Stone Pizza Pan: Season Or Treat?

Should you season or treat a stone pizza pan? The answer is no. While some manufacturers don't explicitly advise against it, most pizza stone producers do not recommend seasoning their pizza stones with oil. Several even claim that applying oil can ruin the pizza stone, causing it to smoke or develop a bad odour.

Pizza stones are made from porous materials that can absorb heat and mimic the effects of a pizzeria's brick oven. They are designed to be used at extremely high temperatures, and the intense heat creates a non-stick surface, meaning there is no need to season the stone.

However, pizza stones can be tricky to clean, and some basic care guidelines should be followed to avoid making mistakes.

The benefits of a pizza stone

Pizza stones are a great tool for any kitchen, offering a wide range of benefits for cooking pizza and other dishes. Here are some of the advantages of using a pizza stone:

Even Cooking

Pizza stones are made of materials such as stone or ceramic, which are excellent at conducting and retaining heat. This helps to maintain an even oven temperature, reducing the occurrence of hot and cold spots. The stone's ability to hold heat is especially useful when introducing cold ingredients, like uncooked pizza, into the oven. This ensures your food cooks more evenly, helping to avoid the dreaded soggy bottom!

High Heat Transfer

Pizza stones can withstand very high temperatures, enabling "high heat transfer" to your food. This is similar to the effect of an old-school brick oven. By preheating the stone, you can instantly expose your pizza dough to intense heat, resulting in a puffed-up, crispy crust.

Steam Release

Pizza stones have tiny cracks and crevices on their surfaces, which allow steam to escape. This helps to dry out the dough as it cooks, contributing to that sought-after crispy texture.

Versatility

While pizza stones are excellent for cooking pizza, they are also versatile tools that can be used for a variety of dishes. You can use a pizza stone for roasting vegetables, meats, and even baking bread. The stone's ability to regulate temperature makes it a great alternative to metal pans, especially when roasting vegetables, as it requires less oil to achieve a crispy texture.

Cost-Effective

Pizza stones are relatively affordable, making them a cost-effective way to improve your cooking game. If you're on a slim budget, you can even create your own pizza stone using unglazed ceramic tiles from a hardware store.

So, if you're serious about pizza or just want a versatile kitchen tool, a pizza stone is a great investment.

How to season a pizza stone

Pizza stones are a great way to cook pizza at home, allowing you to achieve a crispy and evenly cooked base. While some pizza stones don't need to be seasoned, doing so can help create a non-stick surface and prevent food from sticking. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to season your pizza stone:

Step 1: Prepare the Pizza Stone

Ensure your pizza stone is clean and completely dry. Avoid using water to clean the stone as it is a porous material and can absorb water. Instead, use a dry lint-free cloth to wipe it down. The stone should also be at room temperature before you begin seasoning.

Step 2: Oil the Pizza Stone

Choose an oil with a high smoke point and a mild aroma, such as canola, grapeseed, avocado, flaxseed, or rapeseed oil. Avoid oils with a low smoke point like olive oil, as they may burn at high temperatures. Using a brush or your fingers, apply a thin, even layer of oil to the entire surface of the stone.

Step 3: Spread the Oil

Using a lint-free cloth, gently rub the oil into the stone in a circular motion. This helps to work the oil deep into the pores of the stone and removes any excess surface oil. Continue until the stone has a slippery but not greasy feel to it.

Step 4: Heat the Oven and Stone

Place the pizza stone inside the oven. Do not preheat the oven before inserting the stone as the sudden temperature change can cause it to crack or break. Turn on the oven and set the temperature to at least 450°F, but preferably 500°F if possible.

Step 5: Bake the Pizza Stone

Once the oven and stone have reached the desired temperature, bake the stone for around 20-30 minutes. Then, turn off the oven and allow the stone to cool down completely before removing it. Remember, pizza stones retain heat, so use oven gloves for handling.

Step 6: Repeat the Process

Repeat the oiling and baking process at least two more times. The stone will gradually darken and take on a slightly glazed appearance. You can judge when to stop based on its appearance—once it looks like a non-stick surface, you're done!

Tips for Using and Maintaining Your Pizza Stone:

• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for using and caring for your pizza stone.
• Avoid using soap or water to clean the stone, as this can alter the flavor of your food and potentially damage the stone.
• A well-used pizza stone will become discolored or dirty over time. As long as you clean all excess material from the surface, it is still safe to use.
• To clean a heavily soiled stone, heat the oven to its highest setting and place the stone inside for 30 minutes to carbonize the mess. Then, use a wire brush to scrape off any remaining residue.
• Avoid rapid temperature changes by letting the stone cool down naturally after use before cleaning or storing it.
• Store your pizza stone in a dry, well-ventilated area to prevent mold growth.

