The pizza cutter, often recognized by its characteristic wheel-shaped blade, is a utensil designed primarily to slice pizza. However, its uses extend beyond just pizza. Here’s a comprehensive look at this kitchen tool.
Table of Contents
- History and Design
- Uses Beyond Pizza
- Choosing the Right Pizza Cutter
- Maintenance and Care
- Safety Precautions
- Different Types of Pizza Cutters
- Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pizza Cutters:
History and Design
The modern pizza cutter‘s design has remained relatively unchanged since its invention. The primary feature is a sharp, circular blade that rotates on an axis, connected to a handle. This design ensures an easy slicing motion without the need to apply excessive pressure.
Though traditionally round, pizza cutters now come in various shapes and designs. Some are even designed to look like bicycles, with two circular blades representing the wheels. However, the functionality remains the same.
Uses Beyond Pizza
While the name suggests a single purpose, pizza cutters can be incredibly versatile in the kitchen
- Perfect Pizza Slices:
- The Basics*: Start by placing the cutter at the edge of the pizza and applying gentle pressure. Roll smoothly across the pizza to the other side. Repeat to make as many slices as desired.
- Pro Tip: For large pizzas or thicker crusts, try rocking the cutter back and forth gently to ensure a clean cut.
- Herb Chopping:
- The Basics*: Bunch your fresh herbs together on a cutting board.
- Pro Tip: Using the pizza cutter, swiftly roll back and forth over the herbs. This technique works especially well for basil, cilantro, and parsley.
- Dicing Veggies:
- The Basics*: While not a replacement for a knife, for softer veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions, a pizza cutter can do the trick.
- Pro Tip: Thinly slice the veggies first, then run the pizza cutter across them in different directions to dice.
- Creating Homemade Pasta:
- The Basics*: After rolling out your pasta dough, use the pizza cutter to cut even strands for fettuccine or ribbons for pappardelle.
- Pro Tip: To prevent sticking, lightly flour the pasta dough before cutting.
- Slicing Pastry Dough:
- The Basics*: For pies, tarts, or any recipe that requires thin pastry strips, use a pizza cutter for precision.
- Pro Tip: To create decorative edges, slightly angle the cutter as you slice.
- Even Brownie and Bar Slices:
- The Basics*: Instead of using a knife, which can often lead to jagged edges, use a pizza cutter for smooth cuts.
- Pro Tip: Dip the cutter in warm water between slices for an even cleaner cut.
- Custom Sandwich Shapes:
- The Basics*: For fun sandwich shapes, especially for kids, first remove crusts using the pizza cutter and then slice the sandwich into desired shapes or strips.
- Pro Tip: This technique is perfect for tea sandwiches or playful lunchbox additions.
Choosing the Right Pizza Cutter
When shopping for a pizza cutter, consider the following factors:
- Blade Sharpness: A dull blade can drag the cheese and toppings, ruining the pizza. Stainless steel blades tend to remain sharp and resist rust.
- Handle Comfort: Look for an ergonomic handle that provides a comfortable grip, especially if you use it frequently.
- Safety Features: Some cutters come with blade guards or retractable blades to prevent accidental cuts.
- Size: Depending on the pizza’s size you typically make, choose a cutter with a blade large enough to easily slice through.
Maintenance and Care
To keep your pizza cutter in prime condition:
- Cleaning: Always clean the cutter immediately after use to prevent sauce and cheese from drying on the blade. Most cutters are dishwasher safe, but hand washing can prolong the blade’s sharpness.
- Sharpening: Depending on usage, sharpen the blade periodically. A sharp blade ensures clean cuts and reduces the effort needed to slice.
- Storage: Store in a place where the blade won’t come into frequent contact with other utensils, which can dull the blade. Using a blade guard or storing in a dedicated slot can help.
Safety Precautions
Though a pizza cutter is not as menacing as a large kitchen knife, it can still cause injuries if not used correctly.
- Grip Firmly: Ensure you have a secure grip on the handle to prevent slips.
- Keep Away from Children: Like all sharp objects, keep it out of reach of children.
- Use a Cutting Board: If not cutting directly on a pizza stone or pan, always use a cutting board to protect countertops.
Different Types of Pizza Cutters
The pizza cutter, an essential kitchen tool for pizza lovers worldwide, comes in various designs and styles. The type of cutter you choose can depend on personal preference, the kind of pizzas you typically prepare, and the environment in which you’re serving (like a casual home setting versus a commercial pizzeria).
Here’s an overview of the different types of cutters:
Rolling Pizza Cutter (Wheel Cutter)
- Description: This is the most common type. It features a circular blade attached to a handle. The user rolls the blade across the pizza to cut it.
- Best For: General use; it works well for most standard pizzas.
Rocker Blade (Mezzaluna Cutter)
- Description: It’s a large, curved blade with handles on both ends. To use it, you rock the blade back and forth over the pizza.
- Best For: Cutting many pizzas quickly, especially in a commercial setting.
Pizza Scissors:
- Description: These are specially designed scissors for cutting pizza. One of the blades is often spatula-like to help lift the slice after cutting.
- Best For: Deep dish or thick crust pizzas where a rolling cutter might not be as effective.
Knife:
- Description: Some chefs prefer using a large, sharp chef’s knife to cut pizza, especially if they don’t have specialized tools on hand.
- Best For: Thick crust or artisanal pizzas with lots of toppings.
Dough Docker Pizza Cutters:
- Description: While not strictly a cutter, a dough docker is a roller with spikes used to puncture pizza dough before baking. This prevents air bubbles.
- Best For: Preparing the pizza crust before baking.
Handled Rocking Cutter:
- Description: Similar to the mezzaluna cutter but with an elongated blade and handles on the sides, allowing for one long rocking cut to slice the pizza in half.
- Best For: Quick, clean cuts on larger pizzas.
Multi wheel Cutter:
- Description: Features multiple cutting wheels, allowing the user to make parallel cuts simultaneously.
- Best For: Commercial settings where many uniform slices are needed quickly.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pizza Cutters:
- Size of Pizzas: Larger pizzas might benefit from rocker blades or handled rocking cutters, while smaller ones can be easily managed with rolling cutters or scissors.
- Type of Pizza: Deep dish, stuffed crust, or heavily topped pizzas might require different tools compared to thin crust pizzas.
- Frequency of Use: If you’re a casual pizza maker, a standard rolling cutter might suffice. However, if you’re regularly making pizzas, especially in large quantities, a more specialized cutter could be beneficial.
- Maintenance: Some pizza cutters, like those with moving parts or multiple wheels, might require more maintenance or careful cleaning compared to a simple rocker blade.
In conclusion, the perfect pizza cutter depends on your pizza preferences and how frequently you find yourself serving up slices. Investing in the right tool can make the pizza-eating experience even more enjoyable.
Also read: Is Pizza A Sandwich?