I LOVE cooking on my Traeger. I also love pizza.
The combination is unbeatable.
Making pizza on my Traeger grill has become my go-to recipe for summer nights in the backyard. The high heat capability and wood-fired test are massive benefits to cooking pizza on a Traeger.
But there's one massive problem: Traegers have hot spots - slightly uneven heat distribution.
While this isn't a big deal at all for grilling low and slow (as I usually do with my Traeger), pizzas should be baked hot and fast, especially if you want a crispy crust.
The problem is that these hot spots lead to burnt spots in the crust - not ideal.
The solution is simple: Buy the best pizza stone for Traeger grills.
Why You Should Buy a Pizza Stone for Your Traeger Grill
There are 4 primary reasons why you should buy a pizza stone for your Traeger grill:
- Even heat distribution: A pizza stone helps distribute heat evenly across the surface of your pizza, which ensures that the crust cooks evenly and doesn't burn in certain spots. This is especially important when cooking on a Traeger grill, which can sometimes have hot spots or uneven heat distribution.
- Crispier crust: The high heat of a Traeger grill can help create a crispy crust on your pizza, but you risk burning parts of the crust because of its slightly uneven heat distribution. A pizza stone makes this a cinch, absorbing the heat and distributing it evenly. Plus, the porous surface of the stone absorbs moisture from the dough, which helps create a crispy, crunchy crust that's similar to that of a brick oven pizza.
- Versatility: While a pizza stone is primarily used for making pizzas, it can also be used for cooking other foods like bread, cookies, and even vegetables. This makes it a versatile tool that can help you get the most out of your Traeger grill.
- Easy to clean: Pizza stones are typically easy to clean, requiring only a quick scrub with a brush or scraper to remove any stuck-on food. This makes them a convenient tool to have in your grilling arsenal.
Overall, a pizza stone can be a great investment for anyone who loves to grill or cook on a Traeger grill. It can help elevate your pizzas to the next level and expand the range of foods you can cook on your grill.
The 5 Best Pizza Stone for Traeger Grills:
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1) Unicook Pizza Stone for Grill Oven
The best pizza stone for Traeger grills is the Unicook Pizza Stone.
The Unicook pizza stone is a popular choice among grill and oven enthusiasts. It is made of high-quality cordierite material, which can withstand temperatures up to 1,450°F without cracking or breaking. The stone is also designed to distribute heat evenly, ensuring that every pizza cooks evenly.
Cooking pizza has never been easier with this 0.6-inch thick Unicook pizza stone. It can withstand temperatures of up to 787 degrees. Plus, this is one of the thinner pizza stones. However, it can still absorb and retain heat well. So, with my pizza dough, sauce, and toppings, I was ready to test it. The crust came out well done, and it was a crispy crust but not hard.
Image source: pizzaovenreviews.com
Furthermore, it heats up quickly, which saves time when you need to bake. This pizza stone also holds up well on charcoal grills as well as the top propane pizza ovens.
This is the pizza stone I use for my Traeger grill, and I absolutely love it - I know you will, too.
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2) Honey-Can-Do Pizza Stone
Homemade pizza is a weekly festivity in my house. With this clay pizza stone, I made crowd-pleasing pizzas with little to no cleanup. Crafted from a blend of lead-free clays, this baking stone absorbs heat very well for that perfectly cooked crust. Of course, my Hawaiian pineapple and ham pizza had to be tested on this pizza stone.
Image Source: dontwasteyourmoney.com
Apart from a crispier crust, I was pleasantly surprised when other pizza ingredients didn't burn. Honestly, I thought the heat retention abilities would fry my cheese and pineapples. However, after taking the pizzas stone out of the oven, the pizzas stayed warm for long after. This is because the stone can retain heat for extended periods for fresh pizza.
Lastly, I find it easier to use this clay stone for baking cookies. I baked the cookies in half the time it would normally take me. I have also tried baking artisan bread, which turned out fine on this good-quality pizza stone. However, I prefer using the oven without the stone.
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3) Hans Rectangular Pizza Stone
Most cordierite pizza stones look like wood. Cordierite stone is a mineral that can keep up with extreme temperatures well. I used this pizza stone a few times and was surprised at how hot it gets. Once in the oven, it reached 500 degrees and held this temperature until the pizza was done. My sausage toppings didn't burn, thanks to the crispy crust.
Image Source: love2bbq.com
The best part about this pizza stone is I used it in the indoor oven and the outdoor Traeger charcoal grill. Check out the top 11 best indoor pizza ovens here. The outdoor pizza came out with a smoky flavor and turned out delicious, especially with how much cheese I grated onto the pizza.
While I let the cordierite reach 500 degrees, it can easily reach 600 degrees, which is perfect for a baking stone when I need to bake some pita bread. Before using it, I oiled the stone with some olive oil to prevent sticking. But before you do that, ensure your choice of oil has no discernible smell, or your pizzas will all come out smelling like oil.
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4) Cast Elegance Pizza Stone
Since I use all my pizza stones on an open flame on my Traeger grill, I like optimal cooking conditions. This pizza stone is made from thermarite, which absorbs moisture to avoid a soggy crust. Anytime I use this pizza stone, I can rest assured that the crust won't absorb moisture.
Image Source: simplemost.com
Additionally, my stuffed crust was well-cooked on both sides. Not so crispy as to taste dry, but not soggy either. This was the perfect balance for my cheese and pepperoni pizza. Additionally, the heat from the stone can still lightly roast some vegetable toppings. These toppings were delicious when lightly charred.
