Running a successful pizzeria or restaurant isn’t just about having the right oven. Alongside high-performance ovens from brands like GAM, Paramount, or Atlas, every professional kitchen also needs the right pizza tools. These tools make preparation easier, ensure consistency, and help you serve authentic, restaurant-quality pizzas every time.
Whether you’re just starting out or upgrading your setup, here’s a guide to the must-have pizza tools and why they’re important.
1. Pizza Turner
Purpose:
A pizza turner (sometimes called a turning peel) is a small, round, flat paddle with a long handle. It’s used to rotate the pizza while it’s baking in the oven.
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Allows you to spin pizzas without removing them from the stone.
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Ensures even cooking on all sides.
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Prevents burning on one edge while the other side undercooks.
Pro Tip: Professional brands like GI Metal design lightweight, heat-resistant turners that give pizzaiolos maximum control in high-temperature ovens.
2. Pizza Peel
Purpose:
The pizza peel is the classic pizza tool—a large, flat paddle used for loading and unloading pizzas from the oven.
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Comes in wood, aluminum, or stainless steel.
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Wooden peels are often used for prepping and launching pizzas (dough slides off easily).
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Metal peels are thinner and easier to slide under cooked pizzas.
Why It Matters: Without a peel, you risk damaging the pizza stone, misshaping your pizza, or burning yourself. A well-balanced peel makes handling pizzas effortless.
3. Pizza Shovel
Purpose:
The shovel is similar to a peel but usually smaller and sturdier. It’s designed for handling smaller items like calzones, garlic bread, or slices of pizza.
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Ideal for busy kitchens where multiple dishes are baked.
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Useful for maneuvering food around hot oven surfaces.
Pro Tip: GI Metal shovels are reinforced for strength and come in various sizes to suit different ovens.
4. Pizza Brush
Purpose:
A pizza oven brush is essential for cleaning the stone deck inside your oven.
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Removes flour, crumbs, and burnt residue between pizzas.
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Keeps the cooking surface clean for consistent results.
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Bristles are usually brass or steel, with a scraper on the back for stubborn spots.
Why It Matters: Regular brushing protects your pizza stone, prevents smoke, and ensures hygiene.
5. Pizza Screens
Purpose:
Pizza screens (or mesh trays) are round metal screens used for cooking pizzas with a lighter, crisper base.
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Perfect for New York-style thin crust pizzas.
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Allows airflow underneath the pizza for even cooking.
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Prevents soggy bases when baking with toppings that release moisture.
Pro Tip: Many pizzerias use screens during rush hours—they make handling pizzas faster and reduce mistakes.
Choosing the Right Pizza Tools
When it comes to pizza tools, quality matters. Professional brands like GI Metal are trusted worldwide because they:
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Use lightweight, durable materials.
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Design ergonomically balanced handles.
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Offer long-lasting tools made for commercial use.
While cheaper tools may seem attractive, they often don’t withstand the high heat of commercial ovens and can bend, warp, or wear quickly.
Final Thoughts
Every pizzeria needs more than just a great oven—it needs the right tools to go with it. A turner, peel, shovel, brush, and pizza screens are the foundation of a professional pizza setup. With brands like GI Metal, you can rely on durability, safety, and ease of use in every service.
Investing in the right pizza tools not only makes life easier for chefs but also ensures every pizza that leaves your oven is consistently perfect.
