Keywords- baking steel thickness, baking steel thick, pizza steel thickness, pizza steel thick
Cooking pizzas is easy, but you need to know the basics and use the right tools to create the desired finish.
So here is a complete guide to pizza steel thickness that you can use.
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Pizza stones are the perfect tools to create a crispy crust on pizzas.
They absorb a lot of heat and redistribute it into the oven to make the heat even and cook the pizzas perfectly.
The thicker the pizza steel, the more even the temperature will be in the oven.
They are also responsible for creating an oven spring which is a phenomenon needed to cook pizzas.
You can use pizza steel to cook other recipes and make sure that the crust becomes crispy while balancing the finish on the toppings you use to make your pizza.
It is important to know how thick your pizza steel is to make sure that you preheat it properly.
The thickness of pizza steel is an important factor that determines the preheating time and temperature of the pizza steel.p
It will take longer to preheat the pizza steel if you have a thicker one that you use.
So with this guide, we will take a look at what pizza steel can do when cooking your pizzas and why is the pizza steel thickness important.
Also, what are the benefits of using pizza steel or baking steel, and does the thickness of the baking steel increase your pizza cooking time?
Do read this guide where we explain all the questions in your mind.
Make sure to read to the end to see the recommended pizza steels.
Why Do Pizza Steel Have Varying Thickness?
You can use Pizza steel in baking other baked goods, so they do not have a standard on how thick the pizza steel should be.
The thickness of the pizza steel affects the food.
When cooking, the pizza steel absorbs heat which means it can cook something that touches its surface.
You need thick pizza steel to get more heat on the cooking surface. So, thick pizza steels can retain more heat as compared to the thinner ones.
Thinner pizza steel will result in a quicker preheating process and cook the food with crispy finishes as well.
But, if you want pizza steel that can retain heat for longer and go to higher temperatures then thick pizza steel is better.
It can absorb a lot of heat and will immediately sear or make the crust crispy.
The main reason for the varying thickness of pizza steels is to create the right environment for cooking specific pizzas and make sure they cook right.
If you already use an oven that can go to high temperatures then you can choose the thinner ones but if you have a home oven that goes to a max of 450 Fahrenheit like mine then thicker ones are better.
Does Thick Pizza Stone Make A Better Pizza?
Yes, thicker pizza steel makes better pizza in a way since it conducts more heat.
That means that it can make the pizza crispier and it does not need too much time to cook the pizza.
First of all, thick pizza steel lasts longer than a thin one.
Since they are thicker, they are more durable and will handle more heat and distribute that heat that it conducts.
The sturdy construction of thick pizza steel means that it can withstand temperature changes better.
It will take a lot of force or heat to crack thick pizza steel, let alone break it into pieces. I have never had a crack even on the thinner pizza steels so from a durability point of view both are great.
They are definitely so much better than pizza stones and if there was a comparison between pizza stones vs. pizza steel, I would definitely go with pizza steel.
Thermal shock is perhaps the most common problem when it comes to a pizza stone but that is rarely the case with pizza steel.
It is the sudden temperature change, and pizza steels do not usually withstand this kind of stress.
Thicker pizza steels can handle more of this and they last for a long time.
Since the composition is thick, letting the heat go through the pizza steel would take more time.
With that said, you will create a hotter cooking surface for the pizza and a more balanced environment for cooking.
Thick pizza steels will create better pizza crusts and toppings.
Best Thickness of Pizza Stone To Cook Amazing Pizzas?
The usual thickness of pizza steel does not go over 1 inch. You have pizza steels with ½ to ¾ inch, and ⅜ inch thickness, and Nerchef is a pretty good pizza steel brand as it has varying thickness baking steel options.
Now moving on to pizza stones, you can get pizza stones of varying thicknesses but the best thickness for a pizza stone to cook pizza at home is about ½ to 1 inch.
Some special pizza stones go over an inch thick, but regular pizza steels will usually be less than an inch thick.
For you to make great pizzas, you need thick pizza steel but I usually do not go for the extremely thick ones(more than one inch) as it will take forever to preheat these pizza stones and then cool them down.
You should get thick pizza steel(pizza steels are barely more than one inch thick) but most of the time, all pizza steel with varying thickness can work well with a home oven.
Thicker pizza steels are heavier and you need to consider that. This is the reason I go for a thickness that I can easily carry around and is comfortable rather than just going with the thickest pizza steel.
Thick pizza steel means that you have better heat conduction and retention.
That is important when cooking pizzas to create a crispy finish on the crust and evenly cooked toppings.
So I suggest going with thick pizza steels somewhere between 3/4 of an inch to an inch thick.
If you can also find 2-inch pizza steels, then that would be better for creating more heat.
How To Use A Thick Pizza Stone
Using pizza steel is easy, but its function does not end in cooking pizzas.
You need to know how to properly take care of it to stay durable and last for a very long time.
