Key Takeaways -

• Convert your BBQ grill into a pizza oven for a wood-fired flavour at home.
• Use high-protein bread flour dough or whole wheat alternatives for the best results.
• Ensure even cooking by preheating the pizza stone and rotating the pizza during cooking.
• Achieve a crispy crust and perfect toppings with proper temperature control and the right tools.

Converting your BBQ grill into a pizza oven can give you delicious, wood-fired pizza without the cost of a dedicated pizza oven. All grills can be adapted, and with the right steps, you can achieve the high temperatures needed for perfect pizza.

We will guide you through the essential steps and materials needed for the conversion. You'll learn to choose the right tools, prepare the grill, and cook your pizza. We'll also share tips on dough preparation and topping selection to make your homemade pizza amazing.

Keep reading to discover how to turn your BBQ grill into an outdoor pizza oven and start making delicious, homemade pizzas right in your garden.

Understanding the Basics of Grill Conversion

Difference Between Grills and Pizza Ovens

Pizza ovens are designed to reach high temperatures above 800°F, ensuring even heat distribution. This high heat is crucial for achieving the perfect pizza crust and thoroughly cooked toppings. Grills, on the other hand, typically operate at lower temperatures with direct heat from below.

This setup can lead to uneven cooking, with a risk of burning the bottom while the top remains undercooked.

Essential Factors in Pizza Oven Design

Pizza ovens use insulation and heat-reflective materials to reach and maintain high temperatures. This consistent heat is essential for baking pizza quickly and evenly, giving you authentic pizzeria quality.

The dome shape and reflective materials of pizza ovens ensure uniform heat distribution. This design avoids cold spots, ensuring every part of the pizza cooks perfectly, from the crust to the toppings.

The hot floor of a pizza oven directly heats the pizza base, producing a crispy crust. This high heat is essential for achieving the traditional texture and flavour of a well-baked pizza crust.

Gathering Your Tools and Materials

Choosing the Right Materials

Fire bricks are essential for even heat distribution, helping to create a consistent cooking environment. Stainless steel or cast iron sheet metal can act as a heat shield, enhancing the grill's ability to maintain high temperatures.

A pizza stone or baking steel is crucial for a consistent cooking surface, ensuring your pizza has a crispy crust.

Specialised Equipment Needed

A pizza peel is necessary for transferring pizzas in and out of the grill, making it easier to handle the dough and finished pizza. A thermometer is vital for monitoring the grill's temperature to ensure it stays within the ideal range.

Aluminium foil can be used for various heat management tasks, such as wrapping handles to prevent overheating.

Additional Materials Needed

A pizza stone or baking steel absorbs and retains heat, providing a crispy crust. Either gas or charcoal grills can be used for this conversion, but ensure your grill can reach high temperatures (around 232°C to 260°C).

A laser thermometer is helpful for accurately monitoring the temperature of the stone or steel, ensuring optimal cooking conditions.

Converting Your Grill Step-by-Step

Preheat the Grill

1. For gas grills: Turn on all burners to high. This will ensure that the grill reaches the necessary high temperatures quickly. Make sure the lid is closed to trap the heat inside.
2. For charcoal grills: Light the coals and let them burn until they are covered with a layer of ash. This indicates that they are hot enough for cooking. Spread the coals evenly to create a consistent heat source.
3. Temperature goal: Aim for a cooking temperature between 232°F and 260°F. Use a built-in grill thermometer or an external one to check the temperature. This range is ideal for cooking pizza, providing the heat needed for a crispy crust and well-cooked toppings (1).

Place the Pizza Stone/Steel

1. Once the grill is preheated, carefully place the pizza stone or pizza steel on the grill grates. This will serve as the cooking surface for your pizza. Be cautious, as the grill and stone will be very hot.
2. Allow the stone or steel to heat for at least 30 minutes. This ensures it reaches the desired temperature and provides an even cooking surface. During this time, you can prepare your pizza dough and toppings.

Ensuring Heat Source and Temperature Control

1. Monitor temperature: Use a grill thermometer to maintain a temperature of 450-500°F. Keeping the grill at this consistent temperature is crucial for baking the pizza properly. Place the thermometer near the pizza stone to get an accurate reading.
2. Adjust heat: Reduce the heat directly under the pizza stone to avoid burning the crust while keeping the overall temperature steady. For gas grills, you can lower the burner settings. For charcoal grills, you might need to adjust the position of the coals or add more coals if needed.
3. Regular checks: Continuously monitor and adjust the heat as necessary to ensure even cooking. This might involve turning the pizza halfway through cooking or adjusting the grill’s vents to control airflow. Keeping an eye on the pizza ensures it cooks evenly and prevents burning.

Preparing and Cooking the Pizza

Prepare the Pizza

Start by rolling out your pizza dough on a floured surface, aiming for an even thickness to ensure it cooks properly. Once the dough is ready, spread your sauce evenly across the surface, covering the entire base. Next, add a layer of cheese, making sure it’s evenly distributed.

