Best Pizza Stones & Baking Steels for Your Oven – Top Picks for 2021 & Full Guide!

Cooking is at an all-time high right now thanks to most people spending their time at home with their families. And what better thing to cook than a freshly baked pizza? While there are many tools and methods that can help you make the perfect pizza, nothing is more essential than a baking stone. However, browsing online through some of the best pizza stones and steels might make your head spin. There are countless models that all look the same! So, how to choose one, and which are the best models for 2021? This is what we are here to discuss.

Below, we will go through some of the top stones and steels for this year, talk about their features, and compare their pros and cons. After that, we will go deeper into the different types of stones and the features that you should focus on when buying a new stone or steel for your oven!

Pizza Stones Comparison Chart

Product	Size	Material	Grill-Ready	Our Rating:
JulyPanny Heavy-Duty Pizza Stone Shop On Amazon!	15 x 12"	Cordierite	Yes
NerdChef Steel Stone Shop On Amazon!	14.5 x 16"	Steel	Yes
Cousinart CPS-445 Pizza Set Shop On Amazon!	13 x 13"	Cordierite	Yes
Hans Grill Baking Pizza Stone Shop On Amazon!	15 x 12"	Ceramic	Yes
Honey-Can-Do 16" Pizza Stone Shop On Amazon!	16 x 16"	Cordierite	No
VonShef 15-Inch Pizza Stone Shop On Amazon!	15 x 15"	Ceramic Chrome	No
Unicook Pizza Stone Shop On Amazon!	10.25 x 10.25"	Cordierite	Yes

Best Overall – JulyPanny Heavy-Duty Pizza Stone

Our Rating: (5/5)

The JulyPanny Pizza stone is one of the best models out there for a few very good reasons. First, it is made out of natural Cordierite stone. This stone is very durable, holds heat well, and is ideal for baking pizzas and other foods. On top of that, Cordierite pizza stones can also be used on outdoor gas/charcoal grills, making them very practical for any home cook! This pizza stone also has an incredible value for its money and is one of the most affordable Cordierite stone options on the market currently.

The shape of this stone is rectangular which is also easier to handle smaller pizzas. This will allow you more room to play when putting the pizza on the stone with the pizza peel. Rectangular stones are also easier to fit in ovens and on grills. On the downside, the 15 x 12-inch design of this stone adds quite a lot to its weight, making it a bit hard to move around in the kitchen. Nevertheless, the cooking properties of Cordierite are on full display here – it will prevent soggy spots on your pizza thanks to its porous surface. It will also accumulate and release the heat evenly giving a crisp crust to your pizzas.

On top of all that, this stone is resistant to thermal shock, meaning you can put it in the oven or on the grill even if they are already heated up. Still, I would advise putting it before you start the oven so that it gradually heats up. This will prolong the life of the stone. As a whole, for this price, there aren’t many other deals out there that can rival the JulyPanny pizza stone.

Best Ceramic Stone – Emile Henry Flame Top Pizza Stone

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

The Emile Henry Flame Top Pizza Stone is a great alternative to most Cordierite stone options out there. It is made out of ceramic stone and has a glazed surface that adds a lot of benefits to it. The glazed surface makes it scratch-resistant, prevents food from sticking to it, and makes it super easy to clean. It also improves the thermal properties of the stone by allowing it to withstand higher temperatures. It also adds a bit to the overall durability of the stone. Still, unlike steel and cordierite stones, it will break much easier when dropped.

The stone comes in two unique colors – red and granite. It has a diameter of14.5 inches, making it ideal for 14-inch pizzas. Due to its circular design, however, it is a bit hard to put your pizzas on it. To make up for that, the stone has two handles on both sides that make it relatively easy to work with in and out of the oven. It can withstand temperatures of up to 900 degrees, making it perfect for outdoor grills and ovens that can reach 800-900 degrees. On its surface, the stone has micropores that help the pizza get baked evenly without retaining too much water and becoming soggy in the center. Unlike some other stones, however, this one can also withstand freezer temperatures down to -4 degrees (Fahrenheit).

In short, if you can ignore the slightly higher price tag, this is a true all-in-one model that will be great both for your kitchen oven and your outdoor grill. Thanks to its glazed surface, it will also be super easy to use and even easier to clean. On top of all that, the stone comes with a 10-year full warranty against any potential manufacturing defects.

