Comments on: Baking Pizza Stones

By: Judy Dunn

Judy Dunn — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:58:13 +0000

We have lost the seasoning instructions for the stone before launching it into its initial use. Please provide us the directions. Thank you.

Judy

By: Breadtopia

Breadtopia — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 00:54:39 +0000

Hi Camilla,

They are suitable for both gas and electric ovens and can take as much heat as any home oven can generate for cooking purposes. If you are asking about use in a commercial oven or if they can be left in a home oven while in self cleaning mode where the temps can approach around 900 degrees, let me know and I’ll check with the manufacturer.

By: Camilla

Camilla — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 22:25:36 +0000

I just ordered 2 larges stones , I just cannot find anywhere how much heat the stones can take and if they are suitable for gas ovens. Could you please let me know asap.

Thanks

By: Breadtopia

Breadtopia — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:25:23 +0000

Hi Marge,

It’s totally fine to use steam with the stone. You wouldn’t add water to make steam until after the oven and stone are totally preheated so no chance of moisture getting back into it. Ok to use parchment paper too. I don’t think it changes the results noticeably if at all.

I wouldn’t use the convection mode for bread baking.

By: Marge

Marge — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 20:48:24 +0000

I forgot to ask you about using the convection oven when making artisan bread on the stone. Would there be an advantage?

By: Marge

Marge — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 20:42:35 +0000

I just received my stone and am anxious to use it. I’m in the process of pre-drying the stone. I read thru some of the questions and see that it’s okay to put water in a broiler pan on a rack under the stone for the Artisan bread. I was afraid of it cracking.
Doesn’t this add moisture back in the stone?
Can I use parchment paper on the stone and have the same results?

By: ValerieSara

ValerieSara — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 15:39:46 +0000

My sentiments exactly about the FDA. I couldn’t agree more. Now I am going to carefully weigh the valid points you’ve made about the stone and make a (somewhat!) informed decision. I’m leaning towards buying it, although… the King Arthur Flour stone is the highest rated, from what their website says. I believe the KAF stone is identical to William Sonoma’s stone. The WS stone is more than $10.00 cheaper than the KAF stone, oddly enough! Decisions!!!
Thank you-you’re so sweet to help with this little dilemma!

By: Breadtopia

Breadtopia — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 15:24:38 +0000

Good questions and I’m the same way. When you first get the stone you have to go through a one time seasoning process where you basically bake any residual moisture out of it. It stinks during that time, but afterward (and I’ve been using 2 of their stones for a couple years now) there’s no smell and the material is extremely hard and seems very inert. So I personally doubt if there’s anything coming off the stone even if it’s not a material you would ordinarily want to ingest.

It’s probably less of a comfort that their stones are FDA approved and all that because who trusts the FDA any farther than you can throw them, but the stones are sold widely and use extensively by individuals and countless commercial kitchens and restaurants and I’ve never heard one thing bad about them.

By: ValerieSara

ValerieSara — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:14:20 +0000

Thank you for your prompt answer. Good news about cutting the stone although, from what you’ve said, it sounds like it’s not even necessary!
The one issue that has come up since I first wrote you is that I’m a little concerned about how safe the stone is. I don’t know what the material is, as the company won’t reveal that info, so of course I can’t make an informed decision. We eat all organic foods and I am particular about what goes in our bodies. Basically, I’m a health freak. Do you have any words of wisdom for me concerning this important factor? Thank you for your help.

By: Breadtopia

Breadtopia — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 12:02:22 +0000

Hi ValerieSara,

The ample side space would more than compensate for the lesser front space so you’d be fine.

But just so you know, your husband could adjust the size with his eyes closed. For these stones, the manufacturer says to cut them dry and use a diamond bit blade.