Preheating The Pizza Stone
When cooking in an oven with pizza steel, make sure to preheat the oven along with the pizza steel.
Place the pizza steel in the oven while the oven is still off.
Remember never to place the pizza steel in a hot oven.
I have learned this the hard way, and it will be very difficult to clean up the shattered pizza steel inside the oven.
Make sure that you do not put the pizza steel under thermal shock so it does not break.
I would preheat the pizza steel at a much lower temperature for an hour.
If you have a powerful pizza oven that can reach at least 600 degrees Fahrenheit, I recommend preheating the pizza steel in the oven for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
But if you have a decent pizza oven that reaches 450-500 then preheat the pizza stone for an hour.
The time for preheating a pizza stone depends on the thickness as well.
I recommend owning an IR thermometer since that has helped me a lot to measure the exact temperature of my pizza steel and how long I need to preheat my pizza steel.
Cook The Pizza on the Pizza Stone
Use a laser thermometer to measure the surface temperature of the pizza steel.
Once ready to cook, place the pizza directly into the pizza steel and let it cook.
At 900 degrees Fahrenheit, the pizza steel should produce a crispy crust on the pizza within 90 seconds.
You need to cook the pizza longer if you use a lower temperature.
Allow the pizza to bake until the toppings cook evenly and the cheese has melted.
Prepare the cutting board and then let the pizza rest for a few minutes before serving.
Caring For The Pizza Stone/Pizza Steel
As I have said, the function of pizza stone/steel does not end in cooking.
You need to make sure that you clean it and do proper maintenance to keep it durable and last for years.
Usually, the manufacturer of the pizza steel that you buy would give you a guide on how to take care of the pizza steel.
You can follow those instructions and keep the pizza steel clean.
After cooking, make sure to clean the pizza steel but never use water and soap.
You can run hot water over it once in a while, but never use dishwashing soap to clean your pizza stone or pizza steel.
P.S. In the video, they use olive oil but I recommend grapeseed oil to season the pizza steel as it has a higher burning temp than olive oil.
Pizza stones are porous and will tend to absorb the smell and unpleasant taste of the soap.
Cleaning the pizza steel involves heating it to 500 degrees Fahrenheit or the highest temperature on your oven and allowing it to burn for at least an hour to burn off the food residuals stuck on it.
Use a soft-bristled brush to remove the burnt residues from the pizza steel and then store it.
Make sure to store the pizza steel in a cool and dry place.
Pizza Steel Vs Pizza Stone
One of the best alternatives, when you do not have a pizza stone, is to use pizza steel.
In this post I have tried to talk about both pizza steel thickness and pizza stone thickness, they are one and the same but differ in the material used to make them.
Pizza steels are so much better since they are made up of steel and they are never going to crack.
It is more durable and can also retain the heat that is needed to cook the pizzas properly.
The main advantage of pizza steel is that it heats up faster, which means it can cook pizzas faster than pizza steels. You do not have to wait for too long for it to preheat.
Heat transfer is also better when using pizza steel since it does not need much to create a hot surface.
It almost instantly heats up as you put it in the pizza oven.
Pizza steel is also more durable than pizza steel as it is not prone to thermal shock.
It does not crack or break even when you put it suddenly in an environment with a drastic temperature change.
The advantage of a slower heat transfer in pizza steels is that the finish will always be even.
You get to wait longer, but the pizza cooks evenly than in pizza steels.
Pizza stones also do a better job of removing moisture from the crust.
They burn off the moisture and evaporate it using the heat and the porous texture on the stone.
Why Thinner Pizza Steels Are More Effective Than Thicker Pizza Stone?
I still prefer pizza steel over pizza stone any day.
Many people would go with pizza steels instead of the traditional pizza stone and if you have a good quality pizza stone, it can last long but I do not want to take the chance.
Pizza steels are more durable and so most of them are made with a thickness thinner than most pizza steels.
Pizza steels usually have a 1/2 of an inch thickness.
I say this is better because thin pizza steels can conduct as much heat as thick pizza steels.
They also do not require to be preheated for an hour as they absorb heat faster.
The more durable build of pizza steels is also a huge part of cooking pizzas.
You can put dense and thick pizzas on pizza steel and it will not budge, let alone break or crack.
Top 5 Best Pizza Steel/ Pizza Stone
Cooking authentic Neapolitan pizza is not that easy.
You need to make sure that you follow certain guidelines before naming your pizza and authentic Neapolitan pizza.
So with the help of these pizza steels, you will be making the best Neapolitan pizzas at home.
1. Fire & Slice Large Pizza Stone For Oven And Grill
Let’s start the best pizza stone list with this pizza steel which is probably great if you want to cook Neapolitan or New York-style pizzas with your home oven.
Pros
- Made with durable materials such as carbon steel.
- Pre-seasoned for maximum flavor and non-stick surface.
- Ensures even finish on your pizzas.
