39 minutes ago, TicTac said:
Toda - Shai.
Mostly curious in the actual baking methods.
I have for some time now been interested in getting a piece of steel for my oven (I have a gas wolf range) as currently I just bake my pies on a baking tray (not pre-heated) which is not ideal.
Do you put the steel under the broiler to heat, or full blast, heat - then turn to broil and bake under the broiler?
Very interesting technique if that is the case, as I would think the top would burn before the rest cooked...
What type of steel specifically should I be getting were I to purchase one? How did you season it so it doesnt rust?
My oven is electric, so take any tip with a grain of salt.
I use regular bake setting to preheat. I do turn on convection, as it seems to allow the oven to heat faster. I do believe preheating using the broiler might be better, but I don't like keeping it on too long in my electric oven. The idea is however, to get the plate as hot as it can get.
Steel is a great heat conductor compared to stone, and therefore the bottom bakes in time, however, it does require reating between bakes. Using a thicker plate will improve this.
Some of pizzas are not as charred on the bottom, as I'd like them to be, but they are always baked through, and I find the faster cooking top more significant in the final result. Skipping the parchment might also help a little.
Get a plate 1/4-1/2 inch thick, as wide as can fit in your oven. Make sure that you can manipulate it easily enough.
Stainless steel is great, since it doesn't require seasoning, but it is expensive. Any other type of steel or iron plate will be fine and cheaper. Ask however you get it from to smooth the corners and adges a little.
If it is not stainless, season it as it it was a cast iron pan. There are good guides online. But in summery, you clean it well, removing all rust. Wash a thin layer of oil all around, then bake on high heat, you can do this while it heats to bake a pizza (but don't skip the parchment at this stage). Then, in the next few bakes, wash with a little oil after you finish baking, while it's very hot.
