Peel (tool)

Peel (tool)

A peel is a shovel-like tool used by bakers to slide loaves of bread, pizzas, pastries, and other baked goods into and out of an oven. It is usually made of wood, with a flat carrying surface (like a shovel's blade) for holding the baked good and a handle extending from one side of that surface. Alternatively, the carrying surface may be made of sheet metal, which is attached to a wooden handle. The word presumably derives from the French pelle, which describes both a peel and a shovel. There are peels of many sizes, with the length of the handle suited to the depth of the oven, and the size of the carrying surface suited to the size of the food it is meant to carry (for instance, slightly larger than the diameter of a pizza).

History

The peel has been used by bakers for centuries in various forms. The earliest peels were likely simple wooden boards or shovels, used to move bread in and out of large brick or stone ovens.

Types of Peels

There are several types of peels, including pizza peels, bread peels, and pastry peels. Each type is designed for a specific type of baked good. For example, a pizza peel is typically very thin and flat, allowing it to easily slide under a pizza. A bread peel, on the other hand, may have a slightly rounded edge to help in the removal of loaves of bread.

Materials

Peels can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and composite materials. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, wood peels are traditional and can impart a certain flavor to the baked goods, but they require more maintenance than metal or composite peels.

Usage

The peel is used by sliding the edge of the peel under the dough. The dough is then transferred to the oven. Once the baking process is complete, the peel is used to remove the baked goods from the oven.

See also

• Baking
• Oven
• Bread
• Pizza