How to Clean an Ooni Pizza Stone in Simple Steps?

An Ooni pizza stone is an essential tool for baking delicious pizzas while using perfect Ooni pizza dough.

Made from durable materials like cordierite, the stone is designed to withstand high temperatures and create the perfect crust.

Proper care and cleaning are crucial to maintaining its performance and extending its lifespan.

What is an Ooni pizza stone?

An Ooni pizza stone is a specially designed baking surface made from cordierite, a heat-resistant mineral.

This stone is crucial for achieving the crispy crust and even cooking that characterizes a perfect pizza. It is used in Ooni pizza ovens to distribute heat evenly and absorbs moisture from the dough, resulting in a delicious, restaurant-quality pizza.

What do I use to clean the Ooni stone?

To clean your Ooni pizza stone effectively, you'll need the following:

Pizza stone brush: Look for a brush specifically designed for pizza stones, which typically comes with a scraper side and a stiff brush side.

Can't I just wash my Ooni Pizza Stone?

You should never wash your Ooni pizza stone with water and soap.

The stone's porous nature can absorb water and soap, leading to cracks or damage when exposed to high temperatures.

Steps on How to Clean Ooni Pizza Stone

Step 1: Allow your pizza stone to cool.

After baking your pizza, turn off your Ooni pizza oven and let the stone cool down inside the oven. Handling a hot stone can lead to burns or accidents, so it's essential to wait until it cools to a safe temperature.

Step 2: Remove the stone from your oven.

Once the stone has cooled down, carefully remove it from the Ooni pizza oven. Place it on a heat-resistant surface, such as a trivet or heat-resistant countertop.

Step 3: Use the scraper side of the pizza stone brush to remove burnt-on food.

Over time, the pizza stone can accumulate burnt-on food and residues. Gently use the scraper side of the pizza stone brush to remove any stubborn remnants without applying excessive force that might damage the stone's surface.

Step 4: Use the stiff brush side to sweep away crumbs and flour using a circular motion.

Next, switch to the stiff brush side of the pizza stone brush. Use this brush to sweep away loose crumbs and flour from the surface of the stone. Adopt a circular motion to cover the entire stone thoroughly.

Step 5: Flip the stone over and put it back in the oven.

After cleaning one side, flip the stone over and place it back into the Ooni pizza oven. This way, you can clean both sides of the stone and ensure it remains in excellent condition.

Step 6: Bake on high heat to burn away any remaining flour and grease.

To further sanitize the stone and remove any remaining residues, set your Ooni pizza oven to the highest heat setting and let it bake for about 15-20 minutes. This high-heat baking will help burn away any lingering flour, grease, or other debris, leaving your stone ready for the next use.

Additional Tips for Maintaining Your Ooni Pizza Stone:

Regular cleaning: Clean your Ooni pizza stone after every use to prevent the buildup of debris and residues, ensuring a better cooking experience and prolonging the stone's lifespan.

Seasoning: Some pizza enthusiasts recommend seasoning the pizza stone by lightly brushing it with cooking oil before the first use. Seasoning can enhance the stone's non-stick properties and improve the crust's texture.

Use a pizza peel: To prevent spills and messes on the pizza stone, always use a pizza peel to transfer your pizza in and out of the oven. A pizza peel will also make it easier to clean the stone since there will be fewer chances of accidental spills.

Avoid using water and soap: As mentioned earlier, never use water and soap to clean the Ooni pizza stone. These can damage the stone and affect its performance.

Scrape gently: When using the scraper side of the pizza stone brush, be gentle and avoid using excessive force. The stone is strong but can still chip or crack under intense pressure.

Store properly: Store your Ooni pizza stone in a cool, dry place when not in use. Avoid exposing it to extreme temperature changes or impacts.

Conclusion:

Cleaning an Ooni pizza stone is a straightforward process that involves allowing the stone to cool, removing burnt-on food, sweeping away crumbs and flour, and baking on high heat.

Avoid using water and soap, and make sure to clean the stone after each use for the best results.

By following these steps and additional tips, you can maintain your Ooni pizza stone in excellent condition and continue enjoying delicious homemade pizzas with that perfect crust for years to come.