Best pizza stone
If you have ever wanted to create a pizza of the same quality as those made in the best restaurants out there, you need a Pizza stone. Pizza stones handle the very high temperatures required for cooking the pizza evenly and quickly. These stones are made using different materials such as cordierite, ceramic, steel, and clay. In this piece, we will be exploring how you can buy the best pizza stones out there.
How effective are pizza stones?
Pizza stones are very effective if you want to get the best taste without much effort. With these stones, you will select the type of crusts you desire. You can opt for crispy or not, dark or light, and any other preference.
Also, many of the pizza stones out there come with a non-stick surface making them easy to clean. If you are someone who bakes regularly, they are ideal. Aside from being used for making pizza, they can also make other foods such as cookies and bread.
What are the materials used in making pizza stones?
To make the most of your pizza stone, you need to know the materials they are made from. Here is a breakdown of some of the notable materials.
Cordierite stone
Pizza stone made using cordierite evenly distributes heat without burning the pizza. Cordierite is durable and does not crack. Although they have similarities with ceramic stone, they are more robust.
Pizza stones made using this material are usually non-absorbent and lead-free from lead.
Clay
Clay ranks as the most popular baking stone out there. This stone delivers the best texture. It absorbs the oven’s heat and transfers it to the pizza being cooked. One drawback with this stone is that it takes longer to preheat and isn’t easy to clean. Also, clay is easier to break, and it is brittle.
Ceramic
Although it cracks with ease, ceramic is another popular material in making pizza stones. It is ideal for people who started backing as they only need water and soap for cleaning, and it is easy to take care of.
Its major drawback is that it is not as conductive as the other types.
Cast Iron
People love using cast iron because they have a low melting point. They are flexible and have handles on either side. This feature makes it easier to move it from one point to another using gloves.
Steel
Baking steel is one of the most prominent stones used in baking pizza. Steel has some similarities with cast iron, even though it burns quicker than cast iron. Steel pans can cook pizza at the lowest temperature because they conduct heat faster.
Things to consider before purchasing a pizza stone
Before you buy a pizza stone, here are some things you should consider.·
Shape
Many believe that a round stone will make better pizza because pizzas are round. But the chances are that you will get a better deal with rectangular stones. With round rocks, you have to aim for perfection with the edges. Rectangular stones, which are usually larger, often hold more heat because of their larger size. Rectangular stones are more versatile. This means you can use them for baking other things such as bread.· Stone sizeUsing a larger stone does not only help you hold more heat, but it also gives you more space for more giant pies. If you are looking for a rock for your home oven, a dimension of 16 by 14 inches should suffice. For cordierite stone, ensure to go for a thicker one because they are less susceptible to cracking.
Stone material
Between cast iron, steel, and cordierite, steel absorbs and transfers heat the quickest making it the best for making pizza at home. Cordierite stones can make decent pizza, but they conduct less heat than steel; hence the crust is often less developed and looks paler. But if you intend to use your stone for flat baking bread, cordierite stones are the best choice because other materials may burn the leaves.
Cast iron is a balanced stone because it shares cordierite and steel features baking for flat. The big challenge with them is that they can only be found in circular pans that are not as flexible.
Cost
Pizza stones are slabs of materials, so you shouldn't find them priced too high. Most cordierite stones cost between $40 and $60, while steel stones cost between $70 and $90. If you find stones priced higher, you may not get something better.
The stone’s weight
Although lighter stones are easier to move in and out of an oven, heavier stones usually produce better pizza. Heavy stones often hold more heat and create a well-browned pizza. Usually, pizza stones weigh about 9 pounds, even though some weigh up to 16 pounds.
Gas or electric oven
If you are using a gas oven, you should leave some space on both sides of the stove to ensure easy movement of air. Also, provide you know your oven’s size because not all stones will fit into your range. The easiest way to know this is to measure the cavity of your oven's width and depth.
FAQs
Q. What makes pizza stones important?
Pizza stones help your oven’s size make standard restaurant pizza from the comfort of your home. Several pizza joints often use wood-fired or commercial ovens that reach up to 900 F, giving it the brown crust. Pizza stones help to recreate this type of look and taste.
Q. Is it necessary to preheat the pizza stone?
Yes, you do. You can only enjoy the benefits of using a pizza stone if it gets preheated. You should preheat them for about 2 hours which is enough time to get the rocks hot enough.
Q. Is it possible to cook frozen pizza on the pizza stone?
When you place frozen items on this stone, it creates thermal shocks, which in turn causes the rocks to crack. You should thaw the frozen pizza before you put it on the stone.
Q. What made my stone crack?
Steel and cast iron stones ought not to ever crack because they are both durable. Most cracking occurs with cordierite stones because of their delicate nature.
Final thoughts
By now, we are sure you know all there is to buy the best pizza stone for your home use. Pizza stones are a game-changer. You do not need to go all the way to a restaurant to pick up your crisp brown layered pizza with them. The tips outlined in this article have been well researched to help you make the right choice.