Best Wooden Pizza Peel: Which Wood You Choose?

There are many reasons to choose a wood pizza peel over a metal one. Traditionally, pizzas are made on a countertop surface then transferred to a metal pizza peel. Though efficient, this requires a lot of practice to avoid sticking dough. For this reason, wooden pizza peels are a great choice for beginners as they are naturally non-stick and the pizza can be made directly on the peel and then transferred  into the oven. But there are many factors that go into finding the right wood peel such as the size and shape, and wood it is made from. Today we are diving deep into the wood and finding out what makes the best wood pizza peel.

For most ovens, the best wooden pizza peel is one that is square in shape and approximately 14 inches wide. However, if you are working in a portable or smaller sized pizza oven, you may need a smaller peel to accommodate your oven. Many also find it easier to work with a longer handle, especially for wood-fired ovens, to avoid getting your hand too close to open flames during launch and retrieval of pizzas. 

What is the best wood for a pizza peel?

Next, and most importantly, you’ll want to consider the wood type your pizza peel is constructed from. Each material offers a unique aesthetic and comes with its pros and cons. So what type of wood is best for a pizza peel? Well that depends on personal preferences, budget, and the requirements for your specific use. Pizza Peels have been constructed from just about any wood material you can imagine. Below we will explore the best woods for pizza peels in depth as well as touch briefly on some of the less common wood types used to help you find your perfect peel.

1. Maple Pizza Peels

One of the most common woods used to make pizza peels is Maple. Maple is dense in its composition with a fine texture that makes it less porous. For pizza peels, this means a reduction in the likelihood of raw dough sticking. Maple’s tight grain structure also means that pizza peels made from this wood are less prone to absorbing moisture and bacteria, which adds to longevity and hygiene and is especially important if the pizza peel is used for other applications such as raw meat. The light and clean appearance of maple gives it a more premium feel that works great as a serving board for cooked pizzas. Maple's abundance in regions like Canada paired with its sturdy build have made it a preferred wood for the construction of pizza peels all over the world.

Maple Pizza Peel Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Durability: Maple is a hardwood known for its strength and resilience making a maple pizza peel capable of withstanding frequent use without warping or cracking. ​

• Smooth Grain: The fine, smooth grain of maple provides a sleek surface that aids in pizza transfer with less chances of dough sticking. ​

• Low Porosity: Maple's dense structure makes it less porous. This minimizes moisture absorption and makes it more resistant to bacteria and odors. ​

• Aesthetic Appeal: The light, clean appearance of maple offers an elegant aesthetic that is both suitable for cooking and serving pizzas. 

• Non-reactive: Maple is a non-reactive wood, meaning it will not affect the taste of your pizza from leeching tannins, oils, or resins.
  

Cons:

• Heavy: Maple's density makes it a heavier pizza peel compared to other materials. This can make it less comfortable for some users, especially with extended handling.​
  
  

• Maintenance: Maple requires regular care, such as hand washing and periodic oiling to maintain its integrity and prevent drying or cracking. 

• Cost: High-quality maple pizza peels can be more expensive compared to those made from other woods or materials.

2. Bamboo Pizza peels

Bamboo is actually a type of grass though  it is structurally very similar to wood. Because it grows so quickly, bamboo is considered a more eco-friendly alternative to hardwoods. Bamboo is a very popular material for pizza peels and has many practical benefits. Bamboo pizza peels are lightweight compared to hardwood, making transferring pizzas to and from the oven less physically straining. Its naturally smooth surface makes it a suitable material to reduce dough sticking.  Additionally, bamboo makes no compromises in strength. Being just as resilient as wood, it is highly resist cracking and warping. 

Beyond pizza preparation, bamboo peels serve multiple functions, doubling as cutting boards and serving tray for pizza. Proper maintenance, such as hand washing and occasional oiling, is recommended to preserve the quality and longevity of bamboo pizza peels.

Bamboo Pizza Peels Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Eco-Friendly: Bamboo is a sustainable resource due to its rapid growth, making it a more eco-friendly material.

• Lightweight: Bamboo peels are generally lighter than those made from traditional hardwoods, making them less straining on the user.
  

