What is a pizza maker? How to choose a device and cook pizza in it?

A pizza maker is a kind of pizza oven, which will help not only simplify the process of preparing your favorite dish, but also save a lot of time. There are a large number of models of this device - both budget and more expensive. We will help you figure out how to choose a pizza maker.

What is a pizza maker?

This is a double-leaf device that visually resembles a pan with a tight-fitting lid. Thanks to the heaters built into the bottom and top cover, the dish in this appliance is cooked evenly. The furnace body has a heat-resistant base made of plastic or stainless steel. Depending on the manufacturer and model of the pizza maker, the lower part, intended for cooking, can be solid or divided into several parts, each of which has a round shape.

All metal work surfaces of the oven are coated with a non-stick coating, which allows you to cook pizza using a small amount of oil or completely abandon it. You can also meet pizza makers with work surfaces made of natural stone.

Compact pizza ovens are equipped with indicator lights located on the lid of the appliance or on its handle. Many manufacturers produce pizza makers with a built-in timer and thermostat.

What else can you cook in a pizza maker?

The device allows you to cook all the dishes that are usually baked in the oven. Unlike the latter, in a compact pizza maker the cooking process is much faster.

The device’s capabilities are not limited to making pizza: it is also possible to cook fried eggs, potatoes (diced or straws), meat, meatballs, and bake chicken. There is also the possibility of making sandwiches: a pizza maker can easily hold 4 large toasts.

It is good to cook baked vegetables in the device: zucchini, cabbage, bell peppers, pumpkin retain a great taste and aroma.

Pies, biscuits, pita bread, khachapuri, pancakes, bagels from puffless yeast dough, and Ossetian pies are great in pizza makers.

Unlike gas and electric ovens, which must be preheated, in a pizza maker the cooking process begins almost immediately after turning on the appliance. With this mini-oven you can cook your favorite meal quickly and without loss of taste.

Method of making pizza in a pizza maker

The process of making pizza in an electric appliance will not cause difficulties even for those who first encountered a pizza maker. To prepare a delicious pizza, just follow the step by step instructions:

1. First you need to prepare the basis for pizza. You can knead the dough yourself or thaw the finished cake mix.
2. Prepare the ingredients (to your taste) for the filling.
3. The baking surface can optionally be greased with a small amount of oil, but if the surface of the appliance is made of natural stone, then this can not be done.
4. Next, take the dough and place it neatly inside a round shape, wrapping the edges so that the melted cheese does not leak outside the pizza during the cooking process. This will help prevent burning. From above, the workpiece should be greased with ketchup or a special sauce, after which, spread the filling and sprinkle with grated cheese.
5. Close the pizza maker and plug in the appliance.
6. After cooking (this process takes 15-20 minutes, depending on the power of the device and model), the dish must be removed from the appliance with a wooden spatula.

When cooking in a pizza maker, the ingredients of the dish do not dry out and do not burn.

Watch the video with the preparation of pizza in two pizza chains and a parallel comparative overview of these devices:

Choosing a Pizza Maker

Choosing a pizza maker is not easy, as there are a lot of devices that are diverse in terms of design and characteristics on the market. The main criteria for choosing a device for making pizza are the following:

• Material and depth of the main surface for cooking. Different models may vary. In a pizza maker with metal work surfaces of sufficient depth, in addition to pizza, you can make a pie, casserole and other dough products. A material like natural stone is ideal for baking pizza.
• The power of the device. This indicator also plays an important role when choosing a device. Power varies from about 1000 to 1800 watts.
• The presence of a temperature controller. Not all pizza makers have a temperature controller, but its availability greatly simplifies the cooking process, as it makes it possible to set the required temperature. With the help of a timer, it is easier to choose the conditions necessary for baking.

When choosing a device, it is also necessary to pay attention to such parameters as the insulation of the case, the density of closing (with leaky closure, leakage of dough on the housing is possible), the presence of a compartment on the device for storing cable and anti-slip legs.

Popular models

To choose a suitable appliance that will facilitate the preparation of your favorite dish, you should familiarize yourself with the most popular models.

Princess 115000

This model has a plastic case, excellent thermal insulation. Internal work surfaces are coated with non-stick material. The device has a power of 1500 watts, which allows you to bake one pizza with a diameter of 30 cm in one cycle. Managed manually.

The device has one operating mode, a built-in thermostat monitors the heating of the device, there is a light indicator.

Tristar pz 2881

Quite a popular model with several operating modes: baking, stewing, frying. In addition to the main purpose (baking pizza), with its help you can cook various vegetable and meat dishes. The model has a plastic case with good thermal insulation, non-stick coating of the working part, mechanical control. Tristar pz 2881 is designed for baking pizza with a diameter of 30 cm.

The advantages of the model include the presence of a light indication, anti-slip legs (rubberized), a compartment for storing the cord. A good power of the device - 1450 W - is also an undoubted advantage of the device.

Travola SW302T

This is a budget model with a capacity of 1100 watts. The body of the device is made of stainless steel. The pizza maker has a non-stick coating on the work surface and has the ability to bake pizza with a diameter of 30 cm.

The presence of a thermostat provides tracking of baking time. The operating mode of the Travola SW302T is one. An indicator light is integrated in the cover. The advantages of this model include the ability to bake both in the open and in the closed position. The existing cable storage compartment will help to compactly place the device.

A pizza maker is a device for making pizza at home. With the help of this mini-oven you can cook your favorite dish without difficulty and in a short time. Because of its simplicity, the device is easy to use and every housewife will be able to master it.