If you have ever tried to make pizza at home without any special equipment, you may find out that the results are quite disappointing compared to what you expect to have at your favorite restaurant. Many people have accepted that it is challenging to make home-cooked pizza look and taste the same as those which are served in restaurants. This is mainly because the maximum temperature of home ovens are normally at around 550 degrees Fahrenheit whereas restaurant commercial ovens offer 900+ degrees. Hence, in order to get a perfect self-made pizza at home, you’ll need appropriate equipment to improve your results. This article is gonna show you the best old stone pizza stone of all, and will tell you which one would suit your needs.
Here we go!
Best Old Stone Pizza Stone Comparison 2021
** Below, you will find our detailed reviews of the Best Old Stone Pizza Stone, but you can also click these following links to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
Top 10 Best Old Stone Pizza Stone Reviews 2021
NerdChef Steel Stone
Occupied the first position is a steel pizza stone coming from NerdChef. This is also the only stone made from steel in this top list. The product has gained a lot of favor from consumers all over the world and has got the maximum rate of 5 stars on Amazon.
Its large surface area allows you to make pizzas of many different sizes. The size of 16″x 14.25″x.25″ is considered suitable for all types of cook from novice to professional chef. However, you may need to know that it is much heavier than other stones.
Made from thick steel, the item is very sturdy when compared to other competitors made from ceramics. There is no need to worry about any potential of cracking. Its baking surface offers 20 times the conductivity and twice the heating ability of cordierite ones. When it is hot, it immediately transfers the heat to the baking food and creates crisp, evenly browned, blistered crust. This significantly reduces the baking time. Also, the material helps the food to stay warm in a long time.
When it comes to the cleaning, you should treat the item in the same way with cast iron. Don’t use any hard and sharp objects to scrape its surface.
Pros:
- It is indestructible
- It has a generous size
- It cooks faster
Cons:
- It is heavy
Honey-Can-Do Old Stone Oven Rectangular Pizza Stone
This is regarded as the best pizza stone for the oven because you are halfway to succeed in making a perfect pizza when you have this item and an oven at home.
Coming with the cooking surface of 14.5 by 16.5 inches, the product offers an ideal area for you to place your food. It weighs about 10 pounds which is not too heavy.
The item can hold the heat, and then distribute it very well. The cordierite material also allows this item to resist the thermal shock better, prevent itself from cracking, as well as remain stable for a longer period of time. The material is also free from lead which is healthier and long-lasting.
The product is designed with a Heat Core which concentrates the heat right at the center of the stone; therefore, you don’t have to worry about the wetness at the middle. Besides pizza, you can use the stone to bake bread, pastries, and rolls thanks to its ability to distribute the heat evenly.
Before cleaning, please make sure that it has cooled down completely. You just need to use a damp cloth to wipe it. You may find out that the stone starts to discolor after some time of use but don’t you worry as it is harmless
Pros:
- It is long-lasting
- It has thermal shock resistance
- It is simple to clean
- The price is reasonable
Cons:
- It is quite easy to discolor
Emile Henry Flame Top 14.5″ Pizza Stone
The product is designed and made in France. It is made from all natural materials and is manufactured with Emile Henry’s unique proprietary Flame technology. The item can be used in both ovens and BBQ grills.
According to the manufacturer, their ceramics are outstanding from others since they can be used directly on a flame. Therefore, you can place it on a gas stove, gas grill or on a charcoal of which the temperature can reach up to 900 degrees.
The product has two handles allowing you to move it without any difficulties. The surface is glazed and micro-crazed which contributes greatly to crispy well baked crusts. Also, the surface is scratch resistant, so you can use a pizza cutter directly on it.
When the product has cooled, you can start your cleaning. It is very easy for you to wash by hand because the slick surface has done a good job in preventing food from soaking in.
Pros:
- It has convenient handles
- It has smoothly glazed surface
- It can be used for various grill especially the one using gas
Cons:
- It is quite heavy
The Ultimate Pizza Stone for Oven & Grill
This item has beige color which mentally connects our thinking to a pizza base. Its material is cordierite, which is a durable ceramic compound. The item is 16 inches round, 0.83 inches thick and weighs about 8.8 pounds.
There are a lot of people complaining about their stone snapping in half after a few times of use. However, with this item, you don’t need to worry about that issue. Its material is able to endure extremely high temperatures which can reach 1500 F degrees.
Another interesting feature offered by the product is the No-Spill Stopper. This prevents your pizza, bread or whatever you bake from sliding or falling off easily when you take it out from the oven. I bet you will find it hard to look for this feature in any other products.
Like other pizza stones, there is also an attached guiding book telling you how to use it. The brand also issued an online tutorial video together with an eBook providing you with over 100 tasty pizza recipes.