Best Pizza Steel – NerdChef Steel Stone

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

Steel pizza stones, or pizza steels, in short, are making a name for themselves in the last few years. The NerdChef Steel stone is one of the brand’s top models thanks to its large size and super-durable construction. As its name suggests, this stone is made out of high-grade steel which can withstand very high temperatures and heats much faster than other pizza stones.

This particular model measures 14.5 by 16 inches and is 0.25 inches thick. There is an even thicker version which is called the “Pro”. It is .375 inches thick and also more expensive and heavier than the standard one. They are both great to use in ovens and grills thanks to their thermal properties. They have a much higher heat conductivity and a slightly higher heat capacity than traditional pizza stones, making them better for baking pizzas faster. Cooking pizzas at higher temperatures imitates the temperatures inside a real pizza oven which cooks the pizza fast and crisps the dough.

One of the biggest disadvantages of this pizza steel and such models in generals is that it is super heavy. It weighs 16 pounds making it quite hard to move around the kitchen and even harder to handle when you have to wash and store it. Apart from that, it is also super expensive. So, this model only makes sense if you are seriously into pizza making and want something that will last for decades and can be used on practically any hot surface without worrying about it.

Best Set – Cousinart CPS-445 Pizza Grilling Set

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

Whenever you’re buying a new pizza stone, there is usually a number of accessories that you will also need. Oftentimes people don’t account for the cost of these and end up spending more than they initially intended. This is why I wanted to include the Cuisinart CPS-445 Pizza Grilling Set on this list. It is a pizza stone that comes with two essential accessories and basically costs just as much as any other ceramic stone.

This pizza set comes with a 13-inch pizza stone made out of ceramic, a stainless steel pizza cutter, and a stainless steel pizza peel. The stone isn’t glazed which might be a downside for some people but is still quite good to cook on. It works with grills and can withstand very high temperatures. Unfortunately, since it isn’t glazed, it must only be hand-washed without harsh soaps. The stainless steel peel has a foldable handle that allows it to be stored away with everything else in the set. Everything here is covered by a 1-year limited warranty for manufacturing defects.

If you want something slightly better, Cuisinart also offers a similar set but with aluminum accessories that are of slightly better quality. That one, however, is almost twice as expensive and not such a great value for your money.

Best for Grills – Hans Grill Baking Pizza Stone

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

If you want a pizza stone that is specifically made to withstand the high temperatures of outdoor gas, pellet, or charcoal grills, then the Hans Grill Pizza Stone is the one for you. It is relatively cheap and has a rectangular shape for easier pizza baking.

Just like the Cuisinart stone, however, this one isn’t glazed. Why this is often better for cooking and it won’t allow soggy patches on your pizza, unglazed surfaces are harder to clean and can easily get stained by oily foods or soap. The stone is also made out of thermally stable ceramic which can withstand temperatures of up to 900 degrees. That is more than enough to endure most outdoor grill temperatures. The baking stone also comes with a free wooden pizza peel which will be a good fit for most 10-12 inch pizzas that you bake.

As a whole, this is one of the better ceramic pizza stones on the market and if you want something to evenly bake your pizza at high temperatures, this is it. The only problem I have with it is that, for an unglazed stone, it does cost a bit more than some other products in the same category and size.

Best Rectangular – Pizzacraft PC9899 Rectangular ThermaBond Baking Stone

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

Pizzacraft is a brand known for its superbly well-made pizza-making products. Their PC9899 Rectangular ThermaBond Baking stone is one of the most well-rounded stones you can buy nowadays. Unlike other similarly sized and shaped pizza stones, it isn’t made out of cordierite or ceramic. In fact, it is made out of natural (FDA-safe) ThermaBond stone which uses the brand’s patented technology to prevent thermal shock damage. These ThermaBond stones also have higher and more even heat distribution once they get heated up. This results in a well-cooked pizza without raw or soggy patches.

This particular stone is also rated grill-safe so you can use it with gas, charcoal, or pellet grills that reach temperatures above 800 degrees. Even though it will resist high temperatures, I suggest letting it heat up along with the grill to prevent unnecessary shock to the material. The surface isn’t glazed which is a downside for some people.

