Sure! Cooking pizza on a charcoal grill can be a fun and delicious way to enjoy homemade pizza with a smoky flavor. Here's how you can do it:
- Prepare the grill: Start by lighting the charcoal and let it burn until it turns white and ashy. Spread the charcoal evenly on one side of the grill, creating a hot and cool zone. This will allow you to control the heat while cooking the pizza.
- Preheat the grill: Close the grill lid and let it preheat for about 15-20 minutes. This will ensure that the grill is hot enough to cook the pizza properly.
- Prepare the pizza dough: While the grill is preheating, roll out your pizza dough into the desired size and thickness. Sprinkle some flour or cornmeal on the dough to prevent it from sticking.
- Prepare the toppings: Assemble your favorite pizza toppings. This can include tomato sauce, cheese, vegetables, meats, and herbs.
- Oil the grates: Use a brush or a paper towel to lightly oil the grill grates. This will prevent the dough from sticking and help achieve a crispy crust.
- Cook the pizza: Carefully place the pizza dough directly on the grill grates over the hot zone. Close the lid and let it cook for about 2-3 minutes. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
- Flip the dough: Use tongs or a spatula to flip the dough over to the cooler zone of the grill. This will allow the dough to cook evenly on both sides.
- Add toppings: Now, quickly add your desired toppings to the partially cooked side of the dough. Be creative and don't overload it with too many toppings as they might not cook properly.
- Cook until done: Close the lid and let the pizza cook for another 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the crust becomes golden brown. Keep rotating the pizza occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Remove and serve: Once the pizza is cooked to your desired doneness, carefully remove it from the grill using tongs or a spatula. Let it cool down for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Remember to practice caution when handling the hot grill and always keep an eye on the pizza to prevent burning. Enjoy your homemade charcoal-grilled pizza!
Best Charcoal Grills of June 2024
1
Rating is 5 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker with Cover, 811 Square Inches, Black, Outdoor Camping
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811 Square Inches: Includes 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates, 184 sq. in. chrome-plated warming rack and 184 sq. in. offset smoker.
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Tasty Smoke Flavors: The offset smoker is firmly attached to grill to ensure good circulation of heat and smoke. Easy to open side door to add charcoal and remove ashes; air vent stokes fire instantly.
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Adjustable Pan: 2-level height-adjustable charcoal pan creates better heat control and holds up to 4.4 lbs. of coal.
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Temperature Monitor: Lid-mounted thermometer gauge helps check and monitor the cooking temperature and you can cook with great confidence.
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Grill Cover Included: Made of heavy-duty fabric, the cover protects your grill from elements and withstands the harshest weather.
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Ample Space: Front and side tables offer workspace for seasonings and grilling tools. The bottom shelf provides extra storage space and holds up to only 20 lb. accessories when they are evenly distributed.
2
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill
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Stay true to the modern version of the kettle that started it all—the Original Kettle, invented by Weber’s founder, and loved around the world. Its ultra-durable, porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, while the damperseasily adjust for precise temperature control. With a One-Touch cleaning system for easy cleanup after a long day of grilling, the Original Kettle will always be the grill built for everyone
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Holds up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press
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One-Touch cleaning system provides hassle-free ash cleanup.Removable, aluminum ash catcher
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Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl Retain heat, and won’t rust or peel
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Use the lid hook to avoid placing the lid on the ground while grilling
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Dampers allow you to easily control the temperature inside your grill
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3D interactive assembly instructions for this product are available through the free BILT app.
3
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill, Black
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CHARCOAL GRILL - Barrel style BBQ Grill with heavy duty steel construction and powder coating finish, the perfect grilling solution for small decks, backyards, and patios
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LARGE COOKING AREA - 250 square inch total cooking area delivers exceptional taste and charcoal flavor
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BARBECUE GRILL FEATURES - Thick Cast Iron Cooking Grates, Bottom Storage Rack, Heavy-Duty Steel Construction, Side Air Vent, Stay Cool Wood Handle, Wheels for Easy Mobility, and Side Shelf Workstation with Barbecue Tool Storage Hooks
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EASY TO ASSEMBLE & CLEAN - Assembles easily and quickly cleans up after use with the Easy Dump Ash Pan
4
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CC1830 30 Barrel Charcoal Grill with Side Table, 627 Square Inches, Outdoor Backyard, Patio and Parties, Black
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627 Smoking Space: 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates with 184 sq. in. chrome-plated steel wire warming rack offer enough space to cook.
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Heat Control: Close the side air vent completely that cuts off the oxygen flow to help extinguish coals and adjust the smoke stack for extra heat control.
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Adjustable Fire Grates: 2-level height-adjustable fire pan ensures more controlled cooking and holds up to 6 lbs. of coal.
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Temperature Monitor: Lid-mounted thermometer gauge helps check heat fluctuations for confident grilling.
5
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CD1824M 24-Inch Charcoal Grill, BBQ Smoker with Handle and Folding Table, Perfect for Outdoor Patio, Garden and Backyard Grilling, Black, Medium
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Spacious Cooking Area: 384 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates and 106 sq. in. stainless steel warming rack provide a total of 490 sq. in. cooking space respectively, serving up to 10 people.
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Height-adjustable Charcoal Pan: The crank handle controls the distance between the charcoal pan and food for fine-tuning temperature and regulating heat. The charcoal pan holds charcoal up to 4.5 lb. for each use.
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Convenient Access Door: Front charcoal access door with heat-resistant spring handle provides more convenience for adding charcoal and controls heat loss to a minimum during cooking.
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Built-in Thermometer Gauge: The lid-mounted thermometer indicates the temperature changes precisely in real-time.
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Air Flow: Two adjustable air vents control air circulation to enhance sufficient burning of charcoal for efficient smoking.
