Best Pizza Stone for Perfect Pie Deliciousness
If crispy crusted pizza is what you’re after, a pizza stone is an essential addition to your kitchen arsenal. There are a huge variety of pizza stones to choose from in different shapes, sizes, and materials. Pizza stones go far beyond only pizza making and can be used with grills, smokers, pizza ovens, and electric ovens. They are also great for bread making, pastry, cookies, and buns. Regardless of what you are making, a pizza stone allows you to attain a beautifully even golden crust with the perfect crunch. No more burnt edges and raw pie centers with these heavy-duty heat-proof slabs. Ready to make your Italian aunt proud? We’ve got the best pizza stones in 2023 lined up to get you cooking.
The Best Pizza Stones You Can Buy In 2023
Hans Grill
– Best OverallHans Grill has taken a lot of care to test their product for the best thickness and quality material for perfect pizza making. The baking stone absorbs moisture from the pizza dough, allowing the base to cook dry evenly, without leaving any sogginess. You will be sure to get a crispy crust every time. The board is suitable for oven and grill use, fitting most barbecue and oven brands. It is also ideal for a range of other baking projects such as bread, pastry, calzones, and cookies.
- 15 x 12-inch rectangular design
- Purchase includes a wooden pizza peel for easy and safe turning and lifting
- Can be used in ovens and grills
- Thermal protection
Unicook
– Runner UpThis baking stone will turn even frozen pizza into a delicious mouthful. The stone distributes heat evenly and invisible micro pores absorb excess moisture from the dough resulting in a crisp finish, unlike metal pans that cause residual moisture and sogginess. The board can be used safely in the oven or grill for making pizza, bread, and cookies. The purchase comes with a multi-purpose plastic scraper to use as a dough cutter or to easily remove the residue stuck to the stone. Only use the scraper on cool surfaces. It is important that you do not season, oil, or grease the pizza stone.
- 5 x 12-inch rectangular design
- 6.6-pound weight
- Thermal shock resistant
- Heat resistant to 1450°F
Augosta
– Honorable MentionMade from 100% cordierite stone, this board is odorless and features excellent thermal shock protection. It is safe up to a temperature of 1112°F and distributes heat evenly when cooking to ensure consistent results. The board weighs 6.7 pounds and comes with a large pizza peel board measuring 11 x 15.5 x 0.35 inches allowing you to safely handle and lift your baked goods without touching the hot stone.
- 15 x 12-inch rectangular design
- Purchase includes a large wooden pizza paddle for easy and safe turning and lifting
- Can be used in ovens and grills
- Thermal shock resistant
Cuisinart
– Also ConsiderThis pizza set includes all you need for pizza night. The 3-piece set includes a cutter and folding pizza peel in addition to the 13-inch round stone. The stone retains heat exceptionally well for an even bake and crisp crust. This pizza stone is designed for use on a grill. It is suitable for propane, charcoal, or gas grills. Always hand wash your pizza stone and avoid using chemicals as they may be absorbed into the board and affect the taste of your future baked items.
- 13-inch pizza stone
- Include stainless steel pizza cutter and peel
- 1-Year limited warranty
Best Pizza Stone Buying Guide
There are many ways to cook a pizza. While you could bake it on a regular baking sheet in the oven or throw it on the grill, you will most likely have some uneven cooking with dark edges and a lighter center. Using a grill for bread or pizza making can prove challenging in managing the heat distribution and temperature. To solve all the puzzling pizza-making problems we’ve put together this guide to help you choose the best pizza stone for the perfect, evenly baked, crispy crust pie. Here’s what you need to know before choosing your pizza equipment.
Things To Consider When Choosing the Best Pizza Stone
The type of material, thickness, and size can play a much bigger role in your pizza-making success than you might think. Consider the below factors before buying a pizza stone to ensure you get something that is easy to use and delivers the best flavor.
Stone material
Different types of materials are used to make pizza baking stones. These can include ceramic, clay, cordierite, and even steel or cast iron. The type of material used will influence the cooking process, the flavor, and the cleaning method.
