Pizza Stone Pan: Ultimate Crispy Crust

A pizza stone is a flat slab of ceramic or stoneware that you place directly on the rack of your oven. It absorbs the heat produced within the oven and transmits that heat to the raw pizza dough placed on top of it. Pizza stones are a subset of what's known as baking stones, which are designed to transfer heat to the bottom of what's being cooked on them for slower, more even baking. Pizza stones are usually made of cordierite, clay, or ceramic, and they come in a wide range of sizes and thicknesses. The thicker ones generally work better but are more expensive and take longer to heat up.

Pizza stone pans are made from stoneware, usually terracotta

Pizza stones come in a range of sizes and thicknesses, with thicker stones generally performing better. They are heavier than standard pizza pans and take longer to heat up. It is important to preheat a pizza stone properly before use, and they should be placed in a cold oven to avoid thermal shock, which can cause cracking.

Pizza stones are an excellent choice for cooking pizza at home as they can reach higher temperatures than a regular oven, cooking the pizza more evenly and creating a crispier crust. They are also versatile and can be used for baking bread, flatbreads, and even giant cookies!

While pizza stones are a great option for cooking pizza, they do require some care. They should be handled with caution due to their weight, and proper preheating is crucial to avoid damage. Cleaning a pizza stone is also important, and harsh detergents should be avoided as the porous material can absorb soap, affecting the taste of future pizzas.

Overall, pizza stone pans made from stoneware, typically terracotta, are a fantastic tool for anyone looking to elevate their homemade pizza game and create pizzeria-style pies with crispy, evenly cooked crusts.

They are excellent heat retainers, mimicking the effect of a pizzeria's brick oven

Pizza stone pans are heavy, flat slabs of unglazed clay, ceramic, or stone. They are placed directly on the rack of an oven and absorb and retain heat, mimicking the effect of a pizzeria's brick oven. This is because the stone, clay, or ceramic material gets extremely hot and retains that heat for a long time. The higher heat creates a perfect pizza crust and can cut baking time to less than 10 minutes, allowing you to cook pizzas quickly.

Pizza stone pans are designed to withstand high temperatures and distribute heat evenly, reducing cooking times and mitigating thermal shock. The porous nature of pizza stones aids in the evaporation of moisture from the dough, as the tiny cracks and crevices allow steam to escape. This results in a crispier crust compared to using a metal pan, which can trap steam and lead to a soggy crust.

Thicker pizza stones generally work better than thinner ones, but they are also more expensive and take longer to heat up. It is important to note that pizza stones are susceptible to thermal shock, so they should be placed in a cold oven to preheat rather than placed in a preheated oven. Additionally, they should not be washed with soap, as the porous material can absorb soap and affect the taste of the pizza.

Pizza stone pans are heavy and require careful handling to avoid cracks and fractures

• Avoid extreme temperature changes: Place your pizza stone in a cold oven and preheat it together. Do not put a cold stone into a preheated oven, as this can cause thermal shock, leading to cracking.
• Handle with care: Pizza stone pans are heavy, so always use oven mitts or potholders when handling them to avoid accidental drops.
• Avoid submersion in water: Pizza stones are porous and can absorb soap, so avoid submerging them in water. Instead, use a damp cloth or brush to wipe away crumbs and residue.
• Be cautious with toppings: Oils and fats from certain toppings can soak into the stone, making it more prone to cracking. Choose toppings wisely and avoid overly greasy options.
• Store in a safe place: Keep your pizza stone in a stable location, preferably inside the oven, to prevent accidental drops and protect it from sharp temperature changes.
• Use a pizza peel: Transferring pizza onto the stone can be tricky. Use a pizza peel or a large cutting board sprinkled with cornmeal to easily slide the pizza onto the stone without burning yourself.
• Avoid seasoning: Do not season your pizza stone with oil or other seasonings unless specifically instructed by the manufacturer. The stone can absorb these oils, resulting in smoking or unpleasant odors.
• Be gentle during cleaning: Wait for the stone to cool completely before cleaning. Use a sturdy brush and food-safe cleaning materials like baking soda and warm water to remove any stuck-on food. Avoid using soap, metal scouring pads, or abrasive cleaners.

By following these care instructions, you can help ensure that your pizza stone pan remains crack-free and in good condition for many delicious pizzas to come!

They need to be preheated properly before placing the pizza dough on top

Pizza stones are a must-have tool for anyone looking to make restaurant-style pizzas at home. They are flat slabs, usually made of ceramic or stone, that you place directly on the rack of your oven. Pizza stones absorb heat and transmit it to the raw pizza dough placed on top of them, resulting in a crisp crust.

To ensure your pizza stone is hot enough, it is recommended that you preheat your oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and leave the stone inside for a full hour. This is because the stone needs to be hotter than the oven temperature to compensate for the temperature drop when you add the room-temperature pizza. If you don't preheat your stone for long enough, you risk your pizza turning out soggy and undercooked. For example, in one experiment, a pizza baked on a stone preheated for just 30 minutes was anemic in colour, and one preheated for 15 minutes was downright pale.

It is also important to note that drastic temperature changes can damage the integrity of the stone, so you should always place your pizza stone in a cold oven and let it heat up gradually.

If you are making multiple pizzas, you will need to let the stone reheat to the right temperature before adding another one, as each consecutive pizza will turn out less cooked than the last.

Pizza stone pans are susceptible to thermal shock, so avoid sudden temperature changes

Pizza stone pans are made of ceramic, stone, or clay, which are durable materials. However, they can crack or break if exposed to extreme temperatures or dropped. This occurrence is known as thermal shock, which happens when the stone moves between temperatures too quickly.

To avoid thermal shock, follow these steps:

• Place the pizza stone in a cold oven and then turn it on. This ensures the stone heats up gradually.
• Do not place a cold stone in a preheated oven.
• Allow the stone to cool down before removing it from the oven.
• Avoid submerging the pizza stone in water or cleaning it with soap, as the porous material can absorb it. Instead, brush off crumbs and use food-safe materials to scrub off burnt-on bits.
• Store the stone in a place where it is not susceptible to sharp temperature changes.

By following these care instructions, you can avoid thermal shock and extend the life of your pizza stone pan.

Frequently asked questions