10 Best Pizza Stones for Ovens in 2022 (Italian Chef-Reviewed)

It's easy enough to make pizza in the oven with a sheet pan, so why even bother with a pizza stone? Chef Danilo Specchiulli says, "With some careful handling and maintenance, a pizza stone can become a kitchen tool that you can't live without. 

Having used them in the past, I was able to achieve brick-oven level authentic Italian-style pizza anywhere - and I didn't have to go searching for a good pizzeria even when I'm thousands of miles away from home. That's how amazing these inventions are. 

After practicing making pizza at home, you can invest in a pizza stone, and through its heat amplification and distribution features, you can have a taste of real pizza.

While a typical oven can reach 250 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, the addition of a pizza stone lets you reach up to 500 degrees, which is crucial in making pizza. A pizza stone basically transforms a regular oven into a professional one in terms of food output."

Check out our tips and suggestions below for more information about pizza stones. Keep these six points in mind to make your shopping experience 10 times easier!

Pizza stones are made from different materials, including clay (ceramic) and cordierite. Each provides different benefits and drawbacks. Here's a rundown of each type.

If you like a crispy pizza crust, clay or ceramic stones are great choices. You may see a stone described as clay or ceramic, but keep in mind that ceramic is made from clay! In other words, they share similar properties. The differences will depend on how the clay has been treated.

Since clay is a porous material, it can't withstand thermal shock unless it has been pretreated and might crack if transferred directly from a cold environment to an oven. However, it absorbs moisture and oil well. This results in a thin and crispy crust. Just make sure to follow the cleaning instructions to avoid damaging the material!

Cordierite, a type of mineral, generally comes with a higher price tag but is very sturdy and durable. This material is made from the same material as kiln shelves. It's lead-free and can withstand thermal shock well, so it can go from very low temperatures to very hot ones (up to a couple thousand degrees Fahrenheit) without cracking. 

As with any kind of pizza stone, make sure to follow manufacturer instructions regarding cleaning and patience to avoid damaging the product. 

There's no point in buying a pizza stone that doesn’t fit your oven. That's why it's very important to know the size of your appliance! A perfect pizza needs high, even heat, so you want a stone that can comfortably fit on your oven rack. It's up to you which rack you place it on, but the middle rack is recommended so it can get some extra heat from the bottom.

There should be at least one inch of space between the oven walls and your stone for airflow purposes. It can be dangerous if your hot pizza stone is difficult to take out of the oven, though so make sure it's no tighter than that!

Some pizza stones are also thicker than others, but when it comes to thickness, the rule of thumb is that the thinner the stone, the faster it will heat up. That can be great if you want a pizza in a hurry, but it could easily cause burning if you're a forgetful cook or want to use it for recipes other than pizza. Aim for at least half an inch to be safe.

Don't forget to think about the size and shape of your pizza stone! Pizza stones can come in a rectangular or circular shape. And choosing which shape is totally up to your preference. 

A rectangular pizza stone provides a large surface that allows you to make a big pizza. Compared to a circular pizza stone, it's closer to the sides of your oven and therefore can heat up quickly and retain heat for longer, giving you a particularly crispy crust. 

But make sure that it doesn't fit too tightly or you'll have a hard time removing it from the oven! Re-read the previous section for reference. It's also good to note that rectangular stones can easily be used for other recipes like breadmaking due to the large surface area.

With a circular pizza stone, you'll be able to bake a pizza with the most authentic, traditional shape. It tends to fit nicely inside your oven and is lighter than a rectangular one. It might take a longer time to cook, however.

A circular pizza stone comes in many sizes, too. A medium pizza (12 inches) suits up to four people, while a large pizza (14 inches) can feed up to five. However, if you want to make an extra-large pizza to serve more people, consider at least a 16-inch diameter stone.

Want to make a smaller pie? Some pizza stones come in an eight-inch size, which is great for one or two people. If you like a variety of flavors, consider a larger stone that can accommodate two or more pizzas. 

Pizza stones are either unglazed or glazed. "Unglazed" means that the natural material, like clay, hasn't been treated with any kind of coating on the surface. On the other hand, "glazed" stones have some type of coating. 

