How to Bake Pizza in a Home Oven: Everything You Need to Know [A Practical Guide]

This article is your ultimate guide to baking pizza in a home oven, packed with practical tips for achieving the best results. We’ll explore the key principles of home pizza baking, including baking modes, temperatures, timing, and more. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of helpful techniques to create the perfect pizza right in your own kitchen

Baking Pizza in a Home Oven: Introduction

In theory, baking pizza seems straightforward: turn on the oven, place the pizza inside, bake for the recommended time and voilà – a freshly baked pizza!

In reality, though, there are subtle yet crucial factors that can greatly influence how your pizza bakes and, ultimately, its quality. This article will explore these details to help you achieve the best results.

Before diving into the practical steps, I highly recommend reading the article How Pizza is Baked: Understanding the Thermodynamics of Pizza Baking, which explains the theoretical and physical principles of baking pizza. This background will provide a solid foundation for understanding the tips and techniques outlined below.

Also, be sure to read your oven’s user manual. It offers valuable insights into the functions of your specific oven and how to use them effectively.

An Overview of Oven Baking Modes, Their Symbols, and Uses

Below is an overview of the basic baking and cooking modes commonly found in modern home ovens, along with their symbols and uses. While the symbols may differ slightly between brands and models, their general design and functionality are consistent across most manufacturers.

Top and Bottom Heat (Conventional Heating/Baking Mode)

This is the standard or conventional baking and cooking mode. In this setting, both the top and bottom heating elements are activated, providing even heat distribution from both directions.

The top-and-bottom heat mode is ideal for most baking and cooking tasks, including baking pizza.

Bottom Heat

In this mode, only the bottom heating element is activated, providing heat exclusively from the bottom of the oven. This setting is useful when you need to minimize heat exposure to the top of your food.

Using bottom heat alone is typically not recommended for baking pizza.

Convection Mode

You’ll find detailed information on convection mode later in this article. In short, convection mode activates the fan and the rear heating element (placed behind the fan), creating a steady, uniform flow of hot air throughout the oven (forced convection).

Top and Bottom Heat + Fan

In this mode, the upper and lower heating elements are activated along with the fan, creating a flow of hot air throughout the oven (forced convection).

Unlike “standard” convection mode, the rear heating element is not used in this setting.

Bottom Heat + Fan (“Pizza Mode”)

In this mode, only the bottom heating element operates, along with the fan, which circulates hot air throughout the oven (forced convection). The rear heating element is inactive in this mode.

Some ovens refer to this mode as “pizza mode.” More detailed information about pizza mode will be provided later in this article.

Broiler / Grill

You’ll find detailed information on broiler/grill mode later in this article.

In short, using broiler mode activates the upper heating element at full power, delivering an intense “heat blast” to the top of the food.

Some ovens feature two broiler settings:

• Full broiler: Typically represented by two parallel zigzag lines or a single long one.
• Partial broiler: Often indicated by a shorter zigzag line.

The full broiler activates the entire width of the heating element, making it suitable for roasting or browning large areas, such as a pizza or casserole.

The part broiler, on the other hand, uses only a portion of the heating element, focusing heat on the center and saving energy when browning smaller portions.

For baking pizza, it’s best to use the full broiler at the maximum temperature setting for optimal results.

Broiler + Fan

In this mode, the broiler operates in combination with the fan (the rear heating element remains inactive). This setting helps to brown food more evenly by combining radiant heat from the broiler with the circulation of hot air created by the fan.

How to Bake Pizza in a Home Oven: Guidelines, Tips, and Techniques

Now that we’ve covered the theoretical background of baking pizza and explored the various oven functions, it’s time to focus on the practical side – how to actually bake pizza in a home oven.

In the sections ahead, we’ll outline key tips and techniques to help you achieve the best results in a home oven.

Preheating the Oven

Preheating the oven is a crucial step when making pizza.

Proper preheating allows both the baking surface and oven walls to absorb heat, which is then transferred to the pizza as soon as it’s placed inside. If the oven isn’t fully preheated or hasn’t reached the desired temperature (discussed in the next section), the pizza won’t receive enough heat, and the final result will be compromised.

