A crispy pizza crust starts with heat reaching the dough and moisture escaping instead of pooling underneath. Perforated pans are designed to help with that, while solid steel pans can offer a sturdier surface and more even heat. Below, we compare five options by size, construction, coating, care instructions, and useful extras so you can choose the pan that fits your pizza routine.
Quick Comparison
| Pizza Pan | Size | Standout feature | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| GoodCook AirPerfect Pizza Pan | 16 inches | Perforations, cutting guides, and raised feet | Large pizzas and easy serving |
| NutriChef 2-Piece Pizza Tray Set | 13 inches; listed dimensions are 14.8 × 13 × 1 inches | Perforations and silicone-covered grips | Smaller pizzas and a two-piece set |
| Calphalon Titan Steel Pizza Pan | 16 inches | Steel core and reinforced rim | A solid pan with a reinforced build |
| Farberware Nonstick Pizza Crisper | 13 inches | Perforated design and 450°F oven rating | Compact pizzas and straightforward baking |
| Wilton Gold Pizza Crisper | 14 inches | Cold-rolled steel and PFAS-free coating | Even browning on a mid-size pan |
Our Picks: Best Pizza Pan For Crispy Crust reviews
GoodCook AirPerfect: A Large Perforated Pan With Handy Serving Guides
The GoodCook AirPerfect is a 16-inch carbon-steel pan with a perforated surface. The openings are intended to let air circulate around the base of the pizza and help moisture escape, which can support a crisper crust. Its nonstick coating is designed to make releasing slices and cleaning up easier.
Two details set this pan apart from the simpler options: cutting guides and feet on the bottom. The guides can help you divide a pie into even slices, while the feet hold the hot pan off the counter when you set it down. That added convenience makes it a practical choice for family meals or serving at the table.
The larger size gives you room for a substantial pizza, but it also means you should check that the pan fits your oven and storage space. Its surface is perforated, so it may be less suitable if you want to bake foods that could drip through the openings. The listing describes the carbon steel as resistant to warping, but it does not give an oven-safe temperature or cleaning method.
Pros:
- Perforated surface is designed to promote airflow under the crust
- Large 16-inch size works for bigger pizzas
- Cutting guides help with more even portions
- Raised feet keep the hot pan off the counter
Cons:
- May take up more oven and storage space than 13- or 14-inch pans
- Perforations can limit use with foods that may leak or drip
Verdict: Choose the GoodCook if you want a large perforated pan with useful serving and countertop details, and have room for its 16-inch footprint.
NutriChef 2-Piece Set: Perforated Pans With Grip Covers
This NutriChef set pairs perforated carbon-steel pizza trays with a nonstick coating. The openings are intended to encourage air circulation beneath the dough, a useful design for shoppers who prioritize a crisp base. The listing describes the product as a two-piece set and gives the tray dimensions as 14.8 × 13 × 1 inches, while the title calls it 13 inches.
Silicone handle covers and rolled edges are the main handling features. They provide a place to grip the pan, though you should still use care when taking any hot bakeware from the oven. The nonstick surface is designed for easy release, and the listing says the trays are dishwasher safe; hand washing is also an option.
Compared with the larger GoodCook, this set emphasizes having two trays and grip covers rather than cutting guides or raised feet. The listed dimensions are worth checking against your oven and storage space, especially if you are shopping for a pan with a precise diameter. Perforations may also be less convenient for recipes with loose toppings or ingredients that can fall through.
Pros:
- Two-piece set provides more than one tray
- Perforated design encourages airflow under the pizza
- Silicone-covered grips and rolled edges support handling
- Listing says the trays are dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Title and listed dimensions describe the size differently
- Openings may not suit foods that can drip or slip through
Verdict: The NutriChef set is a good fit if you want two perforated trays with grip covers; verify the dimensions before ordering if size is a deciding factor.
