Choosing My Bonus Stoneware: Round Stone with Handles Dilemma

[Lindsay]

I'd like to get your input.
I earned the new consultant bonus of 2 pieces of stoneware of my choice (yay!). I do have a bit of a dilemma though. I already have nearly all the stoneware. I think I am going to get another DCB so I'll have both colors and because I think they are super useful. For my second piece I am tempted to get another mini-loaf pan for my holiday baking. However, I don't have any round stones as my large one broke (and it was black I tell you! - such a bummer). The thing is, I don't really like the look of the round stone with handles, but part of me says that I should go with that one for show purposes.
Please tell me what you think of them. Obviously I have enough other pieces that I can certainly get along without it, but I know it would prevent me from doing a few things like braided wreaths.

 

[pcchefjane]

We have had our LRS with handles over a year with no problem! We use it for everything from pizzas to bread rings to calzones! I think it is really super-useful!

 

[raebates]

Love mine. Don't be afraid of it. It's so easy to get in and out of the oven. I think you'll wind up hooked on it sooner than you think.

 

[BlessedWifeMommy]

I would go ahead and pick the large round stone with handles to take to shows.

 

[Lindsay]

Okay, thanks. Would you go with the large round stone, or the medium? It seems to me that there might be issues with the large fitting into smaller ovens.

 

[raebates]

I've got a friend with a pretty small oven, and it fits in hers without a problem. The medium one would be lighter to carry to shows, though.

 

[Ginger428]

Okay, thanks. Would you go with the large round stone, or the medium? It seems to me that there might be issues with the large fitting into smaller ovens.

My stove in my house is a 20in. (I know, don't ask) It has the 4 burners & no other space on top. I cannot get the large w/handles in it. Mine without the handles are fine! Also If I'm using the large bar pan, I have to put a chair in front to keep it closed. I bring both to my shows & have had no problems with them in NORMAL stoves/ovens...HTH

 

[Lindsay]

My stove in my house is a 20in. (I know, don't ask) It has the 4 burners & no other space on top. I cannot get the large w/handles in it. Mine without the handles are fine! Also If I'm using the large bar pan, I have to put a chair in front to keep it closed. I bring both to my shows & have had no problems with them in NORMAL stoves/ovens...HTH

Right that would be a challenge!
I just liked my old round stone so much I think I'm a little incensed that they changed it, but I can definitely see how the handles help.

 

[chefann]

Ginger's situation is NOT the norm. (And that must totally stink, Ginger. ugh... So sorry you have to put up with a "toy" oven.) Some small apartments might have smaller ranges (24" is a typical small size). Standard ranges are 30" and have a pretty standard oven in them (affected mostly by the amount of insulation around the box). You can add an oven size check to your host coaching, so that you don't plan to use a stone that won't fit. And I recommend the large stone. Like I tell my customers: you can, within reason, put less on a large stone, but you can't put more on the smaller one.

 

[Ginger428]

Ginger's situation is NOT the norm. (And that must totally stink, Ginger. ugh... So sorry you have to put up with a "toy" oven.) Some small apartments might have smaller ranges (24" is a typical small size). Standard ranges are 30" and have a pretty standard oven in them (affected mostly by the amount of insulation around the box). You can add an oven size check to your host coaching, so that you don't plan to use a stone that won't fit. And I recommend the large stone. Like I tell my customers: you can, within reason, put less on a large stone, but you can't put more on the smaller one.

The people that owned the house before us were both Doctors, so I think they could care less about a big kitchen. Also when we bought it, I was working 6-7 days a week 10-12 hours a day, so DH said I don't need a bigger one... To try to put in a normal stove would be a big job!! SO I manage....