Feel The Burn (pizza)

JohnInCarolina

Second time making pizza on the egg.  Still a learning process.

I recently got one of those extra-large spatulas for transferring the pie into and out of the egg.  Thumbs-up on that.  It made things much easier.

The problem I had this time around, however, was with the parchment paper.  It was the first time I've tried using it.  Now, I suspect the problem I had may be a function of having a stone that's just not big enough, I'm not sure.  What happened was that the parchment paper and the pie were just a little bit bigger in diameter than my stone.

The setup I used was placesetter, with grill on top, then pizza stone on top of a bracket that came with it.  The end result was the stone sitting about 3 inches above the grate, right in the middle of the dome.  I was cooking right around 600 degrees.

What happened was that the parchment paper got nuked (burned) around the edges.  This in turn resulted in the edge of the pizza crust getting burned, which was not at all what I was going for.  

I'm not sure how to prevent this in the future, except for perhaps getting a much larger stone.  Any ideas?  

Greeno55

I think you're right on in your assumption. If I were you, I'd make multiple smaller pizzas, as opposed to one large one until you get a proper stone. Remember, the heat around your stone is approaching nuclear, and the dough isn't a fan of that.

MikeP624

I do not use the parchment paper, i just used a flat cookie sheet and lots of cornmeal so the pie will slide off.  Works prefectly.

If the pizza was bigger than the stone anything hanging over will get burnt.  I try to make my pizzas about 2" smaller than the stone ( i have a 14" stone, so i make 12" pizzas).

caliking

As others have said, anything hanging over the edge of the stone will get nuked. What size stone do you have in what size Egg? If you get a bigger stone, just make sure you still have enough room around the edges for air flow.

Eggcelsior

I have the same issue. I have a MBGE with a 12 inch stone. I normally make 12 inch pies and the parchment overlaps the edges. This part browns and flakes off.

I will not try and make 10 inch pies and trim the parchment, as others have done. I'd suggest trying this as well, sized for your Egg configuration.  If you have a bakery supply store nearby, they might sell parchment rounds but the will likely be no bigger than 10 inches. Otherwise, make a cardboard template and use it to cut out rounds from a parchment roll - this is the cheapest option for parchment. Otherwise, get a bigger stone.

michigan_jason

On the box of the parchment paper it states (at least mine does) that it will burn at 420* All you need to do is keep it under that if you must use the paper.

michigan_jason

I had my grill at 600 and no overhanging parchment at all. It was a smaller circle than my stone, it ignited before I closed the lid. Lower your temp if you use parchment.

Greeno55

I fall into the school of parchment users.  My main reason for it is to make the transfer from peel to egg a no-brainer.  I'll place the shaped dough on the parchment, top the pizza than quickly trim the paper a little larger than the pie.  From there I find it super easy to get the pizza on my stone.  I'll leave it on for a few minutes to let the crust set up, give the pizza a quarter/half turn and slide the parchment out.  As far as temp goes, the parchment will be fine on the stone no matter the temp you cook it.  As mentioned, I like to remove it after a few minutes to get the crust right on my hot stone.  Also, do make sure you're letting the stone heat up for about 1/2 an hour.  This also helps keep flames down when opening the egg back up.

michigan_jason

Or get one of these...

JohnInCarolina

I have a large BGE.  I think the stone is a 15-incher.

michigan_jason

Or step up to the big leagues and make one of these deep dish in a cast iron pan!


First layer was cheese, then the toppings you see here....(no sauce yet thanks Griffin')


Then another layer of sauce on top of the toppings, and another layer of cheese and then some sauce lol. (pic taken after a few mins at 425*)


After about 25mins on the egg at 425*


After resting on the stove in the pan for about 15mins it comes out so nicely.


Pure bliss....


Bottom

I must say that deep dish is totally the way to go.

michigan_jason

Greeno55 said:

I fall into the school of parchment users.  My main reason for it is to make the transfer from peel to egg a no-brainer.  I'll place the shaped dough on the parchment, top the pizza than quickly trim the paper a little larger than the pie.  From there I find it super easy to get the pizza on my stone.  I'll leave it on for a few minutes to let the crust set up, give the pizza a quarter/half turn and slide the parchment out.  As far as temp goes, the parchment will be fine on the stone no matter the temp you cook it.  As mentioned, I like to remove it after a few minutes to get the crust right on my hot stone.  Also, do make sure you're letting the stone heat up for about 1/2 an hour.  This also helps keep flames down when opening the egg back up.

This is not true, the parchment will ignite at high temps as stated on the box of the paper! I have tested it time and time again. It will.

JohnInCarolina

michigan_jason said:

Or get one of these...

What is that?

michigan_jason

JohnInCarolina said:

michigan_jason said:

Or get one of these...

What is that?

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=16794104

Greeno55

michigan_jason said:

Greeno55 said:

I fall into the school of parchment users.  My main reason for it is to make the transfer from peel to egg a no-brainer.  I'll place the shaped dough on the parchment, top the pizza than quickly trim the paper a little larger than the pie.  From there I find it super easy to get the pizza on my stone.  I'll leave it on for a few minutes to let the crust set up, give the pizza a quarter/half turn and slide the parchment out.  As far as temp goes, the parchment will be fine on the stone no matter the temp you cook it.  As mentioned, I like to remove it after a few minutes to get the crust right on my hot stone.  Also, do make sure you're letting the stone heat up for about 1/2 an hour.  This also helps keep flames down when opening the egg back up.

