February 28, 2010 - 10:41am
KAF baking stone and Old Stone Oven/Amazon.com baking stone - same or different product?
Is this the same exact product? The KAF catalog doesn't list the manufacturer. The stone on Amazon is less $ and free shipping. Thanks in advance for your comments/advice.
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It would be helpful if you included the links to the products so we can be sure we are comparing exactly what you are.
My guess is that they are different. The KA stone was a Cook's Illustrated Top Choice. I'm pretty sure Old Stone would have mentioned that if it was their stone.
Don't know if they are exactly the same, but they are very similar. Both claim to be the top rated stone in a Cook's Illustrated review. The KAF stone actually was. The Amazon stone was recommended here by the forum founders wife:
http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/13590/stonestiles-4-bakingwhere-buy-pdx-area#comment-88818
If the listed dimensions of each are accurate, the KAF stone is 1/2" longer and wider. I suspect KAF may be having their stone customized to be a little larger to distinguish itself, so as to be able to charge a little more.
Don't think you would go wrong either way, but the Amazon stone seems to be a better buy.
That said, I think, for about $1 more(total shipped) than the Amazon stone, the stones at nybakers.com are better than both, because it's a little thicker. I highly recommend it, but I have the 16 x 16 version.
http://www.nybakers.com/equip.html
So being one who researches everything, I wanted to get to the bottom of this considering similar dimensions but very different prices. I contacted amazon to see if they could given me any information on the old stone oven baking stone 14 x 16 x 1/2. Amazon wan unable to tell me anything regarding old stone oven company. Numerous searches turned up no information on old stone oven company. I then contacted KAF and inquired about their stone that has similar dimensions 14 1/2 x 16 1/2 x 1/2. I asked about who manufactures the product and was given a number to the company who supplies KAF baking stones. The company turns out to be Kitchen Supply Company a wholesaler who does not sell to the consumer but lists several of its vendors, Amazon being one of them but not KAF. Spoke to a rep and he stated that both stones come from Kitchen Supply Company and the different dimension on KAF website are misprinted and both stones are 14 x16 x 1/2. KAF offers a life time warranty which is a huge selling point and very rare today. The rep from Kitchen Supply Company told me that they offer a life time warranty on the one sold by amazon even though it is not stated on the amazon website. Amazon offers a 30 day money guarantee but outside of the 30 days, you would contact Kitchen Supply Company for replacement issues. This warranty is the same for KAF, if your stone breaks say a year after purchase, KAF would put you in contact with Kitchen Supply Company for replacement. Whew.....sorry for the long rant but I wanted to everyone who has been on the fence or in the future looking for a new stone that they know what the deal is. In the end, the Amazon buy is a clear winner with free shipping and cheaper price. Now I am going to place my order with Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Old-Stone-Oven-4467-14-Inch/dp/B0000E1FDA/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1358974464&sr=1-1
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/pizza-baking-stone