This step-by-step guide will show you how to clean a pizza stone. Get all the stains out of that porous surface and make your pizza stone last for years.
Do you love making homemade pizza using a pizza stone? That crispy crust almost always comes out perfect. But a dirty pizza stone can ruin the taste of your freshly made pizza and can even cause discoloration on its surface.
And yet, you’re not supposed to clean them with soap and water. So what do you do?
Why Not Soap and Water?
There are a couple of reasons why you’re not supposed to use soap or very much water on your pizza stone. First pizza stones are made of porous materials like ceramic or cordierite, which can absorb soap and water.
The absorbed soap can then leach into your food the next time you use the stone, affecting the taste and quality of your pizza. And excessive moisture can cause the fragile materials to break apart.
Yes, it’s odd that something that can withstand flames can break from being in a sink full of water, but there you go.
Regular Cleaning for Pizza Stones
To properly clean a pizza stone, simply let it cool down, then remove any larger food particles with a spatula or stiff brush. For stubborn stains or baked-on residue, you can use a small amount of plain water and gently scrub the stone using a nylon pad or sponge.
Wiping it with a damp cloth is another option. However you clean it, once you’re done you need to let it air dry completely before storing it or using it again for optimal results.
When You Need to Deep Clean Your Pizza Stone
If you’ve ever left your pizza stone uncleaned for an extended period, you know how difficult it can be to remove stubborn stains and burnt-on grease. The build-up of grease, burnt cheese, and other food residue can affect the taste of your food and reduce the lifespan of your pizza stone.
In that case, the regular cleaning routine isn’t going to be enough.
Materials needed for Deep cleaning a pizza stone
Before you begin to clean your pizza stone, it is essential to gather all the necessary materials. Most of these materials are readily available in any kitchen or supermarket. Some of the items you will need include:
- A soft-bristled brush, spatula or scraper. You can buy a stone brush, but a toothbrush works just as well.
- Warm water
- A towel or cloth for drying the pizza stone
The soft-bristled brush is used to remove food debris and burnt-on crust from the pizza stone. Warm water is necessary to help loosen and dissolve any residual food particles from the surface of the stone.
Things Not To Do
- Never try to clean it if it’s still hot. This could make it break. Let it cool down to warm first.
- Don’t use any harsh detergents or chemicals on the pizza stone as these can seep into the porous surface and ruin its ability to cook evenly.
- Don’t use abrasive sponges or brushes when cleaning the pizza stone as these can scratch its surface and lead to food sticking to it during cooking.
- Do not season your pizza stone. It won’t improve your stone the way seasoning a cast iron skillet does, and oil may seep into the pores and stop your pizza crusts from crisping.
Apply Baking Soda to Stuck Food
If you have food bits that won’t come off with scraping or brushing, make a paste of baking soda with just a few drops of water.
Use a toothbrush to scrub the paste over the stuck food. Once it’s come off, you can clean it gently with a damp cloth.
Baking Your Pizza Stone Clean
You can also put your pizza stone in the oven and turn it up to 500 degrees to bake off any stuck on food or grease. Let it bake for 1-2 hours, and then take it out and allow it to cool.
Once that’s done, you can scrape it with a rubber or silicone spatula and then wipe it with a damp cloth.
Drying the Pizza Stone After Cleaning
Once you have finished cleaning your pizza stone, it is essential to dry it completely before using it again. You can use a clean towel or cloth to wipe off any remaining moisture from the surface of the stone. However, air-drying is a more effective way of drying your pizza stone.
To air-dry your pizza stone, place it in a warm and dry location with good airflow. Allow the pizza stone to dry for at least 24 hours before using it again.
Maintaining the Pizza Stone for Long-Lasting Use
Once your pizza stone is clean, it’s important to maintain it properly to ensure its long-lasting use. It’s also important to store your pizza stone properly.
Avoid stacking heavy items on top of it or storing it in a place where it could crack or break easily. Instead, store it in a dry location, such as a cupboard or pantry, away from any other kitchen tools that could cause damage.
The Magic of Parchment Paper
Your pizza doesn’t need to sit directly on the stone to crisp up nicely. You can put a piece of parchment paper on top of the stone and under the pizza, and that will protect your stone from getting so dirty.
Enjoy Your Clean Pizza Stone
Proper cleaning of a pizza stone isn’t hard – it’s just a matter of knowing what you can and can’t use on it. With the right materials and precautions, you can keep your pizza stone clean so it lasts for years and years