pizza stone

Arthur · August 31, 2004, 03:50:10 PM

My current stone is about 15 years old and is 15.5 inches round and about 3/4 inches thick. I want to get an 18 inch round stone, but can't find one. Has anyone seen something this large?

Arthur · August 31, 2004, 04:06:18 PM

nevermind...

found it

http://www.theposhpeddler.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TPP&Product_Code=AWMCO19

Pete-zza · August 31, 2004, 04:35:39 PM

Arthur,

Even though you found a place to get a 19-inch Fibrament stone, you might also want to check out the Fantes site at http://fantes.com/pizza.htm#round. The price is higher but if you can find a few more items to buy to get to $69, the shipping is free for orders placed online.

You can also try going to the Fibrament website directly, at http://www.bakingstone.com. I tried getting into the site this afternoon to get pricing and shipping information but for some reason the homepage wouldn't open. Having previously bought a couple of stones from Fibrament (AWMCO), my recollection is that their prices include shipping. I assume the 19-inch stone is available from AWMCO, but if a custom size is ordered, there may be a cutting charge. The site has a section to ask about custom stones.

AWMCO recommends a one-inch space around the stone for purposes of circulation. This would seem to be more of a problem with a rectangular stone than a round stone. But you will still want to check your oven to be sure the stone will fit properly.

Peter

Pete-zza · August 31, 2004, 04:47:02 PM

Arthur,

I was able to get into the AWMCO website and the shipping is included but when I checked the home page of the Posh Peddler website to see what their shipping policies are, I saw that shipping is free for the Fibrament stones: see http://www.theposhpeddler.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=TPP.

So, if that is indeed true, it looks like you will do better at Posh Peddler, unless, of course, you would like to add a few more items to your shopping list and get the free shipping from Fantes for those other items also. You will also have to factor in how long it will take you to get whatever you order.

Peter

canadave · August 31, 2004, 11:09:36 PM

Noooooo!!!

Don't bother with buying a large pizza stone!! You'll pay much, much more than you need to. Just get some unglazed quarry tiles from your local tile store, which do exactly the same thing. If you want 18", get 9" x 9" tiles. You can have them cut if you like. They are infinitely cheaper than buying a stone, and they perform exactly the same (if not better). Get 1/2 inch thickness and you'll be sitting pretty, they're only a few dollars.

Dave

Pierre · September 02, 2004, 10:00:52 AM

Sigh... my pizzastone broke last night and although the pizza on it came out alright, it was not a complete compensation for having lost a long time baking companion....

It'll take awhile to get a new one. They are not so readily available in stores or in Internet shops here in Germany. In the states you can get them at so many locations, just like all the other fantastic quality products.

I guess I'll be having withdrawl symptoms in the coming weeks till I finally find one.

Pierre

Arthur · September 02, 2004, 01:01:48 PM

ugh.....miscalculation.

My oven is pretty standard U.S. issue so it's only 17" deep (at best) and twenty-something wide.

I'll probably go the tile route since I really want more than a 15.5 inch pizza.

canadave · September 02, 2004, 06:31:29 PM

Arthur,

Same here with the oven measurements. That's why I went and got 8 1/2" square quarry tiles, to make a 17" square. Even with that, I still had to shave a wee bit off. I'd think 8 1/4" would be a little safer, if you want to make absolutly sure it fits. But definitely do the quarry tile thing...those actual pizza stones are not only expensive, but as Pierre unfortunately discovered, not very well made in general.

Dave

Foccaciaman · September 02, 2004, 08:40:35 PM

Sorry to hear about the loss of your little pizza cooking buddy.

But at least you will have the memories.

Pierre · September 03, 2004, 05:35:29 PM

yeah Focacciaman, no pizza for me this weekend

I'll be searching on Monday for a replacement

Maybe you can post some pictures of your mini deep dish "Muffin-pan" pizzas for me ?

Pierre

canadave · September 04, 2004, 10:16:02 AM

Am I talking to myself in here?

Pierre, don't bother searching for a pizza stone to replace your broken one. Read my previous posts in this thread about the "unglazed quarry tile" alternative. The tiles are cheaper, easier to find, you can get them to be any size you want, and they perform exactly the same as the "official" pizza stones you might find on the market. I've used both--the tiles are a much better option, for the reasons I've just listed. Just trying to save you some money and the headache of searching!

If you get them, get them in 1/2" thickness.

Good luck,
Dave

Pierre · September 07, 2004, 06:11:50 PM

Thanks Dave, you're right of course. I went to a local bath & tile warehouse center. I was able to get a non glazed, no chemicals added "Terracotta" red tile about 12" x 12". My oven is sadly not much wider. I'll give it a try this week and let everyone know how it bakes out.

YoooOOOOhhhHHHHOOOO! It's back to baking I go!

Pierre

canadave · September 07, 2004, 08:58:41 PM

hehe...glad you're back in business, Pierre!

Good luck on your inaugural "tile" pizza!

Dave

pizzaguy · November 21, 2004, 07:00:09 PM

Hey Dave,

I went to 8 different tile stores and they all looked at me like I was crazy. None of them had unglazed quarry tiles in stock, but showed me samples. Some of the terra cotta tiles had straw or hay in them, so I couldn't understand how they could be quarry tiles if they have fibers in them. They also came in all kinds of colors. How do I know which is which? The one thing I did like is that they had 24" square ones, although they are $6+ each. Could you give more details on what type of tile I should get? Thanks,

-Tim