If you own a wood burning stove and love making homemade pizzas, you might be wondering if it’s possible to combine your two passions. The answer is yes, and it’s made easy with a pizza stone. In this concise guide, we’ll explore the technical details of using a pizza stone with your wood burning stove and how to achieve delicious, wood-fired pizza right at home.
1. Choosing the Right Pizza Stone
When using a pizza stone in a wood burning stove, it’s important to select the right one. Here’s what to look for:
a. Material: Opt for a pizza stone made from cordierite or refractory stone. These materials can withstand high temperatures without cracking.
b. Size: The stone should fit comfortably inside your stove, allowing enough space for airflow around it.
c. Thickness: A thicker stone will retain heat better and result in a crispier crust.
2. Preparing Your Wood Burning Stove
Before you begin using your pizza stone, ensure your wood burning stove is prepared:
a. Build a Fire: Start a fire in your stove using dry, well-seasoned wood. Allow it to burn until you have a bed of hot coals and a steady, even temperature.
b. Position the Stone: Place your pizza stone on the stove’s grates or on an elevated rack, ensuring it’s level and stable.
c. Preheat the Stone: Let the stone heat up for at least 30-60 minutes. This ensures that it reaches the desired cooking temperature and prevents a soggy crust.
3. Preparing the Pizza
While the pizza stone is preheating, prepare your pizza:
a. Pizza Dough: Roll out your pizza dough to your desired size and thickness.
b. Toppings: Add your favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings.
4. Baking Your Pizza
a. Pizza Peel: To transfer the pizza to the hot stone, use a pizza peel dusted with cornmeal or flour. This prevents sticking.
b. Slide the Pizza: Carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated stone inside your wood burning stove.
c. Close the Door: Close the stove door to trap the heat inside. The intense heat from the stone cooks the pizza quickly and evenly.
5. Monitoring the Cooking
Keep an eye on your pizza as it cooks. It should take just a few minutes, typically 3-5 minutes, to cook to perfection. The crust should be crisp, and the cheese should melt and bubble.
6. Remove and Serve
Use your pizza peel to carefully slide the cooked pizza out of the wood burning stove. Let it cool for a minute before slicing and serving.
7. Maintenance and Tips
a. After each use, allow the stone to cool completely before removing it from the stove.
b. Clean the stone with a dry brush or cloth; do not use water or soap, as the stone can absorb these and affect its performance.
c. Avoid sudden temperature changes to prevent cracking.
Conclusion
Using a pizza stone in your wood burning stove is a rewarding way to create delicious, wood-fired pizzas at home. By selecting the right stone, properly preheating your stove, and monitoring the cooking process, you can enjoy crispy, restaurant-quality pizza right from your own kitchen. Just remember to choose high-quality materials, practice proper safety, and keep your pizza stone well-maintained for many enjoyable pizza nights to come.