I don’t know about you but, pizzas are probably the best invention of all time and it is definitely best served hot. If you are hosting a party, a game night, or just having pizza for dinner, you probably want to keep the pizza warm while waiting for guests. You might be thinking of just putting the entire pizza, box and all, in the oven to warm it up.
While you can put a pizza box in the oven, it is not advisable and it is unsafe to do so. The pizza box can be a cause of a fire hazard and the inks from the pizza box can cause the flavor of the pizza to change.
I’ve had my fair share of heating frozen pizzas, leftover pizzas, and even warming up pizza that has just been delivered. But, I have not put a pizza box in the oven to heat up the pizza. In this article, I will be talking about why it is not safe to put a pizza box in the oven. I will also be telling you several ways you can reheat your pizza without using the box but still keep the slice warm and delicious!
Can You Put A Pizza Box In The Oven
To put it simply, yes. You can put a pizza box in the oven but, it does not mean you should.
Pizza typically gets delivered hot and fresh and is usually eaten the moment you open the box. In the instance that you may have to wait before eating a slice, you might be hosting a party and are waiting for guests, you would want to keep the pizza warm until they arrive.
While it can be tempting to put the whole pizza box in the oven, heating it with the box and all is risky. If you have to warm or reheat pizza in the oven, it is best to remove it from the box to avoid any accidents.
Why Are Pizzas Delivered In Pizza Boxes?
Pizza boxes are made of corrugated cardboard. Pizzas get delivered in cardboard boxes because cardboard boxes are lightweight, cheap, and easy to work with.
Transporting pizza is also more convenient and practical if it is in a cardboard box. Most corrugated pizza boxes have extra layers of thermal insulation that keep your pizza hot while it gets delivered to your place. A square pizza box is commonly used in pizza places as it is easier to make and assemble than round ones.
Risks Of Putting A Pizza Box In The Oven
As I said earlier, even if you can heat up a pizza in the oven while it is still in the box, you probably do not want to do it. There are certain risks in heating up a pizza box in the oven.
First of all, if your oven does not come with a lower setting (170 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit), then you should not even attempt to reheat your pizza in the oven while it is still in the box. Reheating a pizza box in the oven at a high temperature can cause the cardboard box to burn and can result in a fire hazard.
Pizza boxes also come in different designs and some even have stickers on them that can catch on fire. Aside from stickers, pizza boxes almost always have something printed on them. Ink and other chemicals from the box can seep through the box and into your pizza. This will totally affect the flavor of the pizza and there is also the possibility of the pizza tasting like cardboard.
If you have leftover pizzas still in the box, it is best to look for ways to reheat them without including the box itself.
Alternative Ways To Reheat Pizza Without the Box
I have always reheated leftover pizzas without the box and they still come out hot and delicious each time. Here are several ways to reheat pizza without including the box.
Use Aluminum Foil
One of the ways you can reheat pizza without the box is by using aluminum foil. To do this:
1. Line a baking sheet or pizza pan with aluminum foil and preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place the baking sheet lined with foil in the oven and let it warm for a few minutes.
3. Once the baking sheet is warm, carefully take it out of the oven. Make sure to use oven mitts to avoid getting burnt.
4. Place your pizza on the baking sheet and put it back in the oven. Reheat your pizza for at least 10 minutes.
5. If the pizza is not warm enough for your liking, you can place it back in the oven for another 3 to 5 minutes.
If you do not have a baking sheet or pizza pan, you can wrap the pizza in aluminum foil and place it directly on the oven rack. Heat the pizza for 10 to 15 minutes.
Use A Pizza Stone
If you have a pizza stone, you won’t even need the box to reheat leftover pizzas. Just preheat your oven to 200 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and pop the pizza stone inside. Once the oven is preheated, place your leftover pizza on the stone and let it cook for 10 to 20 minutes. Using a pizza stone will heat your pizza pretty evenly so you won’t have to worry about some parts of the pizza being cold.
Use A Microwave
Another kitchen appliance you can use is the microwave. Place your leftover pizza on a microwaveable plate and fill a microwaveable mug with water. Place both the plate and the mug in the microwave and heat the pizza in 30-second increments until it is fully warm and heated through.
This is probably my least favorite method of reheating pizzas as there are spots that are still cold even if I’ve heated it for a while in the microwave. You will probably also do this in batches if you have a lot of leftover pizza.
Use A Stovetop
If you do not have the patience of waiting for the oven to preheat or do not like reheating pizza in increments, you can use your stovetop to warm up a pizza. Get a skillet and heat it over medium heat for a couple of minutes then place your pizza slice in the skillet. Let the pizza cook for a few minutes then add a teaspoon of water on the skillet. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the pizza cook for at least 5 to 10 minutes.
Use A Toaster Oven
This is my preferred way of reheating leftover pizza, especially if it is just a slice or two. Just crank the toaster oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place the leftover pizza on the tray. Set the timer for how long you want to reheat your pizza. I usually set the timer for 5 to 8 minutes and the leftover pizza is always heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Safe To Put The Entire Box Into An Oven?
It is not safe to put the entire pizza box in the oven as the box can catch fire.
How To Heat Up Pizza In Oven While It Is Still In The Box?
If you really have to put the pizza box in the oven, you need to set your oven temperature at 170 degrees Fahrenheit and reheat it for 30 minutes. Make sure to keep an eye on it all the time to avoid accidents.
Conclusion
It is possible to reheat leftover pizza in the oven while it is still in the box but, you really shouldn’t do it. Your pizza can taste like cardboard and fire accidents can also happen, especially if the cardboard box caught on fire.
I talked about several ways to reheat your leftover pizzas without the box and these methods are safer than placing the pizza box in the oven. If you have any more questions, let us know in the comment section!
