If you’re anything like us at Best Pizza Ovens, you know that owning a home pizza oven isn’t just about baking a pie – it’s about creating a full experience. The aroma of bubbling cheese, the sizzle of the crust, and the joy of sharing perfect slices all start with the right tools. Over the years, after testing and obsessing over every style of oven (from indoor electric to roaring outdoor wood-fired), we’ve learned that having a few key accessories can totally transform your pizza night. Let’s get into the five essentials that will immediately elevate your home pizza oven experience and help you bake like a true pizzaiolo.
1. The Right Pizza Peel – Glide, Spin, and Serve Like a Pro
Ask any seasoned home pizzaiolo and they’ll tell you: a quality pizza peel is non-negotiable. This isn’t just about scooping your pizza in and out of the oven without losing toppings (though that matters!). The right peel helps you manage the pizza from launch to serve, reducing burnt fingers, mangled dough, or toppings sliding into the flames.
- Launching Peel: Typically made of thin, lightweight wood or aluminum, designed for sliding raw pizza onto the stone or oven deck efficiently. Wood helps absorb moisture, reducing sticking, while metal options offer great maneuverability in tight spaces.
- Turning Peel (for high-heat ovens): If you own a Neapolitan-style or outdoor pizza oven, a smaller, round, metal turning peel lets you spin the pizza mid-bake, preventing uneven charring and guaranteeing a uniformly blistered crust.
- Serving Peel: A wide, sturdy board or peel (even bamboo) for transferring the finished pizza out and slicing cleanly.
Look for peels that are comfortable for your workspace and oven size. For a deep dive on our favorite peels that work well with leading ovens like Ooni and Gozney, see our pizza oven accessory guide.
2. Pizza Stone or Steel – Achieve That Authentic, Crackly Crust
While many home pizza ovens include a baking stone, not all stones are created equal. Swapping out a generic stone for one that heats evenly and retains high temps is a game-changer. If you use an indoor oven, a pizza steel is another worthy investment, conducting heat even more efficiently for crispy bottoms and leopard-spotted edges.
- Pizza Stones: Classic cordierite or ceramic stones are key for distributing heat and producing that golden base. They also mimic the floor of a true wood-fired oven for Neapolitan or artisan-style pies.
- Pizza Steels (for indoor ovens): Heavier, fast-heating, and nearly indestructible, steels deliver outstanding spring and crust texture, particularly for thin-crust or New York-style pizzas.
Pro tip: Always preheat your stone or steel as long as your oven allows (typically 30-60 minutes for outdoor models, 15-20 for indoor), and allow it to cool slowly to avoid cracking.
3. Infrared Thermometer – Precision Baking with No Guesswork
Pizza perfection is all about high heat and timing. Too many home chefs rely on oven dials that can be wildly inaccurate, leading to underbaked crusts or burnt dough. An infrared thermometer removes all the uncertainty. Simply aim at the stone or oven surface, and you’ll know exactly when it’s ready for baking.
- Benefits:
- Ensures stone/steel reaches optimal pizza-baking temperature (usually 750–950°F for Neapolitan style, 500–650°F for New York/Detroit style).
- Lets you quickly check for hot/cold spots and rotate the pizza accordingly.
- Helps you dial in the perfect launch time for each pie.
If you’re chasing that leopard-spotted Neapolitan pie, having an accurate thermometer is 100% worth the small investment. We always keep one handy for every bake, whether in an electric Breville Pizzaiolo or a wood-fired Dome/Gozney oven.
4. Dough Prep Tools – The Foundation of a Great Pizza
Amazing pizza starts with great dough, and the right tools set you up for success:
- Dough Scraper: Makes it easy to divide and shape perfectly portioned balls, scrape up sticky dough, and transfer with less mess.
- Proofing Box: Provides consistent, draft-free conditions for the dough to rise at home, preventing skinning and over-proofing.
- Kitchen Scale: For accuracy in measuring flour, water, and yeast, ensuring reliable, repeatable results every time.
If you’re just venturing into homemade dough, you’ll be amazed how these simple accessories improve ease and consistency. With practice, you’ll soon be stretching and launching like a true pizza ninja.
5. Pizza Cutter and Serving Tools – Slice and Share Without the Struggle
Once your pizza masterpiece emerges hot and blistered, a high-quality pizza cutter makes all the difference. Forget hacking at your crust with a dull knife!
- Pizza Wheel: The classic rolling blade slices through thick and thin crusts smoothly. Look for a sharp, sturdy wheel for effortless cuts. Some pros prefer larger-diameter wheels for cleaner slices, especially on large pies.
- Rocking Pizza Cutter: Excellent for handling deep-dish or extra-large pizzas, allowing you to use both hands for uniform pressure and control.
- Serving Spatula: Wide, thin spatulas help lift floppy slices cleanly from peel to plate, especially when toppings are lush and gooey.
Take a moment to wipe blades clean after each pie, ensuring every slice looks as perfect as the last. For families and parties, a set of serving tongs or paddles helps everyone join the fun hassle-free.
Bonus: Other Accessories Worth Considering
- Heat-Resistant Gloves: Essential for safely reaching into high-heat ovens, turning pizzas, or handling hot pans and peels.
- Oven Brush: Keeps your baking surface free of flour buildup and burnt bits, ensuring clean bakes every time.
- Dough Dockers and Prickers: For those exploring focaccia, flatbreads, or Roman-style pies, these tools prevent bubbling and ensure even texture.
Pizza Night Transformed
Outfitting your home pizza setup with these five essential accessories isn’t about collecting kitchen gadgets – it’s about unlocking new levels of control, creativity, and joy in every bake. Whether you’re working with the top outdoor ovens like the Ooni Karu 16 or sleek indoor models such as the Breville Pizzaiolo, these tools bring you closer to true pizzeria results on your own turf.
Ready to take your home pizza nights to the next level? Dive into our comprehensive reviews and latest guides at Best Pizza Ovens for oven recommendations, recipe hacks, and all the accessories you need to make every slice unforgettable.