How to choose a hot stone cooking set
The right hot stone cooking set depends on two things: how many people will be dining and what you are serving. Individual sets use smaller stones sized for one diner. Sharing sets use larger stones for two or more diners. Every set lets each diner sear every bite on a natural lava stone, exactly as they like it.
A hot stone cooking set works on stored heat. You heat the lava stone under the broiler, on the stovetop or in a very hot oven. Then you serve it on its board, and the stone keeps food sizzling to the last bite. Read more about the benefits of hot stone cooking.
Hot stone cooking sets ranked by use
Each SteakStones set suits a different kind of meal. Start with the one that matches how you eat.
Best for most homes: The Steak Plate & Sauces Set
The Steak Plate & Sauces Set is the SteakStones top selling individual set at $140. Its 8x7x1" lava stone fits deep cuts of sirloin, ribeye and fillet. The set includes a 17x10" bamboo board and a stainless steel tray. It also comes with a 5x5" ceramic side plate and two ceramic dip bowls.
Best for fillet and date nights: The Sizzling Steak Set
The Sizzling Steak Set costs $130 and suits fillet steak and smaller portions. Its 8x5x1" lava stone sits in a stainless steel tray on a 17x10" bamboo board. The set includes an 8x5" ceramic side plate and three ceramic sauce bowls. It also works well for tuna, salmon and swordfish steaks.
Best for sharing and Tomahawk steaks: The Sharing Steak Plate
The Sharing Steak Plate costs $170 and carries a 15x8x1" lava stone. SteakStones describes it as the way leading restaurants serve prime Tomahawk steaks. It also suits steak tastings, with fillet, ribeye and sirloin side by side. The full choice of flat and raised designs sits in the sharing stone sets range.
Best for seafood and starters: The Sizzling Starter Set
The Sizzling Starter Set is the entry point at $100. SteakStones pairs it with scallops, king prawns and mixed meat and fish skewers. It is a simple way to try Steak on the Stone.
Best for pre-cooked steaks: The Steak Finishing Set
The Steak Finishing Set costs $120. It keeps steak that was cooked on the grill or in a pan sizzling to the last bite. The Steak Finishing Set suits cooks who prefer to sear first and serve on the stone.
Best value for hosts: multi-buy package deals
Hosts who cook for a group save with SteakStones bundles. Four Sizzling Steak Sets with gloves cost $510, a $55 saving. Six sets with gloves cost $705, a $120 saving. All bundles sit in package deals.
Why lava stone works best
Lava stone is the best material for a hot stone cooking set. Lava cools quickly after an eruption, which creates a fine grained, tightly bonded rock. SteakStones uses that structure to guarantee its stones will never crack under normal use. Granite cools slowly underground with pockets of air inside which create pressure when moisture enters and steam forces cracks inside the stone when heated directly. Marble is a poor choice for searing. Marble is mostly calcium carbonate, and Stone World explains that acid etches the surface of calcium carbonate stones. Steak juices, wine and marinades all carry acid. For the full comparison, read what makes SteakStones the best.
What to check before you buy a hot stone cooking set
A good set looks simple, but a few details decide how well it performs. Check heat retention, cleaning and the guarantee.
Heat retention
A fully heated SteakStones lava stone sizzles for 20 to 30 minutes. It keeps cooking for up to 50 minutes after serving. Verified buyer Brett E. summed it up: "It works as advertised. Last a solid 20-30 minutes of high heat cooking!" A stone that is not fully heated loses its sizzle much faster.
Cleaning
A lava stone cleans with a soak in warm water and a wipe once it has cooled. Avoid detergents where possible. Wipe the bamboo board with a cloth and never submerge it. The stainless steel tray and the ceramic pieces are dishwasher safe.
Guarantee
SteakStones offers a lifetime guarantee on any component shown to be faulty. Whichever set you consider, check whether the guarantee covers a cracked stone.
Accessories that complete your set
Every core set comes with a bamboo board, a stainless steel tray and ceramic serving pieces. A heated stone stays too hot to handle without protection for over an hour. Budget for gloves from the start. SafeHands Gloves handle dry contact heat up to 350°C (approx. 660°F). Serrated knives, the Stone Scraper and more sit in Accessories. Restaurants heating many stones at once use SteakStones Ovens.
Hot Stone Cooking Sets FAQ
How do I heat a hot stone cooking set?
Heat a hot stone cooking set by placing the lava stone directly under the broiler for 30 to 40 minutes. Keep it as close to the element as possible. A gas or electric stovetop takes 20 to 30 minutes. An oven above 300°C (570°F) takes around 40 minutes.
How long does a hot stone cooking set stay hot?
A fully heated hot stone cooking set stays sizzling hot for 20 to 30 minutes. The stone keeps cooking for up to 50 minutes after serving. It stays too hot to handle without oven gloves for over an hour, so keep gloves close during the meal.
Can more than one person use a hot stone cooking set?
Yes, many hot stone cooking sets work for more than one person. Sets with smaller stones are mainly individual platters. Sets with larger stones, like the Sharing Steak Plate, work for one diner or can be shared across the table.
What can you cook on a hot stone cooking set?
A hot stone cooking set cooks any meat or fish that is safe to eat on the rare side. Beef, venison, salmon, tuna and swordfish all work well. Poultry should be cooked first and then served on the stone to keep it piping hot.
Can you use a hot stone cooking set outdoors?
Yes, you can use a hot stone cooking set outdoors. SteakStones designs its sets for use indoors or outside all year round. The Sharing Steak Plate can also go on a barbecue, then move to the table on its bamboo board.
Is a hot stone cooking set a good gift?
Yes, a hot stone cooking set makes a strong gift for steak lovers and hosts. It gives the recipient a new way to cook rather than another gadget. Pair the set with heat resistant gloves so it is ready to use from day one.