For optimal results, allow at least 20 minutes to “saturate” the oven and baking surface with heat. The exact preheating time depends on your oven and the type of baking surface you’re using, with thicker surfaces typically requiring more time to heat up. We’ll cover baking surfaces in greater detail in the next section.

To ensure the baking surface has reached temperature, use an infrared thermometer for an accurate temperature reading. You can find recommended IR thermometers on PizzaBlab’s recommended products page.

Using the ‘Rapid/Quick Preheat’ Mode

Some ovens, particularly newer models, feature a rapid/quick preheating function.

This function activates all the heating elements (top, bottom, and rear), along with the fan, to quickly heat the oven, shortening the preheating time. If your oven has this function, it is highly recommended to use it to preheat the oven.

Rapid preheating mode is typically indicated by arrows pointing to the right or up, as shown in the picture below.

In most models, the oven will beep when it reaches the set temperature, signaling that it is properly heated. However, it’s still a good idea to verify the temperature with an IR thermometer.

Before placing the pizza in the oven, remember to switch to conventional mode (top and bottom heat). The rapid preheat function should not be used for baking, as it is not suitable for cooking food.

Reheating the Oven Between Pizzas

If you are baking multiple pizzas in a row, keep in mind that the baking surface will need a “recovery” period between pizzas. The surface temperature inevitably drops after each bake due to heat transfer to the pizza.

To ensure proper baking, it’s recommended (and often necessary) to allow the surface to re-absorb heat between bakes. The reheating time will vary depending on your oven and the baking surface used.

Using a Baking Surface

The baking surface is key to achieving a perfectly baked pizza base. To ensure your base is not just cooked but also brown and crispy, using a good baking surface is essential.

A good baking surface significantly impacts the quality of the pizza, especially the base – no one enjoys a pale or underbaked crust.

What makes a ‘good’ baking surface? Broadly speaking, any surface thick enough to store heat, and conductive enough to transfer that heat to the pizza base. For home oven baking, the ideal surface is typically a baking steel, though a sufficiently thick cordierite stone can also perform well, though not as effectively as steel.

For best results, the baking surface should be preheated along with the oven and allowed to reach the set temperature. Additionally, if you are baking more than one pizza, remember to allow the surface to “recover” between bakes and reabsorb heat.

Even when baking pan pizzas (see the next section), it’s recommended to place the pan directly on the baking surface. This promotes more efficient heat transfer from the surface to the pan and from the pan to the bottom of the pizza.

Using an Inverted Oven Tray as a Pizza Baking Surface

If you don’t have a pizza stone or baking steel, an inverted baking sheet can serve as a suitable alternative. Simply use the standard baking sheet that came with your oven, placing it upside down – this makes it easier to transfer the pizza onto and off the surface.

However, keep in mind that baking on a baking sheet isn’t ideal. The thin aluminum (around 0.5 mm or 0.02″) can’t retain any heat, which will inevitably affect how the bottom is baked. While it’s a better option than nothing, don’t expect the best results.

Transferring the Pizza to the Oven

If you’re not baking with a pan or pizza screen (which we’ll cover later), you’ll need a tool to transfer the pizza into the oven.

The most effective tool for this is a pizza peel. A variety of pizza peels are available on PizzaBlab’s recommended products page  – it’s an essential tool for anyone who bakes pizza.

How to Transfer the Pizza to the Oven Without a Pizza Peel

If you don’t have a pizza peel, you can use parchment paper (which we’ll discuss in detail later) along with a large tray or flat surface that’s at least the size of the pizza.

Simply stretch the pizza, place it on the parchment paper, add your toppings, and transfer the pizza along with the parchment paper to the tray. Then, using the tray, carefully slide the pizza and parchment paper into the oven.

Which Oven Mode to Use for Baking Pizza

In most cases, the best mode for baking pizza in a home oven is conventional baking mode, which means, top and bottom heat.

While we will explore other baking modes later in this post, top and bottom heat generally yields the most consistent and ideal results for pizza baking.

