How to Use a Pizza Stone On a Grill?

Although people usually use pizza stones in an oven, they are also an excellent tool for your grill. But if you’re new to this baking method, the first thing to do is learn the nuts and bolts to get you prepared and avoid damage. We’re talking about the unwanted cracks and potential taste alterations. That’s why we curated an article to show you how to use a pizza stone on a grill.

Step-By-Step Guide: Pizza Stone On A Grill

Grilled pizza using a pizza stone is probably the best way to cook this comfort food at home, especially if done correctly. So, follow this guide for you to learn how to use a pizza stone on a grill:

Preheat Your Pizza Stone

Place your pizza stone on top of the grill grates while your grill is off. It would be best to ensure your grill is at room temperature so your stone will not break.

If you use a charcoal grill, place your pizza stone before you light your coals. Also, it would be best to set your stone where it comes to temperature simultaneously with the grill and coals.

Prepare Your Pizza

For the second step, you must get a metal pizza peel that will not catch fire. It would also help to sprinkle a generous amount of cornmeal on your peel to prevent the dough from sticking.

Add your sauce and toppings once your dough is ready. But, avoid going overboard with the toppings because they can make the pizza soggy, making it stick to the stone.

Transfer The Pizza Onto Your Pizza Stone

Open your grill hood and sprinkle an even layer of cornmeal on the stone before transferring your uncooked pizza. It would be best to place it right after adding the layer so the cornmeal does not burn.

Gently slide the pizza onto the stone, tilting the peel at a 45-degree angle towards the far side of the stone. Then, gently pull the peel towards you.

Grill Your Pizza

Give your pizza ample time to cook, ensuring that you close the grill hood, helping it cook quicker and more evenly. The said technique only takes about five to ten minutes to finish baking. But will differ based on the thickness of the crust and the amount of toppings.

Remove The Pizza From The Grill

If you sprinkled a generous amount of cornmeal on the stone and peel, you should be able to slide the cooked pizza in one smooth motion easily. Then, finally, transfer your pizza for serving.

Why Is My Pizza Sticking To The Stone?

Many factors can cause sticking. Here are some facets that contribute to such occurrences:

• First, your pizza dough might be too wet.
• The dough has a hole.
• The pizza needs more time to cook.
• You did not sprinkle enough cornmeal.
• You added too many toppings, which made your pizza soggy.
• You did not preheat the stone properly.

How To Unstick Pizza From A Pizza Stone?

Sometimes, your pizza will stick to the pizza stone even if you take precautions. So it is essential to know how to unstick it properly. Try using your metal peel to scrape the pizza off little by little. But be sure to be gentle and turn off your grill first. It may also help to use tongs or a spatula to help slide your pizza onto the peel.

 

You can wait for your stone to completely cool before you scrape it—if you feel it is too difficult to handle. Then, shake your pizza towards the edge until it completely unsticks from the pizza stone.

How To Keep Pizza From Sticking To Stone?

The damaged crust can result in unappealing and heart-wrenching pizza. So here are some tips on how to avoid pizza from sticking to your stone:

Apply A Generous Amount Of Dusting Flour

Before placing the pizza directly on the stone, you must dust it with an ample portion of cornmeal or flour. It will help form a barrier between the pizza and the stone. Also, this barrier will prevent your pizza from sticking, so make sure to apply a generous layer.

Preheat The Stone Correctly

It is best to consistently preheat your pizza stone for at least thirty minutes before placing the pizza. Doing so will ensure that your stone is hot and ready for baking, enabling it to cook your pizza correctly.

Line It With Parchment Paper Or Aluminum Foil

Although lining your stone with aluminum foil or parchment paper does not result in “authentic pizza,” it can help prevent the pizza from sticking. You can place your pizza onto lightly oiled aluminum foil or parchment paper before placing it on your stone.

Doing so is beneficial, especially if you find that your pizzas continually stick to the stone even after dusting it with flour. But avoid applying oil to your stone because oils can make it crack and eventually break.

Slide Dental Floss Under The Pizza

This method may seem unconventional, but trust us—it works! You can try sliding dental floss under the pizza to loosen it. Do this step by running the floss under the pizza’s entire length.

Keep The Pizza Stone Clean

The leftover bread crust or pizza can stick to the stone, which can cause the next baked food to adhere to the charred pieces. So, it is best to keep your pizza stone clean.

