Here in Singapore, we went into full-on lockdown in 2020. We were allowed to go to the grocery store, but otherwise we could not go anywhere.
And I just got a hankering for some pizza. But the ovens here are pretty small, like the size of a microwave. I tried to make a pizza on my gas braai by sliding it directly on to the grid, but it was just all right. I wanted that leopard-spotted bottom, and the charred bubbles on the crust. I saw online there were some pizza ovens selling in the US that go on top of a gas braai. And I thought, maybe I can make something like that.
My design uses a thick steel baking tray as the base, covered by a stainless-steel dome with a pizza stone attached at the top. The baking tray is a better heat conductor than the stone, which lets it run several degrees hotter. It works really well – it gets super hot on the bottom to give the crust that pizza crunch, while also trapping heat and reflecting it downwards to melt the cheese and make the top crust pillowy.
I'm originally from Texas, where barbecue is big. It's the simplest food, but to get it perfect is so hard. Pizza's like that too - to get it just right, it takes so much practise. I'm always trying to perfect it by studying types of dough and how to get the heat right (for tips, see 'How to make the perfect pizza' sidebar on p68).
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Can a retired rocket engine take us to Mars?
The space shuttle's main engine was mothballed with the programme in 2011. Now NASA believes it's the future of interplanetary travel.
6 metre waves. All engines on fire. 1 500 Km from land.
How Flying Tiger 923 and its 'miracle pilot' made an impossible ocean landing.
Land Rover Discovery D300
A FEW MONTHS ago a $2 billion lottery jackpot was won in the United States. It’s fun to sometimes ponder outrageous winnings like that, and how I’d spend it, even if it’s completely detached from reality.
Volkswagen Taigo R-Line 1.0 TSI
The compact proportions make this a delightful daily commuter.
Mazda CX-5 2.2 L De Akera AWD
Floor the pedal and overtaking is achieved easily and safely.
Making the most out of your grinder
THE HUMBLE BENCH GRINDER IS A STAPLE of the handyworker's home shop, largely due to its versatility. But, while you can employ one to remove metal from just about anything, the traditional kind may not provide the precision you need for every grinding operation. Here, we shed light on the best ways to use the different types of grinders, gleaned from our testing.
Unlock your devices' full potential with a USB-C hub
AS NEW TECH SHRINKS EACH YEAR, essential ports such as USB-A, HDMI, and ethernet are being replaced by the slimmer USB-C.
WE BUILT THE WORLD'S FIRST V-8 TESLA
THE RICH REBUILDS TEAM HAD A DEAD MODEL S. THEY FIXED IT WITH A CAMARO ENGINE.
I bought a GHOST TOWN
This abandoned California mining village once had 400 buildings. Now I'm restoring the 20 that remain.
F1 taught me that speed starts with comfort
AS A FAN OF MOTORSPORT, I'M ALWAYS fascinated with the finer details that go into Formula One racing. Piloting the fastest racing cars on the planet subjects drivers to savage forces - up to 6 G's under braking which has led to an almost endless pursuit of comfort.
