Using a paving stone as a pizza/baking stone

[CharlieD]

Yes, I saw the episode where AB used one, unfortunatelly I do not exactly remember what kind it was. Id you do get one, plese let us know how it's working for you. I wouldn't mind get one my self.

[justplainbill]

This website can be a hoot- some people are advocating cooking on pavement while others are washing the vitamin enrichment off their rice.

[froggythefrog]

Originally Posted by CharlieD

Yes, I saw the episode where AB used one, unfortunatelly I do not exactly remember what kind it was. Id you do get one, plese let us know how it's working for you. I wouldn't mind get one my self.

He mentions a "quarry tile", which I suspect is not just any pavement stone, but a specific type. With pavement stones, there's risk of lead and radon, so you do have to be careful -- they don't have food safety in mind when they manufacture them.

[Andy M.]

Originally Posted by froggythefrog

He mentions a "quarry tile", which I suspect is not just any pavement stone, but a specific type. With pavement stones, there's risk of lead and radon, so you do have to be careful -- they don't have food safety in mind when they manufacture them.

Yes, it was unglazed quarry tile. However, I have no problem using an actual pizza stone.

[MoodyBlueFoodie]

I heard unglazed tiles were safe to use for a stone. You could maybe use a sheet pan an put those on top. But don't get glazed ones, just use the UNGLAZED ones.

[GB]

Originally Posted by MoodyBlueFoodie

You could maybe use a sheet pan an put those on top.

That would kind of defeat most of the point of using a stone in the first place though.

[CookLikeJulia]

Never tried to use a paving stone, anyway, thanks for some info regarding the use of this paving stone and maybe, I still need more idea for food safety about this paving. :)

[deepfryerdan]

I just saw this post and have to say, for anyone reading this, using a paving stone was never mentioned by Alton Brown. He said to use quarry stones like was mentioned by ChefJune. They are made from clay or shales, not concrete like the majority of paving stones. It's rare to find the right ones at home improvement stores (in the midwest anyway) anymore and buying the wrong kind is not worth the terrible flavors (and possible toxins) it will place in your food.

If you don't know what you're looking for, then get a pizza stone. It's a good investment!

[sparrowgrass]

Unglazed quarry tiles are available at Lowes. They are red, made from clay. The color is a dark terracotta.

The ones I bought were 12 inches square, so for a big pizza, you might need 4.

I do not worry about using them--lord only knows what baking stones are made out of, particulary if you buy a Chinese made one.

[deepfryerdan]

My local Lowe's doesn't stock them.. nor do any in the area and, thus, the reason for bit about not finding them in the midwest. When I lived in TN the Lowe's down there had them.