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A pizza cutter (also known as a roller blade) is a handheld kitchen utensil that is used to cut a baked pizza into sections or slices. It has a wheel-shaped blade that is attached to a handle. The original design has been modified over the years to include different sizes, blades, handles, and uses.
History
Silvio Pacitti invented the mezzaluna or half moon shaped blade in 1708. This utensil was a rounded blade that impacted its target, and finished with a rolling motion across the object to create a clean cut. It was intended to assist in cutting herbs and vegetables and could be found in either a single or double blade.
The first pizza cutter in its modern form was invented by David S. Morgan which he patented on September 20, 1892. However, it was not directly meant for cutting pizza but for cutting wallpaper.
In the 1920's, a man named Carl A. Frahm, from Canton, OH had fine-tuned the work of Morgan. His enhancements were based on cake cutters being used around that time and made the utensil much sharper and smaller. The utensil was introduced as a gadget to divide dough before it was baked. In 1958, a magazine advertisement in Hardware Magazine boasted of a new way for a home chef to cut pizza.
"World's Largest" Pizza Cutter is located in Casey, IL in front of The Greathouse of Pizza.
Varieties
There are two main types of pizza cutters.
The most common uses a wheel that rotates in a circle while a person moves the cutter in a direction that they would like to cut the pizza. Many people might use the wheel pizza cutter for other things, including craft work.
The other type is a large curved knife called a mezzaluna (Italian for "half moon"), which is rocked back and forth to cut the pizza. These two types of pizza cutters come in many different sizes. Some types of mezzalunas (particularly the double-bladed type) are often used to mince herbs or chop vegetables.
Other Types of Pizza Cutters
Other varieties of pizza cutters include:
Rocket Cutter – This has a covered, curved blade and is used by rocking it back and forth through the pizza. It is ideal for cutting a thicker-crust pizza.
Scissors Cutter – This cutter is shaped like a pair of scissors and has two blades that cut the pizza. It is best suited to cut deep-dish pizzas.
Industrial Mass Cutters – This cutter is usually larger in size and used to cut through multiple slices at once. It is commonly found in pizzerias and restaurants.
· Electric Pizza Cutters - These commercial-grade cutters are powered by electricity, which allows them to easily slice through multiple pizzas at a time. You can find them in busy pizzerias and restaurants.
· Guillotine Pizza Cutters – Like its namesake, this cutter has a large, heavy blade designed for fast and precise cutting of thick-crust pizzas.
· Conveyor Belt Pizza Cutters – For large pizza production facilities, this style of cutter works on a conveyor belt system that moves the pizzas through the cutting process automatically.
Effectiveness of a Pizza Cutter
Having the right tool can maximize the effectiveness of dividing a pizza. It is desirable to have clean even cuts that slice through pizza with ease. For maximum effectiveness, it is important to consider these components.
Sharp Blade – It is essential to have a sharp blade to properly cut a pizza. A dull blade can cause tearing and squishing of the pizza crust and toppings. It is best to use a high-quality stainless-steel blade that has a large diameter. A diameter of at least 3 inches is ideal and can cut through a pizza faster and with fewer strokes.
Quality Material – A blade made of high-quality stainless steel is most effective. It is durable, rust-resistant, and can withstand the great force needed to cut through a pizza. It is also easy to clean and maintain.
Ergonomic Handle – The handle should be sturdy and have a comfortable, secure grip that provides good leverage. Ideal materials include plastic, wood, and rubber.
Easy to Clean – An ideal cutter will include detachable pieces that can be washed separately since pizza includes some messy ingredients.
Protective Cover – A blade that is covered can prevent damage to the product and can also help avoid accidental cuts.
Alternate Uses of a Pizza Cutter
You can use a pizza cutter to cut pizza, but it can also be used for a variety of other tasks. These are some ideas.
- Cutting Dough - You can use it on a variety of dough products including bread, pastries, and other baked goods. It can cut through both raw and cooked dough. It can also be used on biscuits, pancakes, and waffles.
- Chopping Herbs – You can use a pizza cutter to chop herbs like basil, parsley, cilantro, and more.
- Slicing Sandwiches - You can use a pizza cutter to cut a sandwich in half or in quarters.
- Cutting Fudge or Brownies - You can use a pizza cutter to cut dense desserts such as fudge or brownies. It creates a clean cut and doesn’t stick to the dessert. It can also cut fondant for cake decorating. It can also be used to slice a dessert pie.
- Slicing Fruit - From sectioning larger fruits like watermelon and cantaloupe to make bite-sized apple chunks, a good pizza cutter can do it all.
- Trimming Pasta - You can use a pizza cutter to cut down the size or alter the shape of homemade pasta.
- Cutting Meat - A pizza cutter can cut raw and cooked meats into cubes or strips for cooking or adding to meals.
- Shredding Lettuce - You can place lettuce in a bowl and use a pizza cutter to shred it for tacos.
- Quesadilla Slicer - You can use a pizza cutter to cut quesadillas.
- Cutting Wrapping Paper - A pizza cutter can quickly and easily cut through paper.
Unique Pizza Cutters
Here are some fun and unique types of pizza cutters that can be purchased.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: These characters are known for their love of pizza. As a tribute to their passion, this pizza cutter features a blade that looks like a ninja sword and a handle shaped like a turtle shell.
Star Wars Lightsaber: There are many kitchen utensils that feature a Star Wars theme. Among them is a pizza cutter that looks and lights up like a lightsaber and includes the expected sound effects.
Star Trek: Pizza cutter that resembles the USS Enterprise.
Circular Saw: This pizza wheel is in the shape of a circular saw.
Bicycle or Motorcycle: This pizza cutter is shaped like a bicycle and features blades for the front wheel.
Pop Culture
Modern pop culture is littered with pizza cutter references.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizza Cutter - The iconic pizza cutter has been a symbol of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' passion for pizza and their ninja skills, appearing in various forms across their cartoon series, movies, and video games.
Mystic Pizza's Famous Pizza Cutter – The 1988 movie "Mystic Pizza," starring Julia Roberts, put the small Mystic Pizza pizzeria in Connecticut on the map. In the film, their logo features an iconic pizza cutter bearing its name etched on it. The pizza cutter became a popular souvenir with fans of the movie and serves as an iconic pop culture reference.
Dwight Schrute and His Pizza Cutter – Who doesn’t love the TV show “The Office”? Fan favorite character, Dwight Schrute and his love for Beets sets the scene for this entry. In one episode, Dwight uses a pizza cutter to slice his beets into even pieces, a moment that fans have loved ever since.
Pizza Planet Pizza Cutter – In the original Pixar movie, “Toy Story”, Pizza Planet’s logo features a pizza cutter in the shape of the planet with its name written on it.
Video Games - In recent times, video games have become more and more prevalent in our lives. Even they are not immune from some fun pizza cutter references; here are some examples where pizza cutters can be used as melee weapons:
· Resident Evil 4
· Dead Rising 2
· Dying Light
· Saints Row IV
See also
External links
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Media related to Pizza cutters at Wikimedia Commons
