Medium: Do you love wood-fired pizza? Tell us your hack! We’ll show you how to turn your grill into a pizza oven and take your pizza night to the next level.
If you’re like me, you have an opinion about pizza, and you don’t agree with the pizza guy’s idea that “even if it doesn’t taste good, it’s good.”
I love New York-style soft, foldable slices, and happily cut into wedges of deep-dish Chicago with a knife and fork.
But my favorite pie is the wood-fired one. Cooks quickly in an ultra-hot oven, giving it a beautiful char and smoky flavor.
I’ll come up with a month’s worth of dinners for you.
Stay on top of my 4-week meal plan, including recipes for every meal, shopping list, and tips on likes and dislikes.
I wanted to recreate my favorite pizza at home (read: These 5 things to do for better homemade pizza) and considered buying an expensive tabletop pizza oven.
Then a friend of mine shared a great and innovative hack for turning a gas grill into a pizza oven.
why this works
You can also cook pizza on the grill with the lid closed, but it leaves a lot to be desired. Fry the dough on both sides and add the sauce and toppings. The top will burn, but it’s a bit…umm.
Instead, this method works similarly to a tabletop pizza oven. What you’re doing is creating a narrow, hot slot. A preheated pizza steel or pizza stone on top captures the heat and radiates it to the top of the pizza, while a gas flame (low or off) below cooks the bottom.
what you need
Precautions
This process requires high heat. Pay attention to all steps, especially when removing hot pizza from the grill. Note that the pizza steel retains and traps heat, so it stays hot long after the cooking is finished. Make sure your grill is clean. At these extremely high temperatures, a large amount of grease buildup inside the grill can be dangerous.
How to make a pizza oven
Gather what you’ll need: a pizza steel, 6 to 8 standard-sized bricks, and aluminum foil (foil is optional for aesthetic purposes).
Choose a location: If you have a three-burner grill, place the pizza pan directly above the center burner. If you have a five-burner grill, there will be one or two burners under the pizza pan.
Arrange the bricks: Wrap the bricks in aluminum foil (or even if you can’t wrap them) and arrange them in an inverted U shape. You’ll need space to place the pizza steel on the back and sides of the brick and place the pizza screen inside the upside-down “U” (my screen is 12 inches). The bricks can be placed horizontally (as in the photo above) or flat (see photo below). Both options work.
How to make pizza in a pizza oven
1. Light the grill. Turn all burners to high and close the lid. Wait at least 20 minutes (ideally closer to 45 degrees) until the temperature reaches at least 500 degrees (and preferably higher). The pizza steel will be delicious and piping hot.
2. Shape the dough: While the grill is preheating, use your fingers to shape the dough into a round shape that will fit on the pizza screen.
3. Spray the pizza screen. Using cooking spray, spray the dough thoroughly to prevent it from sticking. This is best done over the kitchen sink.
4. Transfer the dough: Use your hands to move the dough onto the pizza screen and shape it as needed. Add sauce and toppings.
5. Turn the center burner to low heat. When you’re ready to cook your pizza, turn the burner directly below the pizza pan to its lowest setting. Depending on the size of your grill and pizza pan, you may have one or two burners. (*Note: If your grill is very hot, you may be able to turn off the burner under the pizza completely. This may require some experimentation to see what works best on your grill.) ) Leave the side burner on. expensive.
6. Slide the pizza under the steel: Using metal tongs (and preferably heat-resistant gloves), carefully slide the pizza screen under the pizza steel.
7. Rotate the pizza screen: After 3 minutes, carefully rotate the screen half a turn using tongs and heat-resistant gloves. Keep checking the pizza, especially the bottom, and remove it when it reaches your desired degree of doneness.
8. Remove the pizza: Using tongs, carefully (see a pattern here? Pay attention!) slide the pizza screen off the baking sheet. Removing the pizza is best done by two people. There are two pizza screens, so slide the next pizza at this point.
9. Transfer: Transfer the pizza to a cutting board and let it cool slightly before slicing and serving.
FAQ: Convert your grill into a pizza oven
What kind of fabric should I use?
My favorite speedy dough is the “Dinner: A Love Story” homemade pizza dough, which makes three 12-inch pizzas. The friend who taught me this grilling trick also vouched for Trader Joe’s refrigerated pizza dough.
What is your favorite pizza sauce?
I like to use Dei Fratelli canned sauce as it saves time and is very affordable. If you prefer homemade, here’s a recipe for homemade pizza sauce.
Can I use a pizza stone instead of steel?
perhaps. However, check the maximum temperature that the stone can withstand. I learned that the hard way when my product cracked in a 500 degree oven.
What is the difference between a pizza steel and a pizza stone?
Pizza steel has a much higher thermal conductivity than stone, so your pizza will cook faster. It is also more durable.
Are heat-resistant gloves really necessary?
No, but I recommend it as a precaution. Once when I was removing the pizza screen I accidentally touched the edge, dropped the pizza on the ground, got a serious burn, and had to ice it for hours. The pizza screen gets hot!
