Refractory stone: what it is, how it works and recipes

The refractory stone it is widely used in the kitchen for cooking pizza, bread, focaccia and other baked goods. Indeed, when the stone is heated in the oven, it absorbs the heat and gradually releases it, distributing it evenly over the surface of the food. This allows you to get one uniform and crispy cooking on the underside of baked goods.

To use the baking stone in cooking, you need to preheat the oven to a high temperature (usually 250-300°C) and place the stone on the oven grill.

Once the stone is hot, you can place the pizza or bread directly on its surface, using a oven shovel. The refractory stone absorbs the moisture from the food and cooks it evenly, producing a crispy crust and a soft, fluffy interior.

The refractory stone can also be used for cooking other foods such as meat, fish and vegetables. However, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid damaging the stone or causing a fire.

Also, the firestone requires special care to keep it in good condition, such as cleaning with water and a soft brush.

But how to choose the refractory stone for the kitchen?

Refractory stone in lava stone

The lava stone it is a volcanic rock that has a good ability to retain heat and distribute it evenly.

Lava stone refractory stones can be used for the cooking pizza, bread, focaccia, meat, fish and other foods. Before using the stone, it is important to preheat it in the oven for at least 30 minutes at a high temperature (usually between 250 and 300 degrees).

During cooking, the lava stone absorbs the humidity of the food and releases it cooks evenlyproducing a crispy crust and a soft, fluffy interior.

Petrantiqua it is one of these, made in lava stone in an artisanal way using the volcanic stone of Etna in Sicily. It has practical handles and a rough surface, which allows you to obtain a rustic cooking especially for bread and pizzas.

Petrantiqua Artisan Refractory Plate

There are lava stones for the oven which also include a support in treated wood for foodwhich replaces the handles and is designed to withstand high temperatures ensuring a stable and safe grip.

Sicilian lava stone with drain Mottinox for example, in addition to the square chopping board, it also includes a support in natural beech wood treated for food.

Mottinox Sicilian Lava Stone

Finally, they are frequently found on the market lava stones with vertical grooves which convey the excess fat dissolved during cooking, thus ensuring healthy cooking and avoiding the formation of benzopyrene.

The lava stone refractory plate Lava Heart it is one of them, with vertical grooves and non-stick.

LAVA HEART – LAVA STONE REFRACTORY PLATE

Cordierite refractory stone

The cordierite It is a type of mineral that has low thermal expansion and good heat conducting ability. The cordierite refractory stones they are very resistant and can be used for cooking food at very high temperatures.

In fact, they are able to withstand extreme temperatures and resist deformation caused by the heat and weight of the food. Also, they are easy to clean and require only a simple cleaning with warm water and a soft brush.

Cordierite Firestones are available in different sizes and shapes to adapt to the needs of every kitchen. They are also often used in professional wood-burning ovens for cooking pizza, guaranteeing perfect and uniform cooking.

The most common are the rectangular cordierite refractory stoneswithout handles but practical to use, like the model Leviathanavailable in 1.5 cm thickness and suitable for all ovens, gas or charcoal grills.

Levivo Refractory stone

It is not uncommon, however, to also find round cordierite firestones, designed in particular for cooking pizza, even if the material is suitable for cooking many other types of food. There round pan Navarisfor example, is a refractory stone for pizza, with a practical recipe book for homemade bread, focaccia, sandwiches but also desserts and cheeses.

Navaris Refractory Stone for Pizza

Refractory ceramic stone

The ceramic it is a kind of porous material which has a good ability to retain heat and distribute it evenly. The refractory ceramic stones they can be used for cooking food at high temperatures and are suitable for cooking pizza, bread and focaccia.

There are models of fully ceramic refractory stonecome HXSZWJJ available in 10 and 13 inches and 13 inches with handles, round in shape, perfect for pizza and many other dishes.

HXSZWJJ Refractory stone

Then there are refractory stones in ceramic and cordieritewhich combine the strengths of these two materials, such as the rectangular pan Navaris in Ceramic and Cordierite.

Navaris Refractory Stone for Pizza