Natural Stone Pizza Pans: Cleaning And Maintenance Guide

Pizza stones are great for creating crispy crusts, but they require special care when it comes to cleaning. The stone or ceramic material is porous, which means that ingredients like tomato sauce, oil, and cheese can seep into the surface. While it's not necessary to clean your pizza stone after every use, it's important to remove any debris and wipe it down to prevent the build-up of food residue.

To clean a natural stone pizza pan, it's best to avoid using soap or submerging it in water. Instead, allow the stone to cool completely, then use a scraper or brush to remove any stuck-on food. You can then wipe the stone with a damp cloth and let it air dry. For stubborn stains, create a paste with baking soda and water, apply it to the stains, and scrub gently with a brush. Finally, wipe the stone with a damp cloth and let it dry completely.

Let the stone cool

It is important to let your pizza stone cool down before cleaning it. The stone can absorb a lot of heat, and it retains it for a good amount of time. To be safe, let the stone cool for two to three hours or even overnight. This will ensure that the stone is not only safe to handle but also won't crack due to a sudden change in temperature. Pizza stones can crack if they come into contact with cold water while still hot.

It is also worth noting that you should never submerge your pizza stone in water. Pizza stones are porous and can easily absorb water, which will ruin the integrity of the stone and its ability to cook a crispy crust. Instead, use a damp cloth to wipe down the stone, ensuring you remove all crumbs and moisture before storing it.

If you are in a hurry to use the pizza stone again, you can place it in a hot oven for a bit to speed up the drying process. However, make sure the stone is completely dry before using it to cook your pizza.

Additionally, always clean your pizza stone by hand. Do not put it in the dishwasher, as this can damage the stone.

Scrape away food bits

To clean a natural stone pizza pan, it is important to scrape away food bits. This is because, over time, food bits compound and can affect the effectiveness of the tool and the flavour of the food cooked on it. The cheese, tomato sauce, dough, oil, flour, and toppings will soak into the porous surface, shortening the pizza stone's lifetime and giving off a funky flavour in your pizzas.

To begin scraping away food bits, allow the pizza stone to cool completely. You can then use a rubber or plastic spatula to gently scrape away cheese or other pizza bits stuck to the stone. Make sure not to use a metal spatula or knife, as these can scratch the pizza stone. If you are using a cast-iron pizza stone, you can use a scraper, often supplied by the manufacturer, to gently scrape the food off. If the scraper is not working, you can add a little water to the skillet and put it on the stovetop with some heat under it. Simmer the water for a few minutes and then try scraping again.

Once you have removed visible bits of food, you can wipe down the stone with a clean, slightly dampened microfiber cloth. You can also use a stiff-bristled nylon brush to scrub the pizza stone thoroughly and wipe away any remaining food particles with a damp rag.

If there are still stuck-on bits, you can try spot-treating them with a baking soda and water paste. Apply a small amount of the paste to the spots and scrub gently with a brush in a circular motion. Wipe up any debris with a damp cloth.

For cast-iron pizza stones, if food bits are still stuck, you can wash the stone quickly in hot, soapy water. Rinse well and immediately dry with a cloth or paper towel. Most cast-iron pizza stones should then be treated by wiping the surface with a light coating of vegetable oil.

Wipe with a damp cloth

When cleaning a natural stone pizza pan, it is important to remember that less is more. The stone is porous, and too much water or soap can be absorbed, affecting the taste of your pizza and the texture of the crust.

After each use, you should wipe down your pizza stone with a damp cloth. It is best to use a soft microfiber cloth, and only a small amount of water. This will help to remove any visible debris, such as crumbs, and prevent the build-up of food residue.

You should always allow the stone to cool completely before cleaning. It can take up to three hours for the stone to return to room temperature, and it is important to be patient. If you try to clean a hot stone, you risk burning yourself and dropping the stone. Sudden temperature changes can also cause the stone to crack.

Once the stone is cool, use a damp cloth to wipe away any remaining food particles. You can also use a stiff-bristled nylon brush to help loosen any stuck-on bits of food before wiping the stone down.

After wiping the stone with a damp cloth, it is important to let it air dry completely before using or storing it. This will ensure that the stone is bone dry and ready for your next pizza-making session.

While it is important to wipe down your pizza stone after each use, a more thorough cleaning can be done after several uses to restore its natural finish. This may involve using a baking soda paste to remove tough stains or burnt-on food. However, when it comes to day-to-day care, wiping with a damp cloth is the best practice to keep your pizza stone in good condition.

Remove stains with baking soda

To remove stains from a natural stone pizza pan, you can use baking soda.

First, make sure that the pizza stone is completely cool. Then, use a rubber or plastic spatula to remove any large pieces of food. Next, make a paste with one tablespoon of baking soda and a few drops of water. Apply the paste to the stains and let it sit for about 10 minutes. After the paste has had time to work, gently scrub the stains using a nylon-bristled brush. Finally, wipe away the baking soda paste and any remaining food residue with a damp microfiber cloth.

You can also use a baking soda paste to remove grease stains from your pizza stone. Simply cover the grease stain with the paste, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub the paste off with a brush and wipe the stone down with a damp cloth.

Remember to always keep your pizza stone dry, as too much moisture will affect the pizza crust texture.

Air dry

Allowing your pizza stone to air dry is an important step in the cleaning process. Pizza stones are porous and can easily absorb water, which can ruin the integrity of the stone and its ability to cook a crispy crust. Therefore, it is important to let the stone air dry completely before using it again or storing it. This usually takes about one to two hours, but can take longer.

After removing food particles and residue from the stone, use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe down the stone. Then, place the stone on a drying rack and allow it to air dry. You can also use a dish towel or microfiber cloth to wipe away any remaining crumbs or moisture. Make sure the stone is completely dry before using or storing it.

It is important to avoid submerging the pizza stone in water, as this can affect its ability to absorb heat and produce a crispy crust. Instead, use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe down the stone, and then allow it to air dry.

If you need to remove stains from the pizza stone, you can use a paste made of baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the stains, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub it off with a brush. Finally, wipe the stone with a damp cloth and allow it to air dry.

Frequently asked questions