One major disadvantage is that this pizza stone is a bit heavy. This is mostly due to its size (20 by 13.5 inches) and its width of .67 inches. In fact, this is one of the thickest baking stones on this list, and thanks to that it weighs more than 10 pounds. That makes it particularly hard to handle around the kitchen. Still, for its price, there are few other pizza stones that can rival this thermal performance and quality.

Best Round 16-Inch Stone – Honey-Can-Do 16″ Pizza Stone

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

Jumping from a good rectangular pizza stone to an arguably even better round one. The market for round stones is booming right now because they allow people to use them in their regular kitchen oven, while rectangular shapes are often better suited for open grills. The Honey-Can-Do 16-Inch Pizza Stone is one of the best options if you’re looking for a stone that will allow you to make family-sized pizzas in your kitchen.

This baking stone is made out of cordierite to which it owes most of its cooking properties. It has a porous surface that doesn’t allow excess moisture to built up in the pizza. It also conducts and releases heat quite well, resulting in a well-baked crispy pizza crust in no time.

And while the stone itself is quite durable and relatively resistant to cracking, it isn’t rated for grill use. In fact, it isn’t rated for any type of heating above 500 degrees (Fahrenheit), which is a great disadvantage compared to other models in its price class. Speaking of price, this is also one of the cheaper 16-inch baking stones on the market, making it perfect for someone that doesn’t want to spend twice as much on a marginally better product. If you’re only going to bake pizzas in your kitchen oven, this is more than good enough.

Best with Stand – VonShef 15-Inch Ceramic Pizza Stone

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

The VonShef 15-inch Ceramic Pizza Stone set is a great bang for your buck if you are looking for a large baking stone that comes with a few extra accessories. One of the main advantages of this stone is that it comes with a heavy-duty chrome stand. This stand allows you to easily carry the stone since it weighs more than 6 pounds. It also makes it suitable to be served on a table without damaging the table’s surface.

On top of that, you also get a free pizza cutter. The surface of the stone is glazed so cutters won’t be able to damage it. The glazed surface also prevents the pizza from sticking to it and it makes for easier cleaning and maintenance. Surprisingly, this stone costs less than most other 16-inch models on the market, even with the two extra accessories it comes with. If you aren’t 100% set on getting a cordierite baking stone, this ceramic alternative is a great bang for your buck!

Best Small – Napoleon 70000 10-Inch Pizza Baking Stones

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

The only reason I wanted to include this set of two baking stones is that it is a great bang for your buck and is perfect for small families that want to bake two pizzas at once on the outdoor barbecue! The Napoleon 70000 10-inch pizza baking stones are small, practical, and made out of cordierite. This makes them the ideal thing to pack in your bags if you want to go out camping and have a baking stone with you. They can also fit in different racks in a kitchen oven or next to each other on an outdoor grill.

The value these two stones bring together as a package is one of the best on the market and their build quality and thermal properties make them a solid choice for people looking to save some money on buying two small stones instead of one big one!

Best Budget – Unicook Pizza Stone

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

Unicook Pizza stones are among the best on the market for a few good reasons. First of all, they offer a great variety of sizes. Secondly, all of their models are sintered in 2100°F kilns for hours at a time, giving them superior durability than other comparable models. Additionally, they come in various shapes and sizes, ranging from this 10.25-inch model to bigger 16-inch round models.

The surface of this particular stone features micro-pores that will take care of the excess moisture in your pizza and won’t allow for any soggy patches to form. The stone is also heat resistant up to nearly 1500 degrees (Fahrenheit) and can be used in both kitchen ovens and outdoor grills. Despite the relatively small diameter, this stone is nearly half an inch thick which gives it excellent thermal condition and allows it to release its heat slowly and evenly onto the pizza, giving it an authentic wood-fired baking texture and taste.

Since the surface isn’t glazed, however, the stone is a bit hard to clean and you can’t use any type of soaps or detergents on it. This will leave permanent stains and a soapy aftertaste. You also can’t season the stone with any type of greases or oils. As a whole, if you want something small but premium, this pizza stone should definitely be on your shortlist!

