4 Pizza Stones Worth Buying in 2024

Homemade pizza is one of the easiest weeknight meals and a guaranteed family favorite. Whether you prefer a classic Margherita or a pie piled with toppings, a good pizza stone (or baking steel) makes all the difference. These cooking surfaces retain and conduct heat far better than a sheet pan, crisping the bottom of the crust and giving you a reliably baked pizza every time. They’re versatile, too—many work in the oven or on the grill, so you can make great pizza year-round.

I make pizza often at home and have tested a number of stones and steels. Below are my top picks for different needs—durability, ease of cleaning, budget, and high-performance baking. Each one will elevate your homemade pies.

My Top Picks

1. What’s in My Kitchen: California Pizza Stones Industrial Pizza Stone – $56.95 at Amazon
2. Best Glazed: Emile Henry Flame Top Pizza Stone – $69.95 at Amazon
3. Best Budget: Unicook Pizza Stone – $34.99 at Amazon
4. Best Baking Steel: NerdChef Steel Stone – $129.95 at Amazon

Reviews of the Best Pizza Stones

1. What’s in My Kitchen: California Pizza Stones Industrial Pizza Stone

This ceramic stone is one I keep in my kitchen. It’s industrial-grade and a full inch thick, which helps it retain heat and resist thermal shock. The brand offers a replacement guarantee if the stone cracks during normal use, which gives extra confidence when using it on grills or in very hot ovens.

The 12-inch square size is ideal for medium pies, and the unglazed surface helps create a crisp crust. It’s hefty at around 11 pounds, so factor in the weight if you’ll be moving it often. The surface is unglazed and certified non-toxic, so it performs like a traditional pizza stone.

The Specs:

• Material: Ceramic
• Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 1 inches
• Weight: 11 pounds

Pros:

• Sturdy, thick construction
• Safe for oven and grill
• Warranty against cracking
• Made in USA

Cons:

• Heavy
• Smaller cooking area compared with larger stones

2. Best Glazed: Emile Henry Flame Top Pizza Stone

If ease of cleaning is a priority, this glazed clay stone is an excellent choice. The smooth, glazed surface resists stains and scratches, and many users find it much simpler to wipe clean than unglazed options. It includes built-in handles and is relatively lightweight compared with traditional stones, making it easy to use and store.

The large diameter gives you plenty of room for big pies, and Emile Henry designs this stone to withstand high oven temperatures. Because it’s glazed, you can clean it with soap and water without worrying about porous absorption—some owners even place it in the dishwasher, though hand washing will extend its life.

The Specs:

• Material: Glazed burgundy clay
• Dimensions: 16.5 x 16.5 x 1.5 inches
• Weight: 5.73 pounds

Pros:

• Scratch-resistant glaze
• Lightweight and easy to handle
• Built-in handles
• Oven-safe to high temperatures

Cons:

• Glazed surfaces can be more prone to cracking if exposed to rapid temperature changes

Notes: This model receives frequent praise from food publications for its combination of performance and convenience.

3. Best Budget: Unicook Pizza Stone

For a wallet-friendly option that still performs well, the Unicook cordierite stone is a solid pick. Available in multiple shapes and sizes, this particular 12 x 15 inch rectangular model gives plenty of cooking area for a large pizza or two smaller pies. Cordierite tolerates high temperatures, so it’s safe for both ovens and grills.

Cordierite is porous and can darken or stain with use, but that doesn’t affect baking performance. If you want a reliable, inexpensive stone to start with, this one offers strong value.

The Specs:

• Material: Cordierite
• Dimensions: 12 x 15 x 0.6 inches
• Weight: 6.6 pounds

Pros:

• Affordable
• Generous cooking surface
• Handles high temperatures

Cons:

• Prone to visible staining

4. Best Baking Steel: NerdChef Steel Stone

If you want the fastest, most even heat transfer, a baking steel is the way to go. Steel conducts heat much better than ceramic, producing a crispier crust in less time. The NerdChef Steel Stone is heavy and durable—effectively unbreakable—and comes pre-seasoned for easier cleanup. The trade-offs are weight and cost: steel is significantly heavier and usually pricier than ceramic or cordierite.

