Derek Gaughan
Ooni pizza stones help you make excellent pizzas with delicious, crispy crusts, but they can get dirty in the process. So, how do you clean your Ooni pizza stone so that it’s ready to go again next time?
In this article, we’ll talk you through what to do – and what not to do – to clean your Ooni pizza stone and keep it in tip-top pizza-making condition.
What is an Ooni pizza stone?
Pizza stones are used in home pizza baking to replicate the conditions of a traditional pizza oven. They absorb and hold high temperatures, cooking pizza dough evenly and rapidly, resulting in perfect crusty, airy pies.
Ooni’s pizza stones are made from cordierite, a mineral compound known for handling extreme temperatures without breaking. Unlike clay and ceramic pizza stones – which can break if exposed to temperature changes too quickly – cordierite is hard-wearing and less susceptible to this thermal shock (however, less does not mean none).
Cordierite pizza stones come standard in each Ooni pizza oven. They are also sold separately to help you turn your domestic oven into the perfect pizza-making machine!
However, although they’re highly durable, these stones are not indestructible, so it’s essential to look after them properly to avoid damage.
How To Clean Ooni Pizza Stones
During the pizza-making process, the stone will naturally get flour and dough and probably some drips of cheese and toppings on it. These drips will cook onto the stone as the pizza bakes, then harden as it cools. Luckily cleaning them off is super easy. Just follow these simple steps:
- Allow your pizza stone to cool.
- Remove the stone from your oven.
- Use the scraper side of this pizza stone brush to remove burnt-on food
- Use the stiff brush to sweep away crumbs and flour using a circular motion.
- Flip the stone over and put it back in the oven.
- Bake on high heat to burn away any remaining flour and grease.
Tip: if you use your stone regularly, you can save the last step for the next time you make a pizza. But if you only use it once in a while, it’s good to do this after cleaning to ensure the stone is properly clean when you store it.
Can’t I just wash my Ooni Pizza Stone?
In short, no. Absolutely not. The last thing you want to do is break or damage your pizza stone, so here are a few things you should never do:
- Don’t wash or submerge the stone in water. Water will soak into your pizza stone and lessen its effectiveness next time you try to use it. It can also cause the stone to crack when it is next exposed to heat.
- Don’t use soap. Cordierite is a porous material, so any cleanser or soap you use will soak into the stone and leech out again when you next use it. This can lead to soap and chemicals getting into your pizza, tasting horrible, possibly making you ill, and damaging your stone.
- Don’t scrape away burnt food with a sharp knife, as it can gouge and scratch the surface of your stone. Use a blunt tool.
What do I use to clean the Ooni Stone?
There are several tools available to help you clean your pizza stone. We love the Ooni Pizza Oven Brush because it’s got a twin cleaning system. First, use the scraper to loosen any drips or cooked food. Then flip it over and use the stainless steel bristles to brush off excess flour and crumbs.
Various versions of this tool are available online from different brands to suit all budgets. But remember that all Ooni stones are removable, so you don’t need a long-handled brush that reaches into the back of your oven, just a hand-held one.
You can also buy a scraper and brush separately. We like this brush style because it’s easy to grip as you scrub your stone in a circular motion.
If you don’t want to purchase extra equipment or are on a budget, you can use a simple plastic spatula to loosen and scrape away dried food. Then a stiff dish brush or even a toothbrush sweep away crumbs and flour.
- Keep your baking stone looking clean and well preserved
- Remove tough, baked on remnants safely and easily.
- Stainless steel bristles
- EASY MAINTENANCE: This purpose-built griddle scraper allows you to clear tough cooking grease...
- STAINLESS STEEL: This bbq scraper features a quality stainless steel blade that will remain...
- EASY-GRIP HANDLE: The soft rubber easy-grip handle has been ergonomically designed to ensure...
What about pizza stone stains?
Pizza stones are prone to staining, it’s part of their cooking process. They remove moisture from the dough as it cooks, creating an excellent crust but leaving stains.
Stains don’t affect the stone’s ability to cook or the flavor of your pizza. In fact, some chefs believe that the more stained or ‘seasoned’ a stone is, the better the flavor of your pizza. However, if you really can’t live with them, try this:
- Mix one tablespoon of water to one tablespoon of baking soda to make a paste.
- Rub the paste onto the stained area using a soft cloth and a circular scrubbing motion.
- Wipe away the paste with a damp – not wet – cloth.
- Leave the stone to dry completely before using it again.
Alternatively, consider placing baking paper between the pizza dough and the stone to protect it. Or make your peace with the stains and see them as the pizza-making badge of honor that they are!
If the worst happens and your stone gets submerged in water, causing it to crack, it’s not the end of the world. You don’t have to replace your whole Ooni oven but can purchase replacement stones from Ooni’s website.
Happy baking – and cleaning!