Pros:
- It has No-Spill Stopper feature
- It has ability to resist severely high temperature
- It is difficult to crack
- Its brand supports users with guiding book and recipe eBook
Cons:
- If you don’t clean it properly, you may leave an annoying chemical odor on it
Heritage Pizza Stone
This product is very suitable for those who are practicing to make pizza. The item even includes a pizza cutter.
The item is made from ceramic which gives it a beautiful and elegant look. With the size of 15.8×15.8×2.5 inches and the weight of over 3 pounds, it is quite easy to hold.
In addition, it has very strong construction. For this reason, it is difficult to crack unless you carelessly drop it. According to Heritage, the product stays fresh after being washed in warm, soapy water and it does not leave any marks of grease or crusts behind.
There is one drawback of the product. A few buyers complain that it gives off an annoying chemical smell. However, I believe that the smell will disappear after the product is washed and cleaned in warm soapy water.
Pros:
- It comes with a convenient pizza cutter
- It is simple to clean
- It is durable
Cons:
- There may be a strange smell when you unbox the product
CastElegance Durable & Safe Thermarite Pizza Stone for Best Crispy Crust with Bonus Recipe E-Book & Scraper
Baking an excellent pizza has never been so easy with Thermarite Pizza Stone. The product comes in a round shape which is 14 inches round and 6.3 inches thick.
The item is able to absorb moisture which makes your crust taste much better and crispier since all the wetness has been dehydrated. It is also excellent at distributing the heat to your food, then, making them crispy.
The product is made from cordierite which is durable, strong, and has superior thermal shock ability. Users don’t have to worry about the problem of cracking. Even if you are not into the oven, this item can also work greatly with the grills. Thermite will protect your food from extremely high temperatures.
The product comes with a guide, which contains instructions on how to use it properly and take care of it. There is also an attached 4×5 inches scraper to make cleaning easier.
Pros:
- It is durable
- It can bake crispier crust
Cons:
- The dough may stick to it
Emile Henry Made in France Flame Top Pizza Stone
This is one of the best options if you are looking for a pizza stone for the oven. The product is compatible with all kinds of ovens.
You can produce high-quality pizza and bread with this pizza stone. It even works very well on BBQ grills. No matter below is gas, charcoal or natural, you just need to place the stone on and start your cooking.
You can easily notice that this item is different from many other competitors when it comes with the handles. Therefore, users can carry the hot stone at ease. The handles are especially important because the product is made to endure extremely high temperatures in the oven. The maximum temperature can be up to 900 Fenderahit degrees.
There is no need for you to worry about any damages on its surface. The glazed stone has done a very good job on resisting scratches. That means you can directly use your pizza cutter on its surface without leaving any scratch behind.
Regarding cleaning, it’s like a piece of cake. Soapy water can do the whole thing. In case you don’t want to wash by hand, the item is dishwasher safe so that you can save your time.
Pros:
- It is scratch-resistant
- It has handles
- It endures high temperature very well
- It works perfectly on grills as well as ovens
Cons:
- Some users report that their product snaps in half
Pizza Stone for Grill and Oven
This is a great option for those who are looking for a versatile pizza stone. The product is designed and manufactured by Culinary Couture. In addition to pizza or normal bread, you can make various dishes such as chicken tenders and shrimps.
It is obvious that this item is thicker and heavier compared to other competitors in the market. To be exact, it is ¾ inches thick. Also, the material comes from superior cordierite which makes the item so sturdy.
If you are a fan of garden parties, this item can be considered a good companion since it can serve BBQ grill with a lot of yummy dishes. This round stone, you can try various recipes with its free Ebook including 45 mouth-watering dishes.
However, you should pay attention to the way you clean it. Many users report that this item stains quite easily. This may take time to clean and store it.
Pros:
- It is made from high-quality material
- It is sturdy
- The price is pocket-friendly
Cons:
- It is heavier than other competitors
- It stains quite easily
Unicook Heavy Duty Ceramic Pizza Grilling Stone
With a size of 14.9 inches by 11.8 inches, this item provides a generous cooking surface so that you can place more than one loaf of bread on. It is very convenient when you bake biscuits and pastries. It is compatible with all types of both grill and oven. The material comes from high-quality cordierite stone which has been approved by FDA.
The thickness of ⅝ inches is seen as suitable for a stone. This doesn’t make it too heavy but helps to distribute the heat evenly. Also, you don’t need to worry about the soggy center since it can extract the moisture away.
There is one thing you should note on this product. In order to do effective cleaning, you have to preheat it to get rid of all the stickiness. Then, you just need to use warm soapy water as normal.
Pros:
- It is not expensive
- There is no chemical smell
- It has a large size
Cons:
- It requires more steps regarding cleaning
Cuisinart CPS-013 Alfrescamore, Pizza Grilling Stone
Cuisinart is a very familiar brand selling cheap and high-quality kitchen gadgets. This product is a good choice for anyone looking for a not bulky stone with a budget-friendly price. This item is light and thin with the weight of only 3.5 pounds; therefore, you can carry it very easily. It is made in a round shape with a diameter of 13 inches which is somewhat small for some food options.
