What Is The Difference Between Pizza Crisper vs Pizza Pan?

By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on March 11, 2023 | Last Updated on June 21, 2023

If you are a pizza lover and want to cook pizza at home, it is crucial to know the difference between a pizza crisper and a pizza pan.

Having a little bit of knowledge of these things will help you cook an authentic pizza at home (The real pizza flavor of a pizza shop). Whether you want a crispy crust pizza or a soft, chewy bread pizza, it depends on the pan you choose.

So, a real pizza lover who wants to bake homemade pizza must know the difference between a pizza crisper and a pizza pan.

What is a pizza crisper?

Pizza crisper is a pizza pan with holes in the bottom that bakes crispy thin-crust pizza or bread sticks. It comes with lots of tiny holes on its base so that the heat transfers directly to the pizza bread. 

These holes allow moisture to get away, so the crust becomes crispy and brown. You can place it on the lowest rack of your oven.

It also cooks the food faster than other pizza pans. People call it a perforated pizza pan or pizza pan with holes as well.

Perforated pizza pans or pizza crispers come at an affordable price. If you have a tight budget, you can use it as an excellent alternative to the pizza stone.

Most pizza crispers are made with aluminum for longevity. But once you finished baking in an aluminum pizza crisper, you shouldn’t clean it with caustic oven cleaner.

It’s because the chemical reaction might damage the pan or reduce its durability. A mild dishwashing soap works great to clean aluminum pans.

If you’ve ever experienced that your pizza is sticking to the bottom of the pan, we have a guide on how to keep pizza dough from sticking to pan. You may read this for further information. This article will help you prevent sticking your pizza to the bottom of the pan.

What is a pizza pan?

A pizza pan is a flat base pan used to bake soft deep-dish pizza or thick crust pizza. It comes with no hole but a solid base. 

It takes a longer time to transfer the heat due to its no-hole surface. So. you need more time to cook the pizza.

But the moisture can’t escape from these pans that make the pizza bread soft and chewy.

So, if you are the one who loves soft and chewy pizza crust, you should get a pizza pan instead of a pizza crisper. 

Though you get a variety of non-stick pizza pans in the market, most pizza pans are cast iron made. 

This pan is also used to transport pizza from the stove to the oven to the table. Our Easy Kitchen Guide experts have reviewed the best pizza grill pans. These pans are ideal for making pizza on your grill. So, if you are a real pizza lover and want to cook pizza in your grill in the backyard, you’ll definitely love this guide.

We also have a guide on how to reheat pizza in a pan. It will help you reheat your leftover pizza slices or frozen pizza with a crisp crust and melting cheese.

What is difference between a pizza crisper and a pizza pan?

Though the primary purpose of these two pans is to make pizza, you’ll find some differences in their construction and the materials that are used to build. Let’s have a look at the chart for a clear overview:

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Pizza crisper Vs Pizza pan: Which is better?

Well, both are used for the same purpose to bake pizza. If you ask me which one is better, I’d rather say it depends on your own preferences. If you like a crispy crust, then you should go and pick a pizza crisper. If you love thick crust, then a pizza pan would be ideal for you. 

But to be honest, I prefer a cast iron pizza pan to bake pizza. Because it’s thick & heavy, longer-lasting, easy to clean, and most importantly, affordable.

On top of this, it allows me to cook any pizza I want, whether a crisp crust or a soft, chewy one. It spreads the heat evenly, so the pizza gets well cooked from everywhere. 

Besides, I can use it for multi-purposes. It allows me to cook eggs, chicken, steak, sauteed vegetables, and so on, which you can’t do in a pizza crisper. 

Moreover, I can use it on my grill for a backyard party. So, this is the reason I love cast iron pizza pan.

But remember you can’t clean it in the dishwasher. If you do so, it will ruin the pan’s surface. You have to wash it manually with your hands. But it is effortless. Just pour some hot water on the pan’s surface, apply some dishwashing soap and rinse well. Your skillet is ready for the next use.

The wrap up:

Thanks for reading the complete guide about the difference between a pizza crisper vs pizza pan. I hope you’ve found this article helpful and got a clear idea about the pizza crisper and the pizza pan.

To sum up, I just want to mention both pans are helpful in baking great pizzas. You can use any of these pans that seem to be perfect for you.