Food
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What Should I Consider When Buying a Pizza Plate?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

When buying a pizza plate, consider the type, size and style that would work best for your home. You may want a big decorative plate with a pizza theme or a set of individual, pizza-like triangular serving plates. Microwavable and dishwasher safe qualities may or may not be important in the pizza plate you choose. While pizza-themed, colorful plates can be fun to use for a variety of snacks, plain platters may also work well for serving foods other than pizza.

For parties and entertaining, a large transparent glass or white porcelain pizza plate can double as a serving platter for appetizers or cupcakes. If you'll have a use for this type of plate other than for pizza, it could be a versatile addition to your kitchen cupboard. If you'd rather have individual triangular pizza plates, these tend to make great individual serving dishes for snacks such as vegetables with a dip or for desserts such as a wedge of fruit pie. However, if the triangle plates you choose are designed to resemble a pizza slice, you may only want to use them when serving pizzas.

A pizza in an oven.
A pizza in an oven.

Triangle pizza plates are sold in a variety of styles from old fashioned designs to contemporary pieces. You may want to have a set of individual triangle plates plus a large pizza plate. The individual serving plates can hold each person's pizza slices taken from the large plate. Depending on whether you'll be using the different plates together for pizza only or for other foods as well, you could store them together or in separate cupboards in your kitchen.

A pepperoni pizza.
A pepperoni pizza.

Be sure to check the washing instructions for the pizza plate you're considering buying. Some metal pizza plates aren't dishwasher safe and may rust if washed that way. A hand-painted ceramic plate may also not be able to be washed in a dishwasher. If you want to reheat pizza slices or other foods in a microwave oven, make sure the plate you're considering buying is microwave-friendly. If you're looking for a plate to hold a large size pizza, be sure to get one big enough.

Most pizza plates sold today tend to be medium or large in size, but smaller types are also available. Aluminum plates are lightweight and are often available in sizes suitable for serving small pizzas. Large hand-painted ceramic pizza platters have the benefit of being decorative, but also tend to be heavy. A porcelain pizza plate is often plain white, yet many of these are sold with a warranty against chipping.

Discussion Comments

ddljohn

@fify-- But most bake and serve pizza plates are aluminum. I have one too. I like it a lot because I don't need an additional serving plate. I can bake the pizza in it, and then slice it and serve it in the same plate. Some people also use a pizza stone for both of these purposes and that works well too.

I have seen the triangle shaped children's pizza plates for individual slices of pizza. I'm thinking of getting a set for my niece and nephew. They have them available in their favorite cartoon character designs. I think they will like them during their birthday party. We're going to serve the kids pizza.

fify

@discographer-- If the perforated pan/plate is a baking pan, then the advantage of the perforations is that the pizza will cook more evenly and thoroughly. A typical pan makes a soft dough pizza but a perforated one makes the crust harder/crisper.

If the perforated plate is a serving plate for pizza, then it will allow the crust cool down before it becomes dough like. If you've ever covered freshly baked pizza, you'll know how quickly it can turn into dough.

If you want a perforated pizza plate though, I suggest getting a stainless steel one. I don't think that aluminum is very healthy. It can react with the food and aluminum may also darken over time.

discographer

I'm shopping for a pizza pan/plate and I've noticed that some of them are aluminum perforated. So there are holes throughout the plate. Does anyone know what the advantage of this type of pizza plate is?

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • A pizza in an oven.
      By: Serenethos
      A pizza in an oven.
    • A pepperoni pizza.
      By: Kayros Studio
      A pepperoni pizza.