How to Use a Pizza Stone

A pizza stone is a porous, sand-like stone 1/4 inch thick. If you've ever made pizza before, you'll find it turns out much better if you use a pizza stone. You can purchase one at gourmet or better department stores.

Things You'll Need

• Pizza peel or cookie sheet
• Pizza stone
• Dough for crust
• Sauce, Cheese and Toppings for Pizza

Instructions

1. Preheat pizza stone for 15 to 30 minutes on lowest oven rack in a 450 to 500 degree F oven. Sprinkle cornmeal on a cookie sheet or a pizza peel (which looks like a wooden paddle).

2. Place your dough on the cookie sheet or pizza peel and put on desired sauces, toppings and cheeses. Shake the cookie sheet or pizza peel often to make sure the dough doesn't stick.

3. Open your oven door when it's finished preheating and slide the pizza onto the stone. Cook for about ten minutes.

4. Slide pizza back onto the cookie sheet or peel when it's finished cooking. Slice it, a pizza slicer works best, and eat your pizza.

5. Plan a pizza party. Provide various toppings and allow each person to add his toppings to his section of the pizza before baking.

Tips & Warnings

• Try a pizza stone for making crusty French and Italian breads. Use a good recipe and place a pan of water at the bottom of your oven. Create unusual shapes with your dough, if you like. Place risen dough on pizza stone before baking.

• Don't use soap to wash your pizza stone. Rinse off with water.