Pizza Stone Substitutes

If you like pizza and often attempt to make it at home, you may find it difficult to imitate the pies available in pizzerias; this is because an excellent pizza requires a perfectly flat cooking surface and a very hot oven.

Because the ordinary individual may not have a highly hot oven or a completely level surface, purchasing a pizza stone is the best alternative. The function of pizza stones is to transport heat from your oven’s grill to your pizza for quick, uniform baking.

However, the greatest pizza stones are rather costly, and not everyone can afford one. There is no reason to be concerned. Other options will suffice and are less costly than the genuine article. Please continue reading to learn about the function of pizza stones and how to replace them.

What is a Pizza Stone?

A pizza stone is a flat circular or rectangular baking stone made of ceramic or granite that aids in the equal distribution of heat throughout the pizza dough. The purpose of pizza stones is to simulate the heat generated in factory or commercial ovens. Industrial ovens may reach temperatures of over 900 degrees Fahrenheit, whilst domestic ovens are restricted to 550 degrees Fahrenheit.

This strong heat makes the pizza crust thinner and crisper, and it gives it a deep golden brown hue that contrasts with the light doughy and bland pizza cooked in home ovens. The thickness of pizza stones varies, and the thickness impacts the stone’s efficacy; thicker stones are more costly, and they absorb more moisture, resulting in a crispy bake.

Culinary uses for Pizza Stone

Using a pizza stone is vital if you want to enhance your pizza game at home, and it will give you that gorgeous crispy crust that you see at your favorite pizza shop. You don’t have to limit your pizza stone to only cooking pizzas; it can also be used to bake other baked goods such as bread, as well as steak or vegetables.

If you are new to utilizing pizza stones, it may be difficult at first. For a speedier bake, you may need to preheat the stone. You should also keep an eye on your pizza while it cooks and always use a pizza peel to quickly remove it off the stone.

Here are some examples of baked goods that may be made using pizza stones:

• Bread
• English muffins
• Pita bread
• Baked potato chips
• Quesadillas
• Crackers
• Cookies
• Bagels
• Roast potatoes and veggies
• Toasted bread and sandwiches
• Seared meat
• Roast chicken
• Roast smores
• Pizza stone grilled chicken fajitas
• Pizza stone naan

Substitutes for Pizza Stone

Using a pizza stone is absolutely beneficial and can vastly enhance your pizza game, but it will eventually get old and worn out, just like any other home object. Without adequate care, the stone may become difficult to use, you may see fractures, or worse, it may entirely shatter in half.

If you want to cook pizza for the family but can’t find a suitable stone to make baking simpler and more tasty, this would be a problem. So, until you buy a new pizza stone, you may make do with several options. Unfortunately, most of these replacements are readily available.

1. Pizza Pan

If you don’t have a pizza stone or it has recently broken in half, a pizza pan should provide the same or better results. A pizza pan is a pan designed particularly for baking pizza and is a less expensive and more handy alternative to a pizza stone. The pan is constructed of aluminum, and the stainless steel evenly distributes heat to your dough.

Some pans have holes in them. This is the preferred pan because the perforations let air to move through, resulting in less wetness and a crisp crust. When replacing, don’t preheat the pan; instead, bake the raw dough. The perforations enable air to circulate, resulting in a speedier bake.

2. Tiles

Many pizza stones have ceramic surfaces that aid in heat conductivity, and tiles are no exception. Tiles are similar to pizza stones in that they heat up when you reheat them, and then you can lay your dough on them. You undoubtedly have some laying around, so they’d make a cheap substitute for pizza stones. You must ensure that the tiles you use are suitable for cooking and do not contain any hazardous chemicals.

3. Pizza Steel

Although this is not a typical home item, if you already have one, it may be an excellent alternative for a pizza stone. It’s comparable to a pizza stone, but it’s a bit better since it’s constructed of steel, which transmits heat better than ceramic or rock.

Pizza steel is more expensive, but once you possess one, it will endure longer than a stone. Steel is more durable than porcelain and will not break.

4. Baking Sheets

When searching for a replacement, seek for something that can transmit enough heat to make your pizza crispy. Even if you are not using a typical stone, you must make your pizza less doughy.

A baking sheet is rather common, and almost everyone who has an oven has one. They are lighter than pizza stones and so do not carry heat as well, but if you have a thicker sheet, I recommend using them since thicker sheets transmit heat better. To get a completely smooth surface, flip the baking sheets and lay the dough.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Should I oil my pizza stone?

It is not recommended to grease pizza stones. Instead, add some flour or cornmeal to help with removal. It would be beneficial if you also purchased a pizza peel, albeit you may need some practice.

How should I clean my pizza stone?

Pour a little quantity of hot water over the surface, then scrub with a stone brush, then wipe off with a moist towel and leave to air-dry, and then wipe the surface with a clean rag.

Why do I need to preheat the stone before use?

Preheat the pizza stone to 500 degrees Fahrenheit for around 15 minutes before laying the dough. Preheating the stone allows it to hold as much heat as possible, giving the crust a crispy quality. If not done properly, you may wind up with a messy, undercooked pizza.

Conclusion

If you struggle to make crisp, tasty pizzas, investing in a pizza stone will help. Significant changes would be noticeable in no time. However, if you don’t have a pizza stone or if your stone has broken, these commonplace things may be used in lieu of a pizza stone to get that crisp-looking pizza crust.