Andy Montoya
Pizza stones are a great way to achieve a restaurant-quality pizza at home, but they can be tricky to clean. The stone's porous material absorbs water, food, grease, and stains, and requires special care. While stains won't affect the taste of your pizza, it is important to clean your pizza stone to prevent a health hazard. Here are some tips and tricks to clean your pizza stone, specifically targeting burnt cheese.
How to clean a pizza stone with burnt cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaning tools | Oven mitt, old clean towel, stone brush, toothbrush, plastic bench scraper, putty knife, sponge, scraper, spatula, nylon brush, damp cloth, dish towel, microfiber cloth, sandpaper, bristle brush, scouring pad, stiff, dry brush, plastic scraper tools, cold water |
| Cleaning agents | Water, baking soda, vinegar, baking powder |
| Cleaning process | Scrape off burnt cheese, scrub remaining food, wipe down, rinse, air dry |
| Don'ts | Avoid using soap, steel wool, harsh cleansers, bleach, soaking, submerging in water, dishwasher, oven self-cleaning cycle |
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What You'll Learn
Use a stiff brush or scraper to remove burnt cheese
Burnt-on cheese, topping bits, oil, and pizza sauce stains are inevitable when using a pizza stone. While pizza stones can withstand extreme heat, it is still recommended to let the stone cool completely before attempting to clean it. You can easily burn yourself if you try to clean burnt food off a hot pizza stone.
Once the stone has cooled, use a stiff brush or scraper to remove burnt cheese. Metal spatulas or bench scrapers can be used to scrape against the burnt-on food to loosen it. Keep scraping and wiping the burnt bits into the trash. Plastic scraper tools can also be used, but they may not be strong enough against burnt-on food. If you don't have a scraper, you can use a brush, but make sure it is stiff and dry. Avoid anything super abrasive, which will only damage your stone.
If there is still burnt cheese remaining, you can try placing the stone in the oven at about 500 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour. Once the stone is hot, it will be easier to scrape off any remaining debris as it won't be as crusted onto the stone.
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Avoid using water to soak the stone
Pizza stones are made from porous materials like ceramic or cordierite, which absorb liquids. This absorption can cause the stone to crack. Therefore, it is best to avoid using water to soak the stone.
The pizza stone absorbs moisture from the dough when heating the pizza, making a crispier crust. If there is water trapped in the stone, it won't cook the crust to a crisp. Hence, it is recommended to always make sure the pizza stone has cooled down before attempting to clean it.
The only cleaning liquid that should be used on a pizza stone is water, and even that should be used sparingly. The stone will absorb water, and as a result, it can crack. Therefore, it is best to avoid submerging the stone in water and instead use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe it down.
If you do choose to use water to clean your pizza stone, it is important to ensure that the stone is completely dry before using it again. This can be done by letting the stone air dry or by using a clean towel to dry it. Putting a wet stone in the oven can cause it to crack due to trapped water.
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Baking soda and vinegar can help remove stains
While stains on a pizza stone don't affect the taste of your pizza, you may still want to remove them. A baking soda and vinegar paste can be used to clean your pizza stone.
First, mix equal parts of baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl until it forms a paste. You can adjust the consistency by adding a little more vinegar or baking soda, as required. Next, apply the paste to the stains on your pizza stone. Use a brush to gently scrub the paste in a circular motion. You can also let the paste sit for a few minutes to loosen the stains. Finally, wipe the paste off with a clean, damp towel or microfiber cloth.
If your pizza stone has stubborn food residue, place it in the oven at about 500 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour. Once the stone is hot, it will be easier to scrape off any remaining debris.
Remember, a pizza stone is porous and can absorb water and soap, so it's important to use only a small amount of water and avoid soap when cleaning. Always let the stone air-dry completely before using or storing it.
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Heat the stone in the oven to loosen burnt-on food
Heating your pizza stone in the oven is an effective way to loosen burnt-on food, such as cheese. This method is recommended because it does not involve the use of water or soap, which can be absorbed by the porous stone and affect the taste of your pizza.
To start, set your oven to a high temperature of about 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the pizza stone inside and leave it for about an hour. This process will burn any food remnants or spills and turn them into ash.
Once the stone is hot, it will be easier to scrape off any remaining debris as it won't be as crusted onto the stone. Use a plastic bench scraper, stone brush, or sandpaper to gently remove the loosened burnt-on food. Avoid using anything metallic or sharp, such as steel wool, as it can scratch the stone.
If there are still stubborn stains or burnt-on cheese, you can apply a paste made from baking soda and water. Cover the affected areas with the paste and let it sit for a while, preferably overnight. The baking soda will help to loosen the grime and make it easier to wipe away. You can also add vinegar to the baking soda and water paste for an even more effective cleaning solution. The chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar will help to break down the burnt-on food, making it easier to scrub off.
Remember to always let your pizza stone cool down completely before handling it and cleaning it. Additionally, make sure to wipe down your pizza stone after each use when any stuck-on cheese or debris will be the easiest to scrape off.
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Wipe down with a damp cloth
It is important to clean your pizza stone after every use to prevent the buildup of debris and stains. Burnt cheese and toppings can be a challenge to clean, but it is not a complicated process. Firstly, let the pizza stone cool down completely. You do not want to burn yourself by handling a hot pizza stone. Once cooled, use a scraper or spatula to remove as much of the burnt cheese as possible. You can also use a stiff, dry brush or a plastic scraper to brush away remnants.
Now, for the "wipe down with a damp cloth" part:
Run a clean cloth under some hot water and wring it out. The cloth should be damp, not soaking wet. You want to avoid introducing too much water to the porous stone. Wipe the damp cloth over the stone to remove any remaining residue and ash. You can also use a damp towel or sponge to wipe down the stone. Be sure to wipe the stone until it is completely free of crumbs and moisture.
Let the stone air-dry completely before using it again. You can place it on a drying rack to ensure it dries thoroughly. If there are still stains on the stone, you can try using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar or baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the stains and use a brush to gently scrub in a circular motion. Rinse the paste off, and the stains should be removed.
Remember, some staining is natural for pizza stones and will not affect the flavor of your pizza. Avoid using soap or other cleaning chemicals, as these can be absorbed by the stone and affect the taste of your food. Also, do not submerge your pizza stone in water or leave it to soak, as it will take a long time to dry.
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Frequently asked questions
First, let the pizza stone cool completely. You can burn yourself if you try to clean it while it's hot. Then, use a scraper to remove as much of the burnt cheese as possible. After that, scrub the stone with a brush or scouring pad. Finally, wipe the stone with a damp cloth to remove any remaining residue.
If there is still burnt cheese stuck to the stone, place it in the oven at 500°F (260°C) for an hour. Once the stone is hot, it will be easier to scrape off any remaining cheese. You can also try using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to remove stains.
Avoid using soap or any other chemical cleaners on your pizza stone, as these can be absorbed by the stone and affect the taste of your food. Do not submerge your pizza stone in water or leave it to soak, as it will take a long time to dry. Also, do not use anything metallic or sharp to scrape the stone, as this can scratch it.
