Slice Pizza, Not Your Pan

There are several ways to cut pizza without scratching the pan. One way is to use a pizza cutter, but be aware that if you have a non-stick pan, you should not cut anything directly in the pan as it will eventually ruin it. Instead, slide the pizza off the pan and onto a wooden cutting board or a large cutting board before cutting. You can also use kitchen shears or scissors, which some people prefer as they provide more control and can cut the pizza into a variety of shapes and sizes. If you're using a chef's knife, wait for the pizza to cool down before cutting to prevent the cheese from sticking to the knife.

Use a pizza wheel or cutter

Using a pizza wheel or cutter is a great way to slice your pizza without damaging your pan. It is a good idea to invest in a super-sharp pizza cutter, as a sharper tool will glide through the crust without the need for force, which could damage your pan. Chef Ann Kim recommends getting your pizza cutter professionally sharpened once a week to ensure clean slices.

If you are using a pizza wheel, it is best to cut the pizza as soon as it comes out of the oven. This is because the crust will begin to toughen and cutting will become more challenging. However, it is important to wait a few minutes before eating your pizza to avoid burning your mouth!

When using a pizza wheel, the motion of it rolling around will prevent the cheese from sticking to the cutter. This is not the case when using a knife, so if you are using a knife, it is best to wait for the pizza to cool down before slicing.

If you are concerned about damaging your pan, you could always transfer your pizza to a wooden cutting board, the inside of its packaging, or some parchment paper before slicing.

Use a chef's knife

If you don't have a pizza cutter, a chef's knife can be used to cut pizza without scratching the pan. Here's how to do it:

Firstly, ensure that you have a large chef's knife that is big enough to fit the circumference of your pizza. A super-sharp knife is ideal, as it will provide a clean slice.

Next, allow the pizza to cool down slightly. Chef Ann Kim, a James Beard Award-winning chef, recommends cutting the pizza immediately after it comes out of the oven, as it will start to toughen up if you wait too long. However, she suggests that if you are using a chef's knife, it is better to let it cool down a little to prevent the cheese from sticking to the knife.

When you are ready to cut, rock the knife back and forth gently to slice through the pizza. If you are concerned about cheese sticking to the knife, you can have a clean dish towel or paper towel at hand to carefully swipe the blade between cuts.

Using a chef's knife allows you to cut uniform or creative slices, and it can be a good alternative to a pizza cutter, which may not always cut through the crust cleanly.

Cut pizza with scissors

Cutting Pizza with Scissors

Using scissors to cut pizza is a common practice in Italy, especially in Rome. It is a traditional method that is often used for pizza al taglio or "by the cut" pizza. This technique allows for custom slice sizes, which are then weighed and billed accordingly.

Advantages of Using Scissors

Scissors offer greater control when cutting pizza, enabling you to create small triangles, squares, or any desired shape with ease. They are also more effective than pizza cutters, as they require less force and consistently produce clean cuts. The sound of snipping scissors is also quite satisfying.

Tips for Using Scissors

Before cutting, allow the pizza to cool down for 2-3 minutes until the crust is manageable. Use a spatula to loosen the pizza from the sheet pan, or transfer it to a large cutting board if baked on a pizza stone. Ensure that your scissors are well-built and sharp enough to cut through the crust.

Recommended Scissors

Jim Lahey, a baker who studied in Italy, suggests using stainless steel shears for pizza. He recommends OXO's Good Grips Shears or All-Clad's Kitchen Shears. Cathy Whims, a chef and co-owner of Nostrana in Portland, Oregon, uses Slice brand stainless steel scissors. David DiBari, chef at The Parlor in Dobbs Ferry, New York, suggests food-grade shears from Winco or the Acero brand.

Precautions

Be cautious when cutting larger, thicker slices, especially if the cheese is molten hot. Using scissors in this case may result in burning your hand. It is also important to disinfect your scissors before and after using them for food, or designate a separate pair specifically for culinary use.

Slide pizza off the pan before cutting

If you want to avoid scratching your pan when cutting pizza, it's best to slide the pizza off the pan before cutting. This is a good idea for a few reasons. Firstly, if you have a non-stick pan, cutting on the pan can damage the non-stick surface, and your pizza may start to stick or burn. Secondly, cutting on a metal surface can put tiny metal shards into your food, which is a health hazard. Finally, it's simply harder to cut pizza on a hot pan straight out of the oven, and you're more likely to get a clean slice if you let the pizza cool down a little first.

So, how do you slide the pizza off the pan? Using a spatula, loosen the pizza from the pan and transfer it to a large cutting board or the inside of the frozen pizza carton. You could also use parchment paper to line the pan before cooking, then slide the pizza off onto a cutting board. This way, you protect your pan, and you don't have to worry about scratching it when you cut the pizza.

Once you've slid the pizza off the pan, you can cut it with a pizza cutter, a chef's knife, or even a pair of scissors! For pizza cutters and knives, it's best to wait a few minutes for the pizza to cool down, so the cheese doesn't stick to the cutter or knife. With scissors, you can cut right away, and you'll have more control over the shapes of your slices.

Use a plastic knife for non-stick pans

If you're using a non-stick pan, it's best to avoid cutting your pizza with a metal pizza cutter or knife. This is because the metal can scratch the pan, causing damage that may result in your pizza sticking or burning in the future.

A safer option is to use a plastic knife, which is much gentler on non-stick pans. Plastic knives are typically made from polypropylene or nylon, which is a softer material that won't scratch the pan's surface. Make sure you use a knife designed for this purpose, such as a plastic lettuce knife, rather than a regular plastic butter knife, which may be too small and weak for the task.

When using a plastic knife to cut pizza in a non-stick pan, follow these steps:

• Allow the pizza to cool for a couple of minutes after removing it from the oven. This will make it easier to handle and reduce the risk of burning yourself.
• Loosen the pizza from the pan using a spatula. You can also transfer the pizza to a cutting board or another surface if you prefer.
• Starting from the centre of the pizza, gently cut through the crust with the plastic knife. You may need to apply a little more pressure than you would with a metal knife, but the plastic knife should still be able to cut through the pizza effectively.
• Wipe the knife with a paper towel or clean dishcloth between cuts if needed to remove any cheese or toppings that may be sticking to it.
• Cut the pizza into your desired slice sizes, using the plastic knife to gently saw through the crust if necessary.
• Once you've finished cutting the pizza, clean your plastic knife with mild soap and warm water. Avoid using abrasive scrubbers or sponges, as these can scratch the knife.

By using a plastic knife, you can safely cut pizza in a non-stick pan without worrying about damaging the pan's surface.

Frequently asked questions