Looking to make a crispy, sumptuous pizza at home that can compete with your favorite pizzeria? Grill-friendly pizza stones can make all the difference. While you can bake an okay pie in your outdoor pizza oven, using a conventional baking sheet typically results in burned crusts, a soggy bottom, or unevenly baked pizza. This is why pizza stones are so important. However, all pizza stones are not built equal. Some cook more evenly, clean easier, and feature more ergonomic designs, while others fall flat. This is why you must go out of your way to look for the best. So, which pizza stone should you buy? Start your comparison shopping with our recommendations below.
The Best Pizza Stones for the Grill or Oven
With there being so many options, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your needs. To assist you in that regard, we have compiled a list of the top 12 pizza stones for oven and grill owners on the market today.
1. Lodge Pizza Stone | Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Baking Pan
View in galleryBuy now The Lodge P14P3 pan is not a true pizza stone, thanks to its cast iron construction. However, it is a fantastic alternative that you should consider, as it makes some of the best pies in the game. Comparing a traditional pizza stone vs cast iron alternatives, the major advantages of the latter are heat retention and uniform heating. As a result, this pan is great at collecting all of the heat from your grill effectively and distributing it evenly across its surface. This is critical for achieving a consistently crispy, golden-brown crust. Another thing you will love about this pan is that it has been pre-seasoned with oil, so your pizzas will not stick. This also makes cleaning much simpler. Moreover, since it is black, you won’t have to worry about stains as you would with a regular pizza stone. Nonetheless, weighing in at 11 pounds, it is considerably heftier than conventional pizza stones. Fortunately, it comes with handles to make it easy to transport. You will also appreciate the generous diameter of this 14 inch pizza stone that allows you to make larger pies.
2. Char-Griller Stone for Kamado Grill | 6211 Smokin’ Stone Jr
View in galleryBuy now The Char-Griller 6211 Smokin’ Stone Jr cordierite stone is specially made for the Char-Griller Akorn Jr. Kamado grill. The stone serves as a heat deflector as well as a warming stone. This unique design allows the stone to divert direct heat towards the perimeter of the grill, ensuring uniform temperatures around your pizza. The stone is crafted from cordierite ceramic, a durable material renowned for its high heat retention, high moisture absorption, and impressive thermal shock resistance properties. This means that you can preheat your oven to the high temperatures necessary for baking pizza without fear of damaging the stone. On the other hand, its high thermal shock tolerance ensures that the stone can withstand sudden changes in temperatures without experiencing structural damage. As such, you can remove it from the hot oven and place it on a cold surface without worrying about cracking. The Char-Griller 6211 Smokin’ Stone Jr is a multi-purpose stone that can also be used as a slow cooker for meats. You may also use it to make other items besides pizza, such as bread and cookies.
3. CastElegance | Thermarite Pizza Stone for Gas Grill
View in galleryBuy now The Cast Elegance pizza stone is perfect for anyone searching for a round, traditional-style pizza stone for their grill. It comes pre-seasoned and ready to use right out of the box. This pizza stone is made from Thermarite, a high-density form of cordierite stone that is heated to over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit during the manufacturing process. As a result, it is as tough as it can get and can withstand the intense heat of a grill. There are a few more benefits of using the Thermarite material. One of these is improved moisture absorption, resulting in exceptionally crispy pizza crusts. The other is proper heat retention. This ensures that your pizza receives an even distribution of heat. The absence of any odor is possibly the best feature of the Cast Elegance pizza stone; the heat used to create this stone destroys any biological materials that might cause odors. It also comes with a scraper to keep it clean and sanitary.
4. NerdChef | Steel Pizza Stone for Grills & BBQs
View in galleryBuy now Prepare to wow your loved ones with your culinary skills when using the NerdChef Steel Stone. This steel pizza stone has been designed to help your pizza cook faster and more evenly. Compared to standard baking stones, steel has 20 times the conductivity and can store double the amount of heat. As a result, your pizza dough will be cooked more thoroughly, resulting in luscious crusts. The NerdChef Steel Stone features a sanded-smooth low-friction surface. As such, the pizza will slide easily across your BBQ grates due to the slick surface. For easier handling, this pizza stone has finger slots on the sides that make it easier to grasp. It is also incredibly durable, thanks to its solid steel construction. With proper maintenance, NerdChef products will last a lifetime.
