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Detroit-style pizza vs Grandma pizza

The fuller page on this is Compare any two styles.

FieldDetroit-style pizzaGrandma pizza
OriginUnited States, DetroitUnited States, Long Island
Formrectangular, panrectangular, pan, thin
Thicknessthickthin
Rim / edgeNo raised dough rim; the defining edge is the caramelised cheese border against the panNo distinct rim; thin and flat to the pan's edge
Base textureCrisp, fried bottom from the oiled steel panCrisp, fried bottom from the oiled pan, thinner than Sicilian-American or Detroit
CrumbThick, airy, open crumbThin, minimally open, less airy than Sicilian-American or Detroit
Hydration70–80% (typically 75%)58–65% (typically 62%)
Fermentationroom temperature long fermentationsame day direct, room temperature long fermentation
ShapingPressed by hand directly into a generously oiled rectangular steel pan, dimpled to fill the cornersPressed thin directly into an oiled pan with minimal proofing time
FlourHigh-gluten flour (strongly suited)Bread flour (commonly used)
PrefermentNo documented preferment tradition (direct dough)Direct dough method (common modern approach)
Topping loadgenerousmoderate
Bake temperature250–270 °C (typically 260 °C)230–260 °C (typically 245 °C)
Bake time12–16 min (typically 14 min)12–18 min (typically 15 min)
OvenDomestic fan (convection) oven, Commercial deck ovenDomestic fan (convection) oven, Commercial deck oven
Flavoursavoury, rich, umami forwardsavoury, rich
Textureairy, crisp, caramelisedcrisp, dense
Difficultyintermediatebeginner
Domestic suitabilityexcellentexcellent
ServingCut into rectangular pieces and served from the panCut into squares and served from the pan

Key similarities

  • Oven
  • Domestic suitability

Key differences

  • Origin
  • Form
  • Thickness
  • Rim / edge
  • Base texture
  • Crumb
  • Hydration
  • Fermentation
  • Shaping
  • Flour
  • Preferment
  • Topping load
  • Bake temperature
  • Bake time
  • Flavour
  • Texture
  • Difficulty
  • Serving