Do I have to season my pizza screen?

[pizzabill]

Hey all!  I just got a pizza screen and I'm going to give it a try...

Does anyone know if I have to season it to avoid sticking?

Thanks!

[Pierre]

I have not used a screen yet Bill, but Randy and the others say they spray them with pam or some other oil before they use them. After placing the dough on the screen you have to work in a timely manner so that the dough does not sag into the screen holes.

Pierre

[pizzabill]

Thanks Pierre! Unfortunately, I have to make another trip to the supply store - the 18" screen I bought (with visions of tossing huge pies) doesn't fit in my oven!!

I'll let you know how I make out with the smaller version.


 

[Randy]

A bit of Pam is all you need.  Unless your press the dough into the screen time is not a factor.
 
Randy

[canadave]

pizzabill--glad you mentioned the bit about the 18" screen not fitting in your oven....I, too, had visions of making 18" NY pies, but your lament made me go double-check...18" won't fit in my oven either!  I think a 17" screen will *barely* fit--you might want to try that yourself, too.  I'm going to try one I think....

Dave

[Foccaciaman]

Hell for the price Buy a couple of them, they are cheaper than a frozen pizza. If it does'nt fit decorate your kitchen wall with it and a pizza cutter.

[RoadPizza]

I'd season it first with a little oil and then bake the screens for a while until the oil sticks to the metal.

[giotto]

I use screens exclusively.  As Randy suggests, the holes are not an issue, unless you are pushing down pretty hard.  I'd recommend a pure olive oil spray or olive oil rub the first couple of times (no need to mess up the taste with anything less), then just around the rim after that. Good to lift the pizza around the edges just before you put it in the oven as a quick test.

Take a look at this link provided to Canadave, it has all the season and use information in it:

http://www.pizzamaking.com/yabbse/index.php?board=5;action=display;threadid=389;start=msg4518#msg4518

[pizzabill]

For what it's worth, I made my first pizza last night with a screen and I didn't have to season it at all. I just sprayed it with cooking spray and had no trouble at all.

Thanks all for your tips and advice!