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23 questions in five topics. Each one starts with the short answer.
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- Can pizza dough go bad?Yes. Wrapped airtight, pizza dough keeps for up to 2 days in the fridge and 2 to 3 months in the freezer.
- Does pizza dough have raw eggs or milk in it?No. The base ingredients of pizza dough are flour, water, yeast and salt. Some recipes add eggs or milk, but most do not.
- What types of yeast can I use for pizza dough?Active dry yeast, instant yeast and fresh yeast all work. Which one is best comes down to personal preference.
- Why is my pizza dough not rising?Usually one of five things: the water, the yeast, the salt, the kneading or the rising temperature.
- Is pizza dough the same as bread dough?Not quite. Both are made from flour, water, salt and yeast, but the ratios, the kneading, the rising time and the baking are different.
- How long can I store pizza sauce in the fridge?Up to 7 days, when the sauce has cooled down and is tightly covered. In the freezer it keeps for up to 3 months.
- What is the difference between pizza and pasta sauce?Both start with tomatoes, but pasta sauce is made with cooked tomatoes and pizza sauce with uncooked tomatoes.
- Why do people put pineapple on pizza?Pineapple pairs well with ham and bacon and adds sweetness and juiciness. That is exactly why it divides opinion.
- Which pizza toppings can I try?Topping ideas with other sauces, cheeses, meat, fish and vegetables, to help you find a new favourite pizza.
- Which pizza oven should a beginner buy?The four types are wood-fired, gas, electric and hybrid. Gas ovens heat up quickly and are the easiest to regulate.
- Do pizza ovens need a chimney?A wood-fired pizza oven needs a chimney to let the smoke out. A gas pizza oven does not, because gas burns clean.
- Can you bake a pizza in a kamado grill?Yes. A kamado can bake pizza, but a pizza oven gets hotter and is far lighter: about 18 kg against 163 kg for a medium kamado.
- How do I clean an Ooni pizza oven?Clean the pizza stone only when it is dirty. Burn off spills at full heat for 20 to 30 minutes, then scrape and brush it out.
- Can you fire pottery in a pizza oven?No. A pizza oven reaches about 500 °C (950 °F), while pottery needs 900 °C (1,650 °F) or more.
- What is a pizza peel?A flat wooden or metal paddle with a handle. You use it to slide a pizza into the oven, turn it and take it out without burning your hands.
- What is the difference between a pizza peel and a turning peel?A pizza peel puts the pizza in and takes it out. A turning peel is smaller and usually round, so you can turn the pizza while it stays in the oven.
- What to do if pizza sticks to the pizza peel?Top the pizza just before it goes in, use a peel that is not hot, and dust the worktop with semolina or cornmeal.
- Pizza stone or pizza pan: which is better?A pizza stone conducts heat better and gives a crispier crust, and a thicker stone is better still. A pan is easier, but the crust is often thicker and softer.
- Which pizza making tools do I need?A pizza oven, a pizza peel, a turning peel and an infrared thermometer make pizza at home easier and more fun.
- When was pizza invented?Pizza as we know it comes from Naples, in the 18th century. Raffaele Esposito is often credited with the margherita, but flatbreads with toppings are much older.
- How many slices are in a large pizza?A large 16-inch pizza gives 10 to 12 slices. A small 10-inch pizza gives 4 to 6, a medium 14-inch pizza 8 to 10.
- Will pizza make you fat?Not if you do not eat it every day. A smaller pizza with a thin base and light toppings keeps the calories down.
- Can dogs eat pizza?No. Pizza contains too much salt for dogs, and a large amount of salt can cause salt poisoning.