The Blackstone pizza oven conversion kit allows you to transform your standard Blackstone griddle into a versatile pizza oven.
With the right techniques and tools, you can make wood-fired style pizzas at home with incredible results.
This comprehensive guide will provide everything you need to know about converting your Blackstone into a pizza oven.
What is the Blackstone Pizza Oven Conversion Kit?
The Blackstone pizza oven conversion kit is an accessory that allows you to convert your Blackstone griddle into a fully-functioning pizza oven.
It includes a pizza oven box that sits on top of the griddle surface along with all the tools you need to make artisan-style pizzas.
The main components of the conversion kit include:
- Pizza oven box – Made from stainless steel, this domed box traps heat and radiates it downwards to cook pizza evenly. It measures 28 inches long x 20 inches wide.
- Pizza peel – Used to slide pizzas in and out of the oven box. Made from aluminum with a long handle.
- Pizza stone – Cordierite pizza stone absorbs moisture and evenly conducts heat for crispy crusts.
- Infrared thermometer – Allows you to monitor pizza stone temperature. You want around 600-700°F to cook pizza properly.
- Premium hardwood pellets – Used to generate heat and smoke to get an authentic wood-fired pizza flavor.
With these tools, you can experience the joy of making gourmet, restaurant-quality pizzas at home using your Blackstone griddle. The conversion kit takes all the guesswork out of pizza making on the Blackstone.
Benefits of the Blackstone Pizza Oven Conversion Kit
Here are some of the biggest benefits of using the Blackstone pizza oven conversion kit:
Even Cooking
The combination of the pizza stone and stainless steel oven box allows your pizza to cook evenly from top to bottom. No more burnt crusts or undercooked centers. The pizza stone absorbs moisture to prevent doughy crusts while the domed oven box radiates heat downwards.
Authentic Wood-Fired Flavor
Cooking your pizza over hardwood pellets imparts an authentic wood-fired flavor you can’t achieve with a regular oven. The smoke infuses the pizza with a subtle, smoky taste.
High Temperatures
The Blackstone griddle provides plenty of power to heat the pizza stone to the ideal temperature range of 600-700°F. This high heat is critical to getting a nicely charred crust that is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.
Faster Preheat Times
It takes just 20-30 minutes to preheat the pizza stone to the proper temperature thanks to the powerful burners on the Blackstone griddle. Much faster than a conventional home oven.
Versatility
You can still use your griddle normally for cooking burgers, steaks, vegetables and more. The pizza oven conversion kit simply gives you another cooking option for when pizza night comes around.
How Does the Blackstone Pizza Oven Conversion Kit Work?
Here is an overview of how the Blackstone pizza oven conversion kit works:
- Preheat – Turn all burners on high for 15-20 minutes with the pizza stone in place to heat it up to 600°F or higher. Use an infrared thermometer to monitor.
- Prepare dough – While stone preheats, prepare and roll out your pizza dough into 12-14 inch rounds. Allow to rest and rise.
- Add toppings – Add tomato sauce, cheese, and favorite toppings to the pizza dough. Work quickly to keep dough from over-proofing.
- Slide onto stone – Use pizza peel to transfer dressed pizzas onto the preheated pizza stone in the oven box.
- Rotate – Rotate pizzas 180 degrees halfway through cooking for even browning and crisping on both sides.
- Check doneness – Use pizza peel to pull pizzas out when the crust is browned and cheese is melted, about 8-12 minutes.
- Rest – Let pizzas rest 1-2 minutes before slicing to allow cheese and toppings to set. Enjoy your wood-fired pizzas!
The key is getting the pizza stone hot enough before cooking. Follow the temperatures recommended by the pizza stone manufacturer. The Blackstone griddle provides the power to heat it up quickly.
Tips for Using the Blackstone Pizza Oven Conversion Kit
To get the most out of your Blackstone pizza oven conversion kit, keep these tips in mind:
- Get an infrared thermometer to monitor pizza stone temp. This takes the guesswork out of determining when the stone is hot enough.
- Let the pizza stone fully preheat for a minimum of 15-20 minutes before cooking. Do not rush this step.
- Keep the burner settings on high to maintain optimal stone temperatures between 600-700°F.
- Flour the pizza peel liberally and shake off excess before adding dough. This allows the pizza to smoothly slide off onto the stone.
- Rotate pizzas frequently during cooking for even exposure to the heated stone. Use a peel to turn.
- Avoid overloading the pizza stone with too many pizzas at once. This causes the temperature to drop drastically.
- Brush off any burnt crumbs or debris from the pizza stone after each use. Burnt particles can burn into future pizzas.
- Allow at least 2 inches between pizzas if cooking more than one at a time so steam can escape.
- Let pizzas rest 1-2 minutes before cutting into slices. This keeps the cheese and toppings from sliding off.
Blackstone Pizza Oven Conversion Kit Components
| Component | Description | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Pizza Oven Box | Stainless steel domed oven box | Traps heat and radiates it downwards onto pizza |
| Pizza Stone | Cordierite pizza stone | Absorbs moisture and evenly conducts heat |
| Pizza Peel | Aluminum pizza peel with handle | For sliding pizzas in and out of oven |
| Infrared Thermometer | Digital thermometer with laser sight | Measures pizza stone temperature |
| Hardwood Pellets | Premium blend wood pellets | Provides fuel source and imparts smoky flavor |
Recommended Pizza Stone Temperatures
| Pizza Style | Target Temperature |
|---|---|
| Neapolitan | 700-800°F |
| New York | 600-650°F |
| Artisan | 650-700°F |
| Sicilian | 550-600°F |
| Stuffed | 550-600° |
Conclusion
The Blackstone pizza oven conversion kit is an outstanding way to transform your standard griddle into a high-performance pizza oven. With the right tools and proper technique, you can achieve authentic wood-fired pizza flavors easily at home.
Making incredible pizzas on the Blackstone is now possible for any skill level thanks to this innovative kit. Just be sure to follow the tips above for safely and effectively preheating, cooking and maintaining your pizza stone setup.
The Blackstone pizza oven conversion kit opens up limitless options for home chefs who want restaurant-worthy results right in their backyard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions given below:
What type of pizza can I make with the conversion kit?
You can make any type of 12-14 inch pizza using the Blackstone pizza oven kit, including Neapolitan, New York style, Sicilian, artisan, stuffed pizza, and more. Just adjust your dough, sauce, and toppings accordingly.
What temperature does the pizza stone need to be?
For optimal results, preheat your pizza stone to between 600-700°F before adding pizzas. Use an infrared thermometer to monitor temperature. Proper preheating is essential.
How long does it take to preheat the pizza stone?
It takes 15-30 minutes to fully preheat the pizza stone to the right temperature when using the powerful Blackstone griddle burners on high heat.
What kind of wood pellets should I use?
High quality hardwood pellets made from combinations of oak, hickory, apple, and maple work great for infusing pizzas with subtle wood-fired flavor. Avoid softwood pellets.
Do I need to season the pizza stone first?
Yes, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions to season your pizza stone before the first use. This helps prevent sticking and improves heat transfer.
How many pizzas can I cook at once?
The conversion kit pizza stone can comfortably fit two 12-14 inch pizzas at a time. Overcrowding will cause the temperature to drop drastically. Cook just 1-2 pizzas at once for best results.
How do I clean the pizza stone and oven box?
Gently scrape off any debris using a plastic scraper or brush. Avoid using soap or detergent on the stone. For the oven box, wipe out crumbs with a dry cloth or soft brush after each use.