Ethan Clarke
Have you ever wondered about the purpose of the small plastic tripod found in the centre of a pizza? This device, known as a pizza saver, has been used to protect pizzas during delivery for over 30 years. The pizza saver is placed in the box to prevent the lid from sagging and touching the pizza, which could cause the cheese to stick to the box. While some people consider these plastic pieces unnecessary, others have found secondary uses for them, such as phone or egg holders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Pizza saver, pizza table, pizza stool, Package saver, pizza stack, box tent, pizza nipple |
| Inventor | Carmela Vitale of Dix Hills, New York |
| Year of Invention | 1985 |
| Purpose | Prevent the lid of the pizza box from sagging onto the pizza, keep the cheese and toppings in place during delivery, enable customers to pull slices apart without touching them |
| Colour | White |
| Number of Legs | Three, sometimes four |
| Reusable | No |
| Secondary Uses | Phone holder, Egg holder |
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What You'll Learn
Pizza savers are used to prevent the pizza box from collapsing
Pizza savers, also known as pizza tables or pizza stools, are small plastic tripods placed in the centre of a pizza before the box is closed for delivery. They are designed to prevent the pizza box from collapsing in the middle and sticking to the cheese or toppings.
Pizza boxes are typically made of thin cardboard, which can easily sag when exposed to steam or heat. This can cause the cheese to stick to the lid, resulting in a mess when the box is opened. Pizza savers, with their three or four legs, act as a support system to prevent this from happening.
The pizza saver was invented by Carmela Vitale of Dix Hills, New York, in 1985. Vitale recognised the issue of pizza boxes sagging and invented the pizza saver, originally called the package saver, to address this problem. The device has been a successful addition to the pizza delivery process, ensuring that pizzas arrive intact and in good condition for customers.
While some people discard the pizza saver after use, others have found creative secondary uses for it. For example, it can be washed and reused as a phone holder, an egg holder, or even as a dining table for small toys. Despite some criticism regarding their environmental impact, pizza savers continue to be a common feature in pizza deliveries, ensuring that customers receive their pizzas in pristine condition.
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They keep the pizza toppings in place
Pizza savers, also known as pizza tables, pizza stools, package savers, pizza stacks, box tents, or pizza nipples, are placed in the centre of pizzas to prevent the lid of the pizza box from collapsing and touching the toppings. They are small, white, plastic tripods that hold up the box, stopping the cheese and toppings from sticking to the lid. This ensures that the pizza toppings are kept in place during delivery and that the pizza is in good condition when it reaches the customer.
The pizza saver was invented by Carmela Vitale of Dix Hills, New York, in 1985. Vitale, a mother with two daughters and a husband to feed, was frustrated by the problem of pizza boxes sagging and ripping the cheese off pizzas. She designed the pizza saver, a small, tented piece of plastic with three arms extending from a central circle, to hold up the lid of the box and keep the pizza intact.
The pizza saver has been a popular invention, preventing pizza disasters for over 30 years. Some people have even found secondary uses for the plastic piece, such as using it as a phone holder or an egg holder.
While the pizza saver has been hailed as a lifesaver by many, some people have criticised its environmental impact, arguing that the small amount of cheese saved is not worth the plastic waste generated. There have been suggestions for more environmentally friendly alternatives, such as using dough balls or baking a bread ball into the centre of the pizza.
Overall, the plastic piece in the centre of pizzas, known as the pizza saver, plays an important role in keeping toppings in place and ensuring that customers receive their pizzas intact. It has become an iconic part of pizza delivery culture, with its unique design and functionality.
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Pizza savers are usually discarded after use
Pizza savers, also known as pizza tables or pizza stools, are single-use plastics that are usually discarded after use. They are small, white, plastic tripods placed in the centre of a pizza to prevent the lid of the pizza box from collapsing and sticking to the cheese. They are placed on the pizza before the box is closed for delivery.
Pizza savers were invented by Carmela Vitale of Dix Hills, New York, in 1985. She recognised the problem of pizza boxes sagging in the middle, causing the cheese to rip off and stick to the lid. She designed the pizza saver, originally called a ""package saver", to hold up the lid and keep the pizza intact during delivery.
