Omar Khalid
The small plastic table in the middle of a pizza box, often called a pizza saver, is designed to prevent the lid of the box from sagging and sticking to the pizza. This invention, created by Carmela Vitale of New York in 1985, is meant to save pizzas from ruin during delivery. While some people find it unnecessary, others have found alternative uses for it, such as a phone holder.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Prevent the lid of the pizza box from sagging onto the pizza |
| Prevent cheese from sticking to the lid | |
| Protect the pizza from ruin | |
| Can be reused as a phone holder | |
| Alternative names | Pizza saver |
| Package saver | |
| Box tent | |
| Inventor | Carmela Vitale |
| Year invented | 1985 |
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What You'll Learn
- The plastic table stops the pizza box lid from sagging and sticking to the pizza
- It's also known as a pizza saver or package saver
- Some people keep the plastic table to use as a phone holder
- Pizza chains use plastic tables, while local joints use dough balls
- The plastic table was invented by Carmela Vitale of New York in 1985
The plastic table stops the pizza box lid from sagging and sticking to the pizza
The plastic table in the middle of a pizza box, often referred to as a pizza saver, has a very important function. It may seem like an unnecessary addition, but it is there to stop the pizza box lid from sagging and sticking to the pizza.
The pizza saver is a small, three-pronged piece of plastic, designed by Carmela Vitale of New York in 1985. It is placed in the centre of the pizza, on top of the cheese, to prevent the lid of the pizza box from sagging and making contact with the pizza. This is particularly important when the pizza is hot, as the steam can weaken the cardboard, causing the lid to droop and stick to the cheese.
The plastic table acts as a support, keeping the box lid raised and away from the pizza. This simple invention has saved pizza lovers from the frustration of opening their pizza box to find the cheese stuck to the lid. It ensures that the pizza arrives intact and is a must-have for pizzerias wanting to guarantee their product arrives in perfect condition.
Some people choose to reuse their pizza savers, finding them handy for propping up phones or holding recipes while cooking. However, it is worth noting that these plastic savers are non-biodegradable, and some people prefer to request pizza without them.
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It's also known as a pizza saver or package saver
The plastic table in the middle of a pizza box, often called a pizza saver or package saver, is designed to prevent the lid of the pizza box from sagging and sticking to the pizza. This small piece of plastic, invented by Carmela Vitale of New York in 1985, sits on top of the pizza to protect it from the box above. It is particularly useful when steam weakens the cardboard, preventing the cheese from sticking to the lid.
Pizza savers are also used for cakes and other bakery goods, ensuring that the lid does not sag and ruin the product. While some people see these plastic tables as unnecessary, they have become a must-have for pizzerias wanting to guarantee that their product arrives intact.
Some people have found additional uses for pizza savers, such as using them as phone holders. They can be placed upside down and used to prop up a phone, allowing for hands-free viewing of recipes or cooking videos while making pizza or reading a book while eating.
Some pizza places use alternatives to plastic savers, such as dough balls or buns, placed in the middle of the pizza to prevent the lid from touching the cheese. These edible alternatives are popular with children, although they may result in arguments over who gets to eat them!
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Some people keep the plastic table to use as a phone holder
The plastic table in the middle of a pizza box, also known as a pizza saver, was invented by Carmela Vitale in 1985. Its purpose is to prevent the lid of the pizza box from sagging and sticking to the pizza due to steam weakening the cardboard. This small piece of plastic has saved pizza lovers from the frustration of finding their cheese stuck to the lid of the box.
While some people may discard the pizza saver after enjoying their pizza, others have found a creative reuse for it as a phone holder. By flipping the pizza saver upside down, you can prop up your phone between its prongs. This handy hack allows you to follow recipes or watch cooking videos while crafting your own pizza masterpiece. It also enables you to read or watch something while enjoying your pizza, keeping your hands free to hold a slice and your drink.
Some people even suggest customizing the pizza saver by using scissors or clippers to cut one of the legs, providing an unobstructed view of your phone screen. However, others find this extra step unnecessary.
