Pizza Stone Help

[Jambalaya]

Almost every site I read tells me I should just go to the store and get unglazed ceramic tile to use as a pizza stone, its a lot cheaper. Well, I have tried all over my area including the big nationwide hardware chains plus local tile shops and no one carries this item. I have been led to beleive by most posters this item is a piece of cake to get. Please help me and suggest where I can purchase such an item. I live approximately 40 miles east of Cleveland, Ohio.

Thanks

[muchohucho]

I would be suspicious of anything manufactured for a floor or otherwise not food grade. Why risk it? I did buy a Pampered Chef Pizza Stone and it cracked in half first use. I had let it season in the over while cooking a turkey the day before. The pizza came out great, but the stone is now broken. Good luck trying to get a hold of Pampered Chef to make good on the warranty. Just a warning.

[CookforFun]

Pampered Chef has an excellent stone!

[exvaxman]

Not sure if the brand is around anymore, but I have several Superstone products, and I couldn't live without either of the bread ones (Large peasant loaf and french). However, the Chicago Style pizza one that they sold is wonderful - nomatter what style of pizza you make. I picked up a couple of spares at a goodwill for under $5 each. Your mileage may vary.

[grampart]

http://www.bakingstone.com/

[JoanN]

Having broken innumerable quarry tiles and one BB&B pizza stone, I recently said the hell with it and bought the largest FibraMent that would fit on the floor of my oven. I haven't even made pizza with it yet, just a pissaladiere, so it's too early for an informed report. But I think I'm going to be one happy camper.

[MysticYoYo]

Just last night I saw an ep of Good Eats in which Alton Brown was baking bread. He eschews pizza stones (something about them cracking?) and advocates using a large, unglazed terracotta planter saucer. He inverted it and placed the ball of dough on top. Apparently it's much cheaper than a pizza stone. Also, he noted that one should put the saucer in a cold oven before heating it.

I would carefully wash it and let it dry out before use. Garden shops and hardware stores are notoriously dusty/dirty.

[JockY]

Interesting idea.Did he happen to say how he covers the drain hole?

[MysticYoYo]

It didn't have a drain hole. It was one of those saucers that sits underneath the pot. I've seen them for just a couple of bucks (if that much) in Wal-Mart and some hardware stores, etc.

[Alan408]

"I've seen them for just a couple of bucks " A red clay saucer for a couple of bucks will be ~4"-5" diameter. Expect to pay ~$15 for a 12"-14", ~$25for a 14"-16".

[Zeldog]

Sometimes AB just likes to find clever alternative methods, even if they aren't really any better than traditional. And I just priced a 14 inch saucer at Home Depot, and it costs a couple dollars more than a pizza stone of similar size.

[Zeldog]

This $20 baking stone will do the job just fine.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/produ...

[dave2]

Try a search for oven or baking stones at pizzamaking.com. It will probably take you a few days to go thur the info, but it's covered to the Nth degree.

Dave

[cheetobrain]

I sent my husband to get an unglazed tile at HD and he came home with a slab of marble. will that work as a baking stone, or should I send him back to return it? My guess is that it will hold the heat well, but is it porous enough to absorb moisture and give a nice crust?

[JockY]

No, it will crack along natural fault lines in the stone. You might want to keep it for baking though. Put it in the fridge for an hour or two and it makes a great surface for pastries - especially laminated doughs (Danish and the like.)

[cheetobrain]

thank you! I didn't think it would work, but hubs won't take my word for it...

[JockY]

There might be a terminology problem here. Ceramic tile only comes glazed so if you go to the store and ask for unglazed you won't find it.

What you need to ask for is quarry tile which is readily available all over the country. Be sure to get the 1/2" thick tiles though. The thinner ones are too fragile and can crack easily.

Quarry tile is the kind you see on many commercial kitchen floors while ceramic tile is the kind used on residential kitchen counters (amongst other things.)

[Jambalaya]

Thanks for that clarification and it may explain my problem. Will quarry tile have a shiny surface to it which to my uneducated tile experience would seem to be a glaze? I'm just trying to anticipate if I will have several to pick from I want to make sure I don't get something that will flake off on my bread when I stick it in the oven the first time.

[Zeldog]

There's not a lot of consistency about what's considered a quarry tile, so don't assume it's unglazed just because of what they call it. Some so called quarry tiles are glazed but have a matte finish to give them a natural look, and some places call any tile 12 inches square or larger a quarry tile, regardless of what it's made of. Just put a drop of water (or spit if you must) on the surface. If it doesn't immediately soak into the tile, it's glazed, and won't make a good baking stone. Me, I don't like the way loose tiles shift around when you throw a loaf or pizza on them, so I use a relatively inexpensive baking stone I got from Sur La Table or someplace like that many years ago.

[JockY]

It won't have the shiny glaze like you see on a ceramic tile but as Zeldog says, some have a matte finish on them. The unglazed tiles are pretty easy to spot; they have a slightly rough surface and no hint of sheen on them.
The most common size is a 6"x6"x1/2" thick. There are some different colors but the most common is a terra cotta red. The color doesn't matter.

[Kelli2006]

I would just get a basic stone at Bed Bath and Beyond w/ a coupon. You will not save that much with the current price of gas.

R&Rer, I have seen the Dean supply ads on food TV. Is it hard to get to if I am coming from I-77S?

I used to work near west side and downtown, so I know the area very well.

[rockandroller1]

Honestly, Mr. RNR has been there several times but I have not; I recommend the place based on his opinion. But I actually think it's off 77!

[rockandroller1]

I don't think they're THAT expensive new that you should stress yourself out looking for one. But if you want cheaper than normal retail, maybe try Dean Supply or SS Kemp?

[Jambalaya]

Human nature is a funny thing. Whenever someone posts looking for a pizza stone it seems everyone hops on telling them don't waste your money just get some tile. Now when I go on looking for the tile I get the advice not to bother with it and buy the stone. Thanks a lot for your suggestion but just so everyone reading this knows what's out there let me report what I found.

Once I knew to ask for quarry tile I went right to Lowes (less than a $.50 gas ride from my home and I was on errands anyway) and they had plenty. Four 8" X 8" pieces for $0.77 each. I would say that beats any pizza stone price hands down. As is the case with anything there are pluses and minuses and the individual has to weigh all of these to decide what's best in his/her case. For me the tiles worked like a charm. Thanks again for your input.

[rockandroller1]

I'm glad that worked out for you, everyone definitely is different. FWIW I paid $7 for my stone and it came with a peel and a pizza cutter, both things I needed also to make pizza, so for me it was worth the extra money.