What Temperature Should You Bake Pizza at in a Home Oven

Pizza is a dish that requires a “heat blast”, and should be baked at a high temperature for a relatively short period, typically around 10 minutes for standard types of pizza (more on this later).

For most pizzas, aim to bake at the highest temperature your oven can reach. In home ovens, the maximum temperature typically ranges from 250°C to 300°C (480°F to 570°F):

• If your oven reaches 250°C, bake at 250°C.
• If your oven reaches 275°C, bake at 275°C.
• If your oven reaches 300°C, bake at 300°C.

In addition to the general recommendation to bake pizza at the highest temperature your oven can reach, some types of pizzas are baked at lower temperatures, while others require higher temperatures.

Below is a list of common types of pizza and their typical baking temperatures (recipes for these can be found on the PizzaBlab pizza recipes page):

• New York Style Pizza: Baked at a temperature between 280-330°C (540-630°F).
• Neapolitan Pizza: Baked at about 450°C (850°F) for up to 90 seconds (this is the only pizza that cannot be made in a home oven).
• Chicago Deep Dish: Baked at about 230°C (440°F).
• Cracker Style Pizzas: Baked at a temperature between 220-260°C (430-500°F), but can also be baked at a higher temperature of up to 280°C (530°F).
• Various Commercial or Chain Pizzas: Such as American-style pizzas or the Milanese Spontini pizza, are baked at a temperature between 250-270°C (480-520°F).
• Pan Pizzas: Such as bar or tavern-style pizzas, are baked at a temperature between 260-280°C (500-530°F).

Beyond the pizzas mentioned above, as a rule, always bake pizza at the maximum temperature your oven can reach.

Where to Position the Pizza in the Oven 

The position of the pizza in the oven – specifically, the location of the rack (top, middle, or bottom) – can significantly impact how the pizza bakes.

In general, the higher the rack, the closer the pizza will be to the top heat source (the top heating element and the oven ceiling). As a result, the top of the pizza will receive more intense heat.

This principle allows us to “control” the baking of the top of the pizza:

• Placing the pizza higher will allow the top to bake faster.
• Placing the pizza lower will allow the top to bake more slowly or in a more controlled manner.

For example, if you notice that the top of the pizza is not browning enough, you can try moving the pizza higher to “speed up” the baking and browning of the top. Conversely, if the top is overbaked or browned too much, you can move the pizza lower to slow down the baking of the top. In this way, you can achieve a better balance in baking.

It is important to note that every oven works differently, so finding the optimal position for your oven and baking method will require some trial and error.

My recommendation is to start with the middle rack and make adjustments from there. Is the top getting too much heat? Lower the pizza. Is the top not getting enough heat? Raise the pizza.

How Long to Bake Pizza in a Home Oven

The baking time for pizza depends on several factors, including:

• Baking temperature
• Dough composition
• Type of pizza
• Desired result
• Specific oven used
• Position of the pizza in the oven

For most pizzas, baking times typically range between 6 and 12 minutes.

In general, lower baking temperatures mean longer baking times. For example, achieving properly baked dough with the same level of browning on the top and bottom will take more time at 270°C (520°F) than at 300°C (570°F).

Baking time and temperature also influence the texture of the pizza crust:

• Longer baking at lower temperatures results in a drier, crispier crust.
• Shorter baking at higher temperatures produces a moister, softer crust.

The composition of the dough, or dough formula, also influences baking time. Ingredients like sugar or malt powder accelerate crust browning, reducing baking time. Similarly, the type of flour matters – flours with lower enzymatic activity take longer to brown properly.

The type of pizza and the desired result also play a role in determining baking time. Each pizza style and outcome will require specific adjustments, as outlined in the examples above.

The baking environment, including the oven and the pizza’s position within it, is another critical factor. Variations in ovens and baking setups can lead to differences in baking duration.

Ultimately, the key takeaway about baking time is that it’s more about achieving the desired level of browning and doneness, than sticking to a specific time. Bake until the dough, cheese, and toppings are cooked and browned to your preference – this might take 5 minutes or 12 minutes, depending on the above variables.

