While it's commonly associated with making pizzas, a BBQ stone has various uses in outdoor cooking, particularly on grills and barbecues. Here are some common uses:
Pizza Baking: The most well-known use is for baking pizzas. Placing the pizza stone on the grill allows it to absorb and radiate heat, creating a hot and evenly distributed surface for cooking pizza. The stone helps achieve a crispy crust by drawing moisture away from the dough.
Bread Baking: A BBQ stone is excellent for baking bread. Placing the bread dough directly on the preheated stone can result in a crusty exterior while keeping the inside soft and moist.
Flatbreads and Tortillas: You can use a BBQ stone to cook flatbreads, tortillas, or even naan on the grill. This method imparts a desirable smoky flavor to the bread.
Roasting Vegetables: Placing vegetables directly on the BBQ stone can give them a nice char and roasted flavor. It's a great way to cook vegetables without them falling through the grill grates.
Cookies and Desserts: You can bake cookies or other desserts on a BBQ stone. The even heat distribution helps prevent burning and ensures consistent baking.
Heat Retention: A BBQ stone can also be used as a heat retention surface. After cooking your food on the grill, you can transfer it to the preheated stone to keep it warm while serving.