How to Clean a Pizza Stone: A Comprehensive Guide
Cleaning a Pizza Stone: The Basics
Pizza stones are a great way to achieve a crispy crust on your homemade pizzas. However, they can become dirty and charred over time if not properly cleaned. Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning your pizza stone and keeping it in pristine condition:
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Allow the Stone to Cool: Before cleaning, let the pizza stone cool completely to room temperature. Submerging a hot stone in water can cause it to crack.
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Scrape Away Food Bits: Use a rubber or plastic spatula to gently scrape away any cheese or other food bits stuck to the stone.
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Remove Stains and Stubborn Food Residue: For stubborn food residue, create a paste of one tablespoon of baking soda and a few drops of water. Apply the paste to the affected areas and let it sit for 10 minutes. Use a nylon-bristled brush to gently scrub away the residue, then wipe down the stone with a damp microfiber cloth.
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Wipe Down the Stone: Once all visible food bits are removed, wipe down the stone with a clean, slightly dampened microfiber cloth to remove any remaining residue.
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Wait for the Stone to Dry: Always allow the stone to air dry thoroughly in a dishrack before using it again or storing it.
Deep Cleaning a Pizza Stone with Heat
If your pizza stone has persistent food stains that won’t come off after regular cleaning, you can deep clean it by baking it on high heat. This method should only be done once or twice in the life of the stone, as it can cause some stones to crack.
- Place the pizza stone on the center rack of your oven.
- Set the temperature to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Allow the stone and oven to reach the desired temperature together. Once the oven reaches 500 degrees Fahrenheit, let the stone bake for one hour.
- Turn off the oven and allow the stone to cool before gently scraping away any remaining food with a plastic spatula.
- Wipe down the stone with a damp microfiber cloth to remove any remaining residue.
Cleaning Different Types of Pizza Stones
Stainless Steel Pizza Stones:
- Allow the stone to cool.
- Wash it using hot water, dishwashing liquid, and non-abrasive pot and pan scrubbers.
- Do not put it in the dishwasher.
Cast Iron Pizza Stones:
- Do not soak the stone in water for extended periods.
- Scrape away any food bits and wash quickly in hot soapy water.
- Rinse well and immediately dry with a cloth or paper towel.
- Apply a light coating of vegetable oil to the surface after every cleaning.
Soapstone Stones:
- Allow the stone to cool completely after use.
- Wash it in hot, soapy water.
- Rinse well and dry it with a soft cloth.
Tips for Cleaning Pizza Stones
- Use a sheet of baking parchment under the pizza crust to keep the stone clean.
- Over time, the pizza stone will develop a patina and get darker with use. This is natural and does not affect the performance of the stone.
- Do not oil or season a pizza stone, as this can make it less absorbent.
- Clean stains from the pizza stone as soon as possible to prevent them from setting further into the stone.
FAQs
Will water ruin a pizza stone?
Soaking a pizza stone in water can weaken the stone. However, cleaning the surface with a damp cloth is perfectly safe.
Can you use dish soap on a pizza stone?
A pizza stone is porous and can absorb the soap. Use a baking soda paste instead to remove any baked-on residue.
Why does my pizza stick to the pizza stone?
The most common reason for pizza sticking to a stone is because the stone was not preheated in the oven before topping it with the pizza.