Essential Tools
The difference between an ordinary pizza and a gastronomic masterpiece often lies in the tools used.
Here are the essential tools that every professional pizza chef should have in their arsenal.
DOUGH TOOLS
Professional Mixer A good spiral or fork mixer, possibly with two speeds, is essential to obtain homogeneous and well-oxygenated dough. Professional models allow you to work large quantities of dough while maintaining controlled temperatures, avoiding overheating that would compromise the structure of the gluten.
Precision Scale Precision is everything in professional pizza. A digital scale with gram accuracy is essential to respect the exact proportions of the ingredients.
Kitchen Thermometer Essential for monitoring the temperature of the water during kneading and that of the dough itself during processing.
Flour Sifter : Essential for eliminating lumps and aerating the flour before kneading.
TOOLS FOR PROCESSING
Marble Workbench A large, smooth and easily cleanable surface is essential for rolling out and working dough. Marble offers the advantage of maintaining a lower temperature, ideal in the summer months.
Bench Scraper Useful for collecting dough and cleaning the work surface, it is a versatile and indispensable tool.
Flexible plastic models are ideal for not damaging surfaces.
Portion Cutting Board Allows you to divide the dough into pieces of uniform weight with precision and speed. Professional models allow you to cut multiple pieces at the same time.
Bread Boxes Specific boxes for the second leavening of bread, which allow them to maintain their shape and prevent drying. The stackable models optimize space in the refrigerator.
Crate trolley : To easily organize and transport crates with leavening loaves.
Professional Refrigerators : For the conservation of ingredients and the controlled maturation of dough.
Professional Refrigerators : For the conservation of ingredients and the controlled maturation of dough in case the fermentation cell is missing.
Fermentation Cell : Allows you to control temperature and humidity for optimal leavening.
COOKING TOOLS
Baking Peel Made of wood or aluminum, with a long handle, it is essential for transferring the pizza to the oven.
The wooden version is ideal for baking thanks to its ability to absorb excess moisture and reduce dough sticking.
Smaller and usually made of metal, it allows you to rotate the pizza during cooking and remove it.
Oven Brush : Essential for cleaning the cooking surface between one pizza and the next, removing burnt flour residues that could compromise the flavour of subsequent pizzas.
Oven Thermometer : To accurately monitor the oven temperature, a crucial element for perfect cooking. Laser models allow you to measure the temperature in specific points of the oven.
FINISHING TOOLS
Stainless Steel Workbench : Hygienic and durable surface for preparation.
Polyethylene Cutting Board : Compliant with HACCP regulations for cutting and preparing ingredients.
Pizza Cutter Wheel : With sharp blade and ergonomic handle, it allows a clean and precise cut without dragging the toppings. The professional models have interchangeable blades to always maintain a perfect cut.
Triangular Spatulas : Specific for extracting the loaves from the boxes without damaging them.
Knives and Scissors : Complete and quality set for precise cutting of ingredients.
Condiment Containers : Refrigerated storage systems that keep ingredients fresh and on hand during service, ensuring efficiency and speed in preparation.
Magnetic Knife Holder : To organize and safely store knives.
Measuring Spoon : For accurately measuring tomato sauce on pizza.
CONCLUSION
Investing in quality tools is essential for anyone who aspires to create professional-level pizzas.
These tools not only make the pizza chef's job easier, but also contribute significantly to the quality of the final product.
The combination of excellent ingredients, refined techniques and adequate tools is the winning formula to elevate the art of pizza to new levels of excellence.
Find out how to best use these tools
This and many other professional techniques in our ebook "The Magical Art of Italian Pizza" , the definitive guide to mastering the authentic art of professional pizza.
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