Heat Deflector & Pizza Stone Recommendations for Kamado Grills

Whenever possible, we like to have the deflector above the fire box/bowl or fire ring. Above, we can use bigger deflectors, pushing out closer to the grill's inner wall, and at the same time open up the grill for better airflow.

When the deflector is placed down inside the fire box/bowl or fire ring, the stone size is now limited by the smaller diameter box/bowl/ring. Plus, being down, the deflector is closer to the fire, where it can be more disruptive with the fire and airflow.

Truth be told, ceramic heat deflectors are probably the most abused component in kamado grills. On the bottom side, the poor ceramic deflectors get pummeled with wide ranges and concentrations of heat. Topside, they absorb any fluid that hits them, especially moisture laden drippings from big juicy meats.

Inside the deflector, heat meets fluid, creating evaporation/steam which in turn stresses the ceramics. Next thing you know, the ceramic deflector breaks. A drip pan is the best protection for ceramic heat deflectors.

The stone thickness, we recommend at least 5/8" thick. It’s the easiest thickness we’ve found to separate the good from the not so good stone. Plus, we recommend staying clear of the thin, usually pricey, specialty stones, like Pampered Chef. These stones do not have a good track record in ceramic grills.

Our stones are cordierite formulated with minimum 5/8-inch thickness. The material and thickness allow the stones to take significant punishment. However, we do not recommend routinely shocking any stone with big temperature swings. Whenever possible, let the stone warm up and cool down with the grill.

1. The preferred location for the pizza stone is up in the dome. This pulls the stone away from the fire, making it easier to control the stone's temperature. Plus, with the pizza stone high in the dome, we efficiently use the dome's reflecting heat to cook the topside of the pizza.

 2. The biggest stone is not always the best stone. Extra-large pizzas, bigger than 16" diameter, can be hard to manage. Also, it is more difficult to maintain a uniform stone temperature with big stones. Be reasonable on size and you will make a better pizza.

 3. If you need a deflecting stone, it should be the same size or slightly bigger than the pizza stone. This insures the best protection and temperatures in and around the pizza stone. How much space between the deflecting and pizza stone is up to you? If you can, do not position big stones at felt line (top of the base). If the stone is too close to the gasket, the stone can push heat toward the gasket and shorten its useful life.

 4. With thin crust and minimal pizza toppings, you might be able to use just the pizza stone, no deflecting stone. Think of it as a grilling cook. Don't continually peak that the pizza, as you could create to much fire and heat, causing the stone to overheat.

5. With thick crust or multiple pizza toppings, you may need a deflecting stone under the pizza stone. The deflecting stone protects the pizza stone from overheating, allowing the thicker dough to cook evenly or the large amount of toppings to properly cook. Think of thick crust as a baking cook.

6. With regard to fire, you want a spread out and even burning fire. Something similar to a good steak fire with the heat evenly hitting the bottom side of the pizza or deflector stone. We recommend dome temperatures around 450°F, just like frozen pizza instructions.

7. Fast 700°F pizzas can be a challenge. First, the typical fast pizza from a pizzareia is a Neapolitan pizza with very minimal toppings. Americans like to put everything imaginable on pizza. More on top, means longer cook times, so now you are juggling cooking dough vs cooking toppings. Second, on fast cooks, we are always checking....checking means opening the dome. An open dome feeds the fire oxygen. Before you know it, the fire and cooking temperature are getting away from you, causing the stone to overheat.

8. It is possible to cook two pizzas on two stones but it can be a challenge. This cook will require three stones: one blocking and two pizza. The big hurdle is getting the lower pizza stone to heat up, as it is sandwhiched between the two other stones. You will need a way to rotate the pizzas or pizzas/stones to maintain even temperatures. Our Adjustable Rig with Sliding Oval Grids are great for two pizzas. Set the stones on the Oval Grids and rotate each grid/stone/pizza as one unit.

 9. If the plan is to do multiple pizza often, then a pizza insert, if available for your grill, would be worth the investment. The biggest plus is you won't be opening the dome, allowing cooking temperatures to remain consistent.

- Pizza Stone (18-P,F), (21-P,F)

- EGGspander (24-H,P)

- Pizza Stone (18-P,F)

- CGS Woo Expander (18-H,P,F)

- CGS Adjustable Rig (18-H,P)

- CGS Adj. Rig Half Stone Hanger (18-H)

- CGS Spider (18-H,P,F)

- EGGspander (18/21-H,P,F)

- Pizza Stone (13/14/15-P,F)

- CGS PSWoo (Requires 3 Leg Spider) (15/16-H,P,F)

- CGS Woo 3 or 5 Leg (13x17-F), (15/16-H,P,F)

- CGS Adj Rig Combos (13x17-F), (15,16-H,P,F)

- CGS Half Stone Hanger (15/16-H)

- CGS Spider (13-P.F), (14-F), (15-H)

- EGGspander (15/16-H,P,F)

- Pizza Stone (10/12/13-P,F)

- CGS Spiders (10-F)

- CGS Woo (12/13-H,P,F)

- EGGspander (12-H,P,F)

- Pizza Stone (10-P,F) (12-F)

- CGS Spider (10-F)

- CGS Woo Ring (10-F) (13-H)

- Pizza Stone (10-P,F), (12-F)

- 3 or 4 Leg Spider (10-F)

- Woo Ring (10-F) (13-H)

- 8" CGS Octagonal

- Pizza Stone (18-P,F), (19-P,F)

- CGS Big Joe Flexible 2nd Grid (18/19-H)

- CGS Deep Drop Spider (18-H)

- JOE Divide & Conquer (19-H.P)

- Pizza Stone (15-P,F)

- Large Adjustable Rig (15/16-H,P,F)

- Rig's Half Stone Hanger (15/16-H)

- JOE Divide & Conquer (15-H,P)

- Pizza (10/13-F)

- CGS Woo Ring (10-F)

- Joe Junior Rack (10-F)

- Pizza Stone (16/18-P,F)

- Pizza Stone (14,F), (13,15-P,F)

- Pizza Stone (10-P,F) - CGS Woo Ring (10-H,P,F)

- Pizza Stone (16,18-P,F)

- CGS Spider (16-H,P,F)

- CGS Woo Ring (16-H,P,F)

- Pizza Stone (14,15-P,F)

- CGS Spider (14/15-H,P,F)

- Pizza Stone (13x17-F), (15-F)

- XL Deflectors (Oval-H,P)

- Pizza Stone (12/13-F)

- Large Deflectors (Oval-H,P)

- Pizza Stone (12-F)
- Junior Deflectors (Oval-H,P)

- Pizza (14/15-P,F)

- CGS Woo Ring (14/15-H,P,F)

- Primo Rack (14/15-H,P,F)

- Pizza Stone (13/15-P,F)

- CGS Spider (13/14/15-H,P,F)*

- CGS Woo Ring (13/14/15-H,P,F)*

- CGS Adj Rig/Spider Combo (13/14/15-H,P,F)*

* Confirm on Product Page

- Pizza Stone (13-F)
- CGS Woo Ring (10/13-H,P,F)*