There is only one piece of equipment you need to create restaurant quality pizza…a pizza stone.
How do you know which one to get? (seriously..how many different types are there!?!)
I have written this pizza stone guide to help you. Not only will it show some recommendations but also give some tips on what to look for.
If you want to create crispy, soft and amazing pizza dough then you need a pizza stone.
- Decent sized Pizza Stone
- Heats up quickly
- Retains the heat
- Used on oven, grill and BBQ
- Big pizza stone
- Retains the heat
- Very durable
- Suitable for oven and grill
Best Pizza Stones For Oven
Okay, ready to learn what the best pizza stones of 2021 are?
Now I love using my outdoor pizza oven. Sometimes it’s just not possible to always use it. (it’s usually the weather man’s fault!)
There is no way that I will go a week without pizza. So the next best thing is to use my oven. Over the years I have tried and tested a number of pizza stones. All for research purposes…honest!
Anyway, I am hoping this “research” helps you to find one that is right for you.
Hans Grill Baking Stone
Here is the first on the list of best pizza stones. It’s the first one that I started using. (This is before I got my Ooni Fyra Pizza Oven).
My goal was to make the best tasting pizza. Thanks to the Hans Grill Baking Stone it certainly took my pizzas to the next level.(I’d often see my friends come round on a friday just for the pizza)
This baking stone is made from Cordierite. You get a nice crispy pizza because it absorbs the moisture from the dough. The pizza is cooked evenly as well!
You won’t be waiting ages for it to heat up. It also keeps that temperature as well. Which is perfect if you are cooking several pizzas.
It’s 15×12 inches and 1.5cm thick. The perfect size for baking decent sized pizzas. I love the fact that it works in the oven, grill or even on the BBQ. (There’s no excuse not to have pizza!)
You do also get a decent sized pizza peel. It’s made from wood so really just used to launch the pizza and act as a serving board. It does what it needs to do.
PizzaCraft 16.5″ Round ThermaBond Pizza Stone
If you can be a bit clumsy like me (the amount of stones I have dropped is beyond a joke!) this pizza stone is just what you’re looking for. It’s a cordierite stone but uses their own Thermabond material for extra durability.
This is stuff that is used in car engines, so it will last for years!
This is why it won’t break from thermo shocks as well. In fact this baking stone can withstand up to 900 degrees fahrenheit. (That’s as hot as the depths of hell!)
It’s a great stone if you’re cooking for your family. You should be able to get a good 16” pizza on it. (So that’s like 1 BIG pizza each, right? I am not ashamed that I could easily get through a pizza that size!)
So decent size, durable and it heats up pretty quickly. As well as maintaining that heat. You can see why it has over 2500 reviews.
Heritage Pizza Stone
Looking for something a little different? The Heritage pizza stone sure does.
It’s made from black ceramic. It looks very modern and stylish compared to the normal stones.
The ceramic does also make it very durable. This is because of the black coating. Nice smooth finish that can be easily cleaned. It only needs a simple wipe of the cloth.
One of the best things is how quick it heats up. It heated up twice as fast as some of the other baking stones.
It’s middle of the road when it comes to cost. Not too expensive but not too cheap either.
The packaging looks a little cheap. Although I just threw the packaging away, so why does that matter?
It does come with a nice pizza cutter if you need one.
Overall a pretty decent option. I would recommend it.
NerdChef Steel Stone
Ready for something that stands out against every other pizza stone? It honestly looks amazing!
This is a steel baking stone, made by NerdChef. (steel adds so many extra benefits…)
Steel is incredibly solid. It’s unlikely to break so it will last you many years.
One of the great things about using steel is just how conductive it is. This basically means it heats up A LOTquicker.
In fact it can heat up TWICE as much as others. Resulting in quicker and crispier pizza. (perfect if making neapolitan pizza) It does get to an impressive 450 degrees F. Helping you get a crust that puffs up.
