Pizza Stones & RV Ovens

[Parrothead_Mike]

In past years I've read about the usefulness of pizza stones in RV ovens to help disperse the heat and provide for better baking results. In fact, we purchased one about 4 years ago and waited to use it for 3 years. Finally we did, but I failed to place it on top of the oven rack, using it instead on top of the bottom, right above the heat source. It cracked into 4 pieces with a loud noise.

Now that we've understood the proper placement of the stone I've been looking for another one that will fit our RV oven which is about 15" X 15". Actually it's a tad over 15", but not much. I've found a 14.75" at Bed, Bath, & Beyond, but before purchasing it I wondered if anyone has any thoughts/experiences with the proper size of the stone based upon the size of their oven.

[Debbie]

Walmart has the pizza stone. Don’t know the size.

[opnspaces]

I use a cheap terracotta floor tile from Home Depot. I think it's currently in three pieces. As others have said I just push the pieces together when setup and it works fine.

[magnusfide]

Super_Dave wrote:
Many, many things can work as a diffuser. Cast iron griddle, small air bake cookie sheet are great choices that won’t crack. A couple inches of airflow critical.

Double ditto. We use the Lodge 10.5" square cast iron griddle and its never cracked. The oven is a great place to store it while it does its job of heat diffusion and it multitasks for BACON! Here's one.

[Chrisatthebeach]

ksg5000 wrote:
I use a cheapo stone purchased from big box - has worked fine - hasn't cracked yet and doubt that would matter much ... it's a heat sink and doesn't have to look pretty.

I did the same. Full timed in it 3 1/2 years and baked biscuits almost every Sunday, used the oven a lot. Worked like a charm.

[rhagfo]

A1RVTraveler wrote:
We buy a 67 cent ceramic tile from Lowes or Home Depot and place the tile directly on the metal plate. Yes, it cracks after one or two uses but it does a great job. The crack does not bother us or affect its use.

X2!
While ours is an actual "Pizza Stone" itis directly on top of the metal above the burner. Yes it cracked down the center 1st time used, now just make sure both halves are pushed together before baking.

My DW LOVES to bake, cookies, pizzas, cakes, and even roast chicken it all works great!!

PS: We are full time and move every couple months, never give that pizza stone a second thought, rear kitchen, stove on back wall.

[Halmfamily]

Make sure you put the stone in the oven when the oven is cold. Putting a cold stone into a hot oven and the stone will crack, they must be heated slowly. We've had ours on the bottom for years and it's still in one piece.

[A1RVTraveler]

We do wrap it in a towel when we travel.

[ksg5000]

I use a cheapo stone purchased from big box - has worked fine - hasn't cracked yet and doubt that would matter much ... it's a heat sink and doesn't have to look pretty.

[Super_Dave]

A1RVTraveler wrote:
We buy a 67 cent ceramic tile from Lowes or Home Depot and place the tile directly on the metal plate. Yes, it cracks after one or two uses but it does a great job. The crack does not bother us or affect its use.

Do you leave it in the oven at all times? I only put the plate on the bottom once but if left on the bottom while traveling, it scratched the enamel.

[Super_Dave]

Many, many things can work as a diffuser. Cast iron griddle, small air bake cookie sheet are great choices that won’t crack. A couple inches of airflow critical.

[A1RVTraveler]

We buy a 67 cent ceramic tile from Lowes or Home Depot and place the tile directly on the metal plate. Yes, it cracks after one or two uses but it does a great job. The crack does not bother us or affect its use.

[donn0128]

Dont get one too big. Remember you need air circulation. We had ours on the difusser plate for years and never had a problem. Maybe yours had a crack or flaw in it to begin with. BTW large pieces will still work just fine.