Nathan Sauser - Arizona Digital Marketing

Big Green Egg Pizza: Grilling Pizza with Homemade Dough

Can you make pizza on the Big Green Egg? Yes! You make pizza on the Big Green Egg the same as you would in the oven. The only difference is you’re cooking over a flame on the grill. Cooking your pizza can be a great experience. Your homemade pizza will taste even better with the smokey flavor the lump charcoal provides. You’ll think your Big Green Egg is a very expensive Italian wood-fired pizza oven!

You’ll learn the techniques to cooking pizza on your Big Green Egg, let’s get cooking!

Pizza Dough Recipe

The first step is to create your pizza dough. If you don’t want to make your dough, there are prepared options like Boboli. You can also call your local pizza restaurant because I’ll bet you they will sell you pizza dough. Making your pizza dough for the Big Green Egg is part of the fun, here’s my go-to recipe from Giada de Laurentiis. You can Google other pizza dough recipes. The key to making your pizza dough is using natural ingredients and allowing time for the dough to rise.

Grill Settings for Pizza

When I’m setting up to cook pizza, I like to fill the firebox with charcoal. It is always easier to bring up the temperature of the grill than it is to add more charcoal because you didn’t start with enough. Start your charcoal and get to your desired temperature. Cooking pizza requires cooking indirect.

Should the Big Green Egg plate setter legs up or down? Put the plate setter legs down. You will need to keep the pizza stone off the plate setter. If you put the stone directly on the plate setter, excessive heat can cause the stone to crack and break. I bought three metal water pipe fittings that were all the same size and used them to put the pizza stone on. You’ll get 2 inches of clearance for air to flow between the plate setter and pizza stone. I have never broken a pizza stone. You can also use your grill grate to provide space between the plate setter and the pizza stone. I don’t do this because my grate is usually greasy and that transfers to the underside of the stone. See the pictures below to see how to put everything together once you light the charcoal.

Start the Grill

At this point, you should light the fire in your Egg and get it going for a hot cook around 500 degrees Fahrenheit. When the charcoal is well lit, put the plate setter in and add the elevated pizza stone. I recommend using a laser thermometer for checking the temperature of the middle of the stone. Once you get it close to 500 degrees, then you’ll be ready to cook. This process can take up to 30 minutes depending on how hot you get the fire.

Pro tip: I highly recommend getting the grill and stone up to temperature before making your pizza because if the dough sits for too long, it will start to stick to everything!

Plate setter legs down with pipe fittings to elevate the pizza stone:

Place the pizza stone on top of the pipe fittings:

View from the side of the elevated pizza stone:

Making the Pizza

I recommend using a pizza peel or paddle when you create your pizza. Spread a nice layer of cornmeal out on the peel before getting the dough. The cornmeal will help when you are ready to transfer the pizza to the hot grill. You can also use parchment paper, but you need to remember to remove the parchment paper out about halfway into the cook. If you leave the paper on the grill, it will burn and become brittle.

Grab a ball of the dough you created earlier and begin to spread it out on the peel. Add more cornmeal to the peel if the dough begins to stick. Once you’ve formed the dough, add your sauce and toppings. In my opinion, every good pizza needs pepperoni! Make sure to add lots of cheese; it will melt beautifully and take on a smokey flavor.

Pepperoni and Banana Pepper pizza ready for the grill!

Cooking the Pizza

Now we’re finally ready to put the pizza on the grill! At this point, you’re on your own. If you put enough cornmeal on the peel, your pizza should slide off and onto the stone. If not, then you will need to provide an assist to the pizza and help it onto the stone. Putting the pizza on the stone is hard and takes practice so don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it the first time. Remember that if the dough gets caught, you can always fold it over into a calzone! I decided to cook this pizza using parchment paper. I was able to effortlessly slide the pizza onto the pizza stone. The most important thing to remember when doing a Big Green Egg pizza on parchment paper is to let the dough cook halfway and then slide the paper out from between the pizza and the stone.

Pizza on parchment paper inside Big Green Egg:

Time and Temperature

What is the time and temperature for pizza?

Cook for 10 minutes at 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

After 10 minutes, check the pizza for doneness. If you followed my recommendation above about getting the middle of the pizza stone to the temperature you should have a full cooked pizza. It is hard to say how long it will take to cook a pizza on your Egg because of the variations in temperature. Check the pizza minute by minute until you reach the desired doneness. I have experimented and gotten my grill up to 700 degrees. At that temperature, I only cooked my pizza for 8 minutes.

Use your pizza peel to remove it from the grill. Let the pizza cool for a few minutes. Cut into pieces and enjoy. Congratulations on cooking a pizza on your Big Green Egg!

Here’s the cooked pizza that took 14 minutes at 500 degrees:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best pizza stone for Big Green Egg?