Because it’s steel, it can be heavy. It’s not too heavy to handle but heavier than other alternatives.
It’s not as big as some alternatives. So you will need to measure your pizza to make sure it fits.
Overall, steel is an excellent option to go for. And there is no better one than this one from NerdChef.
What Is A Pizza Stone?
No doubt you already know what a pizza stone is. Forgive me if you do.
If you don’t, it’s basically a stone that you place in the oven to cook pizzas on. Hence the name “pizza stone”.
You wouldn’t think there are so many variations but there are. They come in different shapes and sizes. My goto is a round one but it’s really just down to personal preference.
How To Use A Pizza Stone
Pizza Stones are designed to replicate a wood fired pizza oven. They can reach temperatures of up to 1400°F. It’s this high temperature that gives your pizza a crisp and tasty base.
Now understanding how to use your pizza stone is very important.
The first thing you need to know is that you should never put the pizza stone into a hot oven. The sudden change in temperature can cause it to crack.
Place the baking stone into your oven and allow it to heat up with the oven. This can take 30-60 minutes.
Once it’s hot you can then transfer your pizza to the stone. Get ready to watch the pizza rise like magic in the oven.
One of the great things about pizza stones is that they cook the pizza evenly. And your pizza doesn’t have a soggy base.
Finally allow the pizza stone to cool down with the oven. Again sudden temperature changes can cause it to crack.
What To Think About When Buying A Pizza Stone
As mentioned there are plenty of different baking stones available. The tricky thing is knowing which one to get.
How are you going to know which is the best pizza stone to use? Don’t worry, I have your back!
Below are things you should consider…
Thickness
When I first started using a pizza stone, I thought they were all the same thickness. I had no idea just how important the thickness was.
The thicker the stone is the more durable it is. Thicker stones also help to maintain the heat for longer. Stones that are too thin can actually crack if they get too hot.
You would only use a thin pizza stone if you were using an electric oven.
When it comes to thickness, you want the stone to be as thick as possible.I would suggest at least 0.75 inches.
Size
You can get a pizza stone that is either 14 or 16 inches. Depending on the size of the pizza would determine what size you need.
If you only ever do 12 inch pizzas then the 14 inch stone would be fine.
The main thing you need to make sure is that the stone fits in your oven. Make sure there is at least an inch gap between the stone and the size of the oven.
This is important as it allows for air to circulate around the oven properly.
Shape
I know what you’re thinking…how many shapes could there be?
There are 3.
Square, Rectangle and Round. (I am yet to find a triangle one!)
The shape of the pizza stone makes very little difference. It’s more a personal preference. The most common is square as this does tend to give more surface space.
I personally prefer round. I am trying to improve the shaping of my pizza and getting them perfectly round. Having a round pizza stone forces me to try and get it as round as possible.
Plus it is so much slicing a round pizza than a square one!
Material
Pizza stones can be made from different materials. Each with their own pros and cons. It does depend on personal preference again, as well as how you plan on cooking your pizza.
I’m going to run through the most common materials.
Cast Iron
Cast Iron is a great choice if you also want to cook pizza on your stovetop or on a campfire. It heats up well and also retains the heat. (Great if you intend to cook several pizzas)
They are very durable and hard wearing. The biggest drawback is how heavy they can be. Some do have holes to help with carrying it. Not really useful when in a hot oven though.
Steel
Steel is getting more and more popular. It heats up very quickly, making a nice crust on the pizza.
They are also very lightweight and easy to clean. The biggest drawback is that they are really only suitable for use in your oven.
Ceramic
Ceramic pizza stones are unique in that they can be used on open flames for high degree baking. They absorb more heat, hold and distribute heat evenly for consistent browning.
One of the main drawbacks is that they can break if you do not look after them very well. They need to be preheated. You will also want to keep water away. It absorbs the moisture and this can cause them to break when reaching warmer temperatures.