Rather than focusing on the clock, pay close attention to the pizza as it bakes, particularly toward the end. Remove it from the oven when it looks perfect to you, regardless of how much time has passed.

Using a Pizza Screen or Disk for Baking Pizza

The use of a pizza screen or disc is primarily intended to simplify and streamline the process of transferring pizza to the oven.

By placing the dough directly on the screen after stretching, dressing the pizza, and placing it (with the screen) straight into the oven, you eliminate the need for a pizza peel. This makes a pizza screen an excellent option for those looking to make the transfer process easier and more convenient.

A pizza screen or disc can also allow you to bake the pizza directly on the oven rack, without a baking surface. While this is possible, it is less recommended.

Pizza screens are an affordable and useful tool for transferring pizza, but it’s important to note that they have some drawbacks.

When baking pizza on a screen, the screen creates a “buffer” between the pizza and the baking surface. This means the pizza relies more on radiation than conduction for heat transfer, as the dough and screen are slightly elevated and don’t come into direct contact with the baking surface.

As a result, valuable heat that the pizza would receive from the baking surface is lost. For this reason, it’s not recommended to bake a pizza on a screen for the entire duration of the baking process.

Best Practices for Using a Pizza Screen

If you decide to use a pizza screen, it’s best to use it only for transferring the pizza into the oven, and then remove it once the dough has set sufficiently (usually after about two minutes of baking).

This method lets you enjoy the convenience of the screen for the initial transfer, and then finish baking the pizza directly on the baking surface for optimal results.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Dress the stretched pizza base on the screen.
2. Place the pizza in the oven with the screen.
3. After about two minutes, or when the dough has set and the screen can be removed without distorting the dough, take out the screen and place the pizza directly on the baking surface to finish baking.

Using a Pizza Screen to Control Bottom Browning

Another effective use of a screen is when you want to slow down the baking of the pizza’s bottom.

By placing the screen under the pizza toward the end of baking, you allow the top of the pizza to continue browning without the bottom becoming overly browned.

For example, if the bottom of the pizza is fully baked but the top still needs more time, you can slide the pizza screen underneath. This will help ‘delay’ the bottom’s baking, giving the top more time to finish, and allowing you to better control the degree of browning on the bottom.

Pizza Screen Maintenance and Limitations

It’s important to note that a pizza screen requires regular maintenance and has limitations in its use.

First, ensure the screen is free of dough and food residue; otherwise, dough may stick to the screen or the leftover particles.

It’s also a good idea to oil or season the screen before use to help prevent sticking during baking.

Second, a pizza screen isn’t suitable for all types of pizza or dough. For example, highly extensible or soft doughs may “leak” through the holes in the screen. Therefore, a screen doesn’t work so well for high-hydration doughs.

Using Parchment Paper for Baking Pizza

Using parchment paper is another convenient way to transfer pizza into the oven. Similar to a pizza screen, you prepare the pizza on the parchment and then use a pizza peel or large tray to slide it into the oven.

The video below demonstrates how to transfer the pizza into the oven using parchment paper (towards the end of the video).

But does parchment paper affect the baking and browning of the pizza’s bottom, like a screen does?

To answer this, I conducted an experiment to see if using parchment paper impacts how the bottom of the pizza bakes.

In the experiment, I baked half of the pizza directly on a steel, and the other half on parchment paper. The total baking time was 6 minutes, with the parchment paper being removed after 2 minutes. The side under the parchment baked for 2 minutes on the paper, then 4 minutes directly on the steel.

The red line in the picture below shows the separation between the halves baked with and without parchment paper, with the red arrow pointing to the side baked directly on the steel (no parchment paper).

As seen in the picture, the half of the pizza baked directly on the steel, browned more – or more specifically became more golden – compared to the side baked with the paper. The reason? The parchment paper acts as a “buffer,” preventing radiative heat from the steel from reaching the pizza.

Areas of the pizza that made direct contact with the steel were not affected, and baked similarly. This is because heat was transferred through conduction, not radiation, directly from the steel to the pizza, “bypassing” the parchment paper. However, In areas where the pizza did not touch the steel, the parchment paper reduced the transfer of radiative heat from the steel to the pizza, affecting browning.