Pizza Stones Buyer’s Guide

A lot of people cook their pizzas in pans or with simple baking sheets in their kitchen ovens. However, the pizza stone offers a far more simple method to bake your pizza. They are also much easier to maintain and will bring your long-term pizza-making costs down. In this part of the guide, we will talk about the various advantages of pizza stones, the most common types, and the features you have to look for when buying one.

Before we dive into the different types of pizza stones and their features, let’s first answer the two most important questions here…

What is a Pizza Stone and How to Use One?

Pizza stones are essentially baking stones that have been modified in a way to fit different-sized pizzas. They are meant for people that only have a traditional kitchen oven. The reason for that is because a pizza stone mimics a masonry oven in a way. It does so by accumulating massive amounts of heat from the oven and then releasing it evenly onto the pizza, essentially baking it as if it would on an oven stone in a brick pizza oven. There are certain types of pizza stones, depending on their material and size and we will take a look at them in a moment.

Using a pizza stone is fairly straightforward. You have to first place it in an (unheated) oven and turn the heat up to your desired temperature. For baking pizzas in a normal kitchen oven, that temperature is around 400 degrees. Once the temperature of the oven reaches its desired range, the stone would’ve also accumulated enough heat to be good for cooking. Then, all you have to do is place the pizza on top of it using a pizza peel. Alternatively, you can take out the stone and place the pizza on it when out of the oven but that isn’t recommended. Since the temperature comes from the bottom of the pizza, it results in a slower but more even type of baking, making for a delicious crispy and fluff crust.

Types of Pizza Stones

Depending on their material and shape, there are quite a lot of options when it comes to pizza stones. The most common types out there are:

• Ceramic pizza stones
• Cast Iron models
• Cordierite pizza stones
• Pizza steels
• Clay pizza stones

Ceramic pizza stones

Ceramic pizza stones are some of the most common out there. They are excellent for beginners and are relatively cheap compared to cast iron, steel, and cordierite models. They tend to be slower to heat up. The slow retention and releasing of heat can be used to your advantage, though. It will allow for a slower but more even baking process that will create a crisp crust. Ceramic stones are also much lighter than steel and cast iron ones and are also much easier to clean. All you need to have in order to clean and maintain them is soap and water.

One distinct disadvantage of ceramic stones (and cordierite and clay for that matter) is that they are fragile and can easily break if dropped. They also crack and break if you “shock” them by inserting them in an already too hot of an oven.

There are glazed and unglazed ceramic models. I will go through glazing as an individual feature further down the article.

Cast Iron models

Cast-iron pizza stones are extremely versatile. They are also very durable compared to all the other stones out there. One distinct advantage of theirs is that they can be also used on a gas or charcoal grill. This makes them the ultimate conversion tool for your grill if you want to bake a pizza there.

Cast iron models also heat up very fast and can reach and withstand very high temperatures without getting damaged or warped. Although they are shock-resistant, it is recommended to let them cool down a bit before washing or storing them.

Cordierite pizza stones

Often used in the production of kiln shelves, cordierite is one of the toughest natural stones out there. It handles extremely high temperatures very well and stones made out of it are usually shock-resistant. It also is more durable than ceramic and clay pizza stones. One major disadvantage of these stones is that they are very expensive but their value tends to hold up well over the years since they are quite durable. Just like the ceramic models, however, you will have to preheat those stones before you use them to bake a pizza.

Pizza steels

Apart from pizza stones, you can also get pizza steels. They have pretty much the same shape but have a slightly different performance. Steel is known to be used in baking all sorts of different foods. It conducts heat superbly and will heat up faster than almost everything else you can get. It gives pizzas a crispy but also fluffed-up crust that tastes delicious. It also doesn’t need very high temperatures to do that, unlike cordierite and ceramic stones. It goes without saying that pizza steels are extremely durable and thermal shock-resistant but they are also more expensive than your traditional pizza stone.

Clay pizza stones

Last on this list is clay pizza stones. Those are becoming increasingly rare nowadays thanks to the influx of metal and cordierite models. Clay is great at storing heat and releasing it upon contact with the pizza. It mimics wood-fired ovens very well but is also more fragile than cordierite and ceramic stones. Cheaper pizza stones usually use clay for their structure.

