Here’s a fact that will ruin your day: most ovens run 25-50°F cooler than what the dial says. That “450°F” is a polite suggestion. If you want real fire, buy an oven thermometer for eight bucks. It’s cheaper than a medium pizza, and it won’t get eaten by your roommate.
I once preheated my oven to 500°F for an hour, and the thermometer read 420°F. My oven was gaslighting me. Don’t let your oven gaslight you. Check the truth.
The Window Rule: Stop Staring
You know what melts cheese faster than heat? Your dang eyeballs pressing against the oven window. Every time you open that door, you let out 30% of the heat. That’s like peeing in a swimming pool—you ruin it for everyone.
Set a timer for 10 minutes. Go fold laundry. Do a single pushup. Anything but opening the door. The pizza will not run away. It’s trapped in a metal box, and it’s already dinner.
How To Cook Pizza Oven Temperature