How to clean a pizza stone

Pizza stones are a great way to cook pizza evenly and are much cheaper than investing in a brick oven. However, they do require some care to keep them in good condition. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean and care for your pizza stone.

Step 1: Let it Cool

Always let your pizza stone cool down completely before cleaning it. Pizza stones are susceptible to "thermal shock", which can cause the stone to crack or even explode. Letting it cool down slowly helps to prevent this.

Step 2: Brush Off Crumbs

Once the stone is cool, use a stiff brush to remove any loose bits of food. If there is no stuck-on food, this may be all you need to do.

Step 3: Rinse and Scrub

If there is stuck-on food, rinse the stone briefly (never soak) with warm water and scrub with a stiff brush. Avoid using soap, as this can be absorbed into the stone and affect the taste of your next pizza. If an abrasive product is needed, use coarse salt or baking soda sparingly, as changes in colour and some staining are normal.

Step 4: Rinse and Dry

Give the stone a final quick rinse (avoiding a long soak) and wipe it with a cloth. Then, let the stone air dry before storing it correctly.

Storage

Some people keep their pizza stones in the oven at all times, which helps to stabilize the oven temperature and eliminates the risk of dropping the stone. However, this may not be practical for everyone due to space constraints or awkward baking conditions. If you choose to store your pizza stone elsewhere, ensure that nothing heavy is placed on top of it, as this could cause chips or cracks.

Removing Stubborn Stains or Burnt Residue

For stubborn stains or burnt-on food, create a paste with baking soda and water and let it sit briefly before scrubbing with a brush and wiping it away. Then, let the stone air dry before giving it a final wipe with a cloth.

Common Cleaning Mistakes

• Cleaning the stone while it is still hot
• Putting the stone in the dishwasher
• Using metal tools or other harsh materials that could scratch the surface
• Using soap or an oven cleaning cycle, which can expose the stone to damaging high temperatures
• Oiling the pizza stone, which is unnecessary and may ruin the stone

Pizza stone vs. pizza pan

Pizza stones are thick ceramic or stone slabs that absorb and radiate heat for an intense bake. They are designed to replicate the heat of a wood-fired oven in your electric oven. Pizza stones are porous, allowing them to absorb moisture from the dough, resulting in a crispier crust. They can be made from cordierite, clay or ceramic, and are durable but can crack or break if dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures.

Pizza pans, on the other hand, are crafted from metal, usually cast iron, steel or aluminium. They offer quick and even heat distribution for thin-crust pizzas and do not need preheating. Pizza pans are lightweight, durable, and beginner-friendly. They are also easier to clean than pizza stones, as they often have a non-stick coating.

Pizza stones are superior when it comes to heat distribution and moisture absorption, resulting in a crispier crust. They are ideal for thicker crusts as they can absorb moisture and provide continuous heat. However, they require preheating for 20-30 minutes, which increases fuel costs. Pizza stones are also more prone to cracking and are generally more challenging to use and clean.

Pizza pans are a better option for thin-crust pizzas as they heat up quickly and are easier to handle and manoeuvre. They are also more affordable and easier to clean due to their smooth surfaces. However, they are not suitable for thicker crusts as they do not absorb moisture effectively.

In conclusion, both pizza stones and pizza pans have their advantages and disadvantages. Pizza stones are better for thicker crusts and providing a more intense bake, while pizza pans are more suitable for thin-crust pizzas and are easier to use and maintain.

Pizza stone manufacturers' recommendations

Pizza stone manufacturers generally do not recommend seasoning their pizza stones with oil. Several manufacturers actively discourage users from doing so, claiming that applying oil can ruin the pizza stone. For example, Pizzacraft states that users should "never season a Pizzacraft pizza stone" as this will "ruin the Pizzacraft stones and cause them to smoke or have a bad odour". Similarly, California Pizza Stones states that they "do not recommend using any oil of any type".

However, some manufacturers, such as Pampered Chef, mention that users can choose to season their stones with oil as an option. They suggest that for new stones, users can "brush lightly with oil (vegetable is fine)".

Pizza stone manufacturers also provide general care instructions for their products. For instance, users are advised to never expose their pizza stone to extreme temperatures, such as by placing a cold stone in a hot oven or putting a hot stone under running water. Doing so may cause the stone to break. Additionally, users should avoid using soap or metal scouring pads when cleaning the stone, and instead use plain water and a sturdy brush.

Frequently asked questions