Calphalon Titan Steel: A Solid 16-Inch Pan With a Reinforced Rim
The Calphalon Titan Steel is a 16-inch pan built around a reinforced steel core. Unlike the perforated choices here, it has a solid baking surface. Its steel core is designed to distribute heat across the pan, and the listing says that construction helps produce a consistently crisp bottom crust.
A rolled, reinforced rim is intended to help the pan hold its shape through repeated baking. The PFOA-free nonstick coating is meant to help food release and simplify cleanup. The product description also lists pizza, focaccia, and flatbreads as uses, and says the pan can be used for oven baking, stovetop use, or prep work.
This is the most straightforward pick for someone who prefers a solid surface rather than perforations. The tradeoff is that it does not offer the airflow openings found on the GoodCook, NutriChef, Farberware, and Wilton pans. It is also hand-wash only, so it may not be the best choice if dishwasher cleanup is a priority.
Pros:
- 16-inch solid surface suits pizza, focaccia, and flatbreads
- Steel core is designed for even heat distribution
- Reinforced rim is intended to resist warping
- PFOA-free nonstick coating supports food release
Cons:
- Hand-wash only
- Does not have perforations for airflow beneath the crust
Verdict: Pick the Calphalon if you want a large, solid-surface pan with a reinforced rim and do not mind washing it by hand.
Farberware Nonstick Pizza Crisper: A Compact Pan With a Clear Heat Limit
The Farberware pizza crisper is a 13-inch perforated pan with a nonstick finish inside and out. Its heavy-duty construction is described as resistant to warping and designed to heat evenly. As with the other perforated choices, the holes are intended to help reduce moisture beneath the pizza and support browning.
Its stated oven-safe limit is 450°F, which gives you a specific temperature to work within. That makes it especially important to check your recipe and oven setting before baking. The compact size can suit smaller pizzas and kitchens where a 16-inch pan would be awkward to store.
Compared with the GoodCook and NutriChef, the Farberware has fewer listed extras: it does not include cutting guides, feet, silicone grips, or a second pan. In return, the product details are simple and clear, including its size and oven limit. The listing does not specify dishwasher care, so check the product instructions before choosing a cleaning method.
Pros:
- 13-inch size is more compact than the 16-inch options
- Perforated surface is designed to help reduce moisture
- Nonstick coating covers the inside and outside
- Oven safe up to 450°F
Cons:
- Smaller size may not suit larger pizzas
- Fewer added handling or serving features than some alternatives
Verdict: Choose the Farberware if a compact perforated pan and a clearly stated 450°F oven limit matter more to you than extra features.
Wilton Gold Pizza Crisper: A 14-Inch Steel Pan With PFAS-Free Coating
The Wilton Gold is a 14-inch pizza crisper made from cold-rolled steel. Its perforated design is intended to support airflow beneath the pizza, while the steel construction is described as distributing heat evenly for uniform browning. The pan has a nonstick coating made without PFAS.
At 14 inches, it falls between the compact Farberware and the larger 16-inch options. The listing gives an oven-safe limit of 450°F and says the pan is dishwasher safe, though hand washing before and after use is recommended to help preserve it. That care guidance is worth weighing if you prefer bakeware that can go straight into the dishwasher.
Compared with the Farberware, the Wilton is one inch wider and includes a specific coating claim. It does not list the cutting guides or raised feet found on the GoodCook, and it is not sold as a two-piece set like the NutriChef. Its main appeal is a mid-size perforated design with stated heat and cleaning information.
Pros:
- 14-inch size offers a middle ground between compact and large pans
- Perforations are designed to promote airflow under the crust
- Cold-rolled steel is intended to distribute heat evenly
- PFAS-free nonstick coating and 450°F oven rating
Cons:
- Hand washing is recommended to help preserve the coating
- Does not include the added serving features found on some alternatives
Verdict: The Wilton is a sensible choice if you want a mid-size perforated pan, an oven limit of 450°F, and a PFAS-free nonstick coating.
