Cleaning a pizza stone is really no different than cleaning any other kitchen item. The trick is to know when to clean it and how to clean it. A dirty pizza stone can cause your pizza to stick, be a nuisance when you place your fresh baked pizza on it, and result in the need to replace it sooner than you may have wanted. With proper care, your pizza stone will last a long time – perhaps years or even decades!
What Is A Pizza Stone?
A pizza stone is a portable stone slab that allows you to create the perfect pizza crust. A good pizza stone will absorb moisture and heat evenly, resulting in a perfectly cooked pizza with a crisp crust.
The main advantage of using a pizza stone is that it turns your oven into a pizza oven. The stone absorbs the heat of your oven and distributes it evenly, cooking the pizzas on top at very high temperatures. The result is a crispy, authentic tasting crust.
A second advantage of using a pizza stone is that it absorbs moisture from the dough, preventing sogginess and keeping it light and fluffy.
There are many types of pizza stones available on the market, but they all have one thing in common: they are made out of stone. Stone has long been known for its ability to retain heat and distribute it evenly, making it ideal for use in cooking.
In addition to being able to create delicious pizzas at home, there are other advantages of using a pizza stone as well. For example, you can make your own homemade breads and rolls by placing them directly on top of the hot stone and letting them bake in the oven for several hours before removing them and serving them warm or at room temperature with your favorite toppings!
Why You Should Clean Pizza Stone
Cleaning your pizza stone is one of those necessary evils about making homemade pizza. If you use your stone often, food particles can get stuck to the stone’s pores. As the surface of your stone dries out, these particles can become difficult to remove and may leave stains on your pizza stone.
Cleaning your pizza stone immediately after use will help prevent stains and food buildup and make future cleaning easier. Thoroughly rinse off any remaining food particles and let your pizza stone air dry before storing it away.
How Often to Clean a Pizza Stone
Once a pizza stone becomes seasoned, a lot of people say you never clean it. But that isn’t quite true. You do want to clean it—just not all the way. So how often should you clean it?
The general rule is, whenever it gets dirty. That could be once, twice, or ten times a day or week depending on how much you use it —and what you use it for (more on that in a minute). The important thing is that when you do clean it, you don’t completely clean off the seasoning.
Basically, any time you notice food residue building up on your stone, go ahead and wipe that stuff off with a damp cloth or paper towel. Just make sure not to scrub too hard and remove all of that seasoning!
Some people also recommend brushing your pizza stone with coarse salt after each use; this is supposed to help absorb any small bits of food left behind and prevent them from burning onto the stone the next time you bake. I’ve never tried this myself and can’t speak to whether or not it actually works.
How to Clean Pizza Stone
If you have a pizza stone, you know that it can be a little tricky to clean. A pizza stone is a tool that allows your oven to mimic the conditions of a brick oven. The porous stone absorbs moisture and heats evenly, giving your pizza a crispy crust. However, leaving the stone in the oven for too long can cause it to crack.
Cleaning your pizza stone is important for maintaining its integrity, but if not done correctly, it can also damage the stone.
Steps For Cleaning Pizza Stone
- Step 1: Use a stiff brush for cleaning the stone. A brush with stiff bristles and a long handle is the most suitable for this job. This will help to reach all corners of the stone to remove any food particles left behind.
- Step 2: If you have a pizza stone made from soapstone, then use soap and water for cleaning it. Using soap and water on other kinds of pizza stones can leave a soapy odor which will contaminate your pizzas or other food that is cooked on it later.
- Step 3: Using baking soda is another good idea for cleaning your pizza stone, especially if it has been stained by tomato sauce or cheese. Wet your pizza stone first, then sprinkle it with baking soda liberally. Allow the baking soda to sit on the surface of the pizza stone overnight, then use the stiff bristle brush to scrape up the baking soda with any stains that are attached to it. Rinse off any remaining baking soda with clean water, then allow your pizza stone to dry thoroughly before using it again or putting it away in storage.
How to Clean Pizza Stone Stains
Stains are not a sign that your pizza stone is ruined. A stained pizza stone simply means that it has been well-used. The stains will not harm your food, but they can make your stone appear dirty and unappealing. Never clean your pizza stone with soap or detergent, as the residue will soak into the porous surface of the stone and give all of your food a soapy flavor. You can remove most stains from your pizza stone using a paste made from water and baking soda.
How to Clean a Burned Pizza Stone
The best way to clean a burned pizza stone is to avoid burning it in the first place. Before you bake anything on your pizza stone, be sure that there is no excess moisture on its surface. Never add water to sizzling hot pizza stones, as this will cause them to crack or break. If you accidentally drop food onto the surface of your pizza stone before putting it in the oven, don’t panic! Simply scrape off any stuck-on bits before baking and wash it thoroughly after cooking.
How to Clean a Moldy Pizza Stone
Mold is a common problem for pizza stones. Cheese, sauce, and other food debris can collect on the surface of the stone and lead to mold growth. I have found that vinegar is very effective at cleaning mold from the stone.
Soak your stone in vinegar for 30 minutes before scrubbing it with a scrub brush or abrasive pad. If your stone has a particularly thick layer of mold, you may need to soak it overnight. Dry thoroughly before using again.
Tips for Keeping Your Pizza Stone Safely
So you finally bought that pizza stone you’ve wanted for years. You’re excited to use it, but how do you care for it? Here are some tips to keep your pizza stone in great shape.
- It is important to remember that pizza stones are made out of clay, and clay is a porous material. Therefore, if you don’t clean your pizza stone after every single use, oil will seep into the pores of the stone. This will cause your pizza stone to produce off flavors over time.
- After each use, you should allow your stone to cool in a warm oven. After it has cooled, brush off any crumbs with a stiff plastic brush or nylon scrubby sponge (never use soap). Then rinse the stone with hot water and dry it thoroughly before storing it away.
- If you have allowed oil to soak into the pores of the stone and are now getting off flavors from your stone, there is a solution! Before using the stone next time, sprinkle coarse salt on it and scrub it with a paper towel or dish cloth. Let the salt sit on the stone for up to an hour before brushing it off with a paper towel or dish cloth.
Can I Cook Other Foods Besides Pizza On Stoneware?
Yes! You can bake bread on stoneware too! Bake your bread in the oven or on the grill. You can also make lasagna, mashed potatoes, and pot roast.
Since stoneware is porous, it retains heat very well. The heat from the pizza stone helps to crisp the crust of your pizza and keep it warm after being served. A pizza stone helps to evenly distribute heat throughout your food and make it taste great.
Stoneware comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. We recommend using a round or rectangular stoneware for pizzas.
If you are interested in cooking other foods besides pizza, consider using a stone that has a larger surface area so that you can cook more food at once.
Conclusion
So you’ve cooked your favorite pizza on your pizza stone and now you want to know how to clean your pizza stone. Well, you’re in luck! There are actually several different methods to choose from when doing the job so finding the perfect method for you shouldn’t be a problem. Just follow these simple steps and enjoy using your pizza stone again in no time.