This is not true, the parchment will ignite at high temps as stated on the box of the paper! I have tested it time and time again. It will.

Not trying to be argumentative, but I've cooked a ton of pizza on parchment paper (never overhanging) and have removed after 3-4 minutes and while the edges are beginning to brown, it hasn't ignited on me ever. I'm sure if I left it in for the full 10-12 it may be a different story.

michigan_jason

Greeno55 said:

michigan_jason said:

Greeno55 said:

I fall into the school of parchment users.  My main reason for it is to make the transfer from peel to egg a no-brainer.  I'll place the shaped dough on the parchment, top the pizza than quickly trim the paper a little larger than the pie.  From there I find it super easy to get the pizza on my stone.  I'll leave it on for a few minutes to let the crust set up, give the pizza a quarter/half turn and slide the parchment out.  As far as temp goes, the parchment will be fine on the stone no matter the temp you cook it.  As mentioned, I like to remove it after a few minutes to get the crust right on my hot stone.  Also, do make sure you're letting the stone heat up for about 1/2 an hour.  This also helps keep flames down when opening the egg back up.

This is not true, the parchment will ignite at high temps as stated on the box of the paper! I have tested it time and time again. It will.

Not trying to be argumentative, but I've cooked a ton of pizza on parchment paper (never overhanging) and have removed after 3-4 minutes and while the edges are beginning to brown, it hasn't ignited on me ever. I'm sure if I left it in for the full 10-12 it may be a different story.

Wow, mine ignited while I still had the peel under it lol. I just build my rounds on my airbake stone and keep them on it the whole cook, works flawlessly every time, but since I have been into deep dish, I will not really look back.

caliking

Greeno55 said:

michigan_jason said:

Greeno55 said:

I fall into the school of parchment users.  My main reason for it is to make the transfer from peel to egg a no-brainer.  I'll place the shaped dough on the parchment, top the pizza than quickly trim the paper a little larger than the pie.  From there I find it super easy to get the pizza on my stone.  I'll leave it on for a few minutes to let the crust set up, give the pizza a quarter/half turn and slide the parchment out.  As far as temp goes, the parchment will be fine on the stone no matter the temp you cook it.  As mentioned, I like to remove it after a few minutes to get the crust right on my hot stone.  Also, do make sure you're letting the stone heat up for about 1/2 an hour.  This also helps keep flames down when opening the egg back up.

This is not true, the parchment will ignite at high temps as stated on the box of the paper! I have tested it time and time again. It will.

Not trying to be argumentative, but I've cooked a ton of pizza on parchment paper (never overhanging) and have removed after 3-4 minutes and while the edges are beginning to brown, it hasn't ignited on me ever. I'm sure if I left it in for the full 10-12 it may be a different story.

I do the same re: parchment paper. The paper browns and gets a bit crispy/flaky around the edges, but it has never ignited. I have done my pies at 550-600°F. @michigan_jason: what temp were you cooking at? Is it possible that your therm is off? I only mention this because it may screw up future cooks if your therm needs to be recalibrated. Pies can be done at nuclear temps and still come out great!

michigan_jason

caliking said:

Greeno55 said:

michigan_jason said:

Greeno55 said:

I fall into the school of parchment users.  My main reason for it is to make the transfer from peel to egg a no-brainer.  I'll place the shaped dough on the parchment, top the pizza than quickly trim the paper a little larger than the pie.  From there I find it super easy to get the pizza on my stone.  I'll leave it on for a few minutes to let the crust set up, give the pizza a quarter/half turn and slide the parchment out.  As far as temp goes, the parchment will be fine on the stone no matter the temp you cook it.  As mentioned, I like to remove it after a few minutes to get the crust right on my hot stone.  Also, do make sure you're letting the stone heat up for about 1/2 an hour.  This also helps keep flames down when opening the egg back up.

This is not true, the parchment will ignite at high temps as stated on the box of the paper! I have tested it time and time again. It will.

Not trying to be argumentative, but I've cooked a ton of pizza on parchment paper (never overhanging) and have removed after 3-4 minutes and while the edges are beginning to brown, it hasn't ignited on me ever. I'm sure if I left it in for the full 10-12 it may be a different story.


I do the same re: parchment paper. The paper browns and gets a bit crispy/flaky around the edges, but it has never ignited. I have done my pies at 550-600°F. @michigan_jason: what temp were you cooking at? Is it possible that your therm is off? I only mention this because it may screw up future cooks if your therm needs to be recalibrated. Pies can be done at nuclear temps and still come out great!





I cook pies at 750 usually, have done a few at 1000. My guru, thermapen, and dome thermo are all spot on. Had the egg really hot and the stone as hot as the egg. Paper ignited like a firework. Dont use it anymore, now either deep dish or airbake for pizza.

JohnInCarolina

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