In simpler terms, the parchment paper acts as a barrier, blocking the transfer of radiative heat to parts of the pizza that don’t make direct contact with the surface, resulting in less browning.

Even though the parchment paper was under the pizza for only two minutes (just long enough for the dough to set before being removed), it still affected the final result by reducing the heat transfer. While the difference may be subtle, it’s there.

Best Practices for Using Parchment Paper for Baking Pizza

It is recommended to remove the parchment paper as soon as possible to minimize heat loss to the bottom of the pizza.

Similar to using a pizza screen, the paper should be removed once the dough has set enough – typically around two minutes after placing the pizza in the oven.

To remove the parchment paper, gently lift the edge of the pizza closest to the oven door (ensuring the dough has set and is not at risk of sticking or warping). Grasp the edge of the parchment paper and carefully pull it out. Be careful!! The oven and pizza will be hot – take care not to burn yourself.

In the video below, you can see a demonstration of how to remove the parchment paper after about two minutes of baking.

It’s important to note that standard parchment paper can withstand temperatures up to about 220°C (420°F). When you place the paper with the pizza in the oven, the areas in direct contact with the pizza typically remain below this temperature, as the pizza cools the paper’s surface. Therefore, there is no “danger” in this regard.

However, areas of the paper exposed to the oven’s heat may brown. There’s no need to worry tho – it will not burn or catch fire, especially when removed after 2~ minutes.

To prevent excess paper from browning, it’s recommended to trim off any extra parchment around the pizza before baking. This will keep the exposed paper from being directly exposed to the oven’s heat.

After preparing and dressing the pizza, simply cut the parchment paper around the pizza, leaving a few centimeters/inches as a “safety margin” (an exact measurement is not necessary). Make sure to leave enough paper for a firm grip when pulling it out from under the pizza during baking.

Baking Pizza Using a Pan

Pizza pans are essential for baking various types of pan pizzas. These include round pans for round pizzas, as well as square or rectangular pans for square pizzas.

The method for using a pizza pan largely depends on the type of pizza being made. Some doughs are fermented directly in the pan, as with Detroit style pizza or Sicilian pizza, while others are stretched (either inside or outside the pan) and placed in the pan just before baking, as seen with bar pizza or pizza al taglio.

Typically, when using a pizza pan, you will want to grease it with oil, butter, or shortening before adding the dough. This serves two main purposes:

1. Prevents Sticking: The fat creates a barrier that helps prevent the dough from sticking to the pan, allowing for easier removal after baking.
2. Creates a Crispy Texture: The fat also contributes to a “frying” effect on the dough, giving the bottom of the pizza a crispy, flavorful texture that distinguishes pan pizzas.

For best results, use a high-quality pan designed for pizza baking. Ideally, a good pizza pan should be made from materials like steel, cast iron, or dark anodized aluminum, all of which conduct heat efficiently to ensure even baking. Additionally, a thicker pan will generally lead to a better bake.

Avoid using glass pans, stoneware, ceramics, disposable pans, shiny aluminum or stainless steel pans. These materials do not conduct heat effectively, which can result in uneven baking and sub-optimal results.

Turning the Pizza During Baking

In most cases, rotating or turning the pizza during baking is essential to ensure even baking and browning.

Home ovens often have uneven heat distribution, causing certain areas to be hotter or cooler. To counteract this, it’s advisable to turn the pizza during the baking process to achieve uniform browning of the dough, bottom, and toppings.

Typically, it’s best to rotate the pizza about halfway through the baking time. Here’s how to do it:

1. If you don’t have a pizza peel, gently turn the pizza by hand. By this time, the dough should be fully set, allowing the pizza to turn easily on the baking surface. Be cautious not to disturb the toppings or burn yourself.
2. If you have a pizza peel, carefully remove the pizza from the oven, rotate it on the peel, and then return it to the oven.

The video below demonstrates how to turn the pizza using both methods (the rotation in the video is not perfectly precise – it’s meant to illustrate how to turn the pizza during baking).