There are also other materials that haven’t yet been fully tested and aren’t found as commonly. One example of that is the material Thermion which is a natural (FDA-safe) stone that is being used more and more in cheaper pizza stones.

Let’s check out the main differences between pizza steels and stones now…

Pizza Stones vs Pizza Steels

Stone and steel are fundamentally different materials which translates into their cooking properties. Pizza stones are often lighter but are slightly easier to manage in the kitchen. They are, however, quite fragile and can break easily if you drop them on the ground.

Stones such as ceramic or cordierite take a lot of time to properly heat up before they are ready to bake a pizza. However, they hold temperature quite well once fully heated up. This allows them to give the pizza an initial “shock” that will fluff up the dough. They will also evenly cook the pizza without allowing it to become soggy at places since the stone’s porous nature will absorb any excess moisture. That same porous structure, however, is also great at absorbing fats and oils which will be hard to clean afterward and might give the stone a nasty smell if not maintained properly.

Steel, on the other hand, is known for its superb durability. If you drop your pizza steel, you are most likely breaking the floor rather than the steel itself. They are also much heavier which is a downside for most people since it can make cooking with them cumbersome. Apart from the durability, one of their other advantages is that they heat up super fast compared to pizza stones. This will shorten your cooking times significantly. Pizza steels are also good for grills, even though some new stones are also grill-ready. Lastly, steel isn’t porous, so it will be much easier to clean, although it might not cook the pizza as well as a stone would.

For some of the best homemade pizza recipes where you can use your new pizza stone, click here! Now, let’s go over the process of choosing a new pizza stone for your oven…

How to Choose a Pizza Stone

While at first pizza stones might seem relatively simple, they do have a lot of aspects that you should pay attention to when buying one. Some of the most important ones are:

Size & Shape

The size of the pizza stone is one of its most important factors apart from the materials. Before you start picking the biggest stone possible, make sure that your oven is going to fit it. Pizza stones with the shape of a circle typically have diameters from 10 to 16 inches. If you want to make family-sized pizzas, go for a larger 16-inch stone. Rectangular stones are usually easier to use and can fit a slightly larger pizza. They also make it much easier to put the pizza on them with the pizza peel once they are hot in the oven.

Depending on the size and shape of the pizza stone, you will also be able to cook some alternative recipes in your oven that can be baked, apart from pizzas. Having a lip on the stone also allows for more well-rounded baking and will prevent accidental slipping when you take the stone out.

Material

As we already discussed, some of the best materials for your pizza stone are cordierite, steel, and cast iron. Those are all relatively expensive options, so the next best thing after them is ceramic pizza stones. Ceramic stones are often glazed and are much easier to clean, they won’t make the pizza stick to them, and are slightly more durable. If money isn’t an issue and you want to get something that will also work with your outdoor grill, pizza steels should be on your shortlist as they can handle both regular kitchen ovens and the high temperatures from charcoal grills.

Heating Capacity & Conductivity

This is a relatively subjective feature that doesn’t really come into play unless you use your pizza stone in an outdoor oven or a grill. Nevertheless, the heating capacity and conductivity of the stone/steel will determine how fast and how well your pizza is going to get baked. Pizza steels, for instance, heat up very fast, endure high temperatures, and will instantly bake the bottom of your pizza. That will fluff up its dough and add a crisp texture to it over the course of the baking.

Regular pizza stones, on the other hand, are slower to heat up and cannot withstand super high temperatures. They do, however, release their heat slower and allow the pizza to retain its softness and juiciness. They also control the pizza’s overall moisture by absorbing some of the water and removing soggy spots in the dough.

Glazed or Unglazed

When choosing a baking stone, you will notice that some models are glazed while others aren’t. There are certain pros and cons to each of those two scenarios. Unglazed pizza stones will allow moisture to seep through their pores, not allowing the pizza to get too soggy. Glazed stones, on the other hand, will have much better protection for their surface. They will also be more durable and will allow you to cut the pizza right on top of them without risking damaging their surface. Glazed stones are also much easier to clean and don’t absorb nor hold any grease or oils.

Accessories & Stand

Some pizza stones will come with certain additional features that will make them a solid option. For instance, there are some models that will come with a metal stand. That will allow you to take them out of the oven and place them on a table without damaging the surface. These stands also have handles, so moving the stone around will be easier.