How To Clean A Pizza Stone?

If you want to keep your pizza stones in tip-top shape, here are five steps that can solve your woes:

Step 1. Wait For Your Stone To Cool Down Completely

First, you will allow the pizza stone to cool down before cleaning thoroughly. Doing so will help you prevent the stone from cracking or breaking.

Step 2. Wet The Stone With A Tiny Amount Of Hot Water

Avoid submerging your stone or using too much water. If failed to follow, the stone might trap moisture in its pores, affecting the crust texture of your next pizza.

Step 3. Lightly Scrub It With A Stone Brush

Never skimp on this part! Do this step thoroughly and gently to ensure no food residue remains. Also, it is best to avoid using tools with metal materials when scrubbing to prevent scratching your stone.

Note that using soap on your pizza stone is never an excellent idea. The soap can ruin your stone for good because it can get inside the pores. When it gets inside, your food will taste like soap too.

Step 4. Wipe The Stone

Use a soft, damp cloth to remove any remaining debris on the surface. It prevents your new pizza from adhering to the remnants left by the old ones.

Step 5. Air-Dry Or Use A Clean Towel To Dry The Stone

Note that using your pizza stone before it’s completely dry can lead to cracks and breaks. Also, it is an ideal option to store the stone at room temperature to keep its integrity.

Additionally, avoid putting any oils on your pizza stone because it can cause the stone to smoke, crack, and break. Instead of creating a non-stick surface, the pores on the stone will only soak up the oil, which can damage it.

How To Remove Stains From A Pizza Stone

Note that a well-used pizza stone will show many dark, discolored areas, which is normal. It may not look like a spanking new slab, but it works better over time. However, if you prefer a cleaner-looking stone, follow this guide on how to remove stains from a pizza stone:

• Remove any food debris by scraping them away. Doing so will help you scrub the stone more thoroughly, so it is best to do this step beforehand.
• Make a cleaning paste with equal parts of warm water and baking soda. Mix both ingredients until it forms a thick consistency, similar to toothpaste. Using the paste will help you remove deeper stains on your stone that regular wiping and scraping connote remove.
• Scrub the stains away using the paste. Use a stone brush or soft toothbrush to clean the stone. Note that it is best to use small, circular motions and aim for the discolored areas to clean them thoroughly.
• Wipe the stone with a damp cloth. Wipe the layer of paste using a damp cloth after scrubbing. Also, you can revisit the problem areas with the paste and brush after you wipe the stone. So, it is best to repeat the process until the result satisfies your preferences.
• Wait for the stone to dry completely. Because this cleaning method will allow moisture into your stone, you will let it dry for longer. Make sure there is no leftover moisture that could damage your stone before using it again. It is also best to store your pizza stone at room temperature to prevent cracking and breaking.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you use a pizza stone on a gas grill?

Like charcoal grills, pizza stone also works on gas grills. It can help the pizza cook evenly without worrying about the pie sticking on the grill grates.

To use it, turn one side of the grill on. Then, place the stone directly over the hot burner. It will cook much faster compared to charcoal grills. Once the pizza starts browning, transfer it to the other side of the grill—where the burner is off. The pizza will continue to cook via indirect heat, melting the cheese thoroughly.

2. What temperature do you grill pizza stones?

The ideal temperature for your pizza stone is about 400 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Usually, it takes 30 minutes to achieve a consistent heat gauge. But to reach such a temperature quicker, it is best to install a hood if you don’t have any.

3. Which side of the pizza stone should I use?

There are pizza stones available in the market that works both ways. But many recommend using the smoother side to prevent the dough from sticking.

In cases where the stones have a flat or grooved side, you can choose the former. The latter may result in uneven cooking, which you don’t want on your pizza.

4. What can I use if I don’t have a pizza stone?

Investing in a decent pizza stone can elevate your baking and dining experience. But if yours is still out for delivery and can’t wait to bake a pie, you can use a cast iron pan instead.

Summary

Using a pizza stone on a grill is an excellent option to bake pizza, especially at backyard party events. But it would help if you did it correctly, or else you might ruin your food.

We hope that these steps and tips have helped you discover the possibilities of making pizzas using this technique. Lastly, don’t forget to check out our other articles about this unmatched pizza tool!