For the most consistent results, a 180-degree turn (i.e., rotating the pizza so the side facing the oven door now faces the back) is usually enough. However, depending on your oven’s heat distribution, you may need to rotate the pizza 90 degrees to the right or left for even baking, or sometimes, you might not need to turn it at all.

Par-Baking Pizza (“Double Baking”)

Par-baking (or “double baking”) involves baking the pizza in two stages.

In the first stage, the dough is baked “naked” without toppings or with only partial sauce. After this initial bake, the dough is removed from the oven, fully dressed with the remaining sauce, cheese, and toppings, and then placed back in the oven to finish baking.

Par-baking offers several key benefits:

• Convenience: The par-baked dough can be stored for future use or frozen, making it easy to prepare ahead of time.
• Fluffier Dough: For pan pizzas, par-baking typically results in a puffier, airier dough, with a larger volume.
• Better Control: Par-baking allows you to control the baking and browning of cheese and toppings, especially for pizzas requiring longer bake times. This lets you add cheese and toppings later to control their doneness.

The goal of the first stage of par-baking is to bake the dough just until it has set, but before it begins to brown. The duration of this bake depends on the type of pizza and baking conditions.

By the end of the first bake, the dough should be fully set and cooked through, with only the final browning remaining. In the second bake, the sauce, cheese, and toppings are added, allowing the crust to achieve its desired browning.

Par-baking is a common practice when making square pizzas baked in a pan, such as Detroit or Sicilian pizza. The latter, in particular, is traditionally made using a par-baking process. Baking the dough “naked” – primarily without the sauce that weighs it down – allows for maximum oven spring, which is desirable for these types of pizzas. The result is a dough with greater volume, typically more airy as well.

For round pizzas baked directly on a baking surface (not in pans), par-baking is generally unnecessary and does not provide any significant benefit.

While par-baking can help prevent the cheese or toppings from browning too much by adding them later in the baking process, it often results in cheese that hasn’t melted properly and develops an unappetizing texture. A better approach is to study your baking conditions and find a balance between baking the top and bottom of the pizza.

How to Par-Bake Pizza

The general order of par-baking is as follows:

1. Place the “naked” dough in the oven.
2. Bake the dough just until it has completely set, but before it starts to brown (see picture below). The duration of this step depends on the type of pizza you are making and your oven conditions. For pan pizzas, this usually takes about 5-6 minutes.
3. Remove the pan from the oven.
4. For immediate use, add the sauce, cheese, and toppings, then return the pizza to the oven to finish baking.
5. Bake until the toppings and dough are done to your liking.

For future use, remove the dough from the pan and place it on a cooling rack to let steam escape from the bottom. This prevents moisture from being trapped, which could make the bottom soggy.

You can store the dough for future use (up to 24 hours at room temperature) or freeze it after it has cooled completely.

Using Convection Mode to Bake Pizza (Fan-Forced)

Introduction to Convection Mode

Most modern ovens feature a convection mode designed to cook or bake food using hot air.

In convection mode, two main components are activated:

• A rear heating element located at the back of the oven.
• A fan positioned directly in front of this heating element.

This mode operates through forced convection, where the fan circulates heat from the rear heating element throughout the oven chamber. This creates a steady flow of hot air, ensuring a consistently uniform temperature. Instead of relying on radiation (direct heat from the heating elements or oven walls), convection mode focuses on evenly distributed hot air.

The result is faster and more even baking or cooking, as the constant air circulation surrounds the food and heats it uniformly. This contrasts with conventional baking, where heat from the upper and lower elements may not reach all parts of the food evenly.

Accelerated Drying of Food When Using Convection Mode

Using convection mode has another significant impact on food – it accelerates drying.

The constant circulation of hot air within the oven chamber causes food to dry and brown faster than it would with conventional baking, which relies on top and bottom heat. As hot air contacts the food, it draws out moisture; the more air exposure, the faster this drying occurs. In addition, drier surface promotes the Maillard reaction, leading to quicker and more intense browning.

Therfore, convection mode is ideal when you want to dry the surface of food and achieve a crispy, caramelized exterior.