Cons
- There are some complaints about the sloppy craftsmanship.
This pizza steel or baking steel is something that you can use to cook pizzas and bread or other baked goods.
It is surprisingly good at making an evenly heated surface for cooking.
It is made with carbon steel and is pre-seasoned, so you do not have to prepare too many things when it arrives.
However, I always clean and season my pizza steel regardless of what the package says just to be on the safer side of things.
You get to cook the best pizzas and other recipes right away.
==> Get the Best Deals on this Pizza Stone
This pizza steel can even cook steaks and vegetables as it conducts so much heat that even thick cuts of meat can absorb heat and cook through the middle.
2. 16 X 16 X 1 Square Industrial Pizza Stone
This pizza stone is pretty thick but it is excellent to make pizzas at home. The crust comes out looking like you cooked it in a wood fired oven.
This pizza stone is definitely worth the money as you get to see some amazing Neapolitan pizzas that it makes with the nice leopard spotting and the airy crust inside.
Pros
- A thick pizza stone made in the U.S. with durable materials.
- It has all-natural materials, so there are no toxic chemicals in it.
- It can resist high temperatures and retain heat perfectly as well.
Cons
- It takes longer to preheat for it to absorb heat and distribute it.
A true pizza stonel made from ceramic is one of the most common materials used in making pizza stone.
It is durable and can absorb heat properly to cook the pizzas evenly.
It has a guarantee by the company that the pizza stone is resistant to thermal shock.
I agree as I have accidentally placed my pizza stone on a cold counter and it surprisingly did not break.
==> Get the Best Deals on this Pizza Stone
The thick pizza stone is truly durable and is even perfect for grills.
You can use it in making BBQs and other recipes that you would usually cook on a grill or with high direct heat.
3. Pizza Stone For Grill And Oven – 15 Inch 3/4“ Extra Thick
Pros
- Made from cordierite stone which is more durable than ceramic.
- It can handle high temperatures as well as direct heat.
- You get a guide included with the pizza steel if you purchase it.
Cons
- It is extremely porous, which is good, but it absorbs stains pretty easily.
This pizza stone is one of the thicker options that you can get.
It has cordierite which means that it can absorb a lot of heat without cracking or breaking at high temperatures.
The durability of this pizza stone is truly amazing as it can even be used directly on grills with direct heat.
It does not break, but you do need to be careful when using it over direct heat.
==> Get the Best Deals on this Pizza Stone
It can resist up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit so you can cook your pizzas in just 60 seconds.
This pizza stone is the perfect combo if you have a pizza oven that can reach that temperature.
4. NerdChef Steel Stone – High-performance Baking
Nerdchef pizza stone is probably one of the best pizza steel brands that produce highly durable pizza steel.
You get varying thickness on the baking steel and you can easily cook Neapolitan pizzas using this pizza steel.
Pros
- It has a higher conduction rate compared to ceramic pizza steels
- It can resist any temperature and you can use in many ways.
- Thick pizza steel that can create crispy crusts for your Neapolitan pizzas.
Cons
- It can be too heavy, so be careful with how you handle it.
The NerdChef steel stone is perfect for any occasion.
It can conduct heat 20 times faster than ceramic stones, which means that you will not wait too long before you can cook.
This high conductivity also makes sure that the pizza you cook has a crispy crust.
You can also choose from three thickness varieties of this pizza steel and see which one you prefer best.
==> Get the Best Deals on this Pizza Stone
Since this pizza steel has very durable alloy steel, it does not break no matter what.
You can even put this pizza steel in the freezer and use it as a cold plate for cakes and more.
5. Emile Henry Rectangular Grill/Oven Pizza Stone 18.0” x 14.0”
Emile Henry is another good pizza steel brand and their quality is just as good as the Nerdchef ones. However, recently they have had a few complaints that have thrown me off.
Pros
- It is a large pizza steel that can cook pizzas larger than 12 inches.
- It is ceramic which means it conducts heat evenly.
- It has an ergonomic design with handles to make it more manageable,
Cons
- It is a high-risk shape and thickness as it can break easily.
While there are complaints about this pizza stone cracking, I can confidently say that you can use this directly on a grill. It can retain the heat of up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit.
That means that you can use it with pizza ovens.
It can absorb heat properly and make sure that the pizza crust will be crispy once it comes out of the oven.
The durable ceramic build of this pizza stone is coated with refractory materials and is less porous than a most pizza stone.
That means that you can wash it with soap and water.
==> Get the Best Deals on this Pizza Stone
This pizza stone is labeled dishwasher safe, so you do not have to do much cleaning and maintenance.
Plus, it has a 10-year guarantee and warranty that covers production faults and damages.
If you want more pizza steels options then check out the best pizza steel list that we have complied.
If you want to check out some alternatives for pizza stone then you can do that as well.
There are plenty of ways of cooking pizzas and we want to make sure that we cover all of them so that you have the best experience cooking pizzas.
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