Pizza Pan with Holes Versus No Holes

By Kitchen Warrior | Pizza Tools Advice

Pizza Pan

When you’re shopping for a pizza pan, the first thing you’ll notice is that there are pans with holes – sometimes called perforated pans – and those without holes. If you’re not sure which one to buy, you’re in the right place. The main point of a pizza pan that has holes in it is that it absorbs moisture better, and with less moisture in the pan, the pizza cooks a lot faster. Having said this, there are advantages and disadvantages of both types of pizza pans, and that’s what this article was designed to discuss.

Pizza Pan with Holes: Pros and Cons

Perforated pans allow the air to flow through the holes and work directly on the pizza crust, and with these pans, your crust will always be crispy. In fact, if your goal is to bake a pizza with a thick or “pan” crust, a perforated pan is not what you want. Pizza pans with holes in them also let air pass through the holes and therefore allow the pizza to cook a lot faster. In many ways, pizza pans with holes in them are much more efficient than those without holes. The only word of caution is that you have to keep an eye on these pans because they cook the pizza faster than a lot of people are used to.

Pros:

  • Great for reheating pizza and other foods
  • Cooks evenly and much faster
  • Reduces moisture for a nice crisp crust
  • Made of aluminum and therefore very durable

Cons:

  • Not good for thicker crusts
  • Cleaning can be difficult unless you use a non-stick spray
  • You have to monitor it carefully so the pizza doesn’t burn

Pizza Pans Without Holes: Pros and Cons

If you love a soft, chewy crust, a pizza pan without holes in it is what you need. Not as much moisture is absorbed with this type of pan, which means the pizza may take longer to cook. This can be good in some instances, of course, especially if you don’t like checking in with your oven every five minutes! A solid, hole-free pan also allows you to have chewy, gooey pizza toppings that everyone seems to love. While it may take longer to cook your pizza with a solid pizza pan, you end up with a thicker and chewier pizza, which makes it a popular pizza pan to use.

Pros:

  • Very simple to clean because there are no holes in it
  • Cooks evenly because it is easier to regulate the amount of heat reaching the pizza
  • Allows for a softer, chewier pizza crust and toppings
  • Very versatile and can be used to cook pies, cakes, and many other items

Cons:

  • You do not get a crispy crust with this type of pan
  • It takes longer to cook the pizza

Pizza Pan with Holes Versus Without Holes: The Main Differences

If all of these things sound confusing, not to worry. Below are some important things to consider when you’re trying to choose between pizza pans with holes in them and pans without holes.

1.  Baking Time

As mentioned earlier, the time it takes for the pizza or other items to cook differs greatly depending on which type of pan you use. A pizza pan with holes in it cooks the food faster because the holes allow the air to flow through the pan so that the heat is directed right at the pizza itself. While it isn’t necessarily a negative feature, pizza pans with no holes in them take longer to cook the pizza because the air and heat cannot flow through the pan. While baking time is not the only thing to consider when you’re shopping for a pizza pan, it’s still a good idea to take these things into consideration before making a final decision.

2.  Flexibility

By flexibility, we mean the other tasks you can complete with the pan. A pan that has holes in it will likely be used only for pizza because that is what it was made for. On the other hand, a round pan that does not have holes in it can be used for cakes, pies, biscuits, bread, and so much more. In fact, you can cook a variety of foods on a standard round pan. Pans with holes in them have limited use and are usually only used for baking a pizza. Of course, they are also very reasonably priced, which means buying one just for making pizza is still convenient and won’t break your budget.

3.  Maintenance and Cleaning

Simply put, cleaning a pan with holes in it can be difficult and cumbersome. Oiling it can also be inconvenient. The best way to oil a pizza pan with holes in it is to brush it with oil while holding it over the sink. That way, the oil won’t drop all over the floor or your countertop. You can also spray it with a non-stick baking spray, but again, you’ll want to hold the pan over the sink so that the spray doesn’t go everywhere. The less the pan sticks after you remove your pizza, the easier it will be to clean. Just remember there are a lot of holes in a typical pizza pan, and every one of them needs to be oiled well so that the pizza doesn’t stick to it while it’s in the oven.

4.  Materials It’s Made of

Most pizza pans with holes in them are made out of some type of aluminum, so they’re always very durable. Standard pizza pans are always made out of some type of thick material, which usually means the baking time is longer. Pizza pans with holes in them are thick as well, but usually not as thick as pans without any holes. What this means in practical terms is this: pizza pans with holes in them don’t take nearly as long to cook your pizza as pans without holes. The latter is so thick that the heat takes longer to get to the pizza or other food, which increases the food’s cooking time.

5.  The Surface of the Pan

The surfaces of these two types of pans are aesthetically different, and many inexperienced cooks have no clue what pans with holes are for. Pans with holes in them allow air to flow through the holes and absorb moisture, both of which mean that the baking time for your pizza is much shorter than using a pan without holes. Solid pans still have their place in the kitchen, even if they do take longer for the foods to cook than pans with holes.

Other Considerations

There are other considerations to think about when choosing a pizza pan. The pans without holes are usually made out of either stainless steel or cast iron, which means they are easy to clean but get very hot, so you’ll have to watch your timer so you don’t burn your food. Also, take a look at the edges of your pizza pan. Certain designs allow you to make your own stuffed crust pizza with ease, so they are perfect for people who want to create a special crust and not just a standard one. 

Finally, if you choose a pizza pan with aluminum handles, it makes taking your pizza out of the oven easier, faster, and a lot less messier since you won’t have to worry as much about dropping the pan and spilling your pizza all over the place. In other words, take a look at all of the characteristics of the pizza pan, not just whether or not it has holes in it.

Which Is the Best Pizza Pan – With or Without Holes?

So, which pizza pan is better – one with holes or one without holes? That is purely up to the individual, but the factors mentioned above should help you decide which one you should use. If you cook a lot of pizza, the right pan is important. Just consider the following factors before you decide:

  • Do you like thin or thick pizza?
  • Are you often in a hurry and want your pizza quickly?
  • Will you want to cook other things with your pan besides pizza?
  • How much time do you want to spend cleaning the pan?
  • What is your budget, and how much do you intend to spend on your pizza pan?
  • How long do you expect your pizza pan to last?

Both of these pan types are good for something, so once you figure out exactly what you want out of it, it’s easier to decide whether pans with holes in them or those without holes will work best for you.

Conclusion

Pizza is something everyone loves, and there is nothing quite like baking your own pizza. Choosing between a pan with holes in it and one without holes doesn’t take a long time, especially if you decide ahead of time what you expect out of it. Pizza pans also come in a variety of sizes and materials, so when you’ve decided that a good pizza pan is what you want, the pan you end up choosing should be easy to find.

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