While some people discard the pizza saver after use, others have found secondary uses for it. For example, it can be used as a phone holder or an egg holder when turned upside down. Some pizzerias have also eliminated the use of plastic pizza savers by baking a bread ball into the centre of their pizzas instead.
Despite their convenience, pizza savers have come under scrutiny for their environmental impact. Some people view them as unnecessary waste, especially for those who order pizzas without cheese. Alternatives to plastic pizza savers have been suggested, such as using cardboard or dough balls to support the pizza box lid.
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Some people find secondary uses for them, such as egg holders
The plastic pieces found on pizzas, officially called "package savers" or "pizza savers", are meant to keep the pizza box lid from sagging and touching the pizza. They are also known as pizza lid supports, pizza tables, pizza stools, pizza stacks, box tents, or pizza nipples. These plastic pieces have been used to protect pizzas during delivery for over 30 years.
While some people discard these plastic pieces after receiving their pizza deliveries, others have found secondary uses for them. One such use is as an egg holder, where the original three-pronged design can be utilised by flipping the pizza saver upside down. This repurposing of the plastic piece not only prevents food waste but also provides a creative way to support and display eggs.
Additionally, pizza savers can be used as phone holders. By placing the pizza saver upside down and propping the phone between its prongs, individuals can conveniently follow recipes or watch cooking videos while preparing their own pizzas. This dual functionality of the pizza saver as a phone stand enhances the cooking experience by keeping one's hands free to handle ingredients and utensils.
The versatility of pizza savers extends beyond food-related purposes. Some people, particularly children, have repurposed these plastic pieces as dining tables for small toys and dolls, such as Polly Pockets and Barbie figures. This imaginative use transforms the pizza saver into a functional piece of "furniture" for miniature play scenarios.
In conclusion, while the primary function of the plastic pieces found on pizzas is to protect the pizza during delivery, their usefulness does not have to end there. With a bit of creativity, individuals can find secondary purposes for these pizza savers, such as using them as egg holders, phone stands, or even miniature toy furniture. These innovative uses not only reduce waste but also showcase the multiple ways these simple plastic pieces can be incorporated into our daily lives beyond their original intention.
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Pizza savers are not used in all countries
Pizza savers, also known as pizza tables or pizza stools, are small, typically white, plastic tripods placed in the centre of pizzas before the box is closed for delivery. They are used to prevent the lid from collapsing onto the pizza and to keep the cheese and toppings in place. However, pizza savers are not universally used in all countries.
For example, one source mentions that they worked at Pizza Hut in Canada for a year and a half and never once saw a plastic pizza saver. Another source mentions that they live in Sweden and have never seen such a device before. Similarly, a comment on a blog post from the Netherlands expresses hope that pizza savers will never reach their country.
While pizza savers can be useful in preventing the pizza box lid from sagging and keeping the toppings in place, they contribute to plastic waste. Some people have suggested alternative solutions, such as using dough balls or larger pizza boxes that don't require a support system.
It is worth noting that some people have found creative secondary uses for pizza savers, such as using them as phone holders or egg holders when turned upside down. Despite this, the overall sentiment seems to be a preference for eliminating the unnecessary plastic waste associated with pizza savers.
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Frequently asked questions
They are called pizza savers, pizza tables, pizza stools, or package savers. They are used to prevent the lid of the pizza box from collapsing into the pizza.
Pizza savers prevent the cheese and toppings from sticking to the lid of the box. They also help keep the toppings in place during delivery.
The pizza saver was invented by Claudio Daniel Troglia of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1974. He was issued a patent for a plastic three-legged stool that sits in the middle of the box to keep the lid from sagging. The patent was not renewed.
Some pizzerias have eliminated the use of plastic pizza savers by baking a bread ball into the center of their pizzas. Others have used disposable plastic spatulas or tripods with serrated legs for easy cutting.
Pizza savers are typically discarded after use, but some people find secondary uses for them, such as egg holders or phone stands.
