# How can I keep a pizza warm for a one hour drive **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 30, 2020, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786 "2020-07-30T03:56:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/1 "2020-07-30T03:56:10Z")
someone I’m visiting likes pizza they can’t get locally. I want to pick some up and bring it to them next time I visit. problem is the pizza is cold after an hour. I’ve tried putting it in one of those $2 thermal grocery bags. problem is if I do that the pizza is soggy when I get it to the location. I’ve even tried leaving the top of the bag open and the pizza is still soggy. soggy pizza is worse than cold pizza. So how can I transport pizza so that it retains its heat but also wicks away moisture? looking online there are some pizza bags that will supposedly vent moisture. but I’m not sure. moisture is honestly a bigger issue than heat. I’d rather have a dry cold pizza than a soggy warm one. There are moisture absorbing packets you can buy for household humidity. but I don’t know if putting them in a thermal bag with a pizza is a good idea or not, or if it’ll absorb enough. Any idea what I can do? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/2 "2020-07-30T03:58:32Z")
Would the pizzeria be willing to sell you a pie uncooked so you can cook it at the destination? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/3 "2020-07-30T04:16:19Z")
Put it on top of the engine under the hood. Seriously, keeping a pizza warm and in the same condition for one hour isn’t going to happen, it will get soggy or dried out or cold. You might get close using a hot pizza stone in a properly insulated and ventilated container, and probably starting with an undercooked pizza. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/4 "2020-07-30T04:17:04Z")
Can’t you just put it in the oven for about 5-10 minutes once you get there? It’ll heat it and crisp the crust up again. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/5 "2020-07-30T04:17:17Z")
Put a fistful of desiccant packets on it. But do not eat them. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/6 "2020-07-30T04:18:45Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Can’t you just put it in the oven for about 5-10 minutes once you get there? It’ll heat it and crisp the crust up again. Toaster ovens work even better IMHO, granted it is a slice (or two) at a time. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/7 "2020-07-30T04:19:22Z")
Now I want pizza. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/8 "2020-07-30T05:37:09Z")
Frying pan is my favorite way to reheat pizza. I use a nonstick skillet, heat the bottom of the slice, flip it and melt the cheese. Tastes more like fresh pizza than other methods I’ve tried. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/9 "2020-07-30T05:47:33Z")
Yum. But for a large or XL pizza, I’d throw it in the oven. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/10 "2020-07-30T06:29:19Z")
> [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](#): > > Frying pan is my favorite way to reheat pizza. I use a nonstick skillet, heat the bottom of the slice, flip it and melt the cheese. Tastes more like fresh pizza than other methods I’ve tried. This is getting close to my Secret Pizza Rewarming Technique, though I would never flip it over like that. What I do – typically with refrigerated leftover pizza – is heat a Teflon-coated crepe pan on medium-high heat on the stovetop – a crepe pan is basically a skillet with very low sides and a large flat surface area. While it’s pre-heating, I slice the cold pizza as desired, and arrange the slices on a paper plate or a dish with paper towel on it, then microwave to melt the cheese and toppings – roughly about 60 seconds for a single serving of 3 or 4 slices, more or less, but don’t overcook! The result will be a great topping but a soggy crust. Slide the pieces onto the hot pan with a Teflon-safe spatula. Check it very frequently by lifting with the spatula, as it will crisp up very quickly. As soon as it’s as crisp as you like (I like it with a bit of flop to it, like a fresh pizzeria pizza) remove from pan and serve. I’ve actually found pizza reheated this way to often taste better than it did the day before, possibly because flavors have had a chance to blend, and I can crisp it exactly to my preference. For the OP’s purposes, though, who might want the entire pizza reheated for a group, placing it on a pizza pan into a preheated hot oven for a short time might be best, since the pizza won’t be refrigerator-cold and will just need a touch of heat and crisping. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/11 "2020-07-30T10:24:35Z")
Wrap the box in a moving pad/moving blanket. _Might_ stay warm. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/12 "2020-07-30T13:52:23Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Seriously, keeping a pizza warm and in the same condition for one hour isn’t going to happen, it will get soggy or dried out or cold. You might get close using a hot pizza stone in a properly insulated and ventilated container, and probably starting with an undercooked pizza. This. OP: You’ve asked how to do the impossible. What you want to ask is how to best reheat the pizza when it gets there, and how to best handle it beforehand so the reheating goes as best as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/13 "2020-07-30T13:56:11Z")
Perhaps tell the pizzeria that you’re going to transport the pizza an hour away and ask them to undercook it a bit (so you can finish it in the oven at home)? At the very least, ask their advice. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/14 "2020-07-30T14:33:49Z")
I’d throw a big enough plastic bag over it and just sit on it. ---
**Author:** ![KMS94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ad7895/32.png) [@KMS94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KMS94)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/15 "2020-07-30T14:40:25Z")
Mine is another vote for buying the pizza uncooked and cooking it when you arrive. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/16 "2020-07-30T15:00:22Z")
After an hour of driving, it’s not going to be cold enough to easily slide it into the oven. Better if it’s fully or partially cooked. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/17 "2020-07-30T15:23:46Z")
I’ve definitely asked a pizzeria to parcook the pizza before for me to finish in an oven, and they did it no problem. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/18 "2020-07-30T15:28:04Z")
That’s exactly the method I use (flip and all) when I feel like rewarming pizza. I grease up the pan a little bit for extra crispness (and, yes, some pizzas do taste better reheated like this than fresh, I have to say, as they crisp up better.) ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/19 "2020-07-30T15:55:23Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Put a fistful of desiccant packets on it. But do not eat them. You could go bigger, like with some Damp Rid or similar to remove the moisture. As for keeping it hot, you might try microwave gel packs. We have a Pyrex 9x13 that has a carrying bag with handle and it came with the hot/cold pack so you can maintain the temp in transit. Pyrex conducts the hot/cold better than a cardboard pizza box but you can use multiple gel packs. Air frying would probably dry it out nicely once you get there, if that’s an option. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786/20 "2020-07-30T16:21:54Z")
Just reheat it in the toaster when you get there. The toaster is the best way to do it. Perfect reheated pizza every time. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-keep-a-pizza-warm-for-a-one-hour-drive/916786.md?page=2)