The Pizza Stone Hack That's Perfect For A Korean Barbecue Feast
Though American barbecue is often enjoyed in someone's backyard or at a tailgate, that's generally not the case for Korean barbecue. Instead, the norm is to go to an actual restaurant, where you order the meat and then cook it yourself using a built-in or tabletop grill. Those who've never had Korean barbecue before might assume you spend most of your dinner hovering over the grill, but the truth is it doesn't take long before your food is ready. The reason for this, Expat Guide Korea explains, is that while American barbecue typically calls for thicker cuts of meat that are slow-cooked at 225 degrees Fahrenheit and basted in the process, Korean barbecue tends to use thinner cuts of meats that are pre-marinated and seared for a short amount of time.
It's possible to make Korean barbecue at home, I am a Food Blog says, but you'd at least need a hot plate and a grill pan to put on top. Many Asian grocery stores also sell countertop grills designed specifically for Korean barbecue, however, if all you have is a pizza stone, don't bother buying a brand-new appliance — you can still have Korean barbecue at home.
Pizza stones aren't just for pizza
You might not think of a pizza stone as a worthwhile investment if you don't make homemade pizza often, but it's actually more versatile than you'd think. According to Epicurious, pizza stones absorb moisture, and that means anything that you'd want to have a crisp outside — including potato chips, bread, even cookies — can be baked on a pizza stone. It also works just as well as a makeshift Korean barbecue grill, Rick Doherr, the chef at Café Rule & Wine Bar, revealed to Real Simple.
To do so, you'll start by preheating the pizza stone in the oven, much like you would a pizza. 450 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for Korean barbecue, Doherr says. Then, when you're ready to eat, simply bring the pizza stone to the table and cook your meat as you would on a grill. For best results, Cook's Illustrated recommends heating up your pizza stone for at least an hour before use. This will promote better heat retention, allowing you to "grill" more meat without having to return the pizza stone to the oven.
Why does a pizza stone work as a Korean barbecue grill?
Most people use it as a glorified baking tray, but pizza stones aren't a substitute for a run-of-the-mill aluminum or nonstick sheet pan. The reason they work so well for pizza, Leite's Culinaria shares, is that they're constructed of a material such as ceramic, cordierite, cast iron, and steel that is highly absorbent of heat. Given that commercial pizza ovens get as hot as 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, heat absorption and retention are important factors for pizza making at home, and they're just as useful for Korean barbecue.
Per Weber, Korean barbecue is normally cooked over a grill's highest heat setting, which runs anywhere from 450 degrees to 550 degrees. If you don't have a countertop grill, therefore, a pizza stone is the next best option. It gets hot and stays hot, and that's precisely what you want when you cook Korean barbecue, whether at home or in a restaurant.