Pizza Screen

Mesh Pizza Pans: What You Need to Know

Choose from circular pizza disks in all standard pizza sizes and rectangular pans for multipurpose use. Because aluminum transfers heat well and holes or mesh enable air circulation, these screens will cook pizza faster than a solid pizza pan when cooking directly on a deck isn't feasible. They're a lightweight option for multiple situations; if you want a crispier pizza, need to run high volumes of pizza through a conveyor oven, or want to limit sogginess and sticking, a pizza screen may be the best option for your operation.

Common Questions About Pizza Screens

What are mesh pizza trays used for?

Depending on preference, chefs may use pizza screens for the entire baking process when cooking with a conveyor oven or simply dress the pizza dough on a screen before cooking it directly on an oven deck. Using a screen for only part of the process will prevent sticking and eliminate the need for cornmeal or other peel dust. Chefs may choose pizza screens over pizza pans because they enable moisture to escape the crust, decreasing sogginess.

What else can I cook on a pizza screen?

Cooks may choose a rectangle pizza screen for its flexibility. They can bake pizzas in that shape and cook additional items such as breadsticks and sandwiches to the same crispy texture.

How do you season an aluminum pizza screen?

Before using a pizza screen, you'll need to season it to prevent sticking. Follow these steps:

1. Wipe oil on the surface of the pan and let it soak for 30 minutes.
2. Bake the screen using the same cooking time and temperature used for pizza preparation.
3. Wipe the pan, but don't wash off the excess oil.
4. Add more oil before baking to reinforce the oil residue layer.

What sizes are available?

Pizza disks range between 6 and 28 inches in diameter. This range will accommodate any standard-size pizza, from small to extra-large and beyond. Rectangular screens are available in sizes as big as 24 inches long and 16 inches wide. With some exceptions, pans typically weigh less than a pound.

How do you clean a pizza screen?

Avoid putting your pizza screen in the dishwasher or using abrasive pads that can scratch the aluminum and cause corrosion. Instead, handwash it only when necessary with a mild detergent. Use detergent specifically made for aluminum if possible, and pat the screen dry afterward. Heat the pan in the oven after each wash and reapply oil to maintain seasoning.

What is hard-coated aluminum?

Aluminum naturally forms a corrosion-resistant oxidized layer when exposed to oxygen. Hard-coated aluminum pizza screens have been given a stronger, more corrosion-resistant anodic coating of aluminum oxide using a special process.

What is the difference between mesh pizza screens and perforated pizza pans?

Mesh pans are made of woven aluminum strands, creating a base with large amounts of open space in between a thin metal surface. Perforated pans are usually thicker and contain circular holes punched in the bottom of the pan, leaving a more solid base than a pizza baking screen. They provide less ventilation for the pizza than a mesh pizza pan, offering an in-between option.