Making pizza at home can sound challenging, especially if you are making it from scratch rather than thrusting frozen pizza into the oven. People who like crispy crusts have been raving about the pizza stone, but if you don’t have the pizza stone, we are sharing some alternatives with you!
What To Use If You Don’t Have A Pizza Stone?
For those who don’t know, a pizza stone is a ceramic slab or can be made from some other hard material as well. The pizza stone promises even baking, and the crust comes out brown and crispy. However, these stones can be pretty challenging to handle, given the heavyweight and large size. So, if you don’t have the pizza stone or don’t want to use it, we are sharing the alternatives with you!
1. Inverted Baking Sheet
This is the best substitute for a pizza stone and works pretty well. It’s needless to say that everyone has a baking sheet at home, and you simply have to put it upside down and bake the pizza. So, you need to use the rimmed baking sheet and put it on the most bottom shelf of the oven (yes, after inverting the baking sheet). Once inverted, just slide the pizza on the baking sheet and put it in the oven. The best thing about using a baking sheet is that it gets hot, promising a crispy crust.
2. Pizza Steel
This second substitute will work impeccably for baking pizza. The pizza steel will work just like a pizza stone, but it might be sturdier (it’s an advantage, of course). This means that the pizza steel will not shatter or crack, so you can use it for as long as you want. The best thing about pizza steel is that it’s extremely easy to clean, given the smooth surface. In addition, you can clean it roughly, and it won’t give up. However, we do want to add that pizza steel will be more expensive as compared to the pizza stone, but it will last an entire lifetime.
3. Pizza Pan
What could be a better alternative to pizza stone than pizza pan? The pizza pans are specifically designed for baking pizza and are made from stainless steel and aluminum. The metal materials will ensure that the pan heats up properly, resulting in a crispy crust. In fact, you could get a perforated pizza pan because there are holes and these holes allow proper airflow. With the airflow, moisture won’t be trapped, eliminating the chances of soggy pizza. In addition, the heat will directly hit the crust, making it browner and crispier. However, you must remember that the pizza pan shouldn’t be preheated because the holes will streamline the baking process.
4. Dutch Oven
This kitchen accessory is made with cast iron material which means it has proper heat conduction, making it a suitable choice to bake pizza. In addition, the Dutch oven can be used in a preheated oven as well as on the stovetop. However, if you actually use the Dutch oven, you should use parchment paper because it will help take out the fully-baked pizza without any hassle.
5. Cake Tin
People who like to bake cakes often have these cake tins lying around in the kitchen (people even have different shapes of cake tins available, but that’s not our point). The cake tin works just like a pizza pin, but it won’t have holes or perforations. So, if you use cake tin for baking pizza, it’s suggested to use one with a thick bottom. On top of everything, a cake tin made with steel or iron will work the best, so get your hands on one and start baking pizza.
6. Cast Iron Skillet
This is the ultimate household item that you already have in the kitchen. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that a cast-iron skillet is a promising alternative to a pizza stone. This material has the capacity to ensure direct, quick, and effective heat conduction. As a result, the pizza’s crust will be thin and crispy. The best part of using a cast iron skillet is that it can be used in the oven as well as the stovetop. Not to forget, some people turn the cast iron skillet upside down and bake pizza in the oven.