Using a pizza stone in a kamado is an excellent way to cook pizzas with a perfectly golden and crispy crust.
Here are the steps to use it properly:
1. Preheat the kamado:
- Light your kamado and heat the grill. You need to reach a high cooking temperature, generally between 250°C and 300°C (475°F to 575°F), or even higher, depending on your preference for the crust.
- Allow your kamado to preheat with the pizza stone in place for about 15 to 20 minutes. This allows the stone to absorb heat and prepare to cook the pizza evenly.
2. Position the pizza stone:
- Place the stone directly on the kamado grill, ensuring it is stable and well-centred. It is important to let it heat up properly before placing the pizza on it.
- If you have an indirect cooking system, such as the Split & Mix deflectors or an additional stone, you can use it to avoid excessive direct heat.
3. Prepare the pizza:
- While the kamado is preheating, prepare your pizza. Roll out the dough on a floured surface, add your desired toppings, and ensure that the pizza can be easily transferred onto the stone. Use a pizza peel or a board to facilitate this step.
4. Transfer the pizza onto the hot stone:
Once the stone is hot, carefully place the pizza onto the stone using a pizza peel. It is important not to leave the pizza at room temperature for too long before placing it on the stone, as this could affect the crust.
5. Close the kamado and cook the pizza:
Close the kamado lid to retain the heat. Cooking time varies depending on the temperature of the kamado and the thickness of the dough, but generally, it takes 7 to 10 minutes for a well-cooked pizza. When the crust is golden and the cheese is melted, the pizza is ready. You can check by gently lifting the pizza with a spatula to see if the underside crust is well-cooked.
6. Remove the pizza and serve:
• Use a peel or a large spatula to remove the pizza from the stone. Let it rest for a minute or two before slicing and serving.
Additional tips:
- Sufficient preheating: Ensure that the stone is hot enough before placing the pizza on it; otherwise, the dough may stick.
- Use a bit of cornmeal or flour: Lightly sprinkle the pizza peel or the preparation surface with cornmeal or flour to facilitate the transfer of the pizza onto the stone without it sticking.
- Heat control: Make sure to monitor the temperature to avoid burning the pizza.