If you love making pizza at home but crave that blistered, leopard-spotted crust you get from a wood-fired oven, you've probably already considered a baking steel. The Baking Steel Griddle takes that concept one step further: it's a reversible 14x18-inch plate that serves as both a pizza steel and a stovetop griddle. In this review, we'll dive into how it performs for pizza, how it handles everyday stovetop cooking, and whether it deserves a spot in your kitchen.
The Baking Steel Griddle
We tested the Baking Steel Griddle over several weeks, making everything from Neapolitan-style pies to smash burgers and pancakes. Here's what we found.
Design and Build Quality
The Baking Steel Griddle is a hefty 14x18-inch slab of steel, precision-cut and polished to a smooth finish. At about a quarter-inch thick, it's substantial but not unwieldy. The surface is perfectly flat, which is crucial for even heat distribution. The steel is pre-seasoned, so it's ready to use out of the box, and it develops a natural non-stick patina over time.
The reversible design is the standout feature. One side is completely flat, ideal for pizza and baking. The other side features a subtle raised grid pattern, perfect for stovetop grilling and searing. This dual functionality means you're essentially getting two cooking surfaces in one product, saving both money and cabinet space.
- 14x18-inch surface fits standard home ovens and most stovetops
- Pre-seasoned and ready to use immediately
- Reversible: flat side for pizza, grid side for griddle cooking
Pizza Performance: Better Than a Stone?
We used the Baking Steel Griddle to bake pizzas at 550°F, the max temperature of our home oven. The steel preheated for about 45 minutes, and the first pizza went in. The crust came out with a beautiful char and a crisp, chewy texture that we've only previously achieved with a wood-fired oven. The heat transfer is incredible—the steel conducts heat far more efficiently than a ceramic stone, resulting in a faster bake and a better rise.
We tested both thin-crust and thick-crust styles, and the steel handled both admirably. The bottom of the pizza was evenly browned with no burnt spots, and the interior was cooked through perfectly. If you're serious about pizza, this griddle performs just as well as the dedicated Baking Steel Original, but with the added bonus of the griddle side.
- Preheat for at least 45 minutes for best results
- Use a pizza peel like The 14" Pizza Peel – Cherry Wood for easy launching
- Rotate the pizza halfway through for even browning
Stovetop Griddle Cooking
Flipping the griddle over reveals the ridged side, which turns your stovetop into a grill. We used it on a gas range, and it sat securely across two burners. The ridges left attractive grill marks on chicken breasts, vegetables, and even pineapple slices. The flat side is also excellent for pancakes, eggs, and smash burgers—the even heat distribution means no hot spots, and the non-stick surface (once seasoned) makes flipping a breeze.
One thing to note: the griddle is heavy, so you'll want to be careful when moving it. It also takes a while to heat up on the stovetop, but that's a trade-off for the excellent heat retention. Once hot, it stays hot, so you can cook in batches without losing temperature.
- Use medium heat on stovetop to avoid warping
- Season the griddle side lightly with oil before each use
- Clean with a scraper and hot water—avoid soap that strips seasoning
Versatility and Value
The Baking Steel Griddle is more than just a pizza steel; it's a versatile cooking tool that can replace multiple pans. We used it to bake bread, roast vegetables, and even as a makeshift plancha for searing fish. The large surface area means you can cook for a crowd, and the reversible design makes it a space-saving choice for small kitchens.
Compared to buying a separate pizza steel and a cast-iron griddle, the Baking Steel Griddle offers better value. It's also backed by the same quality and durability as other Baking Steel products. For those who want the ultimate in versatility, the Baking Steel Griddle is a smart investment.
- Can be used in the oven up to 800°F
- Compatible with all stovetop types, including induction
- Pairs well with the Baking Steel Dough Container for cold-proofing
Final Verdict
The Baking Steel Griddle is a top-tier product that lives up to its promise. It delivers restaurant-quality pizza at home and doubles as a reliable stovetop griddle. The only downsides are its weight and the time it takes to preheat, but these are minor compared to the performance benefits.
If you're in the market for a pizza steel and also want a griddle, this is the one to get. It's a versatile tool that will elevate your cooking for years to come.
Ready to upgrade your pizza game and stovetop cooking? The Baking Steel Griddle is a game-changer. Check out the Baking Steel Griddle — 14"x18" Reversible Pizza Steel & Stovetop Griddle to see how it can transform your kitchen.
