At the peak of quarantine, when everyone was baking banana bread and cooking three times a day, my husband and I also found ourselves experimenting in the kitchen. 2020 has been a year of culinary experiments for sure. One of the finer things I discovered on this home chef's journey is the pizza stone. I've gone from reheating my leftovers in the oven to now only using this tool. It adds a layer of warmth akin to that brick-oven feeling at your local pizza joint.
We found this round pizza stone [1] ($54) on Amazon [2], and let me tell you: it delivers some fine margherita pies. It comes in two other shapes (square and rectangular) because options are good to have. You'll get a workout from carrying it up the stairs, but you'll want to use it as soon as you open it (and then the day after that).
We typically order two pies (one Margherita and another topped with meat and veggies) from a nearby restaurant, and depending on how hungry we are, we'll let them cool off just so we can use the pizza stone. We throw it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 minutes, then reheat the pies one pair at at a time for two minutes each. I don't know how my husband arrived at this science, but it's the optimal time for the stone to warm up and the pizza to become crispy with a golden-brown crust.
That's about all it takes to have some restaurant-quality pizza in the comfort of your home. You don't need any cooking skills to use a stone, just an empty stomach and adventurous taste buds. Set your timer at each step and come back when it's done. The only potential side effect is a burnt tongue, but it may still be worth it, or you can just wait a few seconds before savoring your slices.
If you're up for the challenge, I've included some highly-rated options to shop. Get ready for Netflix [3] and pizza [4] nights at home!
Pizzacraft 16.5" Round ThermaBond Pizza Stone
We have been using this Pizzacraft 16.5" Round ThermaBond Pizza Stone [5] ($54) at least once a week, and at this point, we might as well stop going to restaurants because it delivers the same freshly made quality.
Honey-Can-Do Pizza Stone
This Honey-Can-Do Pizza Stone [6] ($26, originally $39) is a more affordable alternative that also makes bread, pastries, and vegetables.
Unicook Ceramic Pizza Grilling Stone
This Unicook Ceramic Pizza Grilling Stone [7] ($34) is great for baking pizza, bread and pastries at home.
Nordic Ware Pizza Stone Set
Make your own brick-oven pizza at home with this Nordic Ware Pizza Stone Set [8] ($11, originally $18).
Conductive Cooking Round Pizza Steel
You won't need to dine at restaurants when you can make high-quality pizzas in the comfort of your own home, thanks to this Conductive Cooking Round Pizza Steel [9] ($59).
CucinaPro Pizza Stone
You'll be tempted to watch Netflix and eat pizza every day with this CucinaPro Pizza Stone [10] ($40, originally $50).
All-Clad 00280 Stainless Steel Serving Tray with 13-inch Pizza-Baker Stone Insert and Pizza Cutter
For crispy, golden-brown crust pizzas, look no further than this All-Clad 00280 Stainless Steel Serving Tray with 13-inch Pizza-Baker Stone Insert and Pizza Cutter [11] ($125), which absorbs moisture and heat evenly to produce your pies.
Links:
[1] https://www.amazon.com/Pizzacraft-Round-ThermaBond-Baking-Pizza/dp/B005IF2ZNM?tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/food/pizza-stone-review-47912588/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_47912588__t_w__d_d_
[2] https://www.amazon.com/?tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/food/pizza-stone-review-47912588/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_47912588__t_w__d_d_
[3] https://www.popsugar.co.uk/entertainment/shows-and-movies-like-grand-army-47892353
[4] https://www.popsugar.co.uk/tag/Pizza
[5] https://www.amazon.com/Pizzacraft-Round-ThermaBond-Baking-Pizza/dp/B005IF2ZNM?tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/food/pizza-stone-review-47912588/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_47912588__t_w__d_d_
[6] https://www.amazon.com/Old-Stone-Oven-Round-Pizza/dp/B07ZV3NPR7/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3IZDUB6G4Y0SH&dchild=1&keywords=pizza+stones&qid=1603463675&refinements=p_72:2661618011&rnid=2661617011&sprefix=pizza+stones,aps,150&sr=8-4&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/food/pizza-stone-review-47912588/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_47912588__t_w__d_d_
[7] https://www.amazon.com/Unicook-Ceramic-Grilling-Resistant-Rectangular/dp/B06XGV3RS4/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3IZDUB6G4Y0SH&dchild=1&keywords=pizza+stones&qid=1603463675&refinements=p_72:2661618011&rnid=2661617011&sprefix=pizza+stones,aps,150&sr=8-3&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/food/pizza-stone-review-47912588/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_47912588__t_w__d_d_
[8] https://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Pizza-Stone-Set/dp/B00K5ZOWD6/ref=sr_1_13?crid=3IZDUB6G4Y0SH&dchild=1&keywords=pizza+stones&qid=1603463675&refinements=p_72:2661618011&rnid=2661617011&sprefix=pizza+stones,aps,150&sr=8-13&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/food/pizza-stone-review-47912588/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_47912588__t_w__d_d_
[9] https://www.amazon.com/Conductive-Cooking-Round-Standard-Version/dp/B085S6RD5C/ref=sr_1_17_sspa?crid=3IZDUB6G4Y0SH&dchild=1&keywords=pizza+stones&qid=1603463677&refinements=p_72:2661618011&rnid=2661617011&sprefix=pizza+stones,aps,150&sr=8-17-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzVVEyRUhMVUg3ODZCJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjE1ODU0TDI5QU9RSjBQV0czJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxNjMxOTgyMlRES1NKVFVLTFlVJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmX25leHQmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/food/pizza-stone-review-47912588/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_47912588__t_w__d_d_
[10] https://www.amazon.com/CucinaPro-Rectangular-Baking-Stone-Perfect/dp/B005CXD02A/ref=sr_1_26?crid=3IZDUB6G4Y0SH&dchild=1&keywords=pizza+stones&qid=1603463677&refinements=p_72:2661618011&rnid=2661617011&sprefix=pizza+stones,aps,150&sr=8-26&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/food/pizza-stone-review-47912588/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_47912588__t_w__d_d_
[11] https://www.amazon.com/All-Clad-Stainless-Serving-13-inch-Pizza-Baker/dp/B0000E2OAP/ref=sr_1_50?crid=3IZDUB6G4Y0SH&dchild=1&keywords=pizza+stones&qid=1603463916&refinements=p_72:2661618011&rnid=2661617011&sprefix=pizza+stones,aps,150&sr=8-50&tag=popsugarshopx-20&asc_source=none&asc_campaign=none&asc_refurl=www.popsugar.co.uk/food/pizza-stone-review-47912588/print&ascsubtag=___psv__p_47912588__t_w__d_d_
