There is NOTHING more game-changing for DIY pizza than getting a pizza stone (or pizza steel)!
But if you’re new to pizza stones, there are some important maintenance tips to keep in mind.
So should you wash your pizza stone before first use?
Yes, but you should not use soap! A new pizza stone will likely have some dirt or dust from shipping or manufacturing, and you should clean it with warm water and a rag. Pizza stones are porous and will absorb any dish soap (which could make your pizza taste like soap).
Additionally, you shouldn’t really “season” your pizza stone, either.
Let’s get into more details 👇
How to Clean a Pizza Stone Before First Use:
First, I recommend clearing out other dirty dishes from your sink (so you can lie the pizza stone down if you want).
Next, grab a clean dish rag (not one that has soap suds in it)!
- Place the pizza stone in the sink.
- Rinse it with warm water.
- Wipe it down with the wet rag.
- Let it dry for a while
- Bake it in the oven by itself for 30-45 minutes.
That last one is important: Due to the high temperatures, the pizza stone will mostly burn away any bacteria, etc. It’s self-cleaning!
However, you should bake it once by itself before using it with a pizza.
Optionally, you can use some coarse Kosher salt (or sea salt) for additional friction, but that’s mainly used for removing pizza, sauce residue, etc, AFTER baking (see below).
Do You Need to Season a Pizza Stone Before Using?
No. Pizza stones are generally ceramic and have naturally non-stick surfaces. 99% of the manufacturers do not recommend seasoning your pizza stone.
Do NOT put any oil on the pizza stone, or any other “seasoning.”
What happens if I wash a pizza stone with soap?
Soap can harm the porous surface of a pizza stone, making it more likely to get stained and destroying the flavor of the food you cook on it.
Again, they’re porous! They’ll absorb any liquids you put on them and will start to develop a taste!
Can you fix a pizza stone that tastes like soap?
If you’ve been washing your stone with soap, don’t worry. You should be able to get it out.
- Fill your sink (or a huge bowl) with warm or hot water
- Add in a tiny amount of oil and mix it around
- Let the pizza stone soak in there for 20-30 minutes at least
The goal is to get the soapy molecules (which are buried in the pizza stone surface) to come OUT and into the water mixture.
Note: It’s probably not going to be completely fixed in one try.
You’ll probably have to let the pizza stone dry out, cook it again, and repeat this process a few times (it depends on how badly your stone reeked of soap).
How Can I Clean a Pizza Stone AFTER Using?
After you’ve baked a delicious pizza, there will probably be sauce, cheese, or other residue left on the stone.
Do NOT use dish soap.
I recommend a 3-step process:
- Use hot water.
- With a rag,
- And coarse Kosher salt (or sea salt).
Any course salt will help rub off leftover residue (just simple friction), without leaving a taste on your pizza stone!
This is the method most people use to clean cast iron (and baking steel).
- Do NOT put your stone in the dishwasher
- Do NOT use dish soap
- Do NOT soak your pizza stone in water (unless you’re trying to repair it, see above).
Pizza Stone F.A.Q.s
Can you use a pizza stone right away?
You can, but there might be a bit of manufacturing dust, dirt from shipping, etc. Most pizza stones should be washed with warm water and a rag, and then baked in the oven by themselves for 30-45 minutes BEFORE you use them for pizza.
Should I put olive oil on my pizza stone?
No. Ceramic pizza stones do not need to be “seasoned.” Their surfaces are non-stick and porous, and will additionally absorb the flavor of any oil (or soap) that you put on it.
Should you use parchment paper on a pizza stone?
Yes, you can use parchment paper underneath pizza, even up to temperatures around 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Parchment paper can make transferring your pizza onto a pizza stone much easier, and despite rumors that the paper can’t handle high heat (anything about 400-450F), the paper should be fine up to 550F, especially in shorter bakes.
However, you should consider the bake time and temperature that you’re using, and possibly include a layer of aluminum foil underneath the parchment paper (to help shield it from getting to crispy).
Can you put raw pizza dough on a pizza stone?
Yes, absolutely. There is no need to use foil or parchment paper between the pizza dough and the stone. As long as you take good care of your pizza stone (washing it with warm water, a rag, and possibly coarse salt), the stone should be fine for raw dough. The surface is naturally porous and non-stick.