Making a great pizza at home requires the right equipment. Everybody knows the importance of a pizza oven and pizza stone. But did you know that other essential kitchen tools that can take your homemade pizza to the next level are pizza cutters?
Key Takeaways:
- There are two main types of pizza cutters – the traditional wheel cutter and the rocker or mezzaluna cutter. Both work well but the rocker allows for faster cutting.
- It’s personal preference whether to cut pizza into slices or squares. The type of pizza may also influence the cutting method.
- Proper care of pizza cutters involves hand washing with mild soap after each use and storing safely to prevent damage. Sharpening helps maintain a sharp blade over time.
If you want to make an authentic pizza at home, you need to invest in a quality pizza cutter to slice your pie perfectly just the way you want it. And no, there’s actually a huge difference when searching for the best pizza cutter out there.
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How to Cut Homemade Pizza
Just like the pineapple on pizza debate, there’s also heated discussion around how exactly to cut your homemade pizza. You are not a pizzeria. You are not a famous chain store with a reputation on the line. You’re your own style!
We grew up solely using a traditional pie-cut, but have grown quite fond of the square cut. For us, it really comes down to the type of pizza we’re making on any given day. Making New York style? Pie-cut. Making Detroit style? Square cut. Simple.
All in all, the decision is completely up to you. Now read further for the different types of pizza cutters themselves.
Types of Pizza Cutters
Traditional Wheel Pizza Cutter
There are two types of pizza cutters. The traditional wheel with a handle is probably the most commonly used at home pizza cutter. It is easy to grip, inexpensive, and fits nicely in your kitchen drawer.
The wheel also comes without a handle and has a grip to hold on to as you slice your pizza.
The Rocker Pizza Cutter
The rocker pizza cutter also called a mezzaluna, which means “half moon” in Italian, is a long curved blade that lets you quickly cut a pizza with one rocking motion. They are usually more common to see in commercial pizza kitchens.
Although many home chefs are learning from the pros and starting to use these efficient pizza cutters at home. The only downside to using a rocker is that they don’t fit neatly into a kitchen drawer, so you might have to get creative about where to store it when not in use.
Both types of pizza cutters work well, and we have rounded up a few in both styles that we love.
Our Top Pizza Cutter Picks
Traditional Wheel with Handle
This simple stainless steel pizza cutter wheel is excellent. It slices perfectly and is easy to store and clean. We love it because it has a thumb guard and non-stick handle to let you make the perfect cut.
Kitchen Aid Classic Pizza Wheel
We love this classic pizza cutter with an ergonomic handle. It has a sharp blade, cuts well, and won’t break your budget.
Wheel
Rösle Stainless Steel Ergonomic Pizza Wheel
If you are looking for a quality stainless steel pizza wheel made to last, then look no further. This futuristic-looking pizza wheel has an ergonomic handle and a sharp blade. It’s a well-made product that is worth the extra dough. Plus, it looks cool.
DECOSTYLE, Black Pizza Cutter Wheel
If you are on a budget, you can still find a great-looking modern wheel to add to your kitchen pizza accessories. This model has a non-slip grip and protective blade cover to keep your fingers safe while you cut your pizza.
Rocker
This rocker blade comes in 14-inch or 16- inch and is pure stainless steel. It slices and dices and has a plastic protective cover to safely store it when it’s not pizza night.
ZOCY Pizza Rocker with Wooden Handles
This 14-inch blade will cut through any pizza quickly. The wooden handles give it a unique look and grip.
Fun Novelty Pizza Cutters
If you are looking for a pizza cutter that works well and adds some fun, check out these pizza cutters for the silly pizzaiolo.
Dreamfarm Scizza 12-Inch Pizza Scissors
Just like there is no wrong way to eat a pizza, there is no wrong way to cut it. Some pizza lovers use scissors to cut their pizza. These giant pizza shears work well and let you control the cut.
We love this pizza cutter because we love puns. It’s a pizza PI cutter, get it?
