A cooking stone sits on your grill grate and soaks up heat, then releases it evenly to the food. People often search for soapstone, a dense natural stone that holds heat well, but many grill stones sold today are cordierite or ceramic.
The six stones below are made for grill use and cover pizza, flatbread and general baking on the grate. Because materials vary, we describe each stone by what the maker says it is rather than assuming it is soapstone. Heat limits are the makers’ own claims. We have not used these products ourselves, so confirm sizes, features and included parts on the current listing before you buy.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Material | Soapstone, cordierite and ceramic all hold heat, but they differ in weight and thermal-shock tolerance |
| Thickness | A thicker stone stores more heat and gives a crisper base |
| Shape and size | Match the stone to your grate so air can still circulate around it |
| Preheating | Stones need a gentle warm-up on the grill to avoid cracking |
| Care | Most should not be soaped, and they darken with use |
Specs at a Glance
| Stone | Material | Shape |
|---|---|---|
| Pizzacraft Round Stone | Cordierite | Round |
| Cuisinart Alfrescamore Stone | Ceramic stone | Round |
| Unicook Cordierite Stone | Cordierite | Round or rectangular |
| Old Stone Oven Pizza Stone | Ceramic stone | Rectangular |
| Emile Henry Flame Pizza Stone | Glazed ceramic | Round |
| Weber Gourmet BBQ Pizza Stone | Ceramic stone | Insert-shaped |
The 6 Best Grill Cooking Stones
1. Pizzacraft Round Pizza Stone for Grill
A round cordierite stone made for use on gas and charcoal grills as well as in the oven. It is a straightforward way to bake pizza on the grate and get a crisp bottom.
Suits: pizza nights on the grill. Strengths: purpose-made for grill use. Weaknesses: it is not soapstone, so heat behavior differs. Skip it if you specifically want natural soapstone.
View Pizzacraft Round Stone on Amazon
2. Cuisinart Alfrescamore Pizza Grilling Stone
A round pizza stone from Cuisinart, sold as part of its grilling line and designed for use on a grill or in the oven. It gives an even baking surface for thin crusts.
Suits: casual pizza grilling. Strengths: a brand with a wide outdoor-tool range. Weaknesses: only suits pizza-size jobs. Skip it if you want to sear steaks on it.
View Cuisinart Alfrescamore Stone on Amazon
3. Unicook Cordierite Pizza Stone
A thick cordierite stone intended for ovens and grills, with a plain surface that works for pizza, bread and cookies. Cordierite is known for handling temperature swings better than many ceramics.
Suits: all-purpose baking. Strengths: broad use on grill and oven. Weaknesses: sizes vary, so check the listing. Skip it if you need a stone with a handle.
View Unicook Cordierite Stone on Amazon
4. Old Stone Oven Pizza Stone
A long-running rectangular stone brand that makes ovens and grills a better place for baking. The rectangular shape suits breads and several smaller pizzas at once.
Suits: bread and flatbread. Strengths: a roomy rectangular shape. Weaknesses: heavier and bulkier to store. Skip it if you have a small grill.
View Old Stone Oven Pizza Stone on Amazon
5. Emile Henry Flame Pizza Stone
A glazed ceramic stone from a French maker, designed to be used on a grill or in the oven. The glaze helps with cleaning and the heavy body holds heat.
Suits: cooks who want a polished piece. Strengths: glazed surface and good heat retention. Weaknesses: glazed ceramic can chip if mishandled. Skip it if you want a lightweight stone.
View Emile Henry Flame Pizza Stone on Amazon
6. Weber Gourmet BBQ System Pizza Stone
A stone insert designed for Weber’s Gourmet BBQ System grates, which replace a center section of the cooking surface. It fits that system rather than a regular grate.
Suits: owners of that Weber system. Strengths: an exact fit with the system. Weaknesses: only works with the matching grate. Skip it if you have a different grill.
View Weber Gourmet BBQ Pizza Stone on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Preheat the stone slowly with the grill.
- Scrape off residue with a plastic scraper.
- Avoid soap, which a porous stone can absorb.
- Let the stone cool fully before moving it.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Putting a cold stone on a very hot grill.
- Rinsing a hot stone with water.
- Assuming every stone sold for grilling is soapstone.
- Stacking food directly over uneven flames.
- Skipping the stone-size check against your grate.
Grill Stone FAQ
Is soapstone better than cordierite?
Soapstone holds heat well, but cordierite is better known for handling sudden temperature changes. The best choice depends on how you cook.
Can I sear steak on a stone?
Some people do, but most grill stones are meant for baking. Check the maker’s guidance before trying it.
How do I stop a stone from cracking?
Heat it gradually, keep it away from direct flames and avoid cold water or frozen food on a hot surface.
Do stones leave marks on the grill?
They can discolor with use, which is normal and does not usually affect the cooking.
The Short Version
For everyday grill pizza, the Pizzacraft Round Stone. For an easy grill pizza stone, the Cuisinart Alfrescamore Stone. For a general-purpose stone, the Unicook Cordierite Stone. For baking more than pizza, the Old Stone Oven Pizza Stone. For a refined ceramic option, the Emile Henry Flame Pizza Stone. For a Weber system insert, the Weber Gourmet BBQ Pizza Stone.