5. Emile Henry | Flame Top 14″ Pizza Stone
View in galleryBuy now The French-made Emile Henry pizza stone is quite unusual in appearance for a pizza stone. For starters, the manufacturer utilized a technique known as “glazing” to give this stone a distinct shine. However, this type of finishing tends to upset some people because it gives off the impression that it does not have a porous surface. Fortunately, despite its smooth appearance, the surface is “micro-crazed,” which means that while the shine appears to be unaltered, it has numerous small fractures that allow the stone to absorb moisture. As such, this stone is still capable of producing a crisp, dry crust on every pizza prepared on it. This stone is categorized as flameware, which distinguishes it from the bulk of its competitors. This means you can cook this pizza stone over a fire pit, on the grill, or even in your oven’s broiler. The stone warms up evenly to produce fantastic results. Additionally, unlike most cordierite pizza stones on the market today, this stone may be washed in the same manner as your other equipment, with soap and water as well as in the dishwasher. Additionally, the added glaze makes the surface non-stick, making cleaning up a breeze.
6. Unicook | Rectangular Pizza Stone for Grill
View in galleryBuy now If you plan on putting your stone on a rectangle grill grate, or if you like rectangular pies, Unicook’s heavy-duty pizza stone is an excellent option to consider. The Unicook Heavy Duty Cordierite Pizza Stone features a Cordierite stone construction. This material allows it to withstand sudden temperature fluctuations and highs of up to 1,450 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also devoid of any unpleasant scents, in addition to being remarkably durable. Unicook’s flagship rectangular pizza stone produces excellent crusts on both fresh and frozen pizzas. It may also be used to make bread and cookies. Its large dimensions also make it an excellent fit for those looking to make larger pizzas.
7. Unicook | Pizza Stone for Grill and Oven
View in galleryBuy now The Unicook 10.25 inch pizza stone is a great choice for those looking to make medium-sized pies in the oven or grill. Of course, it also comes in various sizes to allow you to choose a size that suits your needs. It is made of cordierite, a material that can withstand temperatures of up to 2100 degrees Fahrenheit. This means you won’t have to worry about damaging the pizza stone if you use it at high temperatures. It has an almost undetectable microporous layer that aids in removing excess moisture from your food during cooking. Unicook also includes a complimentary multi-purpose scraper to help you keep the stone clean at all times.
8. Pizzacraft | ThermaBond 16″ Pizza Stone
View in galleryBuy now This 16″+ pizza stone by Pizzacraft has been designed to make your cooking as efficient as possible. You will love how it eliminates hot spots, resulting in an evenly heated, crispy, brown crust. Additionally, thanks to its impressive thermal shock resilience, you can even place cold foods on the hot surface without fear of fractures. Furthermore, the Pizzacraft pizza stone does not require any seasoning or conditioning with oil. This means that you may use it right out of the box. Keep in mind that the stone is made of thermabond, which tends to stink if you attempt to season it with oil. To prepare this stone for use, simply sprinkle the base with flour instead. One drawback to this stone is that it is quite heavy. Additionally, it does not come with grips for handling or support. As such, consider using oven mitts when handling it to avoid scalding your hands.
9. Hans Grill | Pizza Stone and Peel
View in galleryBuy now The Hanz Grill Pizza 16-inch baking stone is one of the most popular pizza stones on the market today. It features a thick, robust, durable ceramic construction with an unglazed surface. Additionally, with its 16-inch diameter, it is among the largest stones in the game, making it ideal for making large pizzas. Hanz Grill’s pizza stone is also renowned for its cooking efficiency. It heats up rapidly and evenly while also spreading and maintaining heat for extended lengths of time, resulting in a shorter cooking time. Sweetening the deal further, this pizza stone comes in a bundle that includes a complimentary wooden peel.
10. Lirradight | Cooking Stones for Grills
View in galleryBuy now The Lirradight Pizza Stone cooks pizzas, bread, biscuits, and other baked goods. It fits easily into most standard-sized ovens while still having enough room to handle a big enough pizza to feed the whole family. The stone is made of all-natural formed cordierite molded with 400 tons of pressure and heated for hours at above 2,100 degrees F. That may appear excessive, but it implies that this pizza stone for grill owners can endure years of constant use at typical temperatures. As you may be aware, the longer you own a pizza stone, the more seasoned it becomes. Consequently, its longevity makes each pizza more delectable than the last.
