A pizza stone will come in handy when you are making homemade pizza. So, what exactly is a pizza stone? Also referred to as a baking stone, a pizza stone is a flat and thick piece of natural stone used for baking. The thickness of pizza stones varies from a half an inch thick to an inch thick. When baking using this kind of stone you have to first place it on your grill or oven. The stone then absorbs heat and distributes it evenly and directly to the surface of your dough. These stones are used predominantly for making pizzas, pastries, bread, and rolls. Considering they can withstand temperatures of up to 600 degrees, these stones are a useful accessory to have in every kitchen.
When shopping for a pizza or baking stone, there are a number of factors to consider. The first factor being whether to go for a glazed or unglazed stone. While glazing reduces the moisture absorbing properties of a pizza stone, glazed stones are easy to clean. In addition, most high-end glazed stones are micro-glazed meaning they are able to absorb a certain amount of moisture. When choosing between glazed or unglazed, it all comes down to your preference. Unglazed stones are less costly and you can use oil or non-stick spray to make them easy to clean. Micro-glazed stones, on the other hand, are costlier but easy to clean.
Another factor to consider is the shape of the stone. Since pizza stones come in three different shapes, rectangle, square and circle, you will have to choose a shape. Square and rectangular stones are preferred by many. The reason being unlike circular stones they can be used to bake a wide array of things from pizzas to bread. However, this again boils down to your preference. All the same, it is important to ensure the stone you choose is not too big for your grill or oven. The general rule is that for a stone to be considered the best Pizza Stone for a Grill it must be at least an inch thick.
While price is an important factor to consider, it should not influence your final decision. Today, there are many cheap pizza stone imitations made from metal. Some of these stones are advertised as being dishwasher safe. Stay away from such stones as they are usually unable to absorb water due to their glazing. However, it is possible to find a good pizza stone at a reasonable price.
After buying the best pizza stone for a grill or oven, it is important to know how to use and maintain it. One of the things you should never do is wash your stone with detergent. Considering that these stones are crafted to be porous, they are capable of absorbing detergents, which can result in a very unpleasant flavor on your pizza. After purchasing make sure you season the stone with olive oil before using it for the first time. Also, before using it at any time make sure you pre-heat both the stone and the grill or oven. After use allows the stone to cool and then wipe its surface with a dry cloth and then with a paper towel dampened slightly with olive oil.