For instance, convection mode is particularly effective for browning or creating a crust on meat or vegetables, whether used throughout the entire cooking time or activated in the final minutes to dry the outer layer and enhance crispiness.

For pizza, using convection mode promotes faster browning and drying of the crust or toppings.

However, since convection mode dries out food, its use isn’t always recommended, and can sometimes have unintended negative effects. It’s important to ensure that convection mode is appropriate for the type of food being prepared and the results you’re aiming for.

For instance, convection mode works great for making French fries or potato wedges (crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, provided they are pre-cooked), creating a crispy crust on meat or chicken, or baking certain types of cookies. However, it is not ideal for baking most types of cakes or bread, as we’ll discuss in more detail later on.

Using Convection Mode to Cook or Bake on Multiple Levels/Racks

A significant advantage of using convection mode is the ability to bake or cook on multiple levels or oven racks simultaneously.

In conventional baking mode (top and bottom heat), heat is radiated from the heating elements and the oven walls. When two trays of food are placed in the oven, the top tray “blocks” heat from above, while the bottom tray blocks heat from below. This results in uneven heat distribution, with the top tray receiving heat from above and the bottom tray primarily receiving heat from below.

Convection mode solves this “issue” by evenly and continuously circulating hot air throughout the entire oven chamber, ensuring that food on all levels receives heat uniformly.

As a result, convection mode is highly effective for baking or cooking food on multiple levels at once. However, it’s important to remember that the circulating hot air can cause food to dry out. Therefore, make sure that using convection mode on multiple levels does not compromise the quality of your food (i.e., lead to too much drying or browning).

Using Convection Mode to Bake Pizza

For baking pizza (and bread), using convection mode for the entire bake time is generally not recommended. This is due to two main issues:

1. Premature Crust Formation (Browning Too Quickly): The drying effect of convection mode can cause the outside of the dough to set and brown too quickly, which limits oven spring and the volume of the final baked product. While this effect is less significant for pizza, it is a major concern for bread. Once the crust forms and begins to brown, the dough can no longer expand, leading to less volume.
2. Trapped Moisture and Uneven Baking: Once the crust forms, moisture in the dough is “trapped” inside, making it harder to escape. This also impedes heat from penetrating the dough’s interior. As a result, the inside of the dough may not bake properly and could remain undercooked.

To achieve the best results for pizza, it’s generally best to avoid using convection mode for the entire baking process. If you choose to use convection, it’s best to do so only after the dough has fully set, rather than at the beginning of the bake.

Beyond its effect on the dough, using convection mode may also cause the sauce, cheese, and toppings to dry out faster than desired. Therefore, when baking pizza (or baking in general), it’s important to use convection mode with caution – it’s not always beneficial.

My recommendation is to start with conventional baking mode (top and bottom heat) and, if necessary, switch to convection mode only towards the end of baking.

Here are situations where using convection mode at the end of baking can be beneficial:

1. To achieve VERY even browning of the dough.
2. To dry out the cheese or toppings of excess moisture.

I do not recommend using convection mode for the entire baking time, as it may result in a very dry pizza – especially with longer baking times (over 5-6 minutes).

However, experimentation is key. Every oven is different, so it’s possible that starting with convection mode from the beginning could yield good results for your pizza.

Using the Broiler or Grill Mode to Bake Pizza

The broiler mode activates the upper heating element at full power, creating a strong, focused heat source that radiates directly onto the food below.

Using the broiler is especially useful for giving your pizza a strong “heat blast,” particularly towards the end of the baking process, when you want to finish browning the crust.

It is recommended to use the broiler mode only towards the end of baking, in the last minute or two. Using it too early can result in uneven baking and cause the dough and cheese to dry out too quickly.

When using the broiler, set the temperature to maximum.

If you use the broiler at the end of baking, stay in front of the oven and monitor the pizza closely. Just half a minute with the broiler on can make the difference between a perfectly browned pizza, and a burnt one.

If necessary, you can lift the pizza with a pizza peel and move it closer to the oven’s ceiling and broiler; this will speed up the browning process even further.

