In a world before the trials of 2020, I’d been introduced to at-home pizza making by a friend in London who boasted a Chadwick Oven – a stovetop pizza oven that transformed her kitchen into an artisan pizzeria, despite the hefty price tag. Back then, as a Chicago resident with no shortage of legendary local pizza, the idea of making my own pizza seemed redundant, to say the least. Then, travel aspirations were put on hold, the pandemic set in, and my pizza adventure commenced. Fuelled by interest (and pandemic funds), I brought the Chadwick into my home and later expanded my collection with a Gozney outdoor pizza oven. Nothing compares however to the immersion in the art of pizza-making I experienced in Italy when attending classes taught by revered pizzaioli. Under their tutelage in Rome, Naples, and Parma I learned about the superior nature of Italian 00 flour for your dough and the invaluable use of San Marzano tomatoes for authentic pizza sauce. A Breeo Pizza Oven was added to my steadily growing pizza appliance arsenal, but the biggest shift in my pizza-making practice has been through the use of essential tools. To help other pizza enthusiasts on their quest for the perfect homemade pie, here are the nine pizza tools that have been life-changing in my culinary journey:

The process of shaping dough is described as the most challenging part of pizza making and having a well-shaped dough ball to start with can save time and effort. I recommend silicone containers for storing the dough; their round shape helps in providing a perfect start. They’re functional yet portable and ensure that your dough remains inflated. Efficiency in pizza making can be significantly enhanced by being organized with your ingredients. Having your sauce, cheese, and toppings ready offers a head-start. I find that the Ooni station, complete with storage containers and an easy-tilt base, is excellent for this purpose. For outstanding pizzas, a well-monitored oven interior temperature is a must, as well as the stone temperature. An infrared thermometer, preferably the compact and accurate model made by Gozney, provides an effective solution to measure the stone's temperature. Transferring your pizzas can be a difficult process. However, it doesn’t have to be, provided you have a top-notch pizza peel like the ridged nonstick surface on the Gozney model, which requires minimal flour and aids in getting rid of excess. Pizza cooking skills would be incomplete without learning the art of rotating the pizza in the oven. A nifty turning tool, like the one produced by Ooni, guarantees evenly cooked crusts with a hint of char. Looking at serving options, I suggest an all-in-one solution like the stunning walnut board from Breeo. Suitable for slicing, serving, and doubling as a classy charcuterie board when you're not amidst pizza crafting. To cut through slightly thicker or crispier crusts, I suggest a sharp rocker blade. The one from Breeo stands out for its comfortable grip, extra-thick stainless steel blade, and dishwasher-safe design. For fans of the wheel-style pizza cutter, Midnight Slice’s ergonomic design is my definite pick. It promises smooth slicing action and provides finger protection, while also being easy on the wrist and dishwasher friendly.

Finally, for unique creations like the pizza al taglio, a specialty from Parma known for its lengthy rectangular shape, I highly recommend the Dreamfarm Scizza scissors. Fitted with an in-built spatula, it provides easy and perfect slicing. So, buckle up pizza enthusiasts; let your dream of crafting heavenly homemade pizzas come alive with these essential tools!