Pizza stones are flat, heavy, unglazed stones that
usually come in either round or rectangular shapes. They distribute even
heat of the oven to pizza or other baked good. They have a porous nature
that helps to absorb excess moisture creating a crisper crust. The heat
is distributed so evenly that pizzas and other baked goods never burn on
the bottom while the top is still cooking.
These stones are actually molded sand, tightly compacted under high
pressure. Like sand on the beach, they will suck in any liquid exposed
to the surface. So they need to be properly taken care of. Some stones
come with a metal rack that can be used to lift it in and out of the
oven.
Pizza Stone Materials
- Ceramic Pizza Stone - Baked on a ceramic
stone, breads and pizzas achieve a marvelous
crustiness, like those prepared in a commercial brick oven. The
dense ceramic holds heat well.
- Aluminum Pizza Stone - Aluminum is used for
better conductivity and durability.
Applications of Pizza Stone
- Great for heating up frozen foods such as French fries or chicken
nuggets.
- Terrific for cooking puff pastry appetizers or desserts,
croissants, baking bread, or even baking cookies.
- A preheated stone is even useful for keeping a purchased pizza
warm once you've brought it home.
- It is also used to cook frozen food. Make sure the food is very
evenly distributed across the surface to prevent cracking.
