Everything You Need to Know About Seasoning a Pizza Stone

By Robert Parsons April 3, 2023

Age brings many advantages, and pizza stones are no exception! One of the key components of using a pizza stone is seasoning it correctly. The added flavor this offers can’t be beaten, plus you’ll have your trusty stone for life once you’ve learned how to use it expertly.

Many people assume they have ruined their pizza stone once it darkens and stains after each use. But this is actually a sign of success – not failure! Seasoning your stone helps create that crispy, golden crust and delicious gooey cheese everyone loves in a pizza. This guide has all the knowledge you need to become an expert at seasoning your own pizza stones like a pro!

What is a Pizza Stone? 

Pizza stones, otherwise known as baking stones, are essential in creating the perfect pizza. They come in a variety of shapes and materials – from oval discs made out of stone or ceramic to blocks cut from salt – but they all share one quality: their porous surface helps absorb moisture so that you can get crisper dough! And even if you don’t make pizzas often, these tools are still incredibly useful for making bread and cookies too.

What Does It Mean to Season a Baking Stone? 

If you want to make the most out of your pizza stone and provide a non-stick surface, seasoning is essential. Seasoning a pizza stone works similarly to seasoning cast iron pans as fats from food burn off leaving behind an oil film that prevents sticking. Over time, this process naturally occurs with regular use; however, for those looking for expedited results, pre-seasoning can be done too! Our team has found success in pre-seasoning brand-new stones to quickly initiate the natural seasonings.

How to Season a Pizza Stone: Step-By-Step 

Now, let’s get into how to season a baking stone. To begin, you’ll need some oil – olive, vegetable, canola, or coconut are all excellent choices. Then just follow these straightforward steps:

  1. Place a thin layer of oil using a washcloth
  2. Place your stone in the oven
  3. Preheat your oven to 425℉
  4. Bake your stone for an hour

Note: To avoid cracking, it is crucial to preheat your pizza stone along with the oven. Fortunately, seasoning a pizza stone couldn’t be easier – just keep using it and watch as its surface darkens over time! After each baking session, give your stone an extra dose of TLC by following these steps; eventually, you’ll find that it gets even better with age.

Alternative Method

Your baking stone is designed to season itself with every pizza you make. As the oils from your food accumulate, they coat the surface of the stone and create a natural barrier that prevents sticking. If you want an alternative method for seasoning, try cooking bread or cookies on it first — this will jumpstart the process and get those delicious flavors locked in quickly.

For optimum pizza baking results, heat your oven and the pizza stone at the same time before sliding your pie onto it. It is best to avoid cooking anything with a strong odor like fish as this will result in an unfortunate lingering smell and taste that can be difficult to eradicate.

Caring for Your Pizza Stone 

Not only are pizza stones immensely helpful for baking pizzas, but they’re also incredibly easy to clean!

All you need is a simple and straightforward approach- no detergents or cleaning products are required. That’s because the porous surface of your stone will absorb any harsh chemicals from such cleaners, thus potentially damaging it in the long run.

So, how do you clean it after using it?

First, to ensure the longevity of your pizza stone, wait until it has cooled down before taking it out of the oven.

Utilize a metal spatula to remove any stuck food particles and then follow up with a sponge and cold water for an additional cleanse. A little grease is beneficial in seasoning the stone; however, avoid excess oil build-up.

Lastly, be sure that your pizza stone is completely dry prior to putting it back in the oven as moisture will cause cracks when exposed to high temperatures!

To help reach this level of dryness, find yourself a spot free from humidity where you can set aside your cooked dish until every last bit of liquid evaporates away.

Are Stains on My Pizza Stone Normal? 

Absolutely! The stains that form on your stone are an integral part of the seasoning process, so there’s no need to fret about them – plus, more stains mean better-seasoned stones.

Just keep in mind not to use any chemicals when trying to remove these markings as this will only damage and ruin your stone. After using it for cooking, ensure that you clean and store it away in a dry environment which will help extend its lifespan considerably.

Conclusion 

Pizza stone seasoning is an essential part of pizza making. We love using this method for producing homemade pizzas – the final result just can’t be beaten!

If you use an aged or seasoned baking stone, the taste will be unlike any other. To get that game-changing flavor, follow our simple instructions and give your pizza stone a good season before cooking; we guarantee it’ll make all the difference in your finished dish!