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How To Use and Clean A Pizza Stone

Not just for pizza, Napoleon’s Pizza Stone series produces delicious food both on the grill and in the oven. The secret is knowing how to use and care for your stone so that you get the best results every time.

 

What Is A Pizza Stone And Why You Want One

Pizza stones are generally made of a ceramic composite material which is great for high heat grilling and baking. They’re great for just about anything you can think of because of their ability to retain and distribute heat evenly, similar to cast iron. One of the benefits of using a pizza stone on the grill or in the oven is that it will help to wick away moisture in baked goods so that your breads and pizza crust will have a light and crispy exterior. The natural surface of a pizza stone won’t retain food flavors, so last night’s garlicky pizza won’t flavor tonight’s home-style honey biscuits. Not just for baking, your pizza stone can be used to help evenly distribute heat while roasting. Place a roasting pan on top of a preheated pizza stone when cooking poultry. This will help brown the bottom of the bird, cooking the dark meat at a rate similar to the breast meat, so they will both be done at the same time.

Pizza Stone

 

Before Using Your Pizza Stone For The First Time

When you pull your brand new pizza stone out of the package for the first time, wipe it down with a damp cloth and allow it to dry overnight. This removes any possible manufacturer’s debris and allows the moisture to completely evaporate.

 

How To Use A Pizza Stone

Pizza stones are easy to use and the end results are amazing. Follow the tips and tricks below to get the best from your baking stone.

  1. Place the cold stone on your cold grill or in a cold oven and preheat from there. You want the stone to reach a temperature of 425°F or more before cooking, which will require preheating for a little longer than it takes the grill or oven to reach this temperature – at least 30 minutes. This prevents the stone from cracking due to intense temperature changes. Also, the longer the stone has had to preheat, the better results on your bread or pizza dough.

  2. When sufficiently preheated, sprinkle the stone with cornmeal before placing food on it. You can also use parchment paper, just make sure that the paper is trimmed to the same size as the stone, with very little overhang when using on the grill.

  3. Transferring food to the stone is much easier when you use a pizza spatula. A little cornmeal or flour here will make picking up and transferring food much easier too.

  4. When finished with the stone, leave it on the grill or in the oven to cool completely before handling. It is 400°F+ and dangerous to handle, even with heat resistant gloves.

 

Using a knife, pizza wheel, or rocking pizza cutter on the stone surface will damage your blades and the stone. Always transfer food to a cutting board before slicing.

 

How To Clean A Pizza Stone

Cleaning your pizza stone seems like a daunting task, however, it’s as simple as using it.

  1. Once cooled completely, remove the stone from the grill or oven for cleaning.

  2. Remove stuck on bits by gently scraping them with a wooden or stiff plastic spatula. You can also use a soft nylon dish scrubby.

  3. Rinse, or wipe the pizza stone with warm water and a soft cloth. Allow the stone to dry for at least 24 hours before using again.

  4. Store flat. You can store the stone in the oven or on the grill. Keeping it there can increase heat retention and convection of the appliance. Just remember that the stone is there before cooking.

How to Use & Care For Pizza Stone - Can also use for dessert

 

Soap will absorb into the stone and leach into the food you cook. Do not clean the pizza stone with soap. Instead, gently scrub any stuck on foods and wipe with warm water.
Dry for 24 hours.

 

Help! My Pizza Stone Is Discoloring

Pizza stones develop a patina through use. This patina becomes more and more non-stick as it develops. This is a natural process that will happen faster the more you use the pizza stone. You cannot rush this by “seasoning” your stone with oil.

By following the tips above, you have become an expert in using your pizza stone. Great, not just for pizzas, but for baking delicious breads, pastries, cookies, and even frozen hors-d'oeuvres. There are so many things you can do with a pizza stone. What will you create? Tell us about your pizza stone adventures by using the hashtags #BBQPizzaStone and #NapoleonGrill when you post to our social media pages like Facebook and Instagram.

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