Topic: Using a Pizza Maker to Make Naan Bread?

[Cory Ander]

I can't recall who raised the prospect for cooking naans in an electric pizza maker but, it seems to me, it might be a very useful bit of kit for making naans too (failing having a tandoor to hand!).

I was looking at them the other day and they seem ideal for naans:

• they heat to 300 C or so ( a little cool, compared to a tandoor, I'm sure)
• they have a ceramic base (for a crutsy bottom...the naans I mean!)
• they have electrical heating elements above and below the food (for uniform heating)
• they have sufficient space above the dough (for it to rise)

Who has used an electric pizza maker for cooking naans please?  What were your findings?  What appropriate features should we be aware of for cooking naans?

I am thinking of buying one, for cooking naans, because our new electric oven is simply too weedy! 

[Mikka1]

I looked at a couple of these after seeing this post. The best results I've had to date are with direct heat, i.e. on a hot large skillet or under the grill. This looks as though it might work to me?

Certainly my favourite Onion Kulcha would benefit. (I think anyway).

[Secret Santa]

I believe haldi has already tried this and wasn't that impressed with the results. I think he used this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pizza-at-Home-Maker/dp/B000GH3QIU/ref=pd_cp_kh_1

[joshallen2k]

Buy a pizza stone instead. Heat it to maximum temperature.

Very similar to tandoor results, with similar cook times.

[Mikka1]

Done that, been there and done everything else too. Fact is you need soft bread to dip into the sauce right? That's all it is no matter how they/we do it. It's just soft baked flat bread.

I am interested however in any quick fix. 

Buy a pizza stone instead. Heat it to maximum temperature.

Very similar to tandoor results, with similar cook times.

[Cory Ander]

I believe haldi has already tried this and wasn't that impressed with the results. I think he used this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pizza-at-Home-Maker/dp/B000GH3QIU/ref=pd_cp_kh_1

Yes, thanks SS, that's the type of thing I'm talking about.  I remembered that Haldi tried one for making pizza but I couldn't remember if he'd also used it to make naan bread (given that he has a tandoor too).

[Cory Ander]

Buy a pizza stone instead. Heat it to maximum temperature.

Very similar to tandoor results, with similar cook times.

That's what I've been doing to date Josh.  Trouble is that my current oven is too weedy and seems lucky if it gets much above 220C.

One of these electric pizza makers should be very similar but hotter and more economical.  I'd be surprised if they don't work well for naans too.

[Cory Ander]

Ah, this is where Haldi tried it for naans:  http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=3836.0 and found that the base was too crisp....

....maybe one with adjustable top and bottom heating elements is the one to try?  Like this one:



http://www.kitchendiscounts.com.au/buy/the-pizza-maker-just-red-pizza-oven/rball630

[peterandjen]

I know its a bit of a hassle but i usually place my naan in a dry heavy frying pan and cook the one side then throw it straight under the grill to finish the top off.
It turns out pretty close to a proper tandoor jobbie.
Mind you i use yeast in my dough so when it goes under the grill it rises as its cooking, sometimes i have to lower the grillpan to stop it burning.
But it does end up nice and doughy in the middle, ideal for the juices.
Ill post the recipe if anyones interested.

[Cory Ander]

Thanks peterandjen,

I'm aware of the other alternatives, I'm particularly interested in using an electric pizza maker though (or similar).

Yes, please post your naan recipe in the recipe section