This product can stay strong in a long period of time as it is very good at resisting thermal shock. However, its durability is not as good as other competitors due to its remarkable thinness.
It is dishwasher safe but you can still wash it by hand with soapy water in a short time. One drawback reported by some users is associated with its chemical smell.
Pros:
- It is cheap
- It is thin and light
Cons:
- It is not as durable as other competitors
- It may give off annoying smell
Complete Buying Guide: How To Choose The Best Old Stone Pizza Stone
As you can see from the list above, pizza stones are greatly diversified, which can make you feel confused to pick a suitable one meeting your demands.
To choose the best pizza stone for your own, here are some basic points to consider.
Shape
Many people believe that a pizza stone should be made in a round shape because that is also the shape of a pizza. However, reality shows that you can make a far better pizza from a rectangle stone. With a round stone, if you miss your target by a little, your pizza can slip off the edge. With a rectangle stone, you don’t need to perfectly aim your target plate. Rectangle stones can hold more heat thanks to its commonly larger area. Thereby, they help make a better-browned pizza. They are also more versatile when many users can make perfect bread using them.
When it comes to grilling, rectangle stone may not be a decent choice. The only one advantage that a round stone has over the other one is that it can easily fit the circular grills.
Size
A larger stone provides more real estate for bigger pies or long-shape bread like baguettes. An area of 14 x 16 inches seems to be an ideal size for most home ovens. If you are into a cordierite stone, a thinker one is better. Thinner stones are more prone to crack. 0.75 inch thick would be a good compromise between stability and maneuverability.
Weight
As a matter of fact, lighter stone is easier to put in and take out of the oven. However, heavier stone makes better pizza because they can hold more heat. Therefore, pizza becomes better browned. Ordinarily, a pizza stone weighs around 9 pounds but we highly recommend you buy a 13-to-16-pound stone.
Material
Pizza stones are usually made from steel, cordierite, and cast iron. All of them offer different thermal properties, and then, different advantages.
First, steel takes in and transfers heat the fastest, which can make the best pizza in the home oven. If you aim to make good home pizza yourself, it is advisable to choose a pizza steel.
Cordierite is a kind of heat-resistant mineral which has less thermal mass than steel. Therefore, the pizza crust tends to be less browned. On the other hand, cordierite is great for baking bread since other materials are likely to overheat the crust.
Finally, cast iron is considered a medium between the two materials mentioned above regarding heat controllability. However, it is quite hard to find a rectangular cast iron stone. All of the cast iron stones that I’ve seen are made in a circular shape which is trickier to use. However, a round one can be advantageous if you are keen on grilled pizza and you have a round grill.
Price
The price mainly depends on the material. Cordierite or cast iron stone usually ranges from $40 to $60. A steel one is a little more expensive, which may cost you $70 to $90.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a pizza stone?
A pizza stone can help you produce supreme quality pizza as in restaurants. In addition, the temperature in your home oven may not be as high as those used by restaurants. A suitable pizza stone can help by providing a super hot surface which makes better browning pizza.
Is it necessary to preheat the pizza stone?
Definitely. You only make the most of a pizza stone if you preheat it. It is highly recommended that you preheat it in one to two hours. When the air shows up around it, you know that the preheating is complete. Unless you preheat, the result you’ll get is not different from what you get from a normal baking sheet.
What if I placed a frozen pizza on my stone?
It is not a wise idea to do so. When you place a frozen object on the hot surface of your pizza stone, you create a thermal shock for your stone to suffer. This can cause your product to crack or break.
What should I do if my pizza sticks to the stone surface?
This has a simple solution. You just sprinkle some flour over the surface before placing your pizza on. And the problem has been solved.
Our 5 Top Picks Of The Best Old Stone Pizza Stone
When it comes to old stone pizza stone, there is a wide range of options for you to pick. Pizza stones now come with a lot of shape, material and price. If you are still confused, below are the short-listed candidates for the best pizza stone in 2021.
With a bunch of advantages over its competitors, NerdChef Steel Stone promises not to let you down. Although its price can be a little higher than the others, it is worth paying for a life-long pizza stone. I bet it can satisfy the pickiest consumers.
Honey-Can-Do Old Stone ranks the second for its pleasant experience brought to users. It can help you with not only pizza but also excellent bread.
If you are using a gas stove or gas grill, Emile Henry Flame Top Pizza Stone is not a bad idea thanks to its great heat-resistant ability.
The Ultimate Pizza Stone is also a good choice for those who wish to cook a wide variety of dishes besides pizza such as chicken tenders and shrimps.
Last but not least, Heritage Pizza Stone comes with a very reasonable price and interesting features.
In conclusion, each pizza stone has their own merits and demerits. We have finished analyzing all their characteristics and features. We hope that you have found out your favorite product after reading the article.
Thank you very much!