How To Use A Pizza Steel

Why Use A Pizza Steel?

A pizza steel, also known as a baking steel, is a better heat conductor than a pizza stone. The pizza steel is popular for cooking bread and pizza because it is able to transfer heat at a high rate while simultaneously stabilizing at a steady temperature. 

This means when you place a pizza on the steel, the dough is cooked by the transfer of heat stored in the steel - rather than just the hot air in the oven. This makes for a crispier crust and faster cook times.

The Best Way To Cook On A Pizza Steel  

• Straight-up bake method

1. Preheat your oven on bake as high as it will go. Around 500˚F for 45 minutes to an hour with the steel in the oven.  
2. Transfer your pizza into the center of the steel. 
3. Cook pizza for 8-10 min. Turn pizza 180 degrees halfway through cook time.
4. Remove pizza with a pizza peel. Leave pizza steel in the oven to cool before cleaning. 

• Broiled crust method 

1. Preheat your oven on bake as high as it will go. Around 500˚F - 550˚F for 45 minutes to an hour with the steel in the oven.
2. Place steel on the top rack of your oven. Place pizza on steel and cook for about 5 min.
3. Rotate pizza 180 degrees and turn oven to broil. 
4. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes on broil - watch carefully until the crust is desired crispiness. 

5. Remove pizza with a pizza peel. Leave pizza steel in the oven to cool before cleaning.

• Stone & Steel oven method

To cook the top of your pizza without the broiler method you can place a baking stone on the rack above your pizza. The baking stone will act to radiate heat from above helping to cook your toppings during the baking process. 

Caring For Your Steel

• Pizzacraft Baking Steels are very durable and are not subject to thermal shock.
• Leave the pizza steel in the oven to cool.
• Clean the steel with hot water and a brush (do not use soap). Thoroughly dry the steel and store in a dry environment to avoid any rust.  
• The color of the steel will change with extended use, this is normal.
• Occasionally rub a light coating of oil on the steel to maintain seasoning.
• Warning: Steel plate will get extremely hot. Use oven mitt or glove when handling.

Pizzacraft Baking Steels 

Pizzacraft Baking Steels are pre-seasoned with vegetable oil. Seasoning helps to condition the steel and prevents food from sticking to it.

Pizzacraft steels come in a variety of sizes to fit your oven and baking needs. 

• Size one - 14" Round Steel 
• Size two - 14" Rectangle Steel 
• Size three - 22" Rectangle Steel 

For More Info On Pizza Steels:

• 5 Alternate Uses for Your Pizza Stone or Pizza Steel
• Ceramic vs. Cordierite Stone vs. Baking Steel