Finish by adding your favourite toppings, but be careful not to overload the pizza. Too many toppings can prevent it from cooking evenly and make the crust soggy.

Transferring Pizza

Sprinkle a light layer of cornmeal on your pizza peel to prevent the dough from sticking. Carefully transfer the prepared pizza onto the peel, ensuring it slides easily.

This step is crucial for smoothly moving the pizza onto the hot pizza stones or steel in the grill. If the dough sticks, gently lift and add more cornmeal to the peel.

Cook the Pizza

Close the grill lid and let the pizza cook for about 5-10 minutes. The high heat will bake the crust quickly and melt the cheese. About halfway through the cooking time, use the peel to rotate the pizza. This ensures even cooking and prevents any hotspots from burning the crust.

Keep an eye on the pizza through the grill lid or occasionally open it to check progress.

Check for Doneness

The pizza is ready when the crust is golden brown, and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Carefully remove the pizza from the grill using the peel. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing to allow the cheese to set and make cutting easier.

This resting time also helps the flavours to meld together. Enjoy your perfectly cooked homemade pizza with family and friends.

Advanced Techniques and Tips

Achieving Wood-Fired Flavour

To infuse your pizza with a smoky, wood-fired flavour, use wood chips or chunks on your grill. Choose hardwood varieties like oak, hickory, or applewood for the best results. Soak the wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes before using them.

This prevents them from burning too quickly and allows them to produce a rich, smoky aroma that will permeate your pizza, enhancing its flavour.

Safety and Maintenance Tips

Safety is paramount when converting your grill into a pizza oven. Regularly inspect gas connections and hoses for any leaks or wear. Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby for emergencies. After each use, clean the pizza stone by scraping off any residue and allowing it to cool before washing.

Proper maintenance ensures your equipment lasts longer and functions safely.

Additional Tips for Success

Consider using a dome or pizza oven box to enhance heat retention and mimic a traditional pizza oven environment. Experiment with cooking times, as they may vary depending on your grill type and pizza thickness. Adjust as needed to achieve the perfect cook.

Precook toppings that require longer cooking times, such as meats, to ensure everything is perfectly cooked when the pizza is done. This approach guarantees a delicious and evenly cooked pizza every time.

Adapting to Different Types of Grills

Modifications for Gas Grills

To convert a gas grill into a pizza oven, start by removing the grates and burners to create space for your pizza stone. This setup helps to concentrate the heat. Place the pizza stone on the grill and preheat it for 15-20 minutes with all burners on high.

This ensures the stone reaches the optimal temperature for baking pizza, providing a crisp, evenly cooked crust.

Adjusting to Charcoal and Kettle Grills

For charcoal and kettle grills, create indirect heat zones by strategically placing the coals on one side of the grill. This setup mimics the even heat distribution of a traditional pizza oven. Place the pizza stone directly over the coals to retain and radiate heat.

This method ensures that the pizza cooks evenly with a nicely browned crust and perfectly melted toppings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Dough Recipes Best Suit Grilling?

High-protein bread flour doughs are ideal for grilling as they provide a chewy and crispy crust that holds up well to high heat. Traditional dough recipes with bread flour, sea salt, dry yeast, sugar, warm water, and olive oil work best for grilling.

Whole wheat alternatives that combine whole wheat flour and bread flour also grill nicely, offering a slightly different texture and flavour. These doughs are easy to handle and can withstand the intense heat of a grill, ensuring a delicious result every time.

Can I Use a Grill Mat for Grilling Pizza?

Using a grill mat for grilling pizza is not recommended. Grill mats prevent direct contact with the hot stone or grill grates, which is essential for achieving a crispy crust. Instead, use a pizza stone or baking steel to ensure even heat distribution and a perfectly cooked pizza base.

These materials help replicate the conditions of a traditional pizza oven, giving you better results.

Can I Use Pre-Made Pizza Dough for Grilling?

Yes, pre-made pizza dough from the store can be used for grilling. Ensure that the dough is at room temperature before rolling it out to prevent tearing and to allow for easier stretching. This makes the grilling process quicker and more convenient while still delivering delicious results.

Pre-made doughs are a great time-saver and can still provide a tasty, homemade pizza experience when grilled correctly.

Conclusion

Converting your BBQ grill into a pizza oven is a fantastic way to elevate your pizza night and cook pizza with authentic, wood-fired flavour.

By understanding the differences between grills and pizza ovens, gathering the right tools and materials, and following the detailed steps outlined, you can achieve delicious results.

Whether using traditional or whole wheat dough, the right techniques will ensure a crispy crust and perfectly cooked toppings. Enjoy the process and the mouthwatering pizzas you'll create in your garden.

Sources -

1. https://discover.texasrealfood.com/bbq-at-home/how-to-convert-your-grill-into-a-pizza-oven