Pizza Stones FAQs: 15 Burning Questions That You Need to Know the Answer

The pizza stone temperature should be at 550°F or 287°C. It means that you need to preheat it from the oven to more than 500° or 287°C; if you can.

This process will ensure that you can cook the pizza evenly at that temperature.
If you use Pizzacraft stones, they can withstand up to 900°F or 482°C.

But if you’re using a random pizza stone, it can only hold the same temperature as your oven. However, the pizza stone can increase your oven’s temperature, which will be great for baking.

You should allow a minimum of 30 minutes to preheat your pizza stone.

Make sure that the pizza dough will have room temperature before cooking it.

Frozen pizza dough is not a good idea since the temperature change can leave your pizza stone cracked.

It’s best if you can let the frozen pizza dough thaw and reach room temperature before baking it.

That will also guarantee that your pizza will be cooked evenly and maximize its texture and flavor.

Allow pizza to cook from 8 to 10 minutes on a pizza stone. Make sure to adjust the temperature depending on the thickness of the pizza crust.

The thinner the pizza dough, the higher the temperature. It will have a crispy crust that way.

You can also cook the pizza dough for 10 to 12 minutes if it’s thicker. Although the temperature should be lower, which is 475F or 240C.

It will avoid burning the pizza and cook it evenly.

If your pizza is sticking on the pizza stone, there are different reasons why it’s happening.

The problem is not your pizza stone but the pizza dough itself. Therefore, you have to check the dough before cooking it.

Reasons Why Pizza is Sticking:

1- Pizza dough has a hole that causes the toppings to fall into the oven.

2- The dough is too wet, which causes it to stick.

3- Lifting the pizza too soon when the dough is still sticky.

This is a big NO!

Do not put oil on a pizza stone since it’s not advisable. The pizza stone has a porous ceramic surface.

The best way to make it easier to use is to keep on using it.

Pizza dough might stick to the pizza stone during the first few minutes as you cook.

But the pizza stone will soon release it once the dough is cooked and formed into a crust—no need to use oil and wait patiently.

Pizza stones don’t need to be seasoned since seasoning can happen naturally.

To season your pizza stone, keep on using it continuously for it to be seasoned. It will absorb the grease, cheese, and oils as you use it over time.

The best way to make your pizza stone conditioned faster is to leave it inside the oven.

It’s not the same as cast iron pizza pans; therefore, it’s not ideal for seasoning it and just waiting for it to happen naturally.

Short answer, Always!

However, you can use a pizza stone once you have prepared some steps before baking.

If it’s your first time using the pizza stone, sit it with flour first.

Make sure that you preheat your oven before putting it inside the oven.

Once it reaches the ideal temperature, about 550°F, you can already use the pizza stone.

It’s hot enough to bake your pizza.

You can also use a pizza peel to place your pizza on your stone if you want to.

Having a pizza stone is worth it since it can hold heat better and evenly.

If you compare it to the metal of a baking sheet, pizza stone can cook your pizza more even, and it will look better.

Its porous surface can draw water away from the dough while baking. That will evenly cook the pizza without burning the sides.

Preheating the pizza stone will also give the dough a good heat and allow the crust to puff.

Most pizza stones are double-sided, so it doesn’t matter which side you would like to use.

But if you get a pizza stone with different surfaces, then it’s best to use the smoother side to bake your pizza.

The smoother side means that it’s for the pizza dough since it will not leave rough marks on the crust.

In contrast, the rough side should help the pizza stone stay in place and avoid slipping inside the oven.

Pizza stones are not dishwasher safe.

Please do not attempt to put it inside your dishwasher. It can end up with cracks, and you will no longer be able to use it anymore.

Avoid soaking it even with plain water as well.

You can clean your pizza stone by rinsing it with water.

Do not use dishwashing soap or detergent.

You can scrape some residue using a plastic spatula to avoid scratching the surface.

Yes, you can store your pizza stone inside the oven.

Just make sure to allow the oven to cool off first.

The temperature change can cause the pizza stone to crack, and you don’t want that to happen.

You can store the pizza stone in a well-ventilated area.

It’s also ideal for storing it inside the oven and covering it with foil to avoid it from getting dirty. It will protect your pizza stone and be ready for your next use.

Pizza stone should be placed in the middle of the lowest rack. You can then preheat the oven if you’re baking so that the stone will be ready.

Wait for at least 30 minutes before adding the pizza dough so that the stone is hot enough to cook it.

Avoid placing the pizza stone in a hot oven at room temperature.

The sudden increase in temperature will cause the pizza stone to crack since the material can’t handle it.

A pizza stone can be washed with water, so it’s alright to have it wet but not too much.

Avoid cleaning it with soap or detergent. Soaking the pizza stone is not also a good idea, so it’s best just to rinse it with water.

Make sure that the pizza stone is already cooked off before rinsing it.

The stone is very sensitive to sudden temperature changes, and it will crack if you run water on its hot surface.

A pizza stone doesn’t require regular cleaning since using it seasoned it well.

You don’t always have to wash it like other baking utensils. But if you have to clean it, be sure to do the following steps below.

Let the pizza stone cool off completely.

– Use a plastic spatula to scrape the stuck food.
– Avoid using soap or detergent when you clean it.
– Use a damp cloth to clean the surface rather than running water on it.
– Make sure that the pizza stone is completely dry before using it.