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Cooking stones are now gaining popularity around the world because these products can offer numerous benefits. For example, you make a gourmet or professional-quality bread or pizza with a crispy crust if you use a baking or pizza stone. Another example is when you cook on a salt stone. This cooking stone will not only add flavor to your food but some nutrients as well.
Unfortunately, deciding on a cooking stone is not an easy task, especially if you have a ton of choices. Additionally, you also need to consider the product’s features to ensure that you’re buying a durable and high-quality cooking stone. The good news is that we can help you find the best product. We’ll information on the different types of cooking stones, the best cooking stones on the market, and the most important features you need to consider when buying a cooking stone.
Types of Cooking Stones
There are several types of cooking stones available on the market, and each type has its own purpose.
• Salt Stones – Often seen in restaurants, salt stones are made of a block of salt, typically Himalayan salt. This type of cooking stone is one of the most popular products on the market. This is not only because of its striking pink color. Using a salt stone for cooking fish, steak, chicken, and vegetables can also offer some benefits, such as adding a unique flavor to your food. Plus, you don’t have to use oil, so there is less fat content. Aside from that, some salt stones can also be frozen. As such, you can use it to display cold foods, such as sushi, fruits, and desserts.
• Lava Stones – Like salt tones, lava stones can be used to cook fish, meat, and vegetables without using oil. However, this type of cooking stone is unseasoned. As such, it won’t add flavor to your food. Nonetheless, this will allow you to control the amount of salt in your food. Plus, cooking on a lava stone does not give off a lot of smoke, so you can use it in places like apartment buildings.
• Baking or Pizza Stone – Often made with ceramic or cordierite clay, a pizza or baking stone is designed to make gourmet or professional-quality pizza or bread. This is because it can mimic the effects of cooking in a brick oven. Plus, the stone can absorb moisture, resulting in a flavorful and crispier crust.
Best Overall:
Solido Rectangular 14″x16″ Baking Stone
Based in Belgium, Solido is a popular manufacturer of pizza stones. Products from this company are not only made with premium materials but well-designed as well, so it is not surprising that most Solido products are highly rated.
The Solido Rectangular Baking Stone is made with cordierite, an extremely durable material. Plus, cordierite stone is also thermal shock resistant, and it can withstand high temperatures (up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit). Aside from that, this baking stone also features a unique heat spiral at the bottom of the stone. This feature does not only make the product more appealing. It also lets the cooking stone heat up quickly and retain more heat in the center, resulting in an evenly cooked pizza, loaf of bread, or cookies. Lastly, this product has enough cooking surface for your food, yet it can still fit in most ovens.
With all these great features, the Solido Rectangular baking stone is certainly one of the best cooking stones on the market. However, this product weighs 13.5 pounds, which is a bit heavy compared to most baking stones. Aside from that, this cooking stone is not dishwasher-safe. Nonetheless, you can clean this product easily. You can do this by simply scraping the excess ingredients using a spatula once the stone has cooled down. From there, you can wipe the stains with a damp sponge or cloth.
Pros:
• Perfect for making pizza and bread
• Made with an extremely durable material
• Has a unique heat spiral
Cons:
• A bit heavy
• Not dishwasher-safe
• Expensive
Best Budget:
Honey-Can-Do Old Stone Oven Round Pizza Stone
Founded in 2008, Honey-Can-Do is one of the largest manufacturers of US-made pizza stones. Most products from this company are popular and highly rated due to their superior quality and affordable price.
Although affordable, the Honey-Can-Do Old Stone Oven Round Pizza Stone offers features often seen in expensive cooking stones. For one, this cooking stone is made with the same material used in blast furnaces and kilns. As such, it is not only durable. It can also withstand temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Aside from that, this product also has a Heat Core design, which eliminates soggy centers. Plus, it can also absorb and transfer heat, resulting in an evenly cooked bread or pizza. Best of all, this product is easy to clean.
Although a great product, this pizza stone from Honey-Can-Do has a few limitations. One, in particular, is its large size. As such, it may not fit in some ovens. Aside from that, you also need to preheat this cooking stone for about 30 to 45 minutes. However, this is a common requirement for most pizza stones. Lastly, its porous stone can absorb moisture, which may eventually cause bad smell or attract molds.
Pros:
• Versatile
• Made with durable material
• Features a Heat Core design for even cooking
• Easy to Clean
• Thermal-resistant
Cons:
• A bit large for some oven
• Porous stone can attract molds and bad smell
Best Pizza Stone:
CastElegance Pizza Stone
Based in the USA, Cast Elegance is a manufacturer of pizza stones. Aside from selling premium products, this company is also dedicated to providing high-quality service. Thus, it is not surprising that Cast Elegance is a popular brand when it comes to pizza stones.
The CastElegance Pizza Stone is made with Thermarite, a specially formulated cordierite that is heated to up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This material can provide extreme durability and excellent thermal shock capabilities. Aside from that, Thermarite can also absorb a lot of moisture from the dough, resulting in crispy crusts.
