutes, until the crust is browned and the cheese is golden. If you want to add a little extra cheese, sprinkle some on towards the end of the cooking time.

And that's it! You've now baked your pizza and it's ready to be enjoyed.

Frequently asked questions