If you're an avid sourdough baker, you've probably heard of a pizza stone. And while they're often used for what their name implies, they're also great for baking bread, especially sourdough bread. So if you're looking to bake sourdough on a pizza stone, then stick around for your easy guide!
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How to bake sourdough bread on a baking stone
Baking sourdough bread on a baking stone is quite simple and worth it, especially for the amazing results.
If you are wondering how to do this, then just check out the instructions outlined below:
method
- Start by placing your baking stone on a rack in the bottom half of your oven.
- Preheat your oven and pizza stone to 482 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour. This is an important step in the process, as the intense heat will help your sourdough bread rise nicely.
- After the oven has been on for an hour, remove your bread from the refrigerator and place it on a piece of parchment paper. Brush your bread with water and add a light dusting of flour.
- Use a sharp knife or razor blade to cut or shred your dough. You can create an amazing design or a simple quick cross. You can see my article at how to mark sourdough breadfor the best tips and tricks for creating the perfect sourdough bread.
- Place your bread marked with parchment paper on a cutting board and quickly slide the dough and parchment paper onto the baking stone.
- Cover the dough with an inverted cake tin.
- Bake your loaf of dough on the baking stone for 10 minutes at 480 degrees F. Then remove the lid of the cake pan and turn the heat down to 190 degrees. Continue baking for 25-35 minutes.
Can I make sourdough using the pizza stone and steam oven method?
If you find that your regular gas oven isn't giving you the results you want, then you can certainly use a method that involves a pizza stone and steam oven.
Basically, this method involves hot water, a pizza stone, and lots and lots of steam!
- Simply start by preheating your pizza stone in your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Then place a baking sheet in the oven under the pizza stone.
- Once your sourdough bread is ready to bake, place your dough ball on the pizza stone.
- Pour a cup of hot water into the pan and quickly close the oven door.
- Bake for 40 minutes.
What if I don't have a baking stone?
Don't have a baking stone? don't be upset. There are many alternatives to choose from, all of which will give the same results.
Some of the best alternatives to pizza or baking stones include:
- Dutch Ovens: These are phenomenal little pots that are great at capturing steam and helping to develop that crisp, crispy crust we all crave. Take a look the best dutch oven for sourdough breadfor the perfect choice.
- baking pan: This is another great option for baking bread, especially for sandwich bread, thanks to the square shape that allows for perfectly even cutting, compared to round loaves. You can choose the perfect material to suit your particular baking. From aluminum to cast iron, it's entirely up to you!
- Fire bricks: An inexpensive alternative to pizza stones, are fire bricks. This method allows you to take a step back in time and appreciate how our ancestors would bake bread. The bricks are made of clay and are specially constructed for intense heat resistance. They are also incredible at absorbing heat and fit nicely in your oven!
- Cookie sheet: This is great for soft-crust bread, like challah, or dinner rolls. If you're looking for a crisp, perfectly formed crust, then your best bet would be a dutch oven or a cast iron pot.
- A steel plate: Finally, the simplest option would be to bake on a simple steel plate. Steel is able to retain heat well, especially when it comes to high temperatures, so your sourdough can get that perfect heat it needs to bake!
Sourdough pizza stone
Both pizza and baking stones provide amazing results for your sourdough breads, so if you're tired of fiddling with your gas oven, then maybe it's time to invest in a pizza stone!
Pizza Stone Sourdough Baking FAQs
Is it okay to bake bread on a pizza stone?
Yes. You may find that most sourdough bakers prefer to bake sourdough bread in a pizza or baking stone. This is largely due to the fact that pizza stones are amazing at absorbing moisture and help develop that wonderful crisp crust that we so desperately seek from sourdough baking.
Why are home ovens ineffective at baking bread?
Home ovens aren't great at baking bread, as gas ovens have hot and cold spots, which means you may have to turn your bread twice while it's baking.
