Which Oven Rack for Pizza?

On this page (7 sections)

1. Which oven rack should you use for pizza?
2. Should pizza go on the top rack or the bottom rack?
3. How should rack placement change for different pizza styles?
4. How does a pizza stone affect rack position?
5. Do pizza ovens use an oven rack?
6. How can you tell if the rack position is right?
7. Which rack should you use for pizza?

For most home ovens, use the lower-middle rack for pizza so the base gets strong heat while the toppings have time to cook. Move it lower for a crisper bottom or higher if the toppings need more browning.

Preheat the oven with the rack in position. If you're baking on a stone, heat the stone on that rack too, and check the stone maker's directions before use.

Which oven rack should you use for pizza?

The lower-middle rack is the best starting position for most pizzas in a conventional oven. It puts the crust closer to the lower heat source while keeping the toppings far enough from the top element to cook at a steady pace.

Ovens vary, so treat this as a starting point. If the crust stays pale while the cheese is ready, lower the rack one level next time; if the top needs color and the base is already done, try one level higher.

A stone or steel changes how heat reaches the crust, but it does not make rack position irrelevant. For a stone setup, see our guide to the Best Pizza Stone For Oven.

Should pizza go on the top rack or the bottom rack?

Choose the bottom half of the oven when you want more heat on the crust. The top rack brings the pizza closer to the upper element, which can brown cheese and toppings faster than the base.

The very bottom position can put a pizza close to a strong heating element. Start in the lower-middle position, then move down only if the crust needs more color and the oven instructions allow it.

If the toppings are browning too quickly, move the pizza down a level. For a short final burst of top browning, move it higher only while watching it closely.

How should rack placement change for different pizza styles?

For thin crust, start in the lower-middle position and watch the base as it cooks. A thick or rising crust may need more time for the center to cook through, so don't rely on a high rack that browns toppings before the dough is ready.

Use the oven's recommended temperature and the pizza's package instructions as your baseline. Different doughs, toppings, pans, stones, and ovens change how quickly the top and bottom finish.

What if the pizza crust is pale or soft?

Move the rack down one level for the next pizza if the top is done but the base is pale. A preheated stone can also help transfer heat to the bottom; our guide to whether you need a pizza stone for a pizza oven explains when one makes sense.

Don't place a cold stone in a hot oven unless its instructions allow it. Sudden temperature changes can damage some stones, so preheat it gradually according to its care directions.

What if the cheese browns before the crust?

Lower the rack one position, or shield the top if your recipe or oven instructions allow it. If the base is cooked and you only want more color on top, use a brief high-rack finish while staying nearby.

A countertop oven may let you adjust upper and lower heat separately. For a budget dedicated oven option, see pizza ovens under 100 dollars.

The Presto 03430 Pizzazz Plus Rotating Oven has separately controlled top and bottom elements, so you can choose which side receives heat.

How does a pizza stone affect rack position?

A pizza stone should sit on the rack where the pizza will bake, and it should preheat with the oven. This gives the stone time to warm before the dough goes on it.

Leave enough space above the stone for the pizza and its toppings. The stone also needs room around it so air can circulate; check its instructions for placement and preheating limits.

For dedicated ovens, the cooking surface may already be built in. Read how to use a pizza stone in a pizza oven for guidance on preheating and handling a stone.

Do pizza ovens use an oven rack?

Many dedicated pizza ovens cook on a fixed stone or deck rather than an adjustable rack. For a comparison of two outdoor models, see Gozney Arc vs Arc XL.

Their heat source and cooking surface are designed to work together, so use the manufacturer's placement and turning directions.

The BIG HORN 12" Outdoor Pizza Oven has a 12-inch square pizza stone, and its instructions say to turn pizza often for consistent results. Its listed setup uses pellets, while gas and electric burner attachments are sold separately.

The CROSSON ETL listed Commercial Double Deck has two decks with independent upper and lower temperature controls. Its large heating elements span each cavity to reduce the need to rotate pizzas.

For more on how dedicated ovens direct heat, read how a pizza oven works. Follow the oven's instructions for loading and turning, since those directions depend on its cooking surface and heat source.

How can you tell if the rack position is right?

Check the crust and toppings separately. The base should be cooked to your preference, and the toppings should be hot and ready without burning.

If the top and bottom finish at different times, change the rack position by one level on the next pizza. Make one adjustment at a time so you can tell whether it helped.

For dedicated pizza ovens, cooking time can be short and turning may matter more than rack height. See how long to cook pizza in a pizza oven for timing guidance.

Which rack should you use for pizza?

Start on the lower-middle rack in a conventional oven. Move down if the crust needs more color, or up briefly if the toppings need browning after the base is cooked.

Use the cooking surface's instructions when baking on a stone, and follow the oven directions for a dedicated pizza oven. If you want to compare stone options, see Best Pizza Stone For Pizza Ovens.

Frequently asked questions

What oven rack is best for pizza?

The lower-middle rack is a good starting spot in a conventional home oven. It gives the base steady heat without placing the toppings too close to the top element.

Adjust one level at a time based on whether the crust or toppings need more browning.

Should pizza go on the top or bottom rack?

Use the lower rack when the base needs more heat, and move the pizza higher if the toppings need browning while the crust is already done. Avoid placing it right under the top element unless you are briefly finishing it and can watch closely.

Should a pizza stone go on the same rack as the pizza?

Yes. Put the stone on the rack where you plan to bake, then preheat the oven with the stone in place.

Follow the stone maker's heating and handling directions, and use a rack position that leaves room above the pizza for toppings to cook.

Does rack position matter in a pizza oven?

Many dedicated pizza ovens use a stone or baking surface rather than adjustable oven racks. Follow the oven instructions, preheat the cooking surface, and turn the pizza as needed so the side nearest the heat does not cook too quickly.