Clay pizza stones require preheating in order to prevent the slab from cracking. On the other hand, cordierite pizza stones can be directly placed into the oven since they are resistant to thermal shock. Surprisingly, the material type will also affect the flavor of your food. some pizza stones are specifically seasoned to promote an authentic pizzeria-style flavor.
For the best care, most authentic pizza stones should not be soaked and should not be washed with soap and water. Cast iron and steel slabs can however be lightly hand washed with mild soap, making the cleaning process somewhat more convenient. Although not that common, there are some brands that offer a dishwasher-safe design.
Shape and dimensions
While the stone shape will not affect the flavor of your pizza, it may affect how you are able to use it. When choosing your pizza stone, make sure the size and shape of the stone fit into your oven or where you are planning to use it. They are usually designed in square, rectangular, or round shapes. If you plan to use it for items other than pizza, also consider which shape might be the most versatile for your needs and preferences
Heat resistance
Pizza stones are designed to handle very high temperatures from 700˚F to 2000 ˚F. For high-temperature resistance and sudden temperature changes, cordierite is the best option for the oven and grill.
Finish
Pizza stones that do not have a product coating offer you an authentic use of the raw material, however, the lack of protective coating makes it stain easily and the porous quality can make cleaning challenges. Models that have a glaze coating are easier to wash. Since they are less porous they are also safer to wash with dish soap without causing damage or residual flavors and odors.
Weight
The weight of the stone won’t make much of a difference in the performance other than thicker materials taking slightly longer to heat and cool. The weight you choose will be mostly dependent on your personal preference.
Warranty
Check the product warranty before making your purchase. Products like a pizza stone should last you a decade, however, factory errors can occur and cause cracks or chips. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and cleaning to maintain the warranty benefits. Some products carry a 1-year warranty while others will offer you a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee.
How To Clean a Pizza Stone
When it comes to washing your pizza stone don’t ever use soap, chemicals, or oils for cleaning. The porous nature of the stone absorbs moisture. It will absorb some of the chemicals or soap which will result in a residual soapy flavor on your next cook.
Wet the stone surface with a small amount of hot water. It is best to use as little water as possible since you don’t want the stone to absorb too much water. Scrub the pizza stone with a cleaning brush and wipe away dirt with a damp cloth. If you can scrape the stuck food particles off with a brush without using water, that will be preferable. However, water may be needed to help loosen bits of food.
It is essential to air dry the pizza stone completely before storing or using it again. Use a kitchen towel for drying. Do not dry it in the oven as trapped water in the stone can cause cracks.
People Also Asked
A: Authentic pizza stones should not be oiled, however, this will depend on the manufacturer’s instructions. Certain brands are pre-seasoned and users are instructed not to oil it at all. Other types may advise you to oil it before use. Always refer to the manufacturing guidelines for your specific product.
A: Baking pizza on a pizza stone usually takes around 12 minutes The cooking time will differ depending on the type of stone you use and whether it requires time to preheat.
A: To remove stains from your pizza stone, prepare a mix of water and baking soda. Make a paste from the two ingredients in a small bowl and cover the stain with a bit of the mixture. Gently scrub the paste in a circular motion with a cleaning brush or toothbrush that you use for cleaning. Rinse the paste off, towel dry and let the stone air dry completely before using it again.
A: The pizza stone should be wiped after every use. Scrape off anything that is stuck to the stone, like cheese, with a scraper. Only clean the stone with baking soda and a brush when necessary to remove food residue that you can’t wipe off or remove with a light cleaning. If you are using the stone mostly for bread baking it should be as simple as wiping the surface with a damp cloth after each use.
A: The porous nature of a pizza stone is what makes it effective in providing a crispy crust and evenly baked product. This also means that stains are natural and oils will be absorbed into the stone. You will never be able to remove all the stains from your stone but don’t worry, they will not affect the taste of your food.
