Is It Better to Grill or Bake Pizza?

The age-old debate! Determining whether to grill or bake pizza ultimately depends on your preferences and the specific results you're looking for. Both methods have their unique advantages and drawbacks. Let's delve into the details to help you make an informed decision.

Grilling Pizza

Pros:

Flavor: A grilled pizza can provide a smoky flavor that many pizza enthusiasts enjoy. Crispiness: The high heat of a grill can result in a crispy crust, especially when using a pizza stone. Speed: Grilling typically cooks pizza faster, particularly at high temperatures.

Cons:

Temperature Control: Maintaining an even temperature on a grill can be challenging. Toppings: Some toppings may burn easily, requiring careful selection and preparation.

Baking Pizza

Pros:

Even Cooking: Ovens provide consistent heat, leading to evenly cooked toppings and crust. Versatility: You can bake a variety of pizza styles, such as deep-dish or stuffed crust. Less Monitoring: Once the oven is set, you don’t need to monitor the pizza as closely as you might on a grill.

Cons:

Less Flavor Complexity: Oven-baked pizzas might lack the smoky flavor that grilling provides. Longer Cooking Time: Baking can take longer, especially at lower temperatures.

Conclusion

If you prefer a smoky flavor and a crispy crust, grilling might be the perfect choice. However, if you need more control over cooking and even results, baking is a better option. Ultimately, it can be fun to experiment with both methods to see which one suits your taste!

Another important consideration when deciding between grilling and baking pizza is the environmental factors. For many, baking pizza in a residential oven offers a more convenient and consistent method. The house will soon smell fantastic, inviting everyone to gather around for a delicious meal. However, for those in locations with less reliable weather, or simply where residential ovens can't reach the necessary high temperatures, grilling might be a better option.

Personal Experiences and Tips

Personally, I have a soft spot for grilled pizza, and my experience has never ended up looking like the picture Bill Jones provided. It does take some time, but with the right approach, you can achieve excellent results. You can opt to make your own pizza dough, buy it from a joint, or even purchase it from a grocery store. Once the dough is allowed to rise and warm up, it's time to shape it. While I've tried tossing it in the past, the results were not favorable, so I recommend against it. Instead, use your grill to achieve the perfect crust:

Start by getting your grill going. Brush one side of the crust with olive oil and grill it oil-side down for a few minutes, depending on your grill's temperature. Remove the pizza to a platter or cutting board, brush the other side with oil, and flip it. Place the lightly grilled side up and add your desired toppings, ensuring not to overcrowd the pizza. Return the pizza to the grill and cook it until it is hot or the cheese is bubbly.

If you follow these steps, you will likely find that the result is truly delightful. Since moving from New Jersey to North Carolina, I often turn to grilled pizza as a go-to, given that finding good pizza in North Carolina can be a challenge.