My Go To Tools for Perfect Homemade Pizza

How I get great results at home, every single time

A classic Neapolitan style pizza with a soft, blistered crust. This is the kind of result you can achieve at home with the right tools.

Intro

Making homemade pizza is one of my favorite things to do, and over time I learned that the tools you use make the biggest difference. You do not need anything crazy or complicated. Just a few solid essentials that make stretching, launching, and baking easier. These are the exact tools I use every time I make pizza at home.

All tools and ingredients are linked in my Amazon storefront if you want to check out the specific versions I use.

1. The Pizza Oven I Use (Ooni Volt / Volt 2)

If you want restaurant quality pizza at home, a dedicated pizza oven makes a huge difference.

When I first tried making pizza in my regular oven at 500 F, the dough cooked through, but it never crisped the way it does at a real pizza spot. That is what pushed me to look for something better. I wanted an electric option since the propane models were too large for my space and felt like a bigger commitment than I wanted to make.

I ended up getting the original Ooni Volt, and it has been fantastic. It sits right on my counter, heats to very high temperatures (mine reaches 850 with no problem), and cooks pizza in about a minute and a half. They now offer the Volt 2, which looks even better. If you want an indoor friendly oven that can deliver true high heat pizza, this one is hard to beat.

2. Wood Peel for Launching Pizza

The first time I made pizza, I only had a metal peel. Even with plenty of flour, the dough still stuck, especially after adding sauce. Maybe it was the moisture on metal, maybe it was inexperience, but either way it was frustrating. After a little research, I learned that the solution was a wooden peel.

A wooden peel makes launching so much easier. The dough slides off the wood naturally, especially when you add a light dusting of semolina.

If you have ever struggled with dough sticking to your peel, this is the tool that fixes it.

3. Metal Peel for Turning and Removing Pizza

Once the pizza is in the oven, a metal peel gives you control. It slides under the crust smoothly and lets you turn the pizza, check the bottom, and pull it out without bending or tearing anything. I use both the wood and metal peel together for every bake.

A metal peel makes it easy to turn pizzas and lift them out of a hot oven.

4. Semolina Flour for Launching

This is one of the biggest secrets to launching pizza cleanly. Semolina acts like tiny ball bearings and helps the dough slide right off the peel. You only need a small amount, and it makes a big difference.

When I first tried to buy it, our local Smart & Final didn’t carry any, so I ordered it online. The delivery experience was… not great. It showed up in a soft envelope and there was semolina everywhere when I opened the package.

I will probably avoid ordering it online again, but I later found it at Vons and Albertsons with no issues. If you make pizza at home, semolina is definitely a must have.

5. Kitchen Scale

A scale is essential for making consistent dough. It keeps your measurements accurate, helps you portion dough balls evenly, and makes the entire process a lot easier.

For most ingredients, I use an OXO Good Grips 11 pound stainless steel scale. It has been reliable for everything from flour and water to dividing dough. The only time it struggles a bit is with very small measurements, like a gram or two of yeast. For anything that light, a small jeweler’s scale is extremely helpful. It gives you precise readings for tiny amounts so your dough stays consistent every time.

6. KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl Lift Stand Mixer

This mixer is my dough workhorse. It easily handles sticky pizza doughs and kneads them smoothly without overheating. The bowl lift design gives it extra strength, and the 7 quart size is perfect for bigger batches.

I enjoy hand kneading, but it can get tedious with pizza dough, especially when you are working with higher hydration. This mixer makes the whole process easier and much more consistent. I use mine constantly.

Getting the stand mixer ready for a perfectly kneaded dough.

7. Bench Scraper and Dough Scraper

These two tools make working with dough much easier.

Bench scraper:
Great for lifting dough, shaping dough balls, and cleaning flour off the counter.

Dough scraper:
Perfect for scooping sticky dough out of a bowl without tearing it.

If you bake often, you will reach for these every single time.

8. 00 Flour

While you can make good pizza with all-purpose flour, 00 flour gives the dough a softer, stretchier texture and a beautiful bake. I use 00 for all my pizza dough recipes.

If you want to get creative, you can try blending flours. These days, I have been using a mix of bread flour for chew, 00 flour for tenderness and stretch, and a little whole wheat flour for deeper flavor and a slightly more rustic character. Pizza really lets you play with combinations, so don’t be afraid to experiment.

Working with 00 flour now means a beautifully blistered, tender crust later.

9. Mutti Crushed Tomatoes and Tomato Paste

Mutti is my favorite brand for pizza sauce. Their crushed tomatoes have a clean, bright flavor, and their tomato paste adds richness without tasting metallic. I absolutely love the vibrant color of the paste too!

This combo gives you a simple, fresh tasting sauce that works on any style of pizza.

10. Proofing Containers

These help your dough balls rise evenly and stay protected. They prevent the tops from drying out and give the dough room to relax, which makes stretching much easier.

I picked up a set of two on Amazon and really like them. They feel sturdy, high quality, and they double as great storage containers when they are not holding dough.

11. Digital Kitchen Timer

You can use your phone, but I prefer a separate timer on the counter. It keeps track of kneading time, rest time, and fermentation at a glance without distractions.

12. Ladle or Sauce Spoon

A ladle helps spread sauce in smooth circles without tearing the dough. It gives you consistent coverage and makes the process quick and easy.

The ladle’s shape makes spreading sauce effortless and prevents tearing the dough.

13. Olive Oil

A light drizzle adds flavor and encourages browning. Choose one you already enjoy using in your cooking!

14. Cheese Grater

Freshly grated mozzarella melts better and browns more evenly than pre-shredded cheese. A good grater is a simple upgrade that makes a huge difference.

15. Pizza Cutter or Rocker

A solid cutter gives you clean slices without dragging toppings. Rockers are especially nice for thicker or heavily topped pies.

Optional Extras I Also Love

Infrared Thermometer

An infrared thermometer helps you check the temperature of your stone or steel before launching a pizza. This matters because the surface heat determines how well your crust browns and how evenly it bakes.

If the stone is too cool, the bottom turns out pale and soft. If it is too hot, the crust can burn before the toppings cook. An infrared thermometer gives you a quick, accurate reading so you know exactly when the oven is ready for a perfect launch.

Dough Bin for Bulk Fermentation

Great for allowing dough to relax and making portioning cleaner.

Pizza Steel or Stone

If you are baking in a standard home oven, these help you achieve a stronger bottom crust. I picked up a nifty set on Amazon that included a pizza stone, a rocker, and a metal peel.

Great little starting bundle!

A properly heated stone keeps the moisture down so your toppings cook without softening the crust.

Where to Find Everything I Use

All of the tools and ingredients mentioned here are linked in my Amazon storefront here.

From the Ooni Volt to my favorite peels, scales, and flours, everything is linked and easy to browse!

Closing

Homemade pizza does not need to be complicated. With the right tools, the whole process becomes easier, more consistent, and a lot more fun. If you want to try making your own dough, you can check out my pizza dough recipe. And if you like a little heat, my spicy arrabiata pizza sauce is a great place to start.

Whether you are just beginning your pizza journey or already hosting weekly pizza nights, I hope this guide helps you level up your setup. If you try any of these tools or make any of my pizza recipes, let me know how your pizza turns out. I always love seeing your bakes.

A simple moment that sets the stage for an amazing homemade pizza.