So, the next time you order pizza, remember that the little plastic table in the middle is not just a packaging accessory but also a potential phone accessory, ready to elevate your pizza-eating experience to the next level. Don't toss it away; give it a new purpose and a place on your table!
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Pizza chains use plastic tables, while local joints use dough balls
The use of plastic tables or dough balls in pizza boxes serves the same purpose: to prevent the pizza box lid from collapsing and touching the pizza. This is particularly important for pizza delivery, where the steam from the hot pizza can cause the cardboard box to sag and stick to the cheese.
Some pizza chains and local joints use small plastic tables, also known as pizza savers, in the centre of their pizza boxes to prevent the lid from touching the pizza. These plastic savers usually have three or four legs and a flat surface on top, resembling a miniature table. They are placed in the centre of the pizza before the box is closed for delivery. However, these plastic savers are typically discarded after use, contributing to waste.
On the other hand, some local pizza places have adopted a more sustainable approach by using dough balls instead of plastic tables. These dough balls, made from leftover dough, are baked into the centre of the pizza and serve the same function as the plastic savers without creating waste. This practice is especially common in areas where corrugated cardboard boxes are used, as these boxes are less likely to sag compared to the older lined cardstock boxes.
The use of dough balls provides a dual benefit: it prevents the pizza box lid from touching the pizza, and it offers an edible treat for customers, especially children, who enjoy fighting over and eating the dough. This practice also eliminates the need for single-use plastic, reducing the environmental impact of pizza delivery.
While pizza chains often prioritise consistency and uniformity in their packaging, local joints tend to be more flexible and innovative, opting for the dough ball approach to reduce waste and provide a unique experience for their customers.
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The plastic table was invented by Carmela Vitale of New York in 1985
The plastic table, also known as the pizza saver, was invented by Carmela Vitale from New York in 1985. Vitale is credited with solving a "common pizza world crisis" by inventing a small plastic table that pizzerias place in the center of their pizzas to prevent the box from caving in and ruining the pizza. Vitale's invention was approved for a patent in 1985, and it has since become a staple for pizzerias in Brooklyn and beyond, ensuring that pizzas are delivered safely and in good condition.
The pizza saver typically consists of a flat surface supported by three or four vertical legs, resembling a table. It is placed in the center of the pizza before the box is closed for delivery. The primary function of the pizza saver is to prevent the box lid from sagging and making contact with the pizza, thereby protecting the pizza from sticking to the box and keeping the toppings in place. This small but innovative device revolutionized pizza delivery, addressing a persistent issue that had plagued pizzerias for decades.
Prior to the invention of the pizza saver, pizzerias struggled with the problem of cardboard boxes collapsing onto the hot pizzas, causing them to stick to the lid and ruining the pie. Vitale, an average mother from New York, recognized this issue and took it upon herself to find a solution. Her invention, the pizza saver, proved to be a simple yet effective answer to this longstanding dilemma.
The pizza saver not only safeguards the pizza from damage but also provides secondary benefits. It helps keep the cheese and toppings in place during delivery, ensuring the pizza remains intact and presentable for the customer. Additionally, it enables customers to pull slices apart without directly touching them, enhancing hygiene and convenience.
While some pizzerias have explored alternative solutions, such as returning to baking a bread ball into the center of pizzas, the plastic pizza saver remains a widely adopted and trusted method for preserving pizza integrity during delivery. Carmela Vitale's invention stands as a testament to how a small idea can have a significant impact, transforming an industry and enhancing the pizza-eating experience for countless individuals.
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Frequently asked questions
The middle plastic thing in a pizza box, often called a pizza saver, is designed to prevent the lid of the pizza box from sagging and sticking to the pizza.
The pizza saver is a small, white, three-pronged piece of plastic that resembles a miniature table.
The pizza saver was invented by Carmela Vitale, an average mother from New York, in 1985.
You can wash and save the pizza saver to use as a phone holder.
