How to Use a Pizza Stone: Tips & Tricks
Napoleon's Pizza Stone series isn't limited to just pizza; it's a versatile tool that enhances the flavors of various dishes, whether grilled or baked in the oven. The key to unlocking its full potential lies in understanding how to use your pizza stone effectively and maintaining it for consistent, delicious results every time.
What is a Pizza Stone and Why You Want One
Pizza stones are generally made of a ceramic composite material which is great for high-heat grilling and baking. They’re great for just about anything you can think of because of their ability to retain and distribute heat evenly, similar to cast iron. One of the benefits of using a pizza stone on the grill or in the oven is that it will help to wick away moisture in baked goods so that your bread and pizza crust will have a light and crispy exterior. The natural surface of a pizza stone won’t retain food flavors, so last night’s garlicky pizza won’t flavor tonight’s home-style honey biscuits.
Not just for baking, your pizza stone can be used to help evenly distribute heat while roasting. Place a roasting pan on top of a preheated pizza stone when cooking poultry. This will help brown the bottom of the bird, cooking the dark meat at a rate similar to the breast meat, so they will both be done at the same time.
Before Using Your Pizza Stone for the First Time
When you pull your brand-new pizza stone out of the package for the first time, wipe it down with a damp cloth and allow it to dry overnight. This removes any possible manufacturer’s debris and allows the moisture to completely evaporate.
How to Use a Pizza Stone
Pizza stones are easy to use, and the end results are amazing. Follow the tips and tricks below to get the best from your baking stone:
- Place the cold stone on your cold grill or in a cold oven and preheat from there. You want the stone to reach a temperature of 425°F or more before cooking, which will require preheating for a little longer than it takes the grill or oven to reach this temperature – at least 30 minutes. This prevents the stone from cracking due to intense temperature changes. Also, the longer the stone has had to preheat, the better results on your bread or pizza dough.
- When sufficiently preheated, sprinkle the stone with cornmeal before placing food on it. You can also use parchment paper, just make sure that the paper is trimmed to the same size as the stone, with very little overhang when using on the grill.
- Transferring food to the stone is much easier when you use a pizza spatula. A little cornmeal or flour here will make picking up and transferring food much easier too.
- When finished with the stone, leave it on the grill or in the oven to cool completely before handling. It is 400°F+ and dangerous to handle, even with heat-resistant gloves.
Using a knife, pizza wheel, or rocking pizza cutter on the stone surface will damage your blades and the stone. Always transfer food to a cutting board before slicing.
How to Clean a Pizza Stone
Cleaning your pizza stone seems like a daunting task, however, it’s as simple as using it:
- Once cooled completely, remove the stone from the grill or oven for cleaning.
- Remove stuck-on bits by gently scraping them with a wooden, or stiff plastic spatula. You can also use a soft nylon dish scrubby.
- Rinse, or wipe the pizza stone with warm water and a soft cloth. Allow the stone to dry for at least 24 hours before using it again.
- Store flat. You can store the stone in the oven or on the grill. Keeping it there can increase heat retention and convection of the appliance. Just remember that the stone is there before cooking.
Do not clean the pizza stone with soap. Soap will absorb into the stone and leach into the food you cook. Instead, gently scrub any stuck on foods and wipe with warm water then dry for 24 hours.
Help! My Pizza Stone is Discoloring
This is normal. Pizza stones develop a patina overuse. This patina gives the stone more and more of a non-stick coating as it develops. This is a natural process that will happen faster the more you use the pizza stone which causes this discoloration to happen. You cannot rush this by “seasoning” your stone with oil.
People Also Asked:
What Else Can You Make Using a Pizza Stone?
Pizza stones are great for more than just pizza. Use one to create even temperatures throughout the BBQ and when you want to bake anything from cakes to cookies, bread to breaded cutlets. Try these recipes on your baking stone the next time you use your BBQ.
Dark Chocolate Cake
You too can make this Easy Deep Dark Chocolate Cake Recipe and impress your family and friends with a delicious BBQ baked cake.
Turtle Espresso Cookies
These Gigantic Turtle Espresso Cookies are not only on this side of jumbo, they’re full of immense flavors including caramel, chocolate, espresso, and nuts.
Pretzel Breaded Baked Chicken
This easy recipe for Pretzel Breaded, Barbecue Baked, Chicken takes your comfort favorite and elevates them with a delicious brine, crunchy crust, and a delightful Southern Style Beer Cheese Dip that will knock your socks off!
How Do You Cook Pizza on a Pizza Stone?
Begin by preheating your stone at high temperatures, 500°F (260°C) in the oven or, better yet, on the grill. Use cornmeal or rice flour as a barrier and lay down your pizza dough. For thick crust, cook for a few minutes, flip, then add sauce and toppings while on the grill. For thinner crusts, assemble the pizza indoors and transfer the whole thing to your stone using a floured or cornmeal-ed pizza spatula or tray. Bake the pizza for 5 to 10 minutes, until the bottom is crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Do You Put the Pizza Directly on the Stone?
You can place your pizza directly onto the preheated stone if it is well seasoned. If the stone is not fully seasoned, or if you just prefer, you can use a barrier on the stone when making pizza or baking food. This ensures that nothing sticks. Use cornmeal, rice flour, or parchment paper that is cut to the size of the stone to provide the best barriers.
Do you Preheat a Pizza Stone?
Yes, it's crucial to preheat the pizza stone before placing the pizza on it. Preheating ensures that the stone reaches the temperatures essential for achieving a crispy crust and properly cooking the pizza.
How Do You Keep Pizza From Sticking to the Stone?
Proper preheating, a light dusting of cornmeal or rice flour, or the use of parchment paper will ensure that your pizza doesn’t stick to the stone.
Make Perfect BBQ Pizza
By following the tips above, you have become an expert in using your pizza stone. Great, not just for pizzas, but for baking delicious bread, pastries, cookies, and even frozen hors-d'oeuvres. There are so many things you can do with a pizza stone. What will you create? Tell us about your pizza stone adventures by using the hashtags #BBQPizzaStone and #NapoleonEats when you post to our social media pages like Facebook and Instagram.
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