Unglazed stones offer better moisture absorption and can distribute heat evenly, which results in a perfectly crispy crust. However, they can be difficult to clean, as you have to take care not to damage the surface with soaps or utensils. 

The unglazed surface can also make your pizza more likely to stick to the stone. Try using parchment paper or cooking oil to prevent this! So if you're willing to give your pizza stone a little TLC now and then to achieve a crispy crust, consider an unglazed stone.

Most glazed stones still can absorb moisture to achieve some crips in the crust, as they are usually only partially (micro) glazed. This means there are still tiny holes in the coating that can grab water. 

Some glazed stones are fully glazed, though, which means they are far less absorbent. However, glazed stones are much easier to clean thanks to their slicker surface! If you're more concerned about ease of maintenance than getting a crispy crust, consider a glazed stone.

Pizza stones are simple tools, but they can include helpful features! Some pizza stones are designed with handles, either recessed into the stone or attached to the edges, that make it easier to use in your oven and serve after cooking. Just make sure to factor in the handle size versus your oven size, especially if it's a tight fit to begin with.

Other products come with additional tools, like a pizza peel or cutter! Certain stones may even come with free recipes and a warranty. Make sure to consider all of the features included so you can buy the most beneficial pizza stone.

Pizza stones differ in terms of material, size, and shape. Some products come with only a baking stone, while others come in a set that includes a pizza cutter or peel. 

*Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Danilo Specchiulli.

Danilo says, "Common issues people have with using pizza stones are cracking and sticking. To address the first issue, you should minimize handling the delicate material and keep it in your oven. Also, ensure it is a part of the oven preheating process to avoid thermal shock. 

Minimizing contact with liquids and oil (greasing your pizza stone with oil is a big no-no) will also lessen the risk of compromising the porous material. To avoid the sticking issue, use flour or cornmeal on the dough's bottom before placing it on the stone. 

Another trick is to ensure your dough, sauce, cheese, and topping ratio are balanced. Too much sauce and toppings result in a heavy pizza and wet dough, hence the sticking."

It's easy to make pizza dough from scratch! If you're a beginner, check out this simple recipe, courtesy of A's Cookbook! With this recipe, you'll be able to make one 12-inch pizza with a thick crust, or one 16-inch pizza with a medium crust. 

Ingredients:

• 2 and 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour 
• 1 teaspoon of instant yeast
  
• 2 teaspoons of sugar
• 1/2 teaspoons of salt (optional)
• 1 cup of warm water
• 2 tablespoons of oil 

Directions:

1. Mix all the dry ingredients including flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt until well combined.  
2. Pour in the oil and warm water and mix until a dough emerges. 
3. Pour the dough onto a surface and knead for about five minutes. 
4. Coat the bowl with some oil and place the dough inside. Cover the bowl with a dry cloth and let the dough rise for about one hour or until double inside. 
5. Transfer the dough into your pizza stone and stretch until you get the desired shape. 

You may still have some lingering questions about how to use and maintain pizza stones, so Danilo is here to answer some commonly asked ones!

Danilo says, "A pizza stone can never be washed with soap because the porous material will absorb the detergent, and you will end up tasting it after. You also can't keep a pizza stone submerged in water. Only light wiping is allowed to maintain the quality of your pizza stone."

Danilo says, "You can use a pizza stone on a grill, but not really for the typical pizza. You can cook meat, fish, and other seafood on a pizza stone to increase the temperature and get that smoky flavor. 

However, oily or liquid-y food will get into the material when used for grilling, so cleanup can be a chore. What you can do to avoid this is using parchment paper, although keep in mind that they often have a temperature limit of 430 degrees Fahrenheit."

Once you have a quality pizza stone, it's time to look for ingredients and recipes to make the best homemade pizza! Check out these high-quality ingredients and cookbooks to help you whip up delicious pizzas with ease.

Looking for more pizza baking options? Check out Amazon's best selling list for more great pizza stones that are highly rated!

Author: Apinya Masuda

Updated by: Catherine Ford, 10/27/2021

• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more mybest recommendations! For questions or comments, leave us feedback via a Google Form on our Contact Us page.