Axe Pizza Cutter with Bamboo Handle
Using this pizza cutter makes us want to wear flannel and sit by the fireplace. It’s an axe pizza cutter that’s fun and effective.
Medieval Viking Steel Pizza Axe
Are you a history buff that loves to make homemade pizza? Then you will love this Viking knife. It’s impressive and also maybe a bit dangerous. A great way to slice your pizza when you are watching Game of Thrones reruns.
A pizza cutter is a must-have kitchen tool, and this one looks like a tool.
Trekkies unite and come together to eat pizza. This Star Trek pizza cutter will impress any die-hard fan.
Equalizer Multi-Blade Pizza Rocker
Does your family bicker about who gets the biggest slice of pizza? Stop the squabbling and invest in the equalizer blade. It cuts all the slices at once and ensures that every slice is the exact same size. All that fairness will cost you, though. This blade is pricey.
Cleaning and Caring for Your Pizza Cutter
The best way to care for your pizza cutter is to hand wash it with mild soap. While many pizza cutters boast they can be washed in the dishwasher, it’s not a good idea for a couple of reasons.
The first is that the movement in the dishwasher can dull the blade overtime. And the second is that dishwasher soap is more abrasive than regular liquid dish soap, and over time, it can take its toll.
To keep your pizza cutter in tip-top shape, wash it by hand after every use. It only takes a minute or two. Dried cheese and sauce are a pain to clean, so do yourself a favor and wash it right away.
Store your pizza cutter like a knife. Don’t just stuff it into a drawer where it can get moved around, possibly damaging the blade. If you have a rocker blade use the blade cover when storing. We also recommend covers for your outdoor pizza oven.
If you make and slice a lot of pizza, eventually, the blade will dull. The best way to sharpen a wheel pizza cutter is to use a specific sharpener made for the round blade. A pizza cutter sharpener can keep your pizza cutter in perfect shape.
To sharpen a rocker blade, you can use a regular knife sharpener or a whetstone.
Keep in mind that some inexpensive pizza cutters are made from porcelain or plastic, which can’t be sharpened. And they do break a lot easier, especially when using a little elbow grease, if you know what we mean.
Creative Ways to Use Pizza Cutters
Pizza cutters are a versatile addition to any kitchen. Not only do they slice pizza, but you can use them in other creative ways in the kitchen.
- Use as a pastry cutter and cut pie lattice strips or homemade pasta.
- Cube ham for soups and salads.
- Cut bread for homemade croutons.
- Chop herbs.
- Shred lettuce for taco salads.
- Make bacon strips into bacon bits.
- Turn chicken breast into chicken strips.
There are so many fun ways to use your pizza cutter. You can be sure that a pizza cutter will earn its place in your kitchen drawer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a wheel pizza cutter and a rocker cutter?
A wheel cutter has a circular blade attached to a handle, while a rocker cutter (also called a mezzaluna) is a long curved blade that is rocked back and forth in one motion to cut pizza. Wheel cutters are more common for home use while rockers allow for faster professional slicing.
How do I know if my pizza cutter needs sharpening?
Signs that a cutter needs sharpening include if it no longer slices through the crust smoothly and easily, leaving behind crumbs instead of clean cuts. The blade may also appear dull or damaged. Regular sharpening helps maintain a sharp cutting edge.
Can I put my pizza cutter in the dishwasher?
It’s generally not recommended as the movement in dishwashers can damage or dull the blade over time. Hand washing with mild soap after each use helps keep cutters in good condition for longer.
What’s the best way to store my pizza cutter?
Don’t leave cutters loose in a drawer where they can bang around and get damaged. For wheel cutters, store them wrapped in a cloth or with the protective cover if it has one. For rockers, always use the blade cover for safe storage. Hang cutters on a magnetic strip if possible.
Can I use my pizza cutter for other tasks besides slicing pizza?
Yes, pizza cutters can also be used to cut bread, herbs, vegetables and more. Their sharp blades make them versatile kitchen tools beyond just pizza slicing.
What’s your favorite kind of pizza cutter to use? What’s your favorite cut?