11. Kamado Joe | Pizza Stone for Big Joe II and III
View in galleryBuy now This pizza stone by Kamado Joe is of the specialist variety, as it has been made specifically for the Big Joe II and III 24-inch grills. It comes pre-seasoned, meaning you can use it right out of the box. The ceramic stone base ensures that your pizza cooks evenly while also holding moisture to keep it crispy and delicious. It is also fantastic for making bread and casseroles. Kamado Joe’s pizza stone is extremely simple to clean. After using, simply brush it using a wire BBQ brush and put it in a dry place. Avoid using cleaning solutions since the stone will absorb them. To keep your pizza from burning, use the stone in conjunction with the Kamado Joe Heat Deflector for fool-proof results.
12. Blaze | Ceramic Pizza Stone with Stainless Steel Tray
View in galleryBuy now The Blaze Ceremic pizza stone is designed to work exclusively with the LUX grills from Blaze Professional. As such, you cannot use it with the Blaze Premium LTE Grills, Blaze Premium LTE2 Grills, or Blaze Original Grills It comes with a stainless steel tray that elevates the stone for more efficient cooking. The tray is intended to sit securely on the grill’s ledges, which contain the searing rods; just remember to remove the rods before placing the stone on the ledge. This stone can accommodate temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to achieve a crispy and delicious crust. You will also appreciate how easy it is to clean afterward. As with all other Blaze pizza stones, this one also comes with a one-year guarantee.
Choosing the Best Pizza Stone for Your Grill
Pizza stones have significant differences that make them appeal to different people. That means that you will need to consider your needs or preferences first to narrow down your options. Here are the most crucial factors to consider while looking for the best pizza stone for your gas, pellet, or charcoal grill.
Type
These stones are made of different materials. The material a pizza stone is made of determines its heat retention capacity, moisture absorption rate, durability, and price. The most common materials include:
Cordierite
Cordierite is a mineral widely recognized for its capacity to withstand extremely high temperatures and thermal shock. This means that you can move it from chilly to hot conditions without shattering it. It will also absorb oven heat and reflect it out evenly and reliably. A cordierite pizza stone’s capacity to absorb moisture is another essential property. The stone absorbs all of the moisture from the dough while the pizza bakes, resulting in a crispy crust. These stones come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Just keep in mind that the thicker the stone, the longer it will take to warm in the oven.
Ceramic
Ceramic is essentially clay that has been molded and hardened in a kiln. Because they retain and transfer heat at extremely high temperatures, ceramic stones are ideal for baking pizza. In addition, they distribute heat evenly, which is crucial for excellent pizza, and with appropriate care, they may last for a very long time. While ceramic stones tend to be more brittle than cordierite stones, they should last long if you take appropriate care of them. Additionally, ceramic pizza stones are typically cheaper than cordierite stones.
Steel
Pizza steels have grown in popularity in recent years. That is because steels are excellent at absorbing and transmitting extremely high heat. These are thus ideal pizza stones for smoker, BBQ, or grill owners. Another advantage that steel has over conventional stones is its exceptional durability and inability to suffer from heat stress. Nonetheless, pizza steels tend to be heavy and more difficult to handle. Pizza steels are also pricier on average.
Heat Resistance
Pizza stones are designed to withstand high temperatures. The ideal model should be able to withstand temperatures ranging from 700 to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Warranty
The majority of pizza stones are designed to last a lifetime. However, this does not rule out the possibility of some issues, such as design flaws resulting in cracks. Therefore, it is critical that you choose a product with a reasonable warranty to protect yourself from manufacturer defects. A good pizza stone should be backed by a one-year warranty at the very least. Remember to read the warranty terms carefully so you can be sure about what the manufacturer covers.
Best Pizza Stone for Grills: Conclusion
Making the perfect pizza at home can be tricky if you do not have the right tools for the job. Apart from your culinary skills, pizza stones are arguably the most important tool you need to make good pizza. Nonetheless, as these stones differ considerably in quality and practicality, you will have to exercise due diligence to choose the best pizza stone for a grill. Hopefully, our reviews have brought you one step closer to identifying the best stone for your needs.