6
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
Royal Gourmet Barrel Charcoal Grill with Front Storage Basket, Backyard BBQ Party and Outdoor Cooking Grill on Clearance Prime with Wheels, Black, CC1830T
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Additional Cooking Options: The charcoal grill can meet your versatile cooking demands by slow smoking or grilling ribs, veggies, lobster tails, or other preferred ingredients.
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Ample Cooking Area: To accommodate 23 hamburgers at once, there are 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates and a 184 sq. in. chrome-plated steel wire warming rack as a secondary heating area.
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Impressive Storage: Store seasonings in the front basket, hang some cooking utensils on the integrated hooks, place plates and other food on the side tables, and meanwhile put your charcoal on the bottom storage shelf.
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Adjustable Charcoal Pan: Easily control the distance between food and fire with the lifting handle to regulate cooking temperature, which also saves fuel in the meantime.
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Heat Control: Customize your desired temperature by twisting the air damper and smoke stack, thus getting the best cooking results.
7
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch, Black
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Holds up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press; Built-in lid thermometer. Rust-resistant aluminum dampers
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One-Touch cleaning system with high-capacity ash catcher provides hassle-free ash cleanup
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Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, and won’t rust or peel
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Use the lid hook to avoid placing the lid on the ground while grilling
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Cooking grate is hinged for easily adding charcoal while grilling
8
Rating is 4.3 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CC1830S 30" BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker | 811 Square Inch cooking surface, Outdoor for Camping | Black
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811 Square Inches: Includes 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates, 184 sq. in. chrome-plated warming rack and 184 sq. in. offset smoker.
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Tasty Smoke Flavors: The offset smoker is firmly attached to grill to ensure good circulation of heat and smoke. Easy to open side door to add charcoal and remove ashes; air vent stokes fire instantly.
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Adjustable Pan: 2-level height-adjustable charcoal pan creates better heat control and holds up to 4.4 lbs. of coal.
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Temperature Monitor: Lid-mounted thermometer gauge helps check and monitor the cooking temperature and you can cook with great confidence.
9
Rating is 4.2 out of 5
Dyna-Glo DGN576SNC-D X-Large Premium Dual Chamber Charcoal Grill
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Removable firebox divider for single or dual cooking zone
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Primary cooking area is 576 square inches
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Secondary cooking area is 240 square inches
10
Rating is 4.1 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CC1830W 30 Barrel Charcoal Grill with Side Table, 627 Square Inches, Outdoor Backyard, Patio and Parties, Black
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Spacious Cooking Area: Includes 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates, 184 sq. in. chrome-plated steel wire warming rack, and 184 sq. in. offset smoker.
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Offset Smoker: Use the side fire box to get tasty and authentic smoky flavors in the main chamber. Smoking, grilling, or searing all will be your choices.
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Adjustable Charcoal Pan: 2-level height-adjustable charcoal pan ensures better heat control and holds up to 4.4 lb. of coal.
Can I use a pizza stone on a charcoal grill?
Yes, you can use a pizza stone on a charcoal grill. The process is similar to using a pizza stone in an oven. Here's how you can do it:
- Start by lighting the charcoal and letting it burn until it reaches the desired temperature. Make sure you have a two-zone fire, with coals on one side and an empty space on the other side.
- Once the charcoal is lit, place the pizza stone on the grill grates on the side without the coals. This will allow the stone to heat up gradually and evenly.
- Close the grill lid and let the pizza stone preheat for about 15-20 minutes or until it reaches the desired temperature (typically around 500-550°F or 260-288°C). This will ensure that the stone is hot enough to cook the pizza properly.
- Meanwhile, prepare your pizza dough and toppings. Once the stone is preheated, you can assemble the pizza directly on a pizza peel or a flat surface dusted with cornmeal or flour.
- Carefully transfer the assembled pizza onto the preheated stone using a pizza peel. Close the lid and let the pizza cook for about 10-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Keep a close eye on the pizza to prevent burning. You may need to rotate the pizza occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Once the pizza is cooked to your desired level of doneness, carefully remove it from the grill using the pizza peel.
Remember to use oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves while handling the hot surfaces. Enjoy your homemade grilled pizza!
Should I use wood chips or charcoal for flavor?
Whether to use wood chips or charcoal for flavor in cooking largely depends on personal preference and the type of food you are preparing.
Wood chips:
- Wood chips offer a distinctive smoky flavor that is desired in certain dishes, such as smoked meats or fish.
- They come in a variety of wood types, each with its own unique flavor profile (such as mesquite, hickory, applewood, or cherry).
- Using wood chips requires a smoker or a grill with a smoker box or aluminum foil pouch.
Charcoal:
- Charcoal provides a more neutral and consistent heat source, without adding a strong smoky flavor to the food.
- It is a versatile fuel source for grilling and can be used for a wide range of foods, such as burgers, steaks, vegetables, and more.
- Charcoal offers a long-lasting and even heat, making it suitable for extended cooking sessions.
Ultimately, the choice between wood chips and charcoal depends on the specific flavors you want to achieve. If you desire a bold smoky taste, wood chips are the way to go. However, if you prefer a more straightforward grilled flavor and versatility in cooking various dishes, charcoal is a better option.
Can I use a gas grill instead of charcoal for cooking pizza?
Yes, you can use a gas grill instead of charcoal for cooking pizza. Gas grills provide consistent heat and are easy to control, making them a convenient option for cooking pizza. You can typically achieve similar results to a charcoal grill by preheating the grill to the highest temperature and using a pizza stone or a pizza pan with holes. It may take a little experimentation to find the optimal heat and cooking time, but with some practice, you can make delicious grilled pizzas using a gas grill.