Buy the Big Green Egg brand pizza stone if you want the highest quality stone on the market today. The stone is much thicker than most which allow it to retain and distribute heat throughout. I’ve baked bread and cookies on my stone in addition to pizza. There are other pizza stone options for use on a grill.

How do you clean the pizza stone?

Scrape off any excess food and wipe down with a paper towel. Do not use soap and water. A pizza stone is very porous, and the soap will soak into the stone and affect the flavor of your food.

How to season the pizza stone?

Over time as you cook more the stone, will season itself. A seasoned stone will allow for pizza to cook evenly in addition to sliding on and off easier.

How long does it take to cook a pizza at 500 degrees?

It takes about 10 minutes.

How to cook a Big Green Egg Pizza with parchment paper paper?

Parchment paper helps you get the sticky and wet dough onto the grill. About half to 2/3rd of the way through the cook the dopugh should be cooked enough that you can carefully slide the parchment paper out between the crust and the pizza stone.

New Project: Ancestry DNA Reviews

Have you ever wondered where you and your family really come from? Investigating ancestry and genealogy an art and science all in one. To study family origins, you need to be ready to accept what you find. In addition, you must have the willingness to keep digging. My latest project is https://ancestrydnareviews.com where all of the major home DNA testing companies are rated and reviewed. Each of the companies has their pros and cons but the one common trait is home DNA tests are all very easy.

More established companies have larger databases. This allows them to go deeper in tracing the origins of your family. Tracing family roots is typically done on your mother’s side but there are new home DNA tests that look at other factors. Spend a few minutes looking over the reviews and resources at Ancestry DNA Reviews. We’ve reviewed 23andMe, HomeDNA, Family Tree DNA, and Living DNA test kits.

Feel free to send me feedback on this latest project. I’d like to hear your thoughts on home DNA test kits. In other words, let me know if you have any safety concerns about giving up your DNA.

Polaris RZR Storage Bags: Kemimoto Door Bags Review

Looking for more storage in your Polaris RZR? The Kemimoto RZR storage bags are an excellent option that fits in any budget. These Polaris storage bags are one of the most important accessories I’ve purchased for my RZR. They are roomy, sturdy, waterproof and provide padding for my knee! We all need a secure place to store your phone, keys, wallet or other personal belongings. Polaris does a lot of great things with the RZR but storage isn’t one of them.

After purchasing a RZR 1000 XP I was quickly overwhelmed by the amount of 3^rd party accessories. I researched options by asking questions in Facebook groups and looking online. Quickly, the Kemimoto bags became the recommended accessory because of their durability and price. You could buy the Polaris storage door bags but why pay double the price for a less functional bag? These door bags are available for around $66 for the pair and I couldn’t be happier. For manufacturer notes and specifications check out Kemimoto.

Covered in this Kemimoto product review:

Polaris RZR Storage: Why Kemimoto RZR Door Bags?

Efficient & Functional Storage

Once you own an RZR you will quickly realize the need for more functional storage. Adding door storage bags to your RZR will give you easy and secure access for items such as your handheld GPS, smartphone or car & truck keys. Prior to owning these bags, I was always reaching in the glove box or the center dash storage box. It doesn’t matter if you own an RZR S 900, 1000 XP, 1000 XP Turbo or even an XP 4 you’ll always want more storage. The Kemimoto bags provide you with a deep pocket sealed by a waterproof zipper. On the outside of the bag you’ll find mesh pockets to give you quick access to your phone.

Durable, Quality Construction

The Polaris RZR storage bags are made from high quality, very sturdy nylon fabric. The zipper used creates a bit of a seal that helps prevent dust and water from getting into the bag. The foam they used for the door pad really feels sturdy but also provides a good protection. I’m not tall by any means but my knee rides close to the pad at all times and I’m really impressed by the design.

How Easy Are Kemimoto RZR Storage Bags to Install?

Easy Installation

3^rd party RZR accessory manufacturers have a lot of options when designing products. In the case of the Kemimoto RZR storage door bags there are two installation options, using the existing door bolts or the provided Velcro strips.

I decided to use the door bolts to attach my door bags. The metal hole rings line up perfectly with the bolts that hold the door on the frame. You simply unscrew the bolts in the door with a star bit or tool and then align the bag on the door and screw the bolts back in. My bags were a tight fit from end to end so I started tightening the bolts on either end first and then tightening the bolts in the middle of the bags.

The bags also come with Velcro straps already attached to the bags. If you want to use the Velcro instead you unpeel the backing to reveal a sticky strip that can be affixed to the door.

In Arizona we do a fair amount of rocky trail riding so that’s why I decided to screw the bags onto the door. The bags are also waterproof, so I don’t have any concerns when washing my RZR. When cleaning, I’m careful to not soak the bags or pad.

