Pizza tastes best in the first few minutes after it comes out of the oven. With takeout, there is a drive, a box and sometimes a wait before everyone sits down. None of that has to ruin your pizza. A few simple habits help it arrive hot, keep the crust crisp and make sure leftovers are stored and reheated safely.

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours, and reheat until steaming hot all the way through.

Time Your Pickup

  • Call ahead. Phoning your order in before you leave means it is ready, or nearly ready, when you arrive.
  • Ask for an estimated pickup time. Busy evenings take longer, especially on weekends. Ask when you order rather than guessing.
  • Arrive on time, not early. Turning up 20 minutes early just means waiting. Turning up late means your pizza sits.
  • Pick up last. If you are running errands, make the pizzeria your final stop on the way home.

At Franko's 12 Buck Pizza, you can call (519) 676-0777 and pick up at 18 Talbot St W in Blenheim. Our pizza takeout page explains how it works.

Carry Your Pizza the Right Way

Most takeout disasters happen between the counter and the kitchen table.

  • Keep boxes flat. A tilted box slides the cheese and toppings to one side. The flattest spot in most cars is the floor or a level trunk, not a sloping seat.
  • Stack largest on the bottom. If you have several boxes, put the biggest underneath and keep the stack level.
  • Keep sides separate. Wings, fries and dips travel better in their own containers or bag, not on top of a pizza box where they can dent it.
  • Drive gently. Sharp corners and quick stops are the enemy of a well-placed topping.

Keep Pizza Warm and Crisp at Home

A sealed box traps steam, which is what turns a crisp crust soft. If you are eating right away, open the lid as soon as you get home and serve. If you need to wait a little while:

  • Use a low oven. Take the pizza out of the cardboard box and put it on a baking sheet in an oven on its lowest setting, around 95 °C (200 °F). Never put the cardboard box in the oven.
  • Let steam escape. If the pizza stays in the box, crack the lid open slightly so moisture can escape.
  • Do not hold it too long. Keeping pizza warm works for a short wait, not for hours. Food should not sit between 4 °C and 60 °C for long.

Store Leftovers Safely

Leftover pizza is one of the best parts of ordering pizza, as long as it is handled properly. Health Canada's guidance for leftovers is straightforward:

  • Refrigerate within two hours. Do not leave pizza on the counter overnight. Once it has been out for more than two hours, throw it away.
  • Use shallow, covered containers. Take slices out of the box and put them in airtight containers or wrap them well so they cool quickly and do not dry out.
  • Eat within two to four days. Health Canada recommends eating refrigerated leftovers within two to four days.
  • Freeze for longer. Wrap slices individually and freeze them if you will not eat them within a few days.

The Best Ways to Reheat Pizza

Health Canada recommends reheating leftovers until they reach 74 °C (165 °F), so make sure the pizza is steaming hot all the way through, and reheat it only once. The method you use makes a big difference to the texture:

Frying pan

Our favourite for a crisp base. Heat a dry frying pan over medium heat, add the slice and cook for a few minutes until the bottom is crisp. Add a few drops of water to the pan away from the slice and cover with a lid for a minute to steam the cheese until it melts.

Oven

Best for several slices at once. Preheat the oven to about 220 °C (425 °F) with a baking sheet inside, then add the slices and heat for around 8 to 10 minutes, until the cheese bubbles and the slice is hot through.

Air fryer

Quick and crisp. Heat slices at around 175 to 190 °C (350 to 375 °F) for 3 to 5 minutes, checking that the centre is hot.

Microwave

The fastest option, but the crust softens. Place a cup of water in the microwave beside the slice to help keep the crust from turning chewy, and heat in short bursts until hot all the way through.

Times vary by appliance and thickness, so always check that the pizza is piping hot in the middle.

Wings, Fries and Other Sides

  • Wings reheat best in the oven or air fryer, which keeps the skin from going soggy. Heat until they are steaming hot all the way through.
  • Fries and onion rings are at their best fresh. If reheating, use a hot oven or air fryer rather than the microwave.
  • Salads should go straight in the fridge and be eaten soon after.

Planning a pizza night? Read our pizza night ideas, or check our hours and directions before you head out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can pizza sit out at room temperature?

Health Canada advises refrigerating leftovers within two hours. Pizza that has been left out longer than that should be thrown away.

How long does leftover pizza last in the fridge?

Health Canada recommends eating refrigerated leftovers within two to four days. Freeze anything you will not eat in that time.

Can I reheat pizza more than once?

Health Canada advises against reheating leftovers more than once, so reheat only what you plan to eat.

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