Bruntmor Fire Pit-Friendly Cast Iron Pizza Pan

There’s an art to making a good pizza. If you’ve ever tried to create your own at home, you probably know that pizzerias have mastered that art, and it can be tough to duplicate just the right taste and texture using a cookie sheet. A good pan can make a big difference, though.

A cast iron pizza pan can produce that crisp, flavorful crust that takes your pizza to the next level. The material simply interacts with dough in a way that steel and aluminum can’t. Whether you’re making your pizza from scratch or cooking frozen pizzas, a cast iron pizza pan will improve upon the final product.

In addition to offering even heat distribution and excellent heat retention properties, cast iron absorbs the flavors of the items you cook. Over time, your crusts and other items will be tastier simply because you used your favorite pizza pan.

MORE: The Best Pizza Stone

But before you buy a cast iron pan of any type, you’ll first need to be aware of how high maintenance they can be.

Unless your cast iron pan specifies otherwise, you won’t want to put your pan in the dishwasher. You’ll need to hand-wash it very carefully to ensure it retains its seasoning. Although you can use detergent, it should be mild and used sparingly, and you should scrub with a cleaning brush specifically made for use with cast iron pans. If food is caked or burned on, you can use a spatula and extremely hot water to remove it.

Drying a cast iron pan can be even trickier. Unlike steel or aluminum, cast iron can rust if left to air dry. The best way to dry a cast iron pan is simply to turn your stove burner on high, set the pan on it and wait for the water to boil off.

Once it’s dry, you’ll need to heat your dry pan on the stove at an extremely high temperature and rub a small amount of canola oil or flaxseed oil on the pan’s surface using a napkin or paper towel. Be careful not to touch the hot pan as you do! You can then store your pan until the next time you want to use it.

• Cast iron pizza pans can be useful for reheating leftover pizza, as well as breads and other dough-based items. It helps the dough retain its crispness while it’s being warmed up.
• If you like pizzas with a thicker crust, like Detroit-style deep dish, look for a pan that has lifted edges.
• Most cast iron pizza pans aren’t limited to making pizza. You can use them to cook fajitas, eggs, sausage and more.
• Many of today’s cast iron pans come pre-seasoned, allowing you to use them immediately. Check the type of oil the manufacturer used for seasoning to make sure it’s compatible with your diet.
• Take a look at the handles on any cast iron pans you buy. They get extremely hot, and this heat typically extends to the handles as well, so you’ll probably need potholders. Easy-to-grab handles can make a big difference as you’re removing your pan from the oven.
• Cast iron pizza pans aren’t limited to the oven, either. You can often use them on the stove or on campfires and backyard grills. If you want to use your pan on a campfire, make sure it can withstand extreme temperatures.
• If you have a glass cooktop stove, keep in mind that cast iron cookware is heavy and tough. You can easily scratch the glass with your cookware if you aren’t careful.
• Cast iron cookware is naturally nonstick, so you won’t need to treat it with cooking spray or oils right before you add your food.  Those oils are applied and baked on after you’ve washed and dried it, in order to season it for the next use.