In addition to that feature, this cooking stone is also created with extreme heat that vaporizes all organic matter. As a result, you will not smell any bad odor when you heat this product. Plus, this pizza stone is ready to use, so you don’t have to season or condition it. Best of all, this product is certified safe by the FDA, European Union, and the German Food Code Safety Standards.
Like most cooking stones, the CastElegance Pizza Stone cannot be submerged in water or washed with soap. To clean this product, all you need to do is to wipe it with a damp cloth or sponge. Moreover, this cooking stone does not have any handles for easy lifting. Nonetheless, this pizza stone is still one of the best cooking stones on the market, especially considering its great features.
Pros:
• Capable of withstanding high temperatures without breaking
• Offers superior heat retention and transfer
• Does not give off bad smell
• Does not require seasoning
• Certified safe by the European Union and FDA
Cons:
• Cannot be submerged in water or wash with soap
Best Salt Stone:
IndusClassic RSP-17 Himalayan Salt Block
IndusClassic is a US-based company that offers products made with Himalayan salt. All products from this company are made with premium materials and world-class craftsmanship, so you are guaranteed that the products are long-lasting and of superior quality.
Made with Himalayan salt, the IndusClassic RSP-17 Himalayan Salt Block is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a cooking stone that you can use for grilling or searing fish, chicken, pork, beef, and eggs. This is because it can add a mild and tasty salt flavor to your food. Plus, it can provide excellent heat distribution, so your food will be cooked evenly.
Another great thing about this product is that it is versatile. Aside from cooking, you can also refrigerate this salt stone and use it to display cold foods, such as sushi, fruits, and desserts. Also, this cooking stone is easy to clean. All you need to do is to wipe it with a damp cloth or paper towel.
Although a great product, the IndusClassic RSP-17 Himalayan Salt Block is not perfect. Some users have noted that it may take some time to heat up because it is so thick.
Pros:
• Versatile
• Easy to clean
• Provides excellent heat distribution
Cons:
• May take some time to heat up
• Too thick for some users
Best Lava Stone:
NutriChef Hot Lava Stone Steak Plate
Based in the USA, NutriChef believes that everyone should be able to cook healthy meals. For this reason, this company creates high-quality kitchen tools and utensils that will not only make cooking easier but healthier as well.
The NutriChef Hot Lava Stone Steak Plate is the perfect cooking stone for those who love steaks. Aside from steaks, this product can also be used to cook ribs, chicken, and lamb. The best part is that you can also use it as a serving tray to present grilled food.
For its features, this lava stone has a sturdy and elegant design, which makes it dependable and safe to use. Plus, it can hold a maximum heat of more than 450 degrees Fahrenheit or 230 degrees Celsius, which is enough to cook your food. Also, this stone is made with food-grade materials, so you are guaranteed that the product is not only durable but non-toxic as well. Furthermore, using this lava stone is simple. All you need to do is to put the stone in a preheated oven for 60 minutes. Afterward, you can place the stone on the board, add the meat, and flip the meat after 30 seconds. This process will seal the natural juices in the meat. Aside from a grilling stone, the package also includes a wooden platter and stainless steel serving knives.
Although a great product, the NutriChef Hot Lava Stone Steak Plate has one limitation. Some users have noticed that it can’t retain heat for a long period.
Pros:
• Made with food-grade materials
• Can hold a maximum heat of 450 degrees Fahrenheit
• Can cook or grill steaks, chicken, lamb, and many more
• Easy to use
• Comes with a wooden platter and serving knives
Cons:
• Does not retain heat for a long period
What to Look for in a Cooking Stone
Stone Type
When buying a cooking stone always consider the product’s purpose. Remember, salt and lava stones are used for cooking meat, fish, and vegetables. Baking or pizza stones, on the other hand, are meant for making flavorful pizzas, cookies, and bread.
Material
Cooking stones are made of various materials, such as salt, clay, or ceramic. In this case, pick a product that is made with sturdy material. This will ensure that the cooking stone is not prone to damages. Furthermore, you should also opt for products made with food-grade materials to ensure safety.
Size and Shape
Aside from those features, you also need to consider the product’s size and shape. For making pizzas, you can pick a round or square cooking stone. A rectangular stone, on the other hand, is great for baking bread, cookies, and calzones. Additionally, you should also consider the size of your oven and pick a product that will fit your oven.
Versatility
When buying a cooking stone, opt for a product with multiple purposes. For example, some cooking stones can be frozen, allowing you to place cold foods on top of the stone. Aside from that, you can also pick a product that you can use for cooking different kinds of food.
Heat Resistance
Keep in mind that cooking stones will be exposed to high temperatures, especially pizza and baking stones. For this reason, it is best to opt for a product that can handle extreme heat. For pizza stones, a product made with cordierite clay is ideal because it can withstand high temperatures – up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Weight
Cooking stones come in various weight and sizes. Most models will weigh between five and ten pounds. When choosing a product, always pick a cooking stone that you can carry with ease.
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