Unlike my high-temperature pizza oven, this pizza stone doesn't take long to heat up, and pizza is easier to peel off. Also, like most baking stones, it is easier to bake on the stone since the heat distribution is even.
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5) Emile Henry Pizza Stone
Do you have many mouths to feed? This 2-piece pizza stone set is perfect for crispier crusts. Ceramic pizza stones have a high heat tolerance and distribution. Ceramic stones are perfect for grilled pizza on an open-flame grill. My pizza went on smoothly on the pizza stone, and when it came out, it wasn't stuck on the stone, unlike my pizza pan.
Image source: crateandbarrel.com
This is a good pizza stone when you have a backyard BBQ grill. My annual backyard BBQ was last weekend, and every homemade pizza was done in 20 minutes. Additionally, I could cater to different pizza needs for vegans and meat lovers.
With 2 pairs of this top pizza stone, you can keep the pizzas coming, have a good time, and contemplate whether homemade pizza is really healthy. Ceramic stone is easy to clean and is dishwasher safe.
However, I prefer to handwash mine. You can use soap and water with this pizza stone, unlike most pizza stones. I use a sponge to clean it. I then let it thoroughly dry before the next use.
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Traeger Pizza Stone Buying Guide
Before you buy a pizza stone for your Traeger grill, here are some important things you should consider:
a) Size and Shape
The size and shape of your pizza stone for a Traeger grill will depend on the size of your grill and your personal preferences. Generally, pizza stones come in a range of sizes, from 12 inches in diameter to 16 inches or more.
It's important to choose a pizza stone that fits comfortably on the grill grates of your Traeger grill and leaves enough space for air to circulate around it. If the pizza stone is too large, it may obstruct the flow of air and affect the cooking of your food. All of the pizza stones recommended above will fit comfortably on standard Traegers.
In terms of shape, round pizza stones are the most common, but you can also find rectangular and square-shaped stones. Again, the shape you choose will depend on your personal preference and the shape of your Traeger grill.
b) Maintenance
Knowing how to use and maintain your pizza stone for the Traeger grill is important. Since these pizza stones achieve high temperatures, they must cool down before cleaning happens. Even if you are baking bread, you need to let the pizza stone cool down before scraping any sticky residue.
Furthermore, if you put your pizza stone directly in water when it's super hot, you risk your pizza stone going into thermal shock. Thermal shock can cause cracks and chips in your pizza stone. Whether baking steel or ceramic pizza stones, it is recommended to follow the maintenance instructions.
c) Material of Pizza Stone
Ultimately, the most important factor is that the pizza stone is made of high-quality, food-grade material that can withstand the high temperatures of the Traeger grill without cracking or breaking.
There are different materials used to make pizza stones. Each material requires care and maintenance.
i) Cordierite
You might have seen cordierite in some people's kitchens. It is used to make beautiful kiln shelves. Additionally, this mineral has a high heat tolerance, making it perfect as a baking surface. A cordierite pizza stone is easy to cook pizza on because it absorbs excess moisture to give you a crispy and delicious crust.
ii) Ceramic
A ceramic pizza stone is made from clay which is lighter than other materials like iron. So it is recommended for people who have a problem lifting heavy things. Ceramics also takes time to heat up. However, it also takes time to cool down. So a ceramic pizza stone will give you a crisp crust and keep your pizza warm for long.
iii) Cast Iron
Cast iron is one of the hardest cooking materials. However, the best thing about cast iron is that it cannot undergo thermal shock. This makes it perfect for making pizza and baking bread and other foods. Additionally, you can easily use a cast iron stone on a countertop oven or pellet grill without a problem.
Cast iron has no problem gaining and retaining heat. It will keep your pizza hot for ages. Even though cast iron is durable, it is recommended to let it cool down.
d) Heat Capacity
To make a pizza on a pizza stone, it needs to be able to sustain and conduct high temperatures. A stone that can conduct 600 to 900 degrees is perfect for baking. To control the heat, preheating the stone over a grill will help to maintain high temperatures. This is important, especially if the stone is thicker.
To properly heat a pizza stone, it is recommended to heat it for at least 1 hour continuously.
e) Thick vs Thin
Thicker stones are better for cooking on. This is because 1-inch stones are heavier, more durable, and while they take a while to heat up, they conduct heat very well. A thicker stone will also distribute heat evenly and therefore cook pizza more evenly than thinner stones.
Final Word: Best Pizza Stone for Traeger Grill
On a side-by-side, grilling a pizza on a Traeger grill is as easy as grilling it in an oven. There are endless possibilities when using a Traeger grill, especially if you enjoy cooking. To clean the pizza stone, gently brush it and wipe it down after use.
Featured Image Source: twitter.com
FAQs - Traeger Pizza Stone
Can you use a pizza stone on a Traeger?
Yes, and you should use a pizza stone on your Traeger for the best results.
What size pizza stone fits in Traeger?
You should buy a 14-16 inch pizza stone for your Traeger.
Should I use a pizza stone on a pellet grill?
You don't need a pizza stone for your pellet grill, but it definitely helps to make consistently great crusts.
What is the best material for pizza stone on grill?
The best material for pizza stones on grills is cordierite, which resists heat, prevents cracking, and absorbs excess moisture.