Traditional pizza ovens are typically made using brick, concrete, clay, stone, and cob or ceramics. While techniques vary according to style, location, and budget, successful pizza ovens tend to have similar characteristics that make them work. If you are thinking of building a pizza oven, you may be wondering: Can you use granite for a pizza oven? We are here to delve into the details and find the answer for you.
Granite is not typically used as a pizza stone or as the floor of a pizza oven; however, it has properties that make it an excellent material to use for this purpose. Granite is a good conductor of heat and retains heat well. Chefs should make a few adaptations if using a granite pizza stone.
If you are in love with pizza (who isn’t, right?), you may have considered having your own pizza oven. Once you start doing research, you will find so many options for materials to use for your oven. Still, one that occurs pretty often is granite. Let’s journey down pizza lane together and find out if granite can be used for a pizza oven and why.
Can You Use Granite As A Pizza Oven Floor?
Pizza ovens are traditionally made using brick or clay. The materials used to make a difference to the quality of your oven, so you should research your options before making decisions. A pizza oven built with bricks has the advantage of being low maintenance. Clay ovens generally need more care during the build. An incorrect installation could result in the clay peeling or cracking.
Suppose you are considering using granite as the floor of a pizza oven. There are some positives and negatives to keep in mind in that case. Granite is a good conductor of heat, though it needs a long time to heat up. Because of the inconsistent nature of, well, nature, we also have no way to guarantee that all granite slabs are made equal. This fact means that granite may work well for one person and not so well for another.
Positives Of Using Granite As A Pizza Oven Floor
- Granite is good at reaching high temperatures and retaining the heat for a long time.
- It is relatively scratch-resistant since it is a hard rock.
- Granite is less likely to get stained than other rock.
Negatives Of Using Granite As A Pizza Oven Floor
- Granite needs a long time to heat up to avoid having it crack.
- Granite pieces are not identical, so it is difficult to predict how your stone will react to heat.
- Granite has been known to occasionally crack when exposed to heat.
- Polished granite is smoother than other stone, and this can result in cool granite being stickier for pizzas. A fix for this is to use more flour or corn starch under your base.
- Granite is expensive and heavy. It may be much more cost-effective to opt for fire bricks as they are used traditionally.
If you are considering using granite as the floor for your pizza oven, please do not use stone that was previously used as a countertop. The sealants used on countertops will emit harmful fumes if used in an oven. It is more ideal to use rock that has been fashioned specifically for this purpose.
Can You Use Granite As A Pizza Stone In An Oven?
It is possible to use granite as a pizza stone in a gas or electric oven; but there are a few facts to keep in mind if you wish to use this type of stone. Pizza stones are used to help get a crisp base.
They reduce the moisture in the dough and help the pizza become evenly cooked. Pizza stones are great for Italian-style pizzas that traditionally have thinner bases than American ones.
Traditional pizza stones are made with ceramics, cordierite stone, steel, or a composite material. They can be used in an oven or on a barbeque or grill. (If you are using a pizza stone (such as our favorite here on Amazon) you have purchased, it is best to read the instructions, as some stones cannot be used on certain grills, etc.) It is possible to use a pizza stone for baking loaves of bread and buns and pizza, and some use their granite pizza stones for food preparation and serving.
An important aspect to consider when using granite as a pizza stone is that it needs to be heated before use. Since granite takes a long time to heat up, you will need to allow for that time before cooking your pizza in your oven. Granite may take a while to heat up, but it also retains its heat for a long period of time. This fact means your pizza will stay warm on the stone while you enjoy a few slices at a time.
Granite is relatively scratch-resistant, which is a positive to using it as a pizza stone. It is remarkably smooth when polished, though, so you will need to add more flour on the surface before placing your pizza on it to be cooked. It is easy to clean and does not stain as easily as clay stones; however, granite is heavy. This may impact how you carry it in and out of your oven, and you will need to consider if your oven can take the weight.
Some love their granite pizza stones, and others say it is a dangerous undertaking to use granite in the oven. In the end, it may be wise to test your particular stone, in a safe environment, in the heat needed to bake a pizza before making a final decision.
What Can I Use As An Alternative To A Pizza Stone?
There are a few items you can use as an alternative to a pizza stone if you are not ready to purchase one. These items may not work quite as effectively, but they will likely get the job done and add some great crispiness to your pizza base at home.
Our Top Selection Of Pizza Stone Alternatives:
Try some of these alternatives if you don’t have a pizza stone and need to make a pizza in your oven in a hurry.
- A baking-tin
- Fire bricks
- A tile
- A cast-iron pot
- An inverted baking-tray
- A pizza-steel
- Pizza Stone
One of the best alternatives to a granite pizza stone is a steel pizza stone. It has a lot of the same properties, but is steel and you don’t have to worry about it cracking or taking as long to heat up.
Whatever you choose to use an alternative for a pizza stone, be sure to heat it up with the oven. It is ideal to place your raw pizza on a surface that is already hot to allow it to begin cooking immediately. We use pizza stones to recreate pizza oven conditions in our ovens at home. Anything that can replicate those conditions will go a long way towards making a delicious pizza.
Conclusion
Granite is not traditionally used for pizza ovens. That does not mean that it cannot be done. If you wish to use granite as part of your pizza oven or as a pizza stone in your indoor oven, be sure to allow enough time for the stone to heat up. Granite is an excellent option for pizza since it can endure the heat needed to bake pizza and retains its heat for a long time.
The stone is heavy, costly, and a little difficult to source for this purpose. It is impossible to repurpose granite previously used as a counter for this purpose because of the harmful fumes released. If you are looking for something to use instead of a pizza stone for your oven, consider a baking tray, cast iron skillet, or similar item. It’s possible you already have one or two in your kitchen.
