Do you want to up your pizza-making game? Or Do you want to achieve the perfect shape and structure of pizza? Then you need to use the best California pizza stones. These are made using high-quality non-toxic mullite with a very high quantity of grog.
They have a rugged and rough texture and are available in different shapes and sizes, but the round stone is the best. California Pizza Stones is a small family-owned business that produces unique pizza stones. They have a lot of designs so let us help you choose an ideal one.
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1. California Square Industrial Stone
We highly recommend the 16 x 16 x 1 inch California square industrial stone to people looking for durability. It is made of high-quality non-toxic mullite that withstands extreme temperature changes without cracking due to thermal shock.
Image Credits: Amazon.com
We added it to our list because of its durability; the high-quality non-toxic mullite was also porous, enabling it to draw excess moisture from the pizza base, thus avoiding a soggy pizza.
Since California pizza stones offered a 100% guarantee against cracking and thermal shock, we were sure that our stone would not crack under pressure, and if it did, they replaced the faulty pizza stones for free.
The square pizza stone measured 16 x 16 x 1 inch and weighed 16 pounds, making it hard to fit in a small conventional oven. However, we suggest you use it in a proper pizza oven as it is pre-heated rapidly without shattering under strain.
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2. California Round Pizza Baking Stone
The 15-inch California Round Pizza Baking Stone is my favorite for making the perfect pizza. If you are interested in pizza classics, then a round pizza should never miss on your menu. Of course, there could be other shapes of pizza, maybe square or rectangular, but the pizza can't be pizza if it is not round. The 15-inch symmetry allowed us to cut our pizza into 6 or 8 equal sizes.
Image Credits: Amazon.com
The size made pizza making simple and easy, especially when we knew how to make homemade pizza dough. The stone gave us a perfect pizza as the crust came out perfectly crunchy.
This round stone also had many sizes that would fit most ovens. It was indestructible when exposed to intense heat; I highly recommend it to anyone. It was affordable since its price depended on your preferred size; we got the largest one for less than $100.
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3. California Rectangle Industrial Pizza Stone
We recommend the California rectangle industrial pizza stone as the best non-glazed and non-toxic stone for making pizza. In addition, we got a guarantee from its manufacturer that it would not crack under extreme heat during the baking process.
Image Credits: Amazon.com
We used it on a barbeque grill, but it was also suitable for baking in a wood-fired or a regular oven. The pizza stone came in different sizes, and the price depended on our preferred size. However, all the stones fitted in most ovens; since most ovens had rectangular oven dishes, we did not have a hard time choosing one.
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4. 14 x 16 x 1 Rectangle Industrial Pizza Stone
We recommend 14 x 16 x 1 Rectangle Industrial Pizza Stone as the best for regular ovens. It had a perfect size and shape for making a perfect homemade pizza. Like all the other mentioned California pizza stone models, it was made of high-quality materials and available in rough and rugged textures.
Image Credits: Amazon.com
Its structure also entailed a high quantity of grog, which made it indestructible when we exposed it to high temperatures. In addition, the stone was highly porous, thus allowing the absorption of moisture into the pizza while we were baking. So, if you love a crusty, crunchy pizza, you should not miss this stone in your kitchen.
These pizza stones are suitable for BBQ ovens, but we recommend you use them on a wood-fired pizza oven to get the best results. We got a quality guarantee when we pre-heated or re-used them frequently, as they did not crack during intense cooking sessions.
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5. California Custom Cut Pizza Stone
Did you know that you can get a custom-made California pizza stone? We ordered it since our oven was smaller than the available pizza stones; we visited the physical shop in Santa Rosa, then gave out our specifications and measurement for them to make us one.
Image Credits: nytimes.com
They had the best customer service and a same-day delivery plan. The custom-made California stone was made like the others with high-grade materials; the only difference was that it was made with our specialty.
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How To Use a Pizza Stone Properly
Pizza baking stones are basic requirements that make preparing pizza simple and efficient once you get the right model. You may not require a professional pizza oven or have the skills of a master chef to make a perfect pizza. You only need a high-quality baking stone that you can use on a regular oven to get started. If you already have your pizza stone, you need to:
- Heat the stone in your oven for 30 minutes or more, depending on its thickness.
- Once heated, you can remove the stone and place the dough on it.
- Use a pizza peel to place the pizza stone back in the heated oven and continue baking until your pizza is ready.