Getting a few accessories such as a pizza cutter and a pizza peel with your stone does bring the price-to-value ratio of the product way up and is going to be quite useful.

Maintenance

Knowing how to clean your pizza stone is essential if you want to go for a ceramic, clay, or cordierite model. These tend to absorb oils, grease, and food stains more than models made out of metal. These stones are also fairly porous, so some stains will be harder to get out once they settle in. This is why timely maintenance is necessary. To counter certain issues, manufacturers add a glazed layer on their pizza stones. This allows you to only clean them with soap and water.

Other stones, however, will require baking soda and a bit of scrubbing to get certain stains out. Cast iron and steel models, on the other hand, are pretty easy to maintain. They also can’t get damaged no matter how hard you scrub them. If you have a larger dishwasher, you can look for models that are dishwasher-safe.

On certain stones out there, you should never use dishwashing soap as it can soak into the porous surface of the stone and leave a soapy aftertaste.

Another good habit to have is to clean and maintain your oven every time you clean the baking stone. Both are subjected to high temperatures, grease, and oils from the foods you cook in them and both require constant maintenance to keep them in top condition.

Price & Warranty

While the price of a good pizza stone doesn’t vary a lot, there are certain models that are deceptively cheaper (or expensive). Some brands rely on their brand name to puff up their prices, while others use cheap materials in order to bring the price down. In general, if you’re on the market for a 14-16 inch model, you should be looking at models that are in the 20-50 dollar range. Anything cheaper than that carries a risk of having subpar quality.

Anything more expensive than that is either pizza steel or a well-known stone from an expensive brand. Don’t get me wrong, these are also great but the value for money they carry isn’t as good as some other (cheaper) pizza stones.

Another thing you should at least consider is the warranty of the pizza stone. Breaking your stone will obviously void the warranty but sometimes there can be defects in the material or construction that will make the stone/steel eligible for a return. In these cases, having a full warranty is something you won’t regret.

If you’re also interested in getting an outdoor pizza oven to use with your pizza stone, I suggest checking out my Buyer’s Guide on some of the best models for this year!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best material for a pizza stone?

Out of all the materials, clay pizza stones have the best properties. They give a crispy texture to your pizza and bake it evenly. However, they are also some of the slowest to fully heat up, meaning they will slow you down if you’re in a hurry.

Are pizza stones worth it?

Most definitely. Considering that the alternatives of pizza stones are pans and baking sheets, there is no doubt that the pizza stone will cook your pizza better, faster, and more evenly. Also, since many pizza stones have a porous surface, they will suck out the moisture out of all the wet patches on your dough. Lastly, thanks to the preheating process, the stone will give your pizza a quick burst of heat once you place the pizza on it. This will make the crust puff up a bit and also make it crispy.

Is cordierite safe to use for a pizza stone?

Cordierite pizza stones are very common and have good thermal properties. However, in terms of durability, steel truly dominates the market. Steel pizza stoles are virtually unbreakable, even if you drop them on the ground.

Why does my pizza stone smell bad?

In most cases, pizza stones will have a bad scent due to all the absorbed fats and oils from anything you’ve cooked on them. When dried out, these fats can give out unpleasant smells. Some of the oils will also burn with smoke when you preheat the stone. This is why you have to regularly take care of it by cleaning it with baking soda and lukewarm water.

Should I oil my pizza stone?

You should absolutely never apply any type of oil to your pizza stone. Remember, pizza stones are all made out of porous materials (apart from the steel and iron ones) and they will absorb most of the oil in them or burn it in the oven. Applying water is also something you shouldn’t do, as it can break the stone.

Final Words

When you’re buying a baking stone for the first time, there will be a number of things to account for. Some of the best pizza stones and steels on the market are made out of ceramic, cordierite, or solid steel. Look for their overall size, weight, heat conductivity, and heat capacity. Pizza steels are much more durable than any pizza stone out there but are heavier and much more expensive. Lastly, consider the size of your indoor oven and whether you want to bake pizzas on your grill before choosing a specific pizza stone. Some stones will be rated safe to use on grills but some models aren’t and can break if you put them on top of a preheated gas/charcoal grill.