How to Clean a Stoneware Pizza Stone

Cleaning a pizza stone needs to be done carefully to prevent damage.

Stoneware pizza stones are an excellent way to make not only pizza, but any food with a dough-like crust. However, the pizza stone can not be cleaned like an ordinary pizza tray. It needs to be cleaned with special care in order to keep it seasoned and able to make delicious pizza dishes for years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Sponge
• Scraper
• Dish towel

Instructions

1. Allow the pizza stone to cool down completely before cleaning. The pizza stone will retain heat longer than a normal pizza tray and will take longer to cool down. Give it at least an hour to cool before you begin the cleaning process.

2. Use the provided scraper--many pizza stones come with one--or a plastic scraper to remove any bits of food or burnt cheese. Remove as much of the food as you can before washing.

3. Wet the sponge and wipe down the stone with warm water. Do not use soap, as soap can seep into the pores of the stone and can create a soapy taste to the food you cook.

4. Rinse the pizza stone under warm running water to remove any excess food that didn't come off with the sponge.

5. Dry the pizza stone thoroughly with a towel before storing the pizza stone in your cabinet.

Tips & Warnings

• The pizza stone will start to turn darker as it is used. This is not dirt; the stone becomes seasoned over time and this will actually lend more dimension and flavor to the food.

Resources

• Pizza Therapy: Secret Pizza Tricks