• Durable: Bamboo is very strong in nature making it long lasting and more resistant to warping.

• Aesthetic Appeal: The natural grain and color of bamboo provide a modern and attractive appearance as a serving board.

Cons:

• Maintenance Requirements: Bamboo peels require occasional maintenance to prevent splitting, warping, or absorbing moisture. They should be hand-washed and dried immediately after use to prolong their lifespan.​

• Splintering: With extensive use, bamboo can develop splinters if not properly maintained, which may affect the peel's surface.

• Low Heat-Resistance: Bamboo is less able to  withstand extremely high temperatures compared to hardwoods and should be used with caution when launching and retrieving pizzas. 

3. Acacia Pizza Peels

​Acacia is another popular wood choice for pizza peels. Renowned for its durability and distinctive aesthetic, this hardwood features rich, dark hues and a unique grain pattern that can be very appealing under different lighting conditions making it one of the best choices for serving pizzas. Visual charm aside, acacia is well known for its rugged strength and resistance to warping. Acacia is also known to have natural antibacterial properties making it well suitable for food preparation. It is advisable to hand wash acacia wood pizza peels with a mild soap and water, dry thoroughly, and periodically apply mineral or vegetable oil to maintain the wood's integrity and appearance.

Acacia Pizza Peel Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Durability: Acacia is known for its strength and resistance to wear, ensuring a long-lasting pizza peel with regular use. ​

• Aesthetic Appeal: Acacia features rich, dark hues and a unique grain pattern that can shimmer under various lighting conditions.

• Antimicrobial: Acacia is naturally anti-microbial making it a versatile cutting board for a variety of other applications without the risk of contamination
  

Cons:

• High Maintenance: Acacia wood peels require proper care to prevent warping. This includes hand washing with thorough drying, and occasional oiling.

• Weight: Acacia is a dense hardwood which can be a bit heavier than other materials. This may affect ease of use during pizza preparation.​

• Cost: High-quality acacia pizza peels may be more expensive than those made from other woods.

4. Birch Pizza Peels

Birch is a popular wood choice for pizza peels for those seeking both functionality and affordability. Birch is a very lightweight wood making it a great choice for frequent use. Its surface is smooth, giving it natural non-stick properties that help to minimize dough sticking. Birch is, however, softer than other hardwoods like maple or acacia which makes it more susceptible to dents and scratches over time. Birch also requires some extra maintenance precautions to preserve its condition and prevent moisture absorption. Despite these considerations, birch wood pizza peels are a popular choice for those seeking an affordable but durable pizza peel.

Birch Pizza Peel Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Lightweight: its light weight make Birch pizza peels handle when transferring pizzas in and out of the oven.​

• Smooth Texture: The fine grain of birch provides a smooth surface that naturally reduces dough sticking during preparation.​

• Affordable: Birch is generally a more cost-effective option compared to other hardwoods.
  

Cons:

• Durability: Birch is a softer hardwood, making birch pizza peels more susceptible to dents and scratches that may affect its longevity.

• Moisture Absorption: Birch wood is semi-absorbent, potentially leading to warping or cracking if not properly maintained.​

• Higher Maintenance: To preserve its condition, a birch pizza peel requires regular hand washing, thorough drying, and occasional oiling.​
  

• Thickness: Birch pizza peels tend to have a thicker edge that can make it more challenging to slide under pizzas, especially when retrieving it from the oven.​

5. Beech Pizza Peels

​Beech is a hardwood favored for pizza peels for combining durability with a smooth surface resistant to sticking. Beech wood is renowned for its strength and durability making it a great option for a pizza peel that will last for many years. Its smooth surface minimizes dough sticking and it is non-reactive, meaning it wont affect the taste of the pizza. Beech wood also makes for a great cutting board or a serving tray thanks to its pleasing aesthetics. To preserve its quality, it's recommended to hand wash beech wood pizza peels and periodically treat them with oil.

Beech Pizza Peel Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Smooth Surface: Beech wood has a fine, smooth grain, which provides an ideal surface for transferring pizzas while reducing sticking.​

• Durability: Beech wood can withstand heavy regular use, making for a reliable pizza peel that will last many years.