How to Choose a Pizza Pan for a Crispy Crust
Decide Between Perforated and Solid
Perforated pans have openings that let air circulate around the underside of the pizza and allow moisture to escape. That design is a useful place to start if a crisp base is your main goal. A solid pan, such as the Calphalon, gives you an uninterrupted surface and may be more versatile for foods that could drip through holes. Your preferred dough and toppings can help determine which style makes more sense.
Match the Pan Size to Your Oven and Pizza
These options range from 13 to 16 inches, with the NutriChef listing dimensions that differ from its title. A larger pan gives you room for a bigger pizza but can be harder to fit in an oven or cabinet. Measure your oven rack and storage space, then compare those measurements with the pan dimensions before buying.
Consider Material and Shape Retention
Carbon steel and other steel constructions are used across these picks. Some product descriptions specifically note even heating or features meant to resist warping, such as reinforced rims or heavy-duty construction. If you bake often, those design details may matter. Remember that construction claims do not replace following the manufacturer’s use and care instructions.
Check the Coating and Care Instructions
Nonstick coatings can help pizza release and make cleanup easier, but care recommendations vary. The Calphalon is hand-wash only. The Wilton is listed as dishwasher safe but recommends hand washing to help preserve the coating, while the NutriChef listing says its trays are dishwasher safe. Farberware and GoodCook do not have a cleaning method specified in the provided details, so check the product instructions.
Look for Helpful Extras, Not Just Crust Claims
Added features can make a pan easier to use after baking. GoodCook has cutting guides and feet to keep the hot pan elevated off the counter, while NutriChef includes silicone-covered grips. These details do not determine how crisp your crust will be, but they may improve serving or handling. Choose extras that solve a real need in your kitchen.
Respect the Oven-Safe Temperature
Farberware and Wilton list a maximum oven temperature of 450°F. The other product details here do not state a specific oven limit, so check the manufacturer’s instructions before using those pans at high heat. Do not assume that every nonstick pan has the same temperature rating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are perforated pizza pans better for a crispy crust?
Perforations are designed to let air circulate beneath the pizza and help moisture escape. That can support a crispier base, but results also depend on your dough, toppings, oven, and baking method.
Is a solid pizza pan a poor choice for crisp crust?
Not necessarily. A solid steel pan can still be designed for even heat and browning. It does not provide the same airflow through the pan as a perforated model, so the best choice depends on the crust texture and versatility you want.
What size pizza pan should I buy?
Choose a size that fits your oven and the pizzas you usually make. The pans in this guide range from 13 to 16 inches. Check the full listed dimensions, especially for the NutriChef set, whose title and product details describe the size differently.
Can I use a pizza pan at any oven temperature?
No. Follow the temperature limit and care directions for the specific pan. The Farberware and Wilton are listed as oven safe up to 450°F; the supplied details do not give a temperature limit for the other picks.
Can I put a nonstick pizza pan in the dishwasher?
It depends on the product. NutriChef says its trays are dishwasher safe, and Wilton lists dishwasher safety but recommends hand washing to help preserve the coating. Calphalon is hand-wash only. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for pans without a stated cleaning method.
Which pan is best for a large pizza?
The GoodCook and Calphalon are both 16 inches. GoodCook adds perforations, cutting guides, and feet; Calphalon has a solid surface, steel core, and reinforced rim. Pick based on whether you prefer airflow openings or an uninterrupted baking surface.
Which pan is the best overall choice for a crispy crust?
The GoodCook AirPerfect is the strongest all-around fit in this group if you want a large perforated pan, cutting guides, and raised feet. For a smaller pan, consider Farberware or Wilton; for a solid surface, look at Calphalon.
Final Recommendation
For shoppers focused on a crispy crust and useful serving features, the GoodCook AirPerfect stands out with its 16-inch perforated design, cutting guides, and raised feet. The Wilton is a strong alternative if you prefer a 14-inch pan with a PFAS-free coating and a stated 450°F oven limit. If you would rather have a solid surface, the Calphalon offers a reinforced steel-core design, with hand washing as the main care tradeoff.
