Pizza stones are essential tools for baking pizzas at home. They come in various sizes and shapes, depending on the type of oven they fit into.
If you don’t clean them regularly, you risk damaging the surface or even burning out the heating element inside.
Cleaning your pizza stone isn’t rocket science. It’s pretty simple. All you need is some warm water, soap, and a soft cloth.
Just follow the steps below.
Step 1: Remove the pizza stone from the oven.
Remove the pizza stone from the hot oven by lifting it with tongs. Let it cool down until it feels comfortable to touch.
Step 2: Scrub away any burnt-on food residue or stuck-on bits.
Wipe off the bottom of the stone with a damp towel. Use something like this stiff pizza stone brush if necessary.
Failing that, you can also just use a wire scrubber.
Step 3: Rinse the stone in water.
Use warm water to rinse the stone thoroughly. It helps remove any leftover food particles.
Step 4: Dry the stone using a paper towel.
Use a dry paper towel to wipe away excess moisture. This step is important because it prevents your pizza stone from rusting.
Step 5: Store the stone in its original packaging.
Store the stone back in its original packaging so that it doesn’t get damaged during transportation.
How To Clean A Moldy Pizza Stone
Pizza stones are used to cook pizzas. When the pizza stone gets wet or moist, the stone may get moldy.
To clean the mold off the stone, mix some baking soda and vinegar. Use the paste as a scrubbing agent to clean the stone.
Pizza stones should be cleaned regularly because they can harbor bacteria and mold. Mold can grow on them if the surface is moist or dirty.
You should clean the stone with a damp rag before placing it back into the oven.
Bleach, detergent, hydrogen oxide, and tea tree oil are effective ways to eliminate mold.
However, do not use any of these methods on a pizza stone — they’ll ruin it!
Instead, use baking soda mixed with vinegar and dish soap. The baking soda will absorb the moisture, while the vinegar disinfects the stone.
How Often Should I Clean A Pizza Stone?
The best way to know how often to clean a pizza stone is to check the manufacturer’s instructions.
Some manufacturers recommend cleaning the stone after every use. Others suggest cleaning it once a week.
Still, others say it should only be cleaned when needed.
If you want to avoid having to clean the stone too frequently, then just make sure you keep it clean. Don’t let it sit around without being wiped down.
Why Bother Cleaning A Pizza Stone?
There are many reasons why you should clean your pizza stone. Here are some of them:
1. Keep Your Pizza Stone Safe
When you store your pizza stone in a cupboard, it will be exposed to dust and dirt. Over time, this could damage the surface of the stone.
And when you cook with a dirty pizza stone, the heat might burn out the heating element inside the stone.
2. Make Sure That The Surface Is Smooth
When you buy a new pizza stone, it comes with a smooth surface. However, over time, this surface becomes uneven and bumpy.
This makes it difficult to evenly distribute heat across the entire surface area. As a result, the crust won’t brown properly.
3. Prevent Rusting
Over time, the surface of the pizza stone may start to rust. When this happens, the stone loses its ability to absorb heat.
This means that your pizza won’t cook as well. To prevent this, make sure that you keep your pizza stone clean with a dry brush.
4. Avoid Cracking
The surface of your pizza stone may crack after prolonged usage. This happens due to overheating.
So, if you notice cracks appearing on your stone, immediately turn off the oven.
Then, let your stone cool down before cleaning it with baking soda paste.
5. Maintain Its Durability
A pizza stone is made from porcelain or cast iron. Porcelain is extremely durable. So, if you take care of it, it will last longer than most other kitchen appliances.
6. Increase Cooking Efficiency
The best way to improve cooking efficiency is to maintain a clean pizza stone. A dirty, porous surface absorbs more heat.
So, when you clean your pizza stone, you help reduce the amount of energy required to cook your pizza.
7. Save Money
By keeping your pizza stone clean, you don’t need to replace it every few months. A good quality one should last you a long time.
8. Get Rid Of Odors
Odors are one of the major problems associated with baking. They cause the air around the oven to become stale.
If you have a bad odor coming from your oven, you should clean it regularly.
9. Reduce Stress
Cleaning your pizza stone is not very stressful. You can do it whenever you feel like doing it.
10. Enjoy Great-Tasting Pizzas
Cleaning your pizza stone helps you enjoy better-tasting pizzas. It also improves the overall appearance of your pizza.
11. Improve Food Safety
Food safety is another reason why you should clean your stone. After each use, wash your pizza stone thoroughly with hot water.
This will remove any bacteria or baked-on food left behind by previous users.
12. Eliminate Stains
Staining occurs when bits of food get stuck onto the surface of your pizza stone. Regular cleaning helps eliminate stains.
13. Prevent Baking Problems
Baking problems occur because of improper temperature control. By using a cleaned pizza stone, you ensure that there are no issues with temperature control.
14. Remove Excess Moisture
Moisture accumulates on the surface of your pizza stones. This causes the dough to stick to the surface.
To avoid this issue, always wipe excess moisture away in a circular motion.
What Not To Do With A Pizza Stone
Don’t leave your pizza stone unattended while it’s still hot. The heat could damage the surface of the stone.
Never put your pizza stone near an open flame. Fire can cause serious burns.
Do not store your pizza stone in direct sunlight. Heat will accelerate the process of oxidation which may result in discoloration and deterioration of the stone.
If you have a convection oven, make sure to place the pizza stone on the middle rack.
You can also use a pizza stone as a cutting board. Simply cut vegetables directly on top of the stone.
The best way to clean a pizza stone is to wash it after every single use. Make sure to keep it stored in its original packaging.
Don’t forget to check our other kitchen utensils like spatulas, whisks, and knives.
Final Thoughts
A good pizza stone is one of those things that makes cooking pizza easier. However, it needs regular maintenance.
With a bit of love and care, your pizza stone should last you a lifetime and be the perfect tool for all your pizza needs for years to come.
