Pizza stone vs pizza steel

How stone and steel pass heat

A pizza base needs a burst of heat from below to puff the crust and crisp the bottom. Cordierite, the ceramic used in most pizza stones, holds a lot of heat but passes it into the dough fairly slowly. Steel conducts heat many times faster, so it delivers more heat to the dough in the first minute.

In a domestic oven that tops out at around 250 to 300°C, that difference matters. A steel can give a crisp, browned base in less time, close to what a much hotter stone would give. In a pizza oven running at 400°C or more, the same steel can burn the base, which is why pizza ovens use stone floors.

Side by side

The table sums up the general differences. Thickness and weight vary by product, so check the listing.

Getting the best from either at home

The method is the same for both. Place the stone or steel on a high shelf, a little below the grill, so heat reaches the top of the pizza too.

1. 1

   Put the stone or steel in a cold oven so it heats up with the oven.

2. 2

   Set the oven to its highest temperature and preheat for 45 to 60 minutes.

3. 3

   Switch to the grill for the last few minutes if your oven allows, to heat the top of the oven.

4. 4

   Launch the pizza from a floured peel with a quick pull.

5. 5

   Bake until the base is spotted and the cheese bubbles, usually a few minutes, turning once if one side browns faster.

Note:Stones and steels get very hot and stay hot long after the oven is off. Use oven gloves, let them cool fully in the oven, and never put cold water on a hot stone.

Looking after stone and steel

Stones crack from thermal shock: a cold or damp stone put into a hot oven, or water spilt on a hot stone. Always heat it from cold, keep it dry and scrape off burnt bits rather than washing with soap, which the stone can absorb. Stains are normal. See how to clean a pizza stone and pizza stone cracked.

Steel will not crack, but it can rust. Dry it straight after cleaning and wipe on a thin film of cooking oil, like a cast iron pan. It is heavy, so lift with care. Our using a pizza stone at home guide has more on home oven technique.

Why neither matches a pizza oven

A dedicated pizza oven heats the stone to 400°C or more and sends flame or radiant heat over the top at the same time. That bakes a Neapolitan style pizza in about 60 to 90 seconds with a puffy, spotted crust. A home oven cannot get hot enough from above, so even with a steel, a pizza takes several minutes and the crust stays flatter.

If you love thin, blistered pizza, an outdoor oven or a high-heat indoor electric oven is the next step. Compare options in the best electric pizza ovens for indoors and the best pizza ovens under 400 guides, or read pizza oven vs a normal kitchen oven.

Frequently asked questions

Is a pizza steel better than a stone? In a home oven it usually gives a crisper base faster. A stone is gentler, lighter and better for thicker pizzas and bread.

Pizza stone vs pan: what is the difference? A thin baking tray holds little heat, so the base cooks slowly and stays pale. A preheated stone or steel gives a much crisper base. A heavy cast iron pan suits deep pan pizza.

Can I use a pizza steel in an outdoor pizza oven? It is not recommended. At pizza oven temperatures a steel would burn the base. Use the stone that came with the oven.

How long should I preheat a stone or steel? Around 45 to 60 minutes at the oven's highest setting, so it is hot right through.