Removing Deep-Dish Pizza: Tips For A Clean Release

Deep-dish pizza is a delicious, decadent treat, but it can be tricky to remove from the pan without breaking it. The key to success is in the preparation: lightly oiling the pan before cooking will help you lift the pizza out in one piece. Using a pizza cutter and a pair of metal tongs, you can then cut around the edge of the pizza to unstick it from the pan. Once the edges are free, carefully slide the blade of the cutter underneath and lift it out. With the right tools and a little care, you can enjoy the satisfaction of a perfectly intact deep-dish pizza.

Removing a Deep-Dish Pizza from its Pan

Use a pizza cutter to separate the pizza from the pan

To remove a deep-dish pizza from its pan, you can use a pizza cutter and a pair of metal tongs. Grab the metal pan out of the oven with the tongs, holding it in your non-dominant hand. Hold the pizza cutter in your dominant hand. Position the pan at an angle of around 45 degrees. Now, use the pizza cutter to carefully cut between the metal pan and the edge of the pizza. Cut all the way around in a circle to "unstick" the pizza from the pan.

Once you've cut around the edges, carefully slide the blade of the pizza cutter underneath the pizza and lift it out. If done correctly, the pizza will slide right out. The whole process should only take 5 to 10 seconds.

This technique is used by employees at Domino's to get pan pizzas out of their pans without breaking the pizza. It's important to note that the bottom of the pan is usually greased with butter before the pizza dough goes in, so be careful when handling the hot pan.

Additionally, if you're making a true deep-dish pizza (3 inches deep in a cast iron pan), lightly oil the pan before cooking to ensure the pizza doesn't stick.

Metal tongs to hold the pan

Metal tongs are a great tool to help you remove a deep-dish pizza from its pan. They are designed to protect your hands from burns and are usually made from heavy-duty cast aluminium that can withstand high temperatures.

To start, use the metal tongs to grab the hot pan out of the oven. Hold the pan at an angle of around 45 degrees. Then, use a pizza cutter to cut between the pan and the edge of the pizza, going all the way around in a circle. This will help to "unstick" the pizza from the pan.

Once the edges are free, carefully slide the blade of the cutter underneath the pizza and lift it out. If done correctly, the pizza will slide right out of the pan and into the box. You can then cut the pizza as you would normally.

There are several metal tongs available on the market that are designed specifically for removing pizza pans from the oven. These include:

• SHANGPEIXUAN Pizza Pan Gripper
• Chef Pomodoro Premium Pizza Pan Gripper
• OBTANIM Heavy Duty Pizza Pan Gripper

Angle the pan at 45 degrees

To remove a deep-dish pizza from its pan, you'll need a pizza cutter and a pair of metal tongs. First, grab the metal pan out of the oven with the tongs, holding it in your non-dominant hand. Then, take the pizza cutter in your other hand. Now, here's the key step: hold the pan with the pizza at a 45-degree angle. Using the pizza cutter, carefully cut between the metal pan and the edge of the pizza, moving in a circle to "unstick" the pizza from the pan. This step is made easier if the bottom of the pan was oiled or buttered before the pizza dough was added.

Once you've cut around the edges, the pizza should be mostly free from the pan. Now, carefully slide the blade of the pizza cutter underneath the pizza, using the angle of the pan to your advantage. Gently lift the pizza out of the pan and transfer it to a box. If done correctly, the pizza will slide out smoothly and easily. The whole process should only take 5 to 10 seconds.

It's important to note that this method is specifically for removing a deep-dish pizza from a pan. If you're working with a thinner, less sturdy pizza, you might need to adjust your technique to avoid breaking the crust. Additionally, always exercise caution when handling hot pans and ovens to prevent burns or injuries.

Slide the pizza cutter under the pizza

Once you've cut around the edge of the pizza with your cutter, it's time to slide the pizza cutter under the pizza and lift it out of the pan. This step is crucial in ensuring the pizza comes out of the pan in one piece. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Hold the pan at an angle of around 45 degrees. Carefully slide the blade of the pizza cutter underneath the pizza. The angle of the pan will help you get the cutter under the pizza without disturbing the toppings. Once the blade is in place, slowly and gently lift the pizza out of the pan. The pizza should be stable and secure on the blade, but take care not to tilt the pan too much, as the pizza could slide off the cutter.

If your pizza cutter has a large enough surface area, you can place the pizza directly onto a box or serving plate. If not, you might want to slide the pizza from the cutter onto a large spatula or pizza peel. This will give you more control and make it easier to manoeuvre the pizza without it breaking or falling apart.

It's important to work quickly but carefully during this process. A freshly baked deep-dish pizza will start to cool and firm up as soon as it's out of the oven, so it's best to have your tools ready and work efficiently to avoid the pizza becoming stuck to the pan. A sharp pizza cutter will also help to ensure a clean release from the pan.

With a little practice, you'll be able to master the art of removing a deep-dish pizza from the pan. Remember to take your time, use the right tools, and work with care, and you'll be enjoying your delicious creation in no time!

Lift the pizza out

Lifting the pizza out of the pan is the final step of the removal process. Once you have loosened the edges of the pizza from the pan, you can carefully slide the blade of the cutter or a spatula underneath the pizza. The pizza should be at an angle of around 45 degrees. Once the blade is in place, carefully lift the pizza out. If you have prepared the pizza correctly, it should slide out easily. The whole process of removing the pizza from the pan should only take 5-10 seconds.

If you are using a pizza cutter, you will need to hold the pan at an angle in your non-dominant hand, with the cutter in your dominant hand. If you are using a spatula, you may find it easier to hold the pan on a flat surface and slide the spatula under the pizza before lifting. Take care not to tip the pan too far and have the pizza slide out too quickly.

If you are making a true deep-dish pizza, you will need to be particularly careful during the lifting process. Deep-dish pizzas are cooked in a cast-iron pan and are around 3 inches deep. As such, they can be harder to remove from the pan without breaking. To avoid this, lightly oil the pan before cooking and take care not to cut the pizza before serving.

If your pizza does break during the lifting process, this is likely due to it sticking to the sides of the pan and tearing. To avoid this, ensure that you have adequately loosened the edges before attempting to lift the pizza out. You may also find it helpful to use a larger spatula to support the pizza as you lift it out of the pan.

Frequently asked questions