• Non-Reactive: Beech is a non-reactive wood, ensuring that it won't leech tannins, oils, or resin that can impact taste.

Cons:

• Maintenance Requirements: Beech pizza peels require proper care to prevent moisture absorption and maintain its appearance.​

• Heavier Weight: Beech wood pizza peels are a bit heavier than their counterparts, which may cause strain with frequent use and larger pizzas.

• Thick: The thicker edge of beech wood peels can make it more challenging to slide under pizzas.

Less-Common Wood Pizza Peels

A few more notable, but less commonly used woods in pizza peels include cherry, oak, mahogany, basswood, walnut, hickory, bloodwood, and purpleheart. Well these woods tend to have a more premium appeal, pizza peels made from these woods are often best used as an aesthetic serving board rather than a cooking tool. These woods pair nicely with a metal pizza peel as they make a great prepping and serving surface but are less suitable for launching and retrieving pizzas.

Cherrywood: Cherry wood pizza peels are less common but rapidly increasing in popularity. Cherry pizza peels offer a fine-grained smooth surface great for prepping pizzas. It is lightweight and easy to work with and naturally develops a deep patina over time making for a wonderful serving board.

Oak: Oak is a dense and durable hardwood that can withstand heavy use, but its open grain makes it more prone to absorbing moisture, leading to potential warping. While extremely strong, oak pizza peels have a rough texture that can cause dough to stick, making it a less ideal material compared to smoother woods like maple or birch.

Mahogany: Mahogany is a tropical hardwood prized for its deep color and durability, but its dense structure and natural oils make it less suitable for pizza peels. Mahogany pizza peels are heavier than other wood types, and its slightly oily surface can impact dough handling. As a result, mahogany is more often used as a serving board or decorative kitchenware rather than as a functional pizza peel material.

Basswood: Basswood is lightweight and easy to work with, making it a great choice for pizza peels. However, it is a softer wood which may lead to premature wear with frequent use. Basswood is also porous in nature and can absorb moisture, so regular seasoning with mineral oil is important.

Walnut: Walnut is another well loved wood for its rich, dark color and eye-catching grain patterns. It is a dense, heavy wood, which makes it extremely durable. Despite being functionally and visually appealing, Walnut pizza peels are less popular due to its higher price point.

Hickory: Hickory is well known for its exceptional strength, making it a durable choice for heavy use. However, its coarse grain can make it harder to shape and finish pizzas. Its high density also makes it slightly heavier than other woods but this is what gives it its rugged strength.

Bloodwood: Bloodwood is distinguished by its deep red color that it gets its name from. However, its extraordinary appearance comes with some flaws. Blood wood is an extremely hard wood, which can make it difficult to work with and may dull other tools, like pizza cutters, quickly. Bloodwood is best used as serving pizza peel rather than a cooking instrument. 

Purpleheart: Purpleheart is known for its vibrant purple hue, which darkens with age. Purpleheart is another wood for those looking for more visual appeal than functionality. While resistant to wear and moisture, its hardness can dull tools faster. Purpleheart pizza peels are another peel best suited for serving rather than as a tool for cooking.

Best Wood for Pizza Peel; Comparison Table

Conclusion: Best Wooden Pizza Peels: Which Wood Should You Choose?

Choosing the best wooden pizza peel can improve both your pizza-making and the aesthetics of your kitchen and dining room. Each wood type has its own set of advantages in durability, weight, aesthetic appeal, and much more. Whether you’re seeking an eco-friendly material such as bamboo, the rich dark hues of acacia, or a budget-friendly choice like birch, there's a perfect peel for every application. Ultimately, wood choice for a pizza peel depends on your specific requirements. Keep in mind that with any wood, regular maintenance can drastically extend the lifespan of your peel. 

Although there are thousands of wood varieties out there, this guide covers the most common ones used in pizza peels to make you well-equipped in choosing the best wood for you and your pizza oven. To find your perfect peel, explore our collection of wood and metal pizza peels here.