Can My Pizza Stone Go in the Dishwasher?
Whether you can put a pizza stone in the dishwasher depends on the brand and model of a pizza stone. Some brands now make pizza stones that are dishwasher safe. You can feel free to wash them in a dishwasher at your convenience. Saying that pizza stone can never go into the dishwasher is wrong. Read on.
Having said that, traditionally, most pizza stones should not be washed in a dishwasher for many reasons. For one reason, a dishwasher may clutter the pizza stone. It is generally recommended to wash pizza stone by hand using baking soda for a longer serving life. See, a pizza stone is usually gentle, and you should treat it with care.
What Can Happen to Pizza Stone in Dishwasher?
Pizza Stone Absorbs Water and Can Break. For one reason, pizza stone easily absorbs moisture and water. Therefore, prolonged washing in a dishwasher can fill it to the core with moisture. That means it will have to be dried at low temperature for many hours. Because moist pizza stone can crack and damage more easily.
We do not want that to happen. Don’t we? We want a pizza stone to serve us for a long time. Therefore, rule number 1 is to keep it dry at most times and let it dry well before using it.
Pizza Stone Absorbs Soap. Second, when you use soap in a dishwasher on most pizza stones, they can absorb soap along with water. And become literally filled with soap. So, when the next time you make your pizza, you will have that interesting soap taste flavor. And we also do not want to eat pizza with soap flavor, don’t we?
If that happens, one of the ways is to soak pizza stone in very warm water, changing the water at least several times. This may help water to wash out most of the soap from the pizza stone. Then let pizza stone dry very well before using again.
Again, some brands make pizza stones which can be washed with soap easily. Read below.
Is a Pizza Stone Dishwasher Safe?
Guess what, many average pizza stones are not dishwasher safe, but some are. In fact, more and more manufacturers produce dishwater safe pizza stone models to meet the demand of the public for easy cleaning.
Can pampered chef pizza stone go in the dishwasher? Yes, they can.
For example, some brands like Pampered Chef pizza stones are dishwasher safe. While it is still recommended to wash them by hand, the manufacturer specifically states that it introduced a formula that makes some Pampered Chef Stoneware models dishwasher safe.
The only thing they recommend is also to dry pizza stone well before using it again. Therefore, Pampered Chef pizza stone dishwasher safe options are available on the internet.
Another good example is Emile Henry pizza stones. The manufacturer specifically states that they are dishwasher safe. Therefore, you can easily wash them in the dishwasher and dry them thereafter, and they should serve you well.
What Other Pizza Stones Can Go in The Dishwasher?
In fact, there are many good or regular brands of pizza stones that can safely go in the dishwasher. From Cuisinart to Ballarini to (again) Pampered Chef – many brands now offer these convenient pizza stone models.
I mentioned the Emile Henry brand. In fact, this brand is one in the top on the pizza stone list. They make particularly good and durable pizza stones. I think the brand originates in France and they make their products there too.
They offer a convenient and user-friendly dishwasher safe design. You can hand wash the pizza stone or put it in the dishwasher for error-free thorough simple cleaning.
In fact, some pizza stone makers specifically manufacture chip-resistant pizza stones. To avoid chipping of the material when mishandling.
Which Pizza Stone Material Can Go in Dishwasher?
The pizza stone needs to keep the ability to cook pizza with a crispy crust, or which can be put in the oven, if necessary. So, what you need is to choose good quality stoneware which is resistant enough to last for many years.
This is especially important if you are a pizza lover and intend to make pizza very often. Such hard-made pizza stones are usually also dishwasher safe.
The materials used to make dishwasher-safe pizza stones differ and they play a key role. Generally, pizza stones are made from such materials as clay, cordierite, are ceramic or other types of different stone materials. Some are also made of cast iron and steel.
For example, any pizza stone made from cast iron or steel likely can easily go in the dishwasher. But some chefs think that such stones may not produce as great pizza as actual stone material. It really depends on the chef’s experience and preference.
Now, clay is usually weak material and cannot go in the dishwasher. But pizza stone made from cordierite sometimes is explicitly dishwasher safe because it is thermal shock resistant and it also can go into a hot oven without any subsequent damage.
So, while most of the stones cannot be put in the water as they absorb moisture, pizza stones made from iron and steel are perfectly dishwasher safe. Again, I think Emile Henry makes both iron and stone pizza stones that can be put in the dishwasher and washed there.
The size and dimension of the pizza stone do not affect whether it can or cannot be put in a dishwasher. It is really all about the material. On the other hand, smaller sized pizza stones, 13-14 inches in circumference, and thin enough (from ¼ inch in width) can be dried more easily after washing.
Still, thicker, and larger stones can make better and larger pizza.
Since Cordierite is also heat resistant, this would be my first choice, if you do not intend to wash it in the dishwasher. It can withstand high heat up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and is quite durable. Although, less durable than steel or iron.
Finishing Affects If Pizza Stone is Dishwasher Safe
The presence of finishing materials also affects whether pizza stone can be put in the dishwasher. Finishing (glaze) acts as a protective barrier, keeping the oils and moisture away. Stones without finishing are usually too porous to be dishwasher safe. In fact, one must use care when cleaning them.
On the other hand, pizza stones with a finish on them (aka glazed or finished stoneware) keep moisture and oil away from the stone, keeping the stone dry. These are more likely to be safe in the dishwasher.
Here is another example. The Emile Henry offers glazed granite pizza stone, which is made of granite stone but can be safely put in the dishwasher for washing.
Apparently, it does not absorb much moisture, soap when washing, or oil when cooking. It is safe up to 750 degrees, making it still good enough pizza stone for any household.
On the other hand, Cook N Home Pizza Grilling Baking Stone is made from pure Cordierite, can withstand heat up to 2,000 degrees, but is not suitable for dishwasher or even regular soap washing. You have got to read the manufacturer’s specifications before you buy a product.
At the same time, you can find the finished/glazed ceramic ones, which are dishwasher and soap safe. In fact, you may see cordierite pizza stones covered with the ceramic glaze – that will do the trick. You still get stoneware, but it is more durable.
On the other hand, many professional pizza chefs would rather stick to basics and do everything by hand. Some of them do not accept the idea of glazed stoneware.
Tricks to Clean Pizza Stone for Better Pizza-Making Experience
You can use baking soda to clean them. Also, some cooking veterans on forums suggest to heat it up to 600 degrees and run through a clean cycle in the oven. That should clean the pizza stone. It is ok if it gets stained with time – that is the nature of the natural stoneware.
Your pizza-making experience is totally up to you. If you are just starting, it is fine to use iron or steel bakeware, to begin with. Once you see that you have got a hand of pizza-making, and you like it and feel like you will keep doing it again and again, then I suggest you upgrade your pizza stone to real stone. Get a good one. Try different tricks – see what you like the most.
As you can see, I like Emile Henry stoneware. But Pampered Chef is also good. And few other good brands too. I mean, in the end, it is the hand of a chef that makes a major difference. Cookware is just tools to help you master your art of making anything, including pizza.
If you are a student living in a dormitory or move often, then steel cookware is suitable. Because some stoneware is not suitable for frequent moving around. It is better to have it when you settle down a little bit.
And yes, make a habit to clean your cookware after each meal preparation. Discipline is the key. Do not pile up that staff in the kitchen because then it becomes harder to clean and clean up after that.
Hopefully, you will make your grand pizzas, crusted and flavored so good, that your guests will envy you and adore your pizza-cooking skills. You are also guaranteed to make some friends too. That is the power of cooking a good dinner.