Today, I want to talk to you about something that might seem trivial, but it’s actually very important if you’re serious about baking pizzas – the pizza sauce ladle. Every pizza needs a good sauce that’s spread evenly around the base. While a spoon can do the same, a sauce ladle can do it better.
A pizza sauce ladle is a special tool that is designed to dispense the right amount of sauce with every scoop and spread it evenly. It’s a game-changer for anyone who wants the perfect amount of sauce in every bite.
In this blog post, I’m going to explain why you need a pizza sauce ladle in your kitchen and how to choose the best one for your needs. I’ll also show you how to use it properly and efficiently, so you can make the most of your sauce and your dough.
Mastering the Art of Sauce: Selecting Your Perfect Pizza Sauce Ladle
If you are on the hunt for a pizza sauce ladle that both fits your budget and saucing requirements, read the next part carefully. Below I’ve outlined everything you need to keep your mind while taking your pick:
Exploring the Ladle Landscape: Types Tailored for Pizza Perfection
Guess what? Pizza sauce ladles have types, too, and each one has its own advantages (and minor disadvantages). For example:
Flat-bottomed Ladles/Spoodle Spoon
These are the most popular type of pizza sauce ladles due to their ease of use. They have a flat base that matches the shape of your pizza pan and a spout that lets you measure the amount of sauce you pour. Some people also call this a spoodle (spoon+ladle).
Spoodles are very easy to clean and store. One unavoidable downside, however, is that you may not be able to scoop up a large amount of sauce from the container.
I don’t need to put tons of sauce on my pizza. Hene, flat-bottomed ladles are my personal favorite for spreading the sauce evenly on a pizza crust. I have a stainless steel one that I’ve been using for years, and it still works great.
The Classic Choice: Round-Bottomed Ladles
These ladles are less common than flat-bottomed ladles, but they have their own benefits. Due to their shape, round ladles can obviously scoop up more sauce than flat-bottomed ladles, which can be useful if you like your pizzas extra saucy.
The downside is that they are less stable and require a ring to balance on the burner or counter. They are also a bit harder to clean and store.
The Artist’s Tool: Drizzle Spoons for Sauce Mastery
These are similar to gravy ladles, but they are not limited to gravy boats. They have a small bowl with a spout that lets you drizzle the sauce over your pizza with precision and finesse. These are ideal for adding finishing touches or decorative patterns to your pizzas, such as swirls, dots, or stripes.
You can also use them for adding different types of sauces, such as pesto, barbecue, or buffalo. However… they are not very efficient for spreading the sauce evenly on the pizza dough, and they may not hold enough sauce for larger pizzas.
Grasping Comfort: A Guide to Handle Materials
The next thing you need to think about is the material of the ladle. Stainless steel is a great choice because it lasts long, it’s easy to wash, and it doesn’t mess with the taste of your sauce. Plastic ladles are cheaper, but they may not last as long, and they may melt if your sauce is too hot.
Size Matters: Balancing Capacity and Handle Length for Precision Pouring
And finally, you need to consider the size and capacity of the ladle. A bigger ladle can help you make more pizzas faster, but a smaller ladle can give you more control over how much sauce you use. The handle length is also important.
A longer handle can help you reach the bottom of your sauce pot and keep your hand away from the heat.
Pro Tips for a Flawless Sauce Application: Using Your Ladle Like a Pro
Now that you know what kind of pizza sauce ladle you need let me show you how to use it properly and efficiently. I know it’s not exactly rocket science, but there are some tips and tricks that can make a big difference.
First, always start from the middle of the pizza crust and work your way outwards. Scoop some sauce onto the center of the crust with your ladle.
If you’re using a spoon/spoodle, swipe it back and forth like a windshield wiper to spread the sauce evenly to the edge of the crust. Turn the crust as you go along to avoid hurting your wrist or hand.
If you’re using a pizza sauce ladle, swirl it around in a circular motion to spread the sauce evenly to the edge of the crust. Don’t press down on the ladle. Just let it glide over the sauce. You don’t need to turn the crust when you’re using this method.
How to Apply the Right Amount of Sauce on Pizza?
When you’re using a pizza sauce ladle, do pay attention to how much sauce you’re using. Some people simply use a poodle to measure and spread the sauce at the same time. Others use a pizza scale at first until they get a feel for how much sauce they need.
But don’t make the mistake of eyeballing the amount of sauce if you’re making multiple pizzas. That can lead to uneven or inconsistent results.
- To apply the right amount of sauce, use the right size ladle and a technique called “saucing by angles.” This means when you scoop out the sauce with a three-ounce ladle, you should insert and remove it at a certain angle that will give you the same amount of sauce every time.
- Hold the ladle flat and work the sauce to the outer edge in a spiral motion. With practice, you can learn to sauce by eye, but it’s important to start with the right tools and techniques.
Gi.Metal Flat Bottomed Pizza Sauce Ladle
This ladle is a lifesaver. It has a flat bottom that makes spreading the sauce a breeze and a spout that lets me pour just the right amount of sauce. It makes a huge difference in how my pizzas turn out these days. It also has a long handle that keeps my hand safe from the hot sauce.
The stainless steel build looks tough and durable. I just throw it in the dishwasher after use and it’s good as new. The only downside is the price. For a ladle, it’s not really the cheapest option out there. But is it worth every penny for the convenience it brings to my life? Yes!
How to Clean a Pizza Sauce Ladle Easily? – Dos and Don’ts
While most pizza sauce ladles are dishwasher-safe, a few aren’t. And not everyone owns a dishwasher. So for them, here are a few easy tips for cleaning a pizza sauce ladle:
After you’re done with the ladle, give it a quick rinse with hot water to get rid of any sauce or bits. If the sauce has dried on the ladle, let it soak in hot water for a few minutes before rinsing.
- Use a gentle soap: If the ladle is really dirty, use a gentle soap to clean it. Stay away from harsh soaps or scrubbers, as they can ruin the ladle’s surface.
- Don’t use steel wool or steel pads: These can scratch the surface of the ladle and make it rust.
- Dry the ladle well: After washing the ladle, dry it well with a clean towel or let it air dry. Moisture can make the ladle rust.
- Store the ladle right: Store the ladle in a dry place, away from wetness and dampness. If you can, hang the ladle on a hook or rack to keep it from touching other tools.
In Conclusion
I hope you learned something new and useful from this blog post. Trust me, once you use a pizza sauce ladle, you’ll never go back to using anything else. A plain spoon will never give you the same results.
I highly recommend using a ladle that lets you measure the amount of sauce for consistent results. However, if you are going to use the sauce ladle for gravies as well, I’d recommend a round-bottom model. That’s all for today. Until next time, happy pizza making!