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

I really like the quality construction of these bags and I’m confident that we’ll enjoy them for years to come. I gave the bags 4.5 stars is because I felt like the fitament was tight. I’m also concerned the bags could come off or the rings could rip out depending on wear and tear. If anything breaks down with the bags, we’ll have gotten our money’s worth – and so will you! Solve your RZR storage problem with these side door bags.

Where can you buy the Kemimoto Polaris RZR storage bags:

Switch From DirecTV to HDTV Antenna and OTT Streaming in 2019

Do you pay too much for DirecTV? This tutorial will show you how to cut the cord and switch over to an HDTV antenna to pull over-the-air (OTA) channels for free. This OTA setup also includes streaming channel options too. We saved over $220 a month when we decided to cut the cord and install an outdoor HDTV antenna on our house. Follow my steps below to switch from DirecTV to antenna and start saving money:

Here’s a look at the finished product:

Mandatory equipment needed:

HDTV Antenna – I purchased the RCA Outdoor Antenna with a 70-mile range for less than $50
RG6 Coaxial Cable – You will need cabling to run from your antenna to your connection in the house
Coaxial Cable Splitters – You will need these to replace any DirecTV SMW adapters or splitters

Optional Cord Cutting equipment:

Roku Premiere Streaming box
Amazon FireTV Stick
Chromecast
TCL 4K Roku TV – 43″ 4K UHD Smart TV $229
Hulu TV – 2 weeks FREE!

In early 2019 Hulu was named the fastest growing live tv streaming service over YouTube TV. Try two weeks of Hulu for free, on me!

The first step in this process is to figure out what HDTV antenna you need. I’m going to walk you through the steps I used to replace my DirecTV with an outdoor HDTV antenna. You can also use a Mohu amplified indoor antenna to capture HDTV channels from inside your house for one TV. By using an external or outdoor HD antenna it should give you signal in every room that has a coaxial outlet. DirecTV is different from basic cable because you need a box for every TV. If you had basic cable you should get HDTV in every room that had cable.

First thing is first, you need to see what channels are available in your area. Head over to the TV Fool to use their HDTV signal detector. To enter your address, click the large “Click Here” in the middle of the page and you should be directed to a page where you can enter your address. If you will use an outdoor attic installation for your HDTV, you can also enter the height at which your antenna will be placed. The TV Fool tool will help you inform the range of HDTV antenna you’ll need.

Based on my location, I purcashed the RCA HDTV Antenna 70 mile range

The best approach, in my opinion, is to install your antenna close to your DirecTV dish since you know that is the line into the house and because of that, you know the signal will get to every room. Using the instructions that came with your antenna, find a safe location to install it on your house or roof. You should always be mindful of any large objects that might be on the path of receiving a strong signal. You can always move your antenna around to a different location and then just run coax cabling to the location where it enters your house. Based on your DirecTV satellite mount, you may be able to carefully remove the satellite dish and mount the HDTV antenna right on the DirecTV dish mount.

Installing HDTV Antenna and removing DirecTV

Now it is time to head to your DirecTV dish and inspect the coaxial connection that comes from the dish. My DirecTV system was using the Single Wire Switch or SWM technology so unfortunately, I can’t speak to any other DirecTV technologies. Here is a picture of the SWM adapter that was coming from the DirecTV dish, note that it looks very much like a cable splitter.

SWM adapter coming from DirecTV dish — Note that this is a special SWM splitter from DirecTV and works only with a satellite signal.

You will want to understand where the different cables are going to from this SWM adapter. In my case, they were going to another box that was an original Cox cable installation for the house. I was able to identify that there was a ground wire that was existing already so I’m good there but here’s another resource on ground wires if you want to do more research. I’m not an electrician and really didn’t want to mess much with what was already existing so I decided to just hook the antenna up to the existing cables to see what would happen and then I could diagnose any problems as they arise. Again, the house was already wired so in my mind all I’m doing here is just changing the source from satellite to antenna.

I was worried about signal loss throughout the house since I have no idea where other splitters could exist and don’t have an idea of the existing wiring in the house either. This is probably common sense but worth noting that the signal is strongest the closer you are to the antenna and the least amount of splits in the line as well.

My next step is to remove the DirecTV SMW adapter and replace it with my new Coaxial splitter. Use the coax cable from your HDTV antenna as the “in” source, and then use whatever cabling was attached to the “out” sources on your DirecTV SWM adapter as the “out” sources for the splitter. Once you have replaced the SWM adapter with the coaxial splitter then believe it or not but you’re almost done!

