Pizza steel is one of the most common cooking surfaces in the home. But, like any other metal, it can accumulate grease and food residue. This can make your pizza difficult to cook and lead to food poisoning. 

Pizza steel is always an intelligent investment if you're someone who enjoys baking fresh or frozen pizza It's worthwhile every penny and can last years if properly cared for. So, to make it easier for you, we've prepared a step-by-step guide to cleaning your pizza steel in 3 easy steps. 

3 Ways Of Cleaning Pizza Steel 

To clean pizza steel properly, follow these three simple steps.

Step 1

To clean your pizza steel, be sure to let it cool down completely before you begin. If you use a metal spatula to scrape away stuck-on food, you can damage it by making the surface too hot. 

This is why using a bench scraper is an excellent way to clean your steel. You can also clean it with a metal spatula or a metal scraper. Always remember to let the steel air dry before you use it again.

Step 2

When cleaning it, you should place it on a heat-resistant surface and scrape off any food residue. Then, you should wash it using warm water and soap. 

Step 3

If the rust is gone, you can use a damp sponge to wipe it clean. If you don't want to use a sponge, you can also use a soft cloth to wipe away stains or burnt flour.

You can also apply a thin layer of flaxseed oil to your steel. But make sure not to apply too much oil since it will produce fumes and a bad smell in your kitchen.

Also, make sure that you apply a thin coating so that the steel is coated evenly. You can also read up on the temperature needed to cook a pizza. This way, you can find the best temperature for your pizza.

Alternative Pizza Steel Cleaning Methods

Using baking soda to clean your steel can also help to remove burnt bits of food. Mix baking soda with water and leave it on for a few minutes. 

Once the baking soda is dry, use a stiff-bristled nylon brush to scrub the steel. Using medium-grit sandpaper can help sand down crumbs, too. You should also be careful to dry your steel thoroughly before using it again.

You can also use a cleaning pad soaked in water. It will work as a scrubber, removing last-minute stains and residue. 

This paste will leave your steel smelling fresh. If you are using a cleaning pad, you may not need to use water. However, a baking soda paste can help loosen stains.

What To Avoid When Washing Pizza Steel 

The best way to maintain the performance of your pizza steel is to clean it regularly. However, there are things to avoid when washing a pizza.

When you're washing your pizza steel, ensure it's dishwasher safe. Or else, if you damage the top layer, it will rust quickly. 

For stubborn stains, apply a paste of baking soda. This will remove the stains and will not affect the flavor of your pizzas in the future. Remember, the darker your pizza steel is, the more seasoning it has and the more non-stick power it will have. 

Avoid using harsh detergents and liquid soap that will damage the material of your pizza steel. Remember, if you take care of your pizza steel, it will last you for years. 

If you want to know the differences between pizza stone and steel, click here.

Learn How To Store Your Pizza Steel 

When it comes to storing your pizza steel, you should take special care to clean it. It can get quite dirty with a lot of use, so preventing it from rusting is imperative to maintaining its performance. 

To maintain the non-stick surface of your pizza steel, you can use a thin layer of neutral food-grade oil. This will keep it from rusting and will also ensure that it lasts a long time. 

You can use blue shop towels to dry your pizza steel, but make sure you dry it thoroughly before storing it. Always store your pizza steel in a dry and warm place, away from humidity and extreme heat.

How To Choose The Best Pizza Steel

An essential factor to consider when choosing pizza steel is its thickness. Good pizza steel is 3/16" to half-inch thick, but any thinner than this would be very heavy. The thickness of your pan will help the pizza proofing. 

Because it is so dense, the steel conducts heat more efficiently than the steel, so when the oven heat is turned on, it goes straight to the pizza and produces the same type of crust as a pizza from a deck oven. 

The steel is also highly efficient at conducting heat, meaning that your pizza will have a crisp crust as if it came straight from the deck oven.

Do You Oil A Pizza Steel

If you own pizza steel, you want to oil it regularly to prevent rust and maintain the seasoning. It will get scorching while baking, so you want to ensure it is clean and dry before using it. 

• The first step in seasoning pizza steel is to clean it thoroughly. 
• To remove stubborn dough chunks, you can use a bench scraper or sponge. You can also use an EarthStone Cleaning Block or steel wool to remove stuck-on food. 
• Once the steel is clean and dry, you can oil it. Do not soak the pizza steel in water, however. This will lead to rusting.

You will need to use the steel several times during the seasoning process. Depending on the material, the steel will become slightly darker over time until it reaches a deep dark gray color.

This process is called seasoning and is a natural one. Read about the process in our detailed article. You should also store the pizza steel in a dry location. Humidity can cause it to rust, so avoid storing your pizza steel on a damp surface.

How To Use A Pizza Steel: Tips and Tricks

Knowing how to use a pizza can be vital for every chef. If you follow these tips, you'll be well on your way to making an excellent pizza!

Seasoning pizza steel is crucial before you can start using pizza steel. While this isn't the same as seasoning a grill, it does work well. Apply a thin layer of oil to the steel to prevent rusting. 

The oil will also prevent sticking. And because it's used at a high temperature, use an oil that has a high smoking point. Flaxseed oil is a good choice. If you have pizza steel, you can also buy a pre-seasoned one.

The faster it bakes, the crispier the pizza will be. If you're cooking more than one pizza, be sure to reheat the steel after every third one to maintain the crispiness. 

To use pizza steel properly, follow the instructions below.

• When using pizza steel, it's important to remember the maximum temperature recommended for the oven. This temperature is typically 900°F (480°C) for a Neapolitan-style pizza. 
• Then, place the pizza steel on a baking sheet. Place it on the top rack of the oven, about two inches (2 inches) away from the broiler. The closer the pizza steel is to the broiler, the higher the temperature will be. 
• Be careful, though, as the heat from the pizza steel will transfer to the pizza, making it burnt. 

Benefits Of Pizza Steel 

If you love pizza, you should invest in pizza steel. The cost of pizza steel will be more than offset by the money you save over ordering it. 

Pizza steel is also an essential part of your cooking arsenal. When used properly, it helps create an evenly cooked pizza crust. It also evenly melts the cheese on the bottom, resulting in a superior, crispy crust. 

Pizza steel will prevent any extra bubbles from forming in the crust and an uneven bake across the bottom. Once you've tried this, you'll understand why this is essential. Pizza steel is a must-have for every pizza lover. 

You can also try pizza baking stone and its alternatives for baking the best pizza at home. 

A pizza steel's thickness is vital, as it will influence the baking time of the pizza. If it's too thick, it will burn the crust before the top is cooked. Thick pizza steel will make the crust crisp, but it might not give you a delicious crust. 

Use the thickness chart to determine the thickness that works best for you. And don't forget to adjust the temperature in your oven, too. 

Final Word 

Using a pizza steel saves you money and time in the long run by reducing the number of times you have to order pizza delivery. You'll get your money's worth in no time at all. However, owning pizza steel means knowing how to clean it properly. 

If you’re in the mood for authentic Neapolitan pizza that won’t stick to your pizza steel, click here to order now! We hope our article helped you know the best way to clean pizza steel. Till the next time, happy feasting! 

Our real Italian pizzas from Italy are handmade with all-natural high quality and fresh ingredients in Naples, Italy delivered to you, anywhere in the U.S. Free Shipping Nationwide. Buy here now!