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Its roots may be in Italy, but today's pizza is a thoroughly American affair—in fact, it's essentially an American pastime. On any given day, about 1 in 8 Americans consume pizza, according to the USDA Consumption of Pizza report.
Whether you're accustomed to dining in, taking out or making it from scratch, everyone loves to change it up once in a while—and a smoked pizza is the perfect way to do it. Before you light your pellet grill, make sure you're preparing the perfect pie with a few no-fail tips.
Fresh is always best
Almost everything is better when made from scratch, and pizza is no exception—especially if you've got some time on your hands. While there are certainly no shortage of dough recipes in the world today, from traditional chewy crusts to whole wheat variations to gluten-free or keto cauliflower versions.
If you're looking to smoke the ultimate traditional pie, you'll want to stick with a simple, tried-and-true white flour version. Camp Chef's traditional pizza crust recipe uses simple, staple ingredients (water, yeast, salt and two types of flour) that you likely have around the house already. Pro tip: this dough lasts up to three days in the fridge and is even easier to handle when it's chilled!
Give it a rest
Pizza making isn't overly complicated, but resting is still crucial—at least for the dough. Whether you're making your pie 100-percent from scratch or using prepared dough, it's important to let it rest intermittently. Dough should always be given 15 to 20 minutes to rest (covered with plastic wrap to keep it from drying out) after kneading and before its final shaping.
Additionally, once you pull your pizza from the grill, you'll want to let it rest about 10 minutes before slicing. Not only will keep you from burning yourself, it'll help you cut cleaner slices without pulling all the toppings off in the process.
3 things to do now to get your cooking equipment ready for spring
Here are a few things to do now to make sure your outdoor cooking equipment is ready for spring.Prep the grill
If you've never smoked a pizza on a pellet grill, you'll be delighted by how easy it is—and, of course, how delicious it tastes! While smoking a pizza can be quick and easy, you'll want to make sure you preheat your pellet grill well in advance.
For fresh, homemade pizza, Camp Chef recommends cooking at a high temperature – around 500 to 550 degrees Fahrenheit. Pizza cooks quickly at this temperature—but each pie will vary. Check the pizza after 5-7 minutes, then watch it to make sure it doesn't burn. Take it off the grill when the crust is golden, the toppings are melted and the dough is cooked through.
For restaurant-style crust, Camp Chef recommends using a pizza stone directly on the grill. A pizza stone cooks the dough more evenly while absorbing moisture for a perfectly chewy pie.
Pick your pellets wisely
Wood pellets aren't simply a safe and clean fuel source for grilling and smoking, they also add subtle smoky flavor to your foods, including your pizza. For a subtle smoky flavor, opt for Camp Chef's Competition pellets, which infuse a delicious classic flavor. If your pizza is heavy on sausage or you're into the classic BBQ flavor, try a hickory flavor. And for pizzas topped with chicken or other poultry, apple or cherry pellets will give it a light, fruity flavor.
The easy button is okay now and then
Making your pizza from scratch is a fun way to broaden your gastronomic horizons and stretch your culinary muscles, but it's not always an easy or time-efficient option (particularly if you eat pizza as often as most Americans). That said, you can absolutely elevate your take-and-bake pie by smoking it at home—with no more time or effort required than baking it in the oven. Grab a frozen or take-and-bake pizza and use the included instructions as your guide. A pizza stone can be helpful here since it will absorb moisture as the frozen or unbaked pizza cooks. Using different pellets in your grill will change up the flavor of your go-to pie, so don't be afraid to get creative!
Whether you're looking to make the perfect pizza at home or try your hand at smoked ribs, a pellet grill has dinner covered. Find all the latest models along with all the accessories at Camp Chef.
Camp Chef has a new look
If you live in the intermountain west and enjoy the outdoors, then it's more than likely that you've gathered around a campfire dinner or BBQ cookout prepared on a Camp Chef. Our Utah native company has been designing quality and versatile outdoor cooking products for over 30 years. As most of us know, with any solid relationship, growing together is essential. Among other cosmetic changes, in the coming months you'll notice a slight change to our logo. Our brand will be more inviting, yet we will be retreating back to our local Cache Valley roots on what we sincerely want to provide—great memories around good food.
"I look forward to aligning our outward messaging with our employees' and customers' feelings," noted Brandon Sparrow, president of Camp Chef. "We all love being part of the Camp Chef family and we're now focused on inviting the world to join the family. We want to encourage and invite togetherness with great food and good times."
While change can oftentimes be daunting, we want to assure you that our core beliefs remain the same. You can expect to continue to see authenticity, delicious recipes, top-notch customer support, and some of the most innovative products on the market.
Our customers are at the forefront of every decision
We value our customers and the beautiful moments they share with their loved ones outdoors. Those who know us can attest that we've filled our team with passionate outdoor enthusiasts and culinary experts who are committed to bringing five-star flavor to outdoor cooking. Having a team of camp connoisseurs and barbeque bosses allows us to create practical products with features that offer real benefits.
Ease of use is a huge deciding factor for our customers. "It's very fulfilling to see customers start cooking with our equipment," Sparrow added. "Usually with little experience and within a short amount of time they are turning out amazing dishes and sharing with those around them."
We're eager to see the festive gatherings and photo-worthy recipes you make in and around your Camp Chef products. Grab a plate and join the family! For more information visit campchef.com.
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