Using ‘Pizza Mode’ to Bake Pizza (Bottom Heat + Fan)

Some ovens feature a preset ‘pizza mode,’ which is marketed (with emphasis on ‘marketed’) as being specifically designed for baking pizza.

In pizza mode, the oven typically operates as follows:

1. Only the bottom heating element is on, with the top heating element turned off.
2. The fan turns on (without activating the rear heating element).

The idea behind pizza mode is that the bottom heating element heats the baking surface, while the fan circulates hot air to bake the top of the pizza (through forced convection).

In theory, this sounds good – the bottom heat bakes the pizza’s base, while the fan helps cook the top and toppings. However, in practice, this method is often less than ideal and is often ineffective for baking pizza.

First, and as discussed earlier, relying on forced convection for the entire baking process can dry out the pizza, and is generally not recommended.

Second, the logic behind pizza mode is flawed. Using only the bottom heating element does not increase the temperature of the baking surface or improve the baking of the bottom of the pizza, compared to conventional baking mode.

Moreover, the heat transferred to the pizza’s bottom primarily comes from the preheated oven and baking surface, rather than from heat stored by the baking surface during baking. So, if the surface is preheated properly (as it should be), pizza mode is largely ineffective and could even negatively affect the baking of the pizza’s top.

In my opinion, the creation of “pizza mode” is a marketing gimmick rather than a thoughtfully designed feature. The name sounds appealing (“Pizza mode”), but it just doesn’t meet the practical needs of pizza baking.

The bottom line? I recommend avoiding using pizza mode for baking pizza.

Timing When to Place the Pizza in the Oven (Understanding Oven Heat Cycles)

While this section may sound a bit technical, understanding how a home oven operates can help get the best results when baking pizza.

In general, a home oven works with a thermostat that regulates the temperature inside the baking chamber. The heating elements are activated when the temperature is below the set threshold, and turn off once the desired temperature is reached. This on-and-off cycle continues to maintain a relatively stable temperature, despite natural fluctuations.

Now, how does this relate to baking pizza?

When baking pizza, we typically want to use the highest possible temperature. However, once the oven reaches that maximum temperature, the thermostat turns off the heating elements. For pizza, which requires a significant “heat blast” and bakes quickly, this can be problematic.

“For instance, if you place your pizza in the oven at the end of an off-cycle (when the heating elements are off and about to turn on), the oven chamber and baking surface are typically at their lowest temperature. Once the elements turn back on, it can take 3-4 minutes for the temperature to climb back to its peak. During this time, the lower-than-optimal temperature can affect how the pizza bakes.

For most foods, this drop in temperature may not be as critical, but for pizza, those 3-4 minutes can make a significant difference – potentially resulting in a pizza that’s under-browned or too dry.

To avoid this, it’s best to time placing your pizza in the oven when the heating elements are still on, or just before they turn off. This ensures the oven and the baking surface are as hot as possible when the pizza goes in.

How to Tell if the Heating Elements Are On or Off

Most ovens display a thermometer symbol on the screen (see picture below):

• When the symbol is visible, it indicates that the heating elements are active.
• When it disappears, it means the heating elements have turned off.

This symbol can help determine if the oven has reached the set temperature. If you’ve preheated the oven and are unsure whether it’s fully heated, the absence of the thermometer symbol means the heating elements have stopped working and the oven has reached the set temperature.

How to Time When to Place the Pizza in the Oven

In general, after the oven has reached its maximum temperature, the heating elements will cycle on and off in intervals of about 5 minutes – 5 minutes with the heating elements off, followed by about 5 minutes with them on (this can vary between ovens).

To “catch” the optimal timing for placing the pizza in the oven and starting the bake when the temperature is at its highest, you can:

1. Wait patiently until the heating elements turn back on.
2. Alternatively, you can manually “reset” the oven by turning it off, opening the door for about 20 seconds, then closing the door and turning the oven back on. This will cause the temperature in the oven to drop, prompting the thermostat to activate the heating elements again.

Once the heating elements have turned back on, wait another minute or two to allow the baking surface to regain any lost heat. This should be the ideal time to place the pizza in the oven. Of course, this can vary between ovens.