Can You Cook Pizza On A BBQ?

Are you thinking about cooking pizza on a BBQ? Who knew it was possible? Pizza may be associated with Italy but not when it comes to grilling or barbecuing! It’s easy, delicious and an exciting way to cook this classic dish.

With textures that cannot be replicated in the oven, it’s no wonder why so many people are keen to try their hands at cooking pizza on a barbecue. But is it really possible to do so? Let’s find out in this short guide.

See more: The best BBQ pizza ovens you must know about!

Key Takeaways

• – Yes, pizza cooking on a BBQ can be achieved by preheating the BBQ and pizza stone together and carefully monitoring heat throughout the grilling process.
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• – High protein flour, fresh toppings, and homemade dough are key ingredients for delicious pizzas cooked on the grill.
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• – A pizza stone or perforated pan are ideal tools when grilling pizza over direct or indirect heat while adding extra fuel can help reach steakhouse temperatures if using low Heat traditionally associated with barbecuing meats such as ribs or pulled pork.
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• – Toppings like smoked meat, black bean salsa, kale pesto & apple slices paired with cheddar cheese can all be used to bring exciting flavour combinations to your barbecue pizzas!
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Cooking Pizza On A BBQ (A Step-by-step Guide)

Preheating The BBQ And Pizza Stone

Preheating the BBQ and pizza stone is an essential part of successfully grilling pizza. This involves heating up a pizza stone on the direct heat of a barbecue for around 30 minutes, allowing it to absorb all that lovely heat before beginning to bake your masterpiece.

Preheating helps to replicate the effects of an oven when cooking pizzas outside, ensuring even baking and melty cheese every time. 

If this isn’t done correctly and you place a cold pizza stone on top of a hot BBQ surface, it can cause rapid temperature change which could result in damaging or cracking your stone entirely! 

For best results preheat your pizza stone at as high a temperature as possible (400°C-950°F), yet still be careful not to overshoot in order to avoid burning any toppings or dough that may have been added too soon.

Choosing The Right Flour And Toppings

When grilling pizza on a BBQ, one of the key ingredients to perfect pizza is selecting great flours and toppings. High-protein flour is essential for achieving an authentically crunchy and delicious crust when barbecuing pizza.

Flours with higher protein content will yield a sturdy dough that won’t fall apart as you turn it over on the grill or stretch it out. 

Skimping on good quality flour can lead to undercooked soggy crusts, so select your flours carefully! Flour varieties available include bread flour, all-purpose unbleached white flour, whole wheat or spelt flours; depending on what type of crust is desired (e.g., light and airy Vs dense).

In terms of topping choices, fresh flavours work best when paired with grilled pizzas due to their slight smokiness which enhances flavour combinations nicely.

Tips For Successfully Cooking Pizza On A BBQ

Using A Pizza Stone Or Perforated Pan

Cooking pizza on a BBQ can seem daunting. But with the right equipment and know-how, you can create perfectly cooked pizzas in minutes! A pizza stone or perforated pan are two popular options for evenly cooking your homemade creations on a BBQ.

A traditional pizza stone is an ideal choice because it absorbs moisture from the dough creating a crisp base while also radiating heat across the surface to give it an even cook.

This means no more bubbles or patches of uncooked dough, just perfect results every time! Pizza stones usually get preheated before use which helps them retain maximum heat during cooking ensuring that your toppings don’t cool down too quickly either.

If you’re looking for an easier option then look no further than a perforated pan – this revolutionary kitchenware has tiny holes at its base which allow air through aiding faster heating times while preventing charred crusts.

Watching The Heat

As part of the process of cooking a delicious pizza on a BBQ, it is very important to carefully monitor the temperature. Every dough and topping combination respond differently to heat, so you must pay close attention and adjust as necessary.

If the heat is too low, then your pizza will take longer than average to cook – resulting in a soggy base and undercooked toppings.

When using high-end grills such as a Weber range, which are suitable for both direct and indirect cooking methods, I recommend using an oven thermometer within easy view of your work area along with some weatherproof fire gloves.

FAQs

Can You Cook A Pizza In A BBQ With A Lid?

Absolutely! 

A lid on a BBQ can be used to replicate the effects of an oven and create fantastic results. The heat is retained, allowing for consistent cooking that replicates the texture and flavour of an oven-cooked pizza.

Preheating is important in this process: Tips include preheating both your BBQ and your pizza stone together, ensuring that they retain their temperature during cooking for even baking.

Additional accessories can also help keep the temperature more consistent while you’re grilling – such as upturned roasting pans directly above your food items which reflect heat back downwards onto the dish.

Can You Cook Pizza On Foil On BBQ?

Yes, you can cook pizza on foil on your BBQ.

Cooking with foil is a great option for grilling pizzas as the tin foil acts like an oven, containing and reflecting heat to ensure that your pizza cooks evenly without burning.

When using foil, it’s important to make sure that you pre-heat the BBQ and oil the sheet of aluminium before placing the dough onto the surface. This helps create an even cooking area while ensuring that there is no direct contact between flame and dough.

Don’t forget to top your pizza off with whatever ingredients you desire, just be careful not to overfill or else they’ll spill out while cooking! After prepping everything correctly, close the lid of your Grill so that all sides are nicely cooked in a short amount of time.

Can You Put A Pizza Stone Straight On A BBQ?

Yes, you can. 

The key to successfully cooking pizza with a pizza stone on a BBQ is in the preheating and even distribution of heat. A well-prepared pizza stone replicates the effects of an oven, producing wonderfully crisp edges – and best of all, it’s practically foolproof.

When using a charcoal grill, it’s important to preheat the stone on medium-high heat for at least 15 minutes before positioning your dough onto it. When placing your dough directly onto your hot pizza stone be mindful not to burn the bottom; this can often easily happen if there are any strong direct flames coming off of your barbecue grate.

For delicious results try using high protein flours such as bread flour mixed with semolina while preparing dough because they create crisper crusts than flour mixes containing all-purpose flour alone when grilled over direct fire like barbecues typically feature.

Conclusion

Pizza is an all-time favorite food and barbecue cooking is a great way to bring it up to the next level. With simple tips and techniques, you can recreate pizza night at home on your own BBQ grill with delicious results.

Preheating the BBQ helps maintain the consistent heat and allows enough time for the pizza stone or perforated pan to reach peak temperature before placing the dough down on it.

Choosing the right flour mix, and toppings, and keeping an eye out for high heat will result in a perfect crispy yet fluffy base with just the right amount of smokey flavour from grilling over charcoal or gas.

Cooking pizza on a BBQ brings new flavours into pizzas that can’t be achieved when cooked in an oven alone – smoked meats are especially tasty as toppings! 

Creativity also makes this culinary experience so fun; try topping your pies with options like black bean salsa, cauliflower mash, bacon lardons, and kale pesto. Even apple slices paired with cheddar cheese always hits well! Give it a try today if you haven’t already forgotten how epic homemade pizzas made over coals taste.