Can you bake pizza on cardboard? No, out of numerous options to toast, choosing to bake your pizza on cardboard can be unsafe. The cardboard is not oven-friendly. The papery is prone to combustion if heated at a high temperature.
We know you might have read claims of people trying it out. However, do you know you can easily start up a fire or choke yourself with smoke by trying such? Why ruin your weekend night when you can have your pizza ready with safer methods.
Are you confused about how to reheat your cold extras? This guide is specially made for you. Below are why cardboard is not safe for your oven and safer alternatives to consider for a juicy warm-up process.
Reasons Why Cardboard is Not Safe In the Oven?
As convenient as it may sound, cooking on cardboard is not an option you should consider. We are aware that pizzas come in hard papery boxes. But do you know that placing the box directly in the oven can ruin your juicy experience? Here are some reasons why you should keep the cardboard away from your oven.
1. Cardboard can be Flammable
A fire outbreak is not a suitable experience to have. Therefore it is safe to abstain from actions that can lead to fire ignition.
Cardboard is a paper material and can catch fire when exposed to extreme heat. According to research, the papery can ignite a fire when opened to a temperature above 400 degrees F.
Also, pizzas are generally baked with a heat level of about 425 degrees F. Owing to this, the cardboard is prone to catch fire under such heat conditions and can endanger your kitchen environment.
Likewise, the pizza box varies according to brand. Some cardboards include chemicals that are combustible and not oven-friendly. Exposing such papery to extremely hot conditions can start a fire in your oven.
In addition, pizza comes with seasoned oily substances that can easily stain the papered-box surface. You should know oily cardboard is not heat-friendly. You might need a fire extinguisher if you reheat your delicious pizza on such an oily box.
2. Affect the Taste of Your Food
A juicy sumptuous pizza and a chilled beer for the weekend is not a bad idea. But are you aware you can easily alter the yummy taste of your pizza by baking or reheating it on cardboard?
Pizza boxes come with a thin paper coating that heats up under high temperatures. Apart from igniting a fire, the tiny coating burns out and affects your pizza during the heating process. The smoke leaves a bitter taste and awful smell on your pizza.
Also, heated cardboard rids your juicy flavoured meal of seasoned moistures. You might end up munching the tasteless semi-soggy crust alone just to fill your belly.
In addition, your food is prone to fumes and unpurchased chemicals from cardboard boxes. You might end up tasting weird flavours you did not pay for after the heating process.
3. Elongates Cooking Duration
Cardboard slows down your cooking duration. With this, satisfying your sudden cravings with a hot leftover can be intimidating.
Toasting or reheating your juicy substance in the box takes time. The hard paper prevents your pizza from direct heat contact. This hinders even the circulation of hot air around your food.
Also, baking on cardboard offers overcooked or dried results. The longer your food stays in the oven, the more overcooked it becomes.
What To Use Instead of Cardboard
Since toasting on cardboard is not a better option, definitely, you are thinking about how best to reheat your leftovers. Worry less; you are in the right place. Below are amazing alternatives to cardboard that can offer you a safe outstanding baking experience.
Aluminum Foil
The aluminium foil is a wonderful option to consider. Apart from being pocket-friendly, the tin foil protects and allows perfect drying of your flavoured substance.
How to utilize it? Simply separate and wrap individual pieces with the foil paper. Carefully place the wrapped pieces in the oven. Adjust the temperature of your cook box to about 400 degrees F and heat for 10 minutes. The foil paper also helps retain the freshness of your pizza.
Cookie sheet
This is another alternative that offers you an extraordinary warm-up experience. Unlike the cardboard, the cookie sheet is safe and not flammable. The metal sheet cooks your substance perfectly and helps retain the elegant seasoned taste.
Baking pan
If you don’t have a cookie sheet, why not consider a baking pan. The pan is an amazing oven-friendly device for baking your pizza. Apart from allowing even circulation of hot air around your meal, the baking pan is also safe and healthy.
Bake Directly on the Oven Rack
Do you know you can directly bake your food on the oven rack? The rack is another option that can get the job done without stress. This alternative exposes your pizza to a better and perfect warm-up process. However, be ready to clean your oven immediately after use, as you will likely end up with oil and food residues.
How to use it? Effortlessly remove your pizza from the cardboard and place it in the oven. Turn on and set to a temperature level of about 425 degrees. Leave for a few minutes and enjoy while it is hot.
The Pizza Block
Are you a pizza lover? The pizza block is another awesome alternative you don’t want to miss. It is a durable sheet crafted with a ceramic material for an outstanding warm-up process. Simply put the ceramic foil directly in the oven and heat your pizza on it. The sheet allows perfect simmering, and it is oven-friendly. It can also help prevent flavoured oil or grease from dripping into the heat box.
Final thought
Cardboards are not bad. But it is important to know that some materials are not oven friendly. As effortless as it may seem, it is unsafe to put your pizza papery in the oven. Rather than baking on cardboard, consider other safe and effective alternatives. Enjoy and don’t forget that your safety is paramount.