Best Detroit Pizza Pans | (Best Size, Shape & Brands)

There are so many different types of pizza and as such, many types of pizza pans. One of the most well-loved types of pizza is the Detroit style pizza which is unlike any other deep dish pizza out there.

A Detroit style pizza is rectangular in shape and therefore is cooked in pans that are anything but the traditional circular pans that we usually see in pizza making.

In this article, we are going to be looking at the best pizza pans for making an Authentic Detroit style pizza.

What Is A Detroit Style Pizza Pan?

An authentic Detroit style pizza is one that has been made in rectangular steel pans which are normally reserved for use in the automobile industry. While they were originally used as a way to catch oil, it soon became evident that these pans were the ideal type for cooking pizza.

This style of pizza is a deep dish with a thick crust that is both crispy and chewy. One of the most famous Detroit recipes comes from the Motor City Detroit style pizza co where the world-famous Detroit pan is used by professional pizza makers that rival those in New York with their expertise and experience. No-one knows the really Motor City secret, but it goes without saying it it must be due to the trays that they use to create their delicious pizza and thanks to the wealth of Detroit style pizza pans on the market; you too can cook up some delicious pies right in the comfort of your own home.

How Do You Season A Detroit Style Pizza Pan?

There are some people that will tell you that there is no need to season your bakeware whereas others will swear by this technique. But we believe that a pre-seasoned pan is the secret to success whether you are baking a thin and cripsy New York pizza or a hearty Detroit recipe.

To get started you will need to take your new steel pizza pan and give it a good wash before placing it into the oven as a way of ensuring that it is completely dry. You should then take it out and coat the pan in some oil – the type of oil you use is down to you but many people prefer a canola oil seasoning process. Once the oil is on, you can pop the tray back into the oven at 400ºf for around 20 minutes.

When all of the time has passed, remove the pan from the oven and you should notice that there is a golden hue to its surface. It is important that you do not wash this off as this is what will prevent the food from sticking.

The Best Detroit Style Pizza Pans

As we have mentioned, there are several amazing products out there that will allow you to create authentic pizzas with your own dough recipe and lashings of your favorite toppings. But before you purchase anything, be sure to check out our favorites.

Chef Pomodoro Detroit Style Pizza Pan, 14 x 10-Inch

Highly-renowned chef, Shawn Randazzo came up with an ingenious way of making pies that involved using a Detroit style pizza pan that had already been seasoned, saving you a lot of hard work.This steel pan is the perfect example of that ingenuity, you could search many categories of trays and struggle to find anything that is quite as good as this.

It is made from aluminum and is ideal for making smaller sized pizzas. The food will not stick thanks to the seasoned coating, giving you the confidence that your crust will always be crispy and your base never broken.

LloydsPan Kitchenware 10 x 10 Detroit Pizza Pan

This is another pre-seasoned pan that will give you the ability to create foods just like your favourite Detroit style pizza co without having to leave your own kitchen. The blue steel design not only looks great but is durable and easy to use.

It can withstand temperatures of up to 700ºf so is ideal for use in either the kitchen oven or all outdoor wood-fired ovens. This one has a slightly higher price but you have the ability to make far larger pizzas and what could be better than a huge, chunky, deep dish delight?

WINCO Rectangular Non-Stick Pan

The sale price of these pans is significantly lower than others but that does not mean that the quality has been compromised. The opposite is, in fact, true. This is a very robust piece of cooking equipment made form 24 gauge steel combined with aluminum that will prevent the food from sticking – essential when making this style of pizza.

The manufacturer has almost 30 years of experience so you can feel confident that you will be getting top quality and a product that will stand the test of time – so what are you waiting for? Pop it in your cart and get ready to bake!

Conclusion

A Detroit style pizza is unlike any other sort of pizza, with its rectangular shape and thick and chewy crust, it is certainly easy to distinguish from other types of this Italian food staple.

However, with this unique shape, comes a unique cooking need and this is in the form of a tray that has been specially designed to cook this kind of pizza.

From its beginnings as a tray that was used for either carrying small pieces of equipment or oil in the automobile industry, right through to the modern designs that are used exclusively for cooking, the Detroit style pizza pan doesn’t look as though it is going to wane in popularity among pizza fans.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of these products on the market, but it is important to look for one that is of good quality. Lloyds pans have long been the pick of the bunch and if money were no object its certainly my choice. If you are on a budget the other two come pretty close.

There are also plenty of preseasoned pans should you wish to eliminate a little of the work of preparing the tray for baking.