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We all know that pizza is a favorite food for many people around the world. People enjoy pizza as it is delicious and versatile. However, keeping it warm can be tricky. Yet, whether you are waiting for guests or enjoying your pizza, you want it to stay hot and tasty, right? Check out the guide below on how to keep pizza warm in the oven safely and effectively!
Know the Right Oven Temperature to Keep Pizza Warm
You need to set your oven to a low temperature to keep your pizza warm without overcooking it. So, the right and best oven temperature to keep pizza warm is between 170°F (77°C) and 200°F (93°C). However, now you can get some ovens with a “Keep Warm” setting, usually around 170°F. This temperature keeps your pizza warm without drying it out or making it too crispy.
In case your oven doesn’t have a “Keep Warm” setting, all you need to do is set it to 170°F or the lowest temperature it can go. Remember to avoid temperatures higher than 200°F as your pizza will get overcooked and change its texture.
Can You Put a Cardboard Pizza Box in the Oven?
Perhaps this question comes across your mind; can you keep your pizza in its cardboard pizza boxes wholesale in the oven?
Well, the answer is no, and here’s why:
Fire Risk
Cardboard material can easily catch fire at temperatures around 427°F (220°C). Even though 170°F is much lower, there’s still a risk if the oven heats up too much. Or else, there might be a risk if the cardboard touches a heating element.
Chemicals
Typically, boxes made of cardboard are treated with chemicals and glues. Unfortunately, these chemicals can release harmful fumes when heated. Even worse, the chemicals can get into your pizza and make it unsafe to eat.
Weak Structure
Cardboard can weaken and collapse when it is exposed to heat for a long time.
Instead of using the cardboard box, you can instead place your pizza on an oven-safe tray or directly on the oven rack.
But what if you really need to place your pizza along with the box in the oven?
In this case, you must know at what temperature does cardboard ignite.
Yes, knowing when cardboard can catch fire is important for safety. Basically, cardboard ignites at around 427°F (220°C). Hence, this temperature is much higher than the temperature used to keep your pizza warm.
How Long Can Pizza Stay Warm in the Oven?
Another good thing about pizza is that it can stay warm in the oven for a good amount of time.
However, you must also consider some factors below.
The Quality of Your Pizza
Ideally, you should never keep your pizza warm in the oven for more than one to two hours. Why?
Because if you put it longer than one to two hours, the crust might start to dry out. Plus, the delicious toppings of your pizza may not be as fresh.
Food Safety
The USDA (The US Department of Agriculture) advises that perishable foods shouldn’t be kept at temperatures between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C). In addition, food items should not be in those temperatures for more than two hours to prevent bacteria growth. In this context, make sure that you keep your oven at a low temperature to keep your pizza safe.
Check on It Regularly
If you need to keep your pizza warm for longer, you must regularly check on it every 30 minutes. This way, you can ensure that your pizza is not drying out. To keep your pizza moist, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil.
Make sure you keep an eye on your pizza to make sure it’s not drying out. You can also adjust the oven temperature if needed or take your pizza out if you have placed it in the oven too long.
How to Keep Delivery Pizza Warm?
When you get your favorite pizza delivered, keeping it warm can be challenging.
Well, here are some easy tips you can follow!
Use Your Oven Wisely
Preheat your oven to around 170°F (77°C). Then, place your pizza on a baking sheet or directly on the oven rack. If your pizza is in a box, transfer it to an oven-safe dish.
Aluminum Foil Is Helpful
If you don’t want to use the oven, you can simply wrap your pizza in aluminum foil. Aluminium foil will keep the heat in and your pizza warm for up to an hour.
Prepare Pizza Stone or Baking Steel
Prepare a pizza stone or baking steel, and preheat it in the oven at 170°F. After preheating, you can turn off the oven and place the pizza on the stone or steel. These tools will keep the heat well and keep your pizza warm longer.
Reheat Your Pizza If Necessary
If you see that your pizza cools down too much, you can reheat it at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes. In these temperatures, you can bring back the heat and crispiness of your delicious pizza.
Extra Tips to Keep Your Delicious Pizza Warm
- Cut your pizza it into slices before reheating to get even heating on the whole pizza
- Remove the foil for the last few minutes of heating to keep your pizza stay crispy
- Try not to reheat your pizza at high temperatures, as this can cause the cheese to become overcooked and the crust to burn
Above all, while reheating pizza can be convenient, freshly made pizza from pizza slice boxes often tastes best. In fact, many expert packaging providers, like Silver Edge Packaging, use the best material to produce high-quality boxes for pizzas.
On the other hand, if you regularly have leftover pizza, consider investing in a pizza stone or a toaster oven.
In Summary
Keeping your favorite pizza warm in the oven is easy and effective if you can do it right. Remember to set an oven temperature of around 170°F to 200°F and cover it with foil, or using a pizza stone. Also, don’t forget to check your pizza and avoid keeping it in the oven too long to maintain its quality and safety.
Enjoy your warm, delicious pizza!
