The Gear You Need to Make Homemade Pizza

For months, I spent over 40 hours a week stretching, topping, and cooking pizza dough in an Italian restaurant. The experience gave me a healthy appreciation for pizzaiolos everywhere. After preparing and proofing the dough and handling the long, blisteringly hot peel, I can confidently report that making pizza from scratch isn’t for everyone. But if you’ve caught the pizza bug, this time-intensive project is as satisfying as a sip of cold lemonade on a hot summer’s day.

For folks with pizza fever, brands like Gozney and Ooni will get you sorted in no time. It’s easy to feel like a professional with these handy ovens in your backyard, especially when you add proofing boxes, peels, and sharp cutters to your collection, too. Every day can turn into a pizza party if you have the right tools.

Kitchen Tools to Make Pro-Level Pizza at Home 

• Chef Pomodoro Pizza Dough Proofing Box, $25, originally $30 
• Ooni Koda 12 Gas Pizza Oven, $320, originally $399
• Gozney Arc Pizza Oven, $700
• Cuisinart 12-Inch Aluminum Pizza Peel, $17, originally $25
• Lodge Cast Iron Casserole Pan, $30 
• KitchenAid Classic Pizza Wheel, $8, originally $14 
• Dreamfarm Scizza 2-in-1 Pizza Scissors, $25, originally $30 

Chef Pomodoro Pizza Dough Proofing Box 

Pizza dough takes a substantial amount of time and space to prepare. After mixing comes proofing, shaping, and more proofing before you finally get to the stretching and cooking stage. A dough proofing box, like this one from Chef Pomodoro, is an essential tool during the beginning stages of the pizza process. It can fit up to six balls at a time and has a lid that clips on for easy storage. The brand also sells a 2-pack if you’re making a large batch for a party.   

Ooni Koda 12 Gas Pizza Oven 

More than 1,000 Amazon shoppers bought this pizza oven in the past 30 days. It seems summer’s warm weather makes pizzaiolos of us all, drawing people out of their homes and into their backyards. Since the Ooni Koda 12 Gas Pizza Oven can reach temperatures of up to 950°F in less than 15 minutes, it’s not surprising that so many home cooks adore this small but mighty machine. 

Gozney Arc Pizza Oven

Another popular outdoor pizza oven is the Gozney Arc. Food & Wine editors love this model, dubbing it the best compact oven on the market. With a digital thermometer at the front to confirm its internal temperature and a wheeled stand that you can purchase separately, this portable pizza oven will see plenty of use for years to come. 

Cuisinart 12-Inch Aluminum Pizza Peel 

Cuisinart’s lightweight pizza peel leaves at least one Amazon shopper “feeling like a professional.” Reviewers consistently applaud its handle, which is made of wood and folds back on itself to cut its footprint in half. The best part is that its long reach keeps your fingers far away from the flames.  

Lodge Cast Iron Casserole Pan 

Of course, Neapolitan pizza isn’t the only style out there. If you prefer a thick Detroit-style pizza crust, ditch the peel and grab this Lodge pan instead. The recipe works just as well in a metal baking pan, but the unparalleled heat retention of cast iron will ensure a crispy, charred crust that you won’t soon forget. It also seasons over time, meaning it becomes more nonstick the longer you use it.    

KitchenAid Classic Pizza Wheel

A sharp wheel is the difference between a precise slice and a mushy mess. It would be heartbreaking to see your gorgeous homemade pizza destroyed by a dull blade that bruises your basil and isn’t strong enough to cut through your crust. Since KitchenAid’s model has nearly 25,000 perfect ratings, I feel confident in my assumption that it’s both effective and affordable.  

Dreamfarm Scizza 2-in-1 Pizza Scissors 

If a spinning blade intimidates you, pizza scissors are an excellent alternative. The bottom of Dreamfarm’s scissors is lined with a thin spatula to protect your peel from sharp edges. It also helps to lift the slice cleanly away from the rest of the pie.