How To Sharpen A Pizza Cutter? (Step-by-Step Guide)

Are your pizza cutters turning dull and in need of restoring their spark? If they do, prepare your blades and get ready to give your tools a glow-up!

Today, we will share a step-by-step guide on how to sharpen a pizza cutter. From the basic types of tools to the methods of use, we have it all covered.

So if you’re still worried about getting that clean-cut, you might want to read this article first to put you at ease. After all, every homemade pizza deserves a stunning presentation. Who would want messy toppings, right?

Types of Pizza Cutter

With pizza dominating the food market, it is no surprise how pizzerias reach hundreds of orders per day. But to satisfy each customer, they need to work efficiently with the help of their trusty tools.

So before we delve into the methods of sharpening, let’s get to know first the commonly used equipment in pizza making: the pizza cutters. There are four basic types available in the market applicable for household use:

Pizza Cutter Wheel

A pizza wheel is the most common on the list and features two types of blades: metal and plastic. The metal blades usually have serrated edges, suitable for thick pizza. The plastic, conversely, is for a thinner crust. It is also preferred if you don’t want to score your pizza pans.

Rocker Pizza Cutter

A rocker pizza cutter is a simple tool that follows a back-and-forth motion to cut through a pizza. It features a long curved blade that is narrow; enough to fit in most kitchen drawers. But if you compare it to a pizza cutter wheel, a rocker is a clear winner when keeping the toppings intact.

Large Chef’s Knife 

When wheels and rockers are unavailable in your kitchen arsenal – a large chef’s knife will do. It should be big enough to handle the circumference of the pizza. The only drawback of using this tool is you have to wait for the cheese to cool down to avoid it from sticking.

Kitchen Shear Scissors

Kitchen shear scissors may seem funky, but it works! It functions similarly to other pizza-cutting tools. It also gives you a good amount of control when cutting. Why not use it to cut small triangles, longer strips, and unique shapes? It’s fun!

Reasons Why A Pizza Cutter Gets Dull

With constant use, pizza cutters undergo wear and tear over time. And it’s normal, especially if you slice pizza regularly.

Although, there are times when we are slightly unaware of why it hastily loses its edge. Then you start questioning yourself, searching for answers to why your newly bought cutter fails to give a clean cut.

Is someone using your cutter to cut other foods aside from pizza? Is it because of the heavy hands? Or is it just cheap? Let’s see some of the reasons why pizza cutters get dull:

• Cutting over pizza stones, pizza steel, or pizza pan damages the edges of the pizza cutter. Use a wooden cutting board instead.
• Improper storage causes pizza cutters to hit other kitchen utensils in a crowded drawer. It causes it to lose its sharpness and, at worst, chip off its blade.
• Low-quality cutter has thin blades that eventually lose their sharpness after several uses. Invest in a good pizza cutter, and you’ll reap its benefits.

Tools To Sharpen A Pizza Cutter

Were you able to familiarize yourself with the basics of pizza cutter? If you do, let’s now head to the sharpening tools.

Whetstone

Whetstones are traditional tool that comes in many styles with varying degree of coarseness. It is often flat and works to sharpen the edges of steels like knives or rockers. But it’s challenging if you plan to use it on a pizza wheel cutter.

Puck Sharpener

A puck sharpener got its name from the rubber disk used in hockey called a puck. Because of its shape, it provides an easier grip, unlike the whetstone. The puck sharpener is light to use and works in any pizza cutter type – including the pizza cutter wheel.

Manual Knife Sharpener

From the name itself, this tool is used for knives but applies to some pizza cutters like the rocker. The pizza wheel, contrarily, only rotates against the wheel, making it difficult to sharpen.

Knife sharpeners have abrasive slots that sharpen both sides of the blade at once. If you plan to use this, check the pizza cutter first to see if it fits in the sharpener.

Belt Grinder

Belt grinders are expensive advanced machines used to sharpen metal objects. It requires a great skill set to maneuver the tool in the moving belt. Extra precautions should always be in mind when using it to prevent injury.

Lastly, don’t risk sharpening a pizza wheel with this machine as it spins while the belt moves. Prioritize your safety always!

How To Sharpen Pizza Cutter Using Whetstone

As we mentioned earlier, there are varying types of whetstone. Let’s take a look at it before we go into the process.

• Coarse Grit Stones: preferred on dull knives that need more upkeep. It takes 15 to 20 minutes to soak before use.
• Fine Grit Stones: recommended for polishing and blade precision. It takes only a few minutes to soak before use. Avoid oversoaking to prevent cracking.

Now onto the process!

First, prepare the equipment you want to sharpen. For the pizza cutter wheel, you can remove it from the handle to prevent it from rolling. If it’s not detachable, you can hold the blade in place along with the handle while sharpening.

For kitchen shear scissors, unscrew the frame so you have two pieces to work on. This way, you can sharpen even the blades near the handle. For the knives and pizza rocker, you can keep them as it is.

Are your blades ready? If it is, let’s continue with the method.

Soak the grit stones depending on their coarseness. Once soaked, secure it on top of a kitchen towel on a flat surface to prevent it from moving.

Place the blade above the whetstone at a 15 to 20° angle. Hold it on one side, then drag it towards you with firm pressure. Do this about 5 to 10 times until it reaches your desired sharpness. Repeat the same process on the other side until you complete the whole section.

For you to visualize the technique, you can watch this video:

How To Sharpen Pizza Cutter Using Puck Sharpener

A puck sharpener works like a whetstone; the only difference is that it is hand-held. So the number one step before using this tool is to wear protective gloves. Of course, you need to keep those fingers safe if you want to make pizza.

To use the puck sharpener, soak it in water or honing oil for a few minutes. Once done soaking, grip it tightly with your fingers. Then, move it in a circular motion running across the blade edges. It is also crucial to maintain a constant angle while honing. This way, you’ll prevent any irregularities and save time redoing everything.

Continue until you reach the level of sharpness you like. Pretty easy, right?

How to Sharpen Pizza Cutter Using Manual Knife Sharpener

A manual knife sharpener is a fool-proof tool to sharpen your pizza cutter. It is also suitable for those who don’t have time to soak the stones and want a faster process.

All you need to do is, place the manual knife sharpener on a flat surface. Double-check if it is secured on your workbench. Some models have sticky reinforcement under, but you can hold the grip for double measures.

Once the sharpener is in place, position your blade on the course or fine slot, then drag it across. Repeat the motion until it is sharp enough.

For the pizza cutter wheel, hold the flat surface of the wheel to stabilize it. Then, run it through the slot a couple of times. Rotate the wheel once in a while to sharpen all the segments.

You can watch this video if you want to test your chef’s knife on a manual knife sharpener:

How To Sharpen Pizza Cutter Using Belt Grinder

If you’re used to massive power tools, a belt grinder can do the thing for you. Many experts prefer this method because it works both ways: it can sharpen and provide finishing.

To use the belt grinder, turn on the machine first and see if it is running nicely. Once checked, place the pizza cutter blade – at an angle – on the running belt. If the pizza wheel cutter is not detachable, apply pressure on the flat surface to reduce the spin.

If it’s your first time using this machine, it is best to seek guidance to prevent harm. It runs fast and can cause grave injuries if not used properly.

Take Away

Now that you’ve learned how to sharpen a pizza cutter, it’s now time to put your learning to the test. First, decide what tool applies to your choice of pizza cutter. Assess the size, shape, and whether it is safe to use.

Do some mental practice on how you’re going to sharpen the blades. But if you still need guidance, you can seek help from professional blade sharpeners.