Factors To Consider When Buying the Best California Pizza Stones
1. Size and Shape
You should buy a pizza stone that will fit into your oven or grill. There are several pizza stones and steels that fit into wide pizza ovens. However, before buying, you need to have accurate measurements of your oven to ensure the pizza stone you buy will work.
The California pizza stones in our guide are designed for home ovens, BBQs, microwave ovens, and toaster ovens; scroll through and find the one that fits your needs and setup.
2. Texture
Pizza stones come with a rough side and a smooth side. Most chefs recommend that you cook on the rough side if you intend to control moisture affecting your pizza, and the outcome is always tremendous.
However, pizza dough has a glue texture, thus sticky. When you doubt, you can use the smooth side of your stone or buy a smooth textured stone to dust it using a small amount of semolina before you place your dough on it.
The smooth surface cuts down on adhesion, while the semolina flour acts as a dry lubricant to prevent the dough from burning. The effects of using semolina are adverse compared to using plain flour.
3. Thickness
It would help if you also considered the thickness of your baking stones before purchasing. If you have a conventional home oven, you will have to choose a thin California pizza stone as it is difficult for your oven to get hot or heat up as quickly as a BBQ or a pizza oven.
You can opt for pizza steel since it has better heat transference than other materials. It is also the best choice for a home oven than using a stone. However, if you have a BBQ, you will need a slightly thicker California pizza stone as it prevents intense heat from the gas or coal from charring your pizza.
The advantage of having the thickest pizza stones is that they work in a proper pizza oven. In addition, these pizza ovens heat up very quickly, making it possible to pre-heat a thicker stone or steel in a way conventional ovens can.
4. Quality
When buying pizza stones, you should always go for high-quality ones. However, choosing the California pizza stones will not be an issue for you. These pizza stones are handcrafted in the United States of America and are of the highest quality available.
They are made using clay that does not contain lead and thus is certified as non-toxic. They are also not glazed. As a result, California gives its pizza stone customers 100% assurance that their stones will not crack during cooking or baking.
5. Ease of Use
While buying the best pizza stones, you should also consider how easy it will be to use them. For instance, you will not get into any trouble while using California pizza stones since:
They are perfect for barbequing on an open flame; the stone does not crack under intense heat. However, you should not overheat your stones; you may risk burning your crust.
The stone does not crack until it reaches 2300 degrees, which is impossible. Also, while using these stones on the grill, you should ensure you have at least an inch gap around the stone for ventilation.
6. Ease of Cleaning
It is essential to choose a pizza stone that is easy to clean. California pizza stones are the best since you don't have to use oil to grease them since the pizza will not stick to the stone. Cleaning is easy as you only need a damp cloth. Avoid using soap while cleaning the pizza stone, as the fragrance may stick to the pizza stone.
Place your pizza stone in the oven and heat it to 450 degrees for 30 minutes to burn off any melted cheese or other food debris stuck on the pizza stone. The high heat is also essential in sanitizing and killing any germs on the pizza stone. After cleaning your stone, you can store it in the oven until its next use, but remember to always pre-heat the stone before using it.
Frequently Asked Questions On California Pizza Stones
1. Why Should I Choose California Pizza Stones?
California pizza stones is a second-generation small family-owned company that emphasizes customer satisfaction. They have a 100% guarantee that their stones do not crack from thermal shock and replace them if they do.
They have a wide range of pizza stones, from rough and rugged. They are made using a non-toxic mullite mixture with a high percentage of grog, making their pizza stones virtually indestructible.
You will get everything you need for pizza making there as they offer pizza stones in different shapes and sizes and pizza peel and picking crocks.
2. Why Should You Buy a Pizza Stone?
You need a pizza stone to perform two essential functions. First, preheat a pizza stone to provide an initial burst of heat to your pizza dough. The heat ensures that your crust heats to a crisp texture and puffs up into iconic Neapolitan-style bubbles.
Secondly, a pizza stone removes excess moisture from the base of your pizza, making it less likely to have a soggy bottom. So in the real sense, whether you prefer cooking in your home or a specific pizza oven, we recommend using a pizza stone to get the best results.
3. When Should You Not Use a Pizza Stone?
If you have a traditional wood-fired pizza oven, you do need a pizza stone as the oven has a pizza stone baked base. However, you will only need a pizza peel to shove your pizza inside the hot oven.