Steps for switching TVs from DirecTV to HDTV

Step 1: Remove DirecTV from your TV and hook the coaxial cable directly to the TV

Now that we have all of the connections completed, we need to see what comes in on your TV. I would recommend not starting with your family’s main TV but instead start with a TV in a spare room. The next step is to remove the DirecTV box from your TV. My TVs were all connected via HDMI cable, so I removed the HDMI plug from the back of the TV. Next, find the coaxial cable that runs from the wall outlet to the back of the DirecTV box and unscrew it from the DirecTV box. Once removed, find the cable connector on the back of your TV and screw the cable in.

Regular coaxial cable splitter — Ran the coaxial cable from the antenna to a new splitter. Then attached the coaxial cables from the SWM splitter to the new splitter.

Step 2: Find HDTV channels on your TV

The next step will be for your TV to catalog the new HD channels it is receiving. Since we all have different brand TVs, I recommend finding the remote that came with your TV, you can use your DirecTV remote if you programmed it to control your TV, but more on that later. With your remote, you need to access your TV’s menu, and from there you need to try to find a section that says “Tuner” and from there you might see the input as Cable, if you do, switch it to the “antenna” or “TV” input and complete a channel scan operation. If this hasn’t been of any help, you can Google “how to scan for HDTV channels for [insert brand of TV] TV”

How to find HDTV channels on a Vizio TV

Here are the basic instructions on how to find HDTV channels from an antenna source for Vizio TVs:

Press the Input button on the remote control and select “TV”.

Press the Menu button on the remote.

Select “Tuner” and press OK.

Check the “Tuner Mode” settings. It should say “Cable”. If it says “Antenna” press the left arrow button on the remote to change it to “Cable”.

Go to “Auto Channel Scan” and press the OK button on the remote.

Your TV will then scan for channels based on the signal strength. When the progress bar reaches 100% you will have access to all of the TV channels your TV receives.

Step 3: Watch free TV!

Scroll through the local channels you want and watch each of them for a few minutes. You’ll want to watch and see if the signal comes in strong and steady. If not, you may need to go back to your antenna and adjust the direction it is pointing. I spent about 30 minutes calibrating the antenna based on the various signal strengths I was receiving. When you are satisfied that you’ve found all of the channels you’re going to get, repeat this process for every TV.

I had one minor issue during my transition to HDTV. A TV in a bedroom was only getting half the channels that the others were getting. I thought it was a signal loss because this was our master bedroom and was the furthest point from the antenna.

When the DirecTV installers were at our house we had them run coax to an outlet so we could have a TV on our patio. Turns out they spliced the cable in this bedroom and there was a SWM adapter on the line! As I mentioned before the SWM adapters are for satellite signal only and it wasn’t allowing the HDTV signal to pass through. I replaced the SWM splitter with a standard splitter and reprogrammed the TV and I had all of the other channels my other TVs were receiving. At this point, I don’t really think I have any signal loss from point of entry to the TV furthest away.

SMW splitter inside house — SWM splitter that was attached to my bedroom TV. Once it was replaced with a regular splitter, the reception, and channel count both increased.

Final Thoughts and Tips

After completing the transition over to OTA HDTV it seems to me that the picture quality is better than DirecTV. It could be wishful thinking but I honestly believe it to be the case. I also thought that this process would be much more difficult than it really is. I really wish we had done this sooner because we do not miss DirecTV. It is also worth mentioning that if you have a family member who has DirecTV, you can also utilize their login to be able to stream content from various apps like ESPN, FoxSportsGo, HBONow, etc.

Cancelling DirecTV

So in my experience with canceling DirecTV, they only wanted 3 of the 6 units I had back. I find this to be quite disingenuous since they have no problem charging me equipment charges every month, but I digress . . . .

If they do not request back all of the equipment and you programmed your DirecTV remote to control your TV, you might as well keep the remote. No reason to return a universal remote since one of your TVs may need a new controller one day.

The process to cancel with DirecTV was pretty simple. They sent me the postage paid boxes to return the equipment they wanted and they sent me a prepaid Visa debit card for the balance left on my account. If they tell you that you can just cancel when your month is up, just say no and ask for a refund. This helps pay for your antenna and any other equipment you had to purchase.

How much money we saved by cutting the cord

HDTV Antenna on roof — An antenna attached to my roof getting over 40 HDTV channels over-the-air.

At the beginning of this tutorial, I had links to optional equipment if you want to add streaming to your TVs. We’ve been really happy with Roku devices as well as the Amazon Fire TV sticks. The way the current technology is, you will need a streaming device for every TV if you want to stream video. My math shows us way ahead over the next year even if we were to purchase a streaming device for every TV. We saved over $220 a month and over $2,400 a year by ending our relationship with DirecTV and installing an antenna. Please note that this tutorial was based on my specific setup. Please leave any comments or questions below.