The Specs:

• Material: Steel
• Dimensions: 16 x 14.25 x 0.375 inches
• Weight: 23 pounds

Pros:

• Excellent heat conductivity
• Unbreakable
• Easy to clean once seasoned

Cons:

• Expensive
• Very heavy

Other Pizza Stones to Consider

Lodge BOLD Cast Iron Pizza Pan

Cast iron is another great surface for pizza if you enjoy that distinct sear and char. The Lodge BOLD pan conducts heat well and comes with looped handles for easy lifting, but cast iron requires regular seasoning and more care to maintain its nonstick properties.

Weber Pizza Stone

Weber’s stone is built to fit certain grills’ Gourmet BBQ System but can also be used in the oven. It’s cordierite with metal handles, though some users report sticking—using a dusting of flour or parchment under the dough helps prevent that.

Hans Grill Pizza Stone

A basic, budget cordierite option available in several shapes. It’s reliable for oven or grill use, but lacks extra features like handles or a glazed surface.

Pampered Chef Pizza Stone

Pampered Chef offers a well-reviewed unglazed ceramic stone with handles and a larger cooking surface. It’s dishwasher-safe for convenience, but check the maximum temperature rating before using at ultra-high heat.

Why You Can Trust Me

I’m Gina, the recipe developer behind Skinnytaste. I test kitchen tools regularly while developing recipes for everyday cooking, and pizza night is a common experiment in my house. My recommendations are based on hands-on testing, product specifications, and reputable reviews. When I evaluate pizza stones and steels, I focus on material, heat tolerance, size, weight, ease of cleaning, and real-world performance.

Everything to Know Before Buying a Pizza Stone

What to Consider

Choose your stone based on material, size, weight, and maintenance needs:

• Material: Ceramic and cordierite stones are traditional and produce great crusts; glazed stones are easier to clean. Baking steels deliver the fastest, crispiest results but are heavy. Cast iron is another durable option that requires seasoning.
• Size and shape: Pick a stone that fits your oven and the size of pizzas you like to make—12 inches for medium pies, 16 inches or larger for big pies or family-style baking.
• Weight: Denser materials weigh more. Consider whether you’ll be lifting the stone often.
• Cleaning: Unglazed stones are porous and should be cleaned without soap; glazed stones, steel, and cast iron are easier to wash and can be oiled or seasoned as needed.

How to Clean a Pizza Stone

Let the stone cool completely. Scrape away food with a spatula, then scrub with warm water and a nylon brush. Avoid soap on unglazed stones because the porous surface can absorb it. Allow the stone to dry fully before storing.

How to Use a Pizza Stone

Place the stone on the lowest oven rack while the oven is cold to avoid thermal shock. Preheat to 500°F and give the stone 20–30 minutes to heat thoroughly. Use a pizza peel to slide your pizza onto the hot stone; cooking time typically ranges from 5–15 minutes depending on thickness and temperature.

Seasoning Guidelines

Unglazed ceramic stones should not be oiled or seasoned—oil soaks into the pores and can smoke. Baking steels and cast iron benefit from periodic seasoning: dry them thoroughly, then rub with a thin layer of neutral oil and heat to create a protective surface.

Other Uses for a Pizza Stone

Beyond pizza, stones and steels excel for baking crusty breads, crisp flatbreads, crackers, and even cookies. The hot, even surface helps develop a crunchy bottom crust that’s hard to achieve on a conventional pan.

The Best Pizza Recipes

You don’t need an elaborate recipe to make great pizza—start with your preferred dough (homemade or store-bought), add sauce, cheese, and toppings, and bake on your stone. For inspiration, try: Margherita Pizza, Breakfast Pizza, Grilled Pizza, or Lavash Flatbread Pizzas.

Prices were accurate at time of publication.