Other pizza stone materials include cordierite. This is known to handle heat above 1000 degrees. It also absorbs moisture better. But it’s not as durable as steel or cast iron. The bottom line is always to choose the material that suits your pizza baking style and budget.
Pricing
Pricing is an important factor to consider when looking for the best pizza stone. You can usually find a good quality baking stone regardless of your budget.
You can find decent stones that are as cheap as $20-$30. There are then the more expensive ones.
The price will vary depending on size, thickness and the material it’s made from.
It is however a great investment. It should last you many years.
Not only that but once you cook your first pizza on a pizza stone, you will not want to use anything else.
Care & Maintenance
One of the biggest mistakes that people make is how they look after their pizza stone. (I have ruined a couple of them in the past)
Now how you look after your stone will depend on what it is made from. With all of them, wait till they have fully cooled down before cleaning.
Not only is this to stop you from burning yourself. Ceramic pizza stones will break or crack if they are suddenly exposed to cold.
Steel pizza stones are very easy to care for. They can simply be washed as normal or placed in a dishwasher.
When it comes to Ceramic or Cast Iron it’s very different, You should just be able to brush debris off with a wire brush or scraper.
It’s important not to use detergents or cleaning agents. These types of pizza stones absorb the flavour. (And let’s face it, who wants their next pizza to taste like washing up detergent!)
Finally, do not use water on ceramic stone. It absorbs the moisture and this will cause it to crack when you reheat it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to season the pizza stone?
No, generally you should Never season a pizza stone. Oil used to season the stone can cause smoke but also leave a bad taste or/and smell. Scrape off any excess food and just allow the heat on your next cook to burn off any bacteria.
How long do you cook pizza on a pizza stone?
It will take 10-12 minutes to cook a pizza on a pizza stone in your oven. If you are using a wood fired oven then it can take just a couple of minutes. This is because they get much hotter.
The time might also vary on the thickness of the pizza base.
When should you put a pizza stone in the oven?
The pizza stone should go in the oven 30-60 minutes before cooking your pizza. You need the oven to get to its highest temperature.
Its very important that the stone increases in temperature with the oven. Sudden temperature changes can cause the stone to crack.
You should also make sure the dough is not cold when it goes onto the stone.
Why do pizza stones crack?
There are a couple of reasons why your pizza stone cracks. The first is because of “thermal shock”. When you add a cold stone to a hot oven.
The second reason is that the pizza stone has absorbed moisture. This is common when people wash it with water. It is the moisture that expands and causes it to become weaker and crack.
Can you cut pizza on a pizza stone?
No you cannot cut pizza on a pizza stone. This is because they are too hot. I would recommend using a pizza peel to get it off the stone and onto a chopping board to cut.
Should I leave my pizza stone in the oven?
Yes I would recommend leaving the pizza stone in the oven. This is important when you finish cooking your pizza. It should cool down with the oven.
If you can, it’s easier to leave it in the oven. Moving it around often does increase the chance of it being dropped and broken.
What happens if you wash a pizza stone with soap?
You should NEVER was your pizza stone with soap. The stone contains little pores which absorb flavours. So if you use soap it will absorb that taste. Believe me, that will not taste nice on your next pizza.
Can you put a pizza stone on a BBQ?
Yes, you can use a pizza stone on a BBQ. It does however depend on the stone. For example you would want it to be a cast iron or ceramic pizza stone. Using a BBQ you can get a nice smoky flavour with extra crispiness.
If you do like it on the BBQ, you should try a real wood fired pizza oven.
Conclusion – Are Pizza Stones Worth It?
So there you have it. Are you still reading all the way down here? (That’s good going! And thank you for taking the time to read all this).
Pizza Stones are the best way to level up your pizza without having to buy a specific oven. (Although they do take them to an even higher level!)
Whether you have pizza a lot or now and again, these baking stones are a great investment. Cost wise they are very low. But the results you get are Amazing!
You cannot go wrong with any of these. They are the best pizza stones in 2021. You will not be disappointed.
