How to Clean a Pizza Stone So It Lasts Forever

Learning how to clean a pizza stone correctly can help it last a long time and produce mouth-watering pizzas. If you've ever used a pizza stone, you probably already know it's the secret ingredient for a deliciously crispy crust on your homemade pizza.

The one small problem: How do you remove all that baked-on cheese and grease once you're done devouring your culinary masterpiece? Follow these steps to clean a pizza stone so it lasts for many years to come.

How Often to Clean a Pizza Stone

It's best to clean a pizza stone every time it's used—a quick wipe works. This makes it easier to remove stuck-on food and cheese. And it helps avoid having to deep clean your stone as often.

Considerations Before You Get Started

When cleaning a pizza stone:

• Use as little water as possible. Water absorbed by the stone will prevent a crispy crust.
• Don't soak the stone in the sink in an effort to loosen the stuck-on food. It's also best not to use soap on your pizza stone.
• Always let your stone fully cool down before cleaning it. Also, drying a wet stone in a hot oven could cause it to crack. (Yikes!)

What You Need:

• Pizza stone brush or nylon dish brush
• Silicone pan scraper
• Dishcloths
• Baking soda

How to Clean a Pizza Stone With a Brush

Step 1: Scrub Stone Surface

Wet the stone with a small amount of hot water (avoid submerging it completely). Then, scrub the surface with a pizza stone brush. This inexpensive cleaning tool is worth investing in, but if you don't have one, you can use a nylon dish brush.

Step 2: Scrape Off Stuck-On Food

Remove stuck-on food with a silicone pan scraper. Most pizza stone brushes also come with a built-in scraper you can use for this purpose.

Step 3: Dry the Stone

Clear away crumbs or grease using a damp cloth. Then, dry the stone thoroughly with a dry dishcloth.

How to Keep Your Pizza Stone Clean Longer

Help your pizza stone stay clean and last longer with these tips:

• Scrape and wipe it down after each use. Removing cheese, crumbs, and other leftover food pieces from the pizza stone will help avoid lingering stains.
• Properly clean your stone. Avoid using too much water, soap, or cleaning chemicals on the stone.
• Always dry the stone. Dry your pizza stone with a clean dishcloth, then let it air-dry before using it again.
  

Removing Stuck on Stains From a Pizza Stone

Over time, your pizza stone will develop stains and a natural patina. You don't have to clean these stains, and many of them won't go away—which is OK.

But if you want to clean lingering stains on a pizza stone, here's how:

1. Combine water and baking soda to form a paste.
2. Apply the mixture to the stone using a damp cloth or brush.
3. Scrub the stone in a circular motion, concentrating on the stained areas.
4. Wipe away all of the baking soda with a damp cloth. Dry the stone with another dishtowel. Let the stone air-dry thoroughly before making your next homemade pizza.