A well-used pizza stone tells the story of every cook, and a little discolouration is completely normal. But a stone that’s coated in burnt flour, cheese, and grease won’t cook as well as it could. Keeping your pizza stone clean helps it heat more evenly, so your bases bake properly, toppings cook through, and you get that golden, crisp finish you’re aiming for.
Before you start: Common pizza stone cleaning mistakes to avoid
A few simple missteps can shorten the life of a pizza stone, but they’re easy to avoid once you know what to look out for. At Ooni, these are some of the most common mistakes we see oven owners making:
- Avoid using water: It is important that you do not apply any liquid directly to the stone or submerge the stone in water. Because stones are porous, they absorb moisture; a soaked stone may break the next time it heats up, and sudden temperature changes can cause cracks.
- Avoid using soap and detergents: The stone can absorb chemicals and release unwanted "soapy" flavours into your food later. You should avoid all cleaning agents when cleaning your pizza stone.
- Avoid harsh metal scourers: Scrubbing with very harsh metal tools can damage the stone’s surface, creating grooves that trap food and make sticking more likely.
- Don't force it to look brand new: A few stains, dark spots, and light marks are part of the stone’s natural seasoning. Focus on keeping the surface smooth and free of thick, raised patches rather than scrubbing away stains.
What you’ll need to clean your pizza oven
You don’t need anything fancy to keep your oven in top shape. In fact, the simpler your tools, the better.
- A stiff brush or scraper: Use a tool that can remove burnt‑on bits without cutting into the stone, such as the Ooni Pizza Oven Brush.
- A clean, dry cloth or paper towel: To wipe away loose debris from the stone.
- Light dish soap and water: For cleaning the exterior of the pizza oven only.
- Protective gloves: Always wear these when handling and cleaning your oven.
How to clean a pizza stone: step‑by‑step
Cleaning a pizza stone is all about patience and heat. Whether you use your stone in an indoor oven or an Ooni outdoors, the basic approach stays the same: let it cool, scrape carefully, and use heat to deal with stubborn spots.
Step 1: Burn off Debris Before Brushing
If you’ve got food debris on your stone, simply turn the oven on and run it at top temperatures for 30 minutes. Most debris will carbonise and burn off. Once the oven has cooled, use your brush to remove anything left over. Use a sideways motion and a back-and-forth scrub to loosen hardened bits, then sweep the debris out of the oven. For a clean finish, wipe the surface with a dry cloth.
Note: If cleaning the Ooni Rotating Pizza Stone, use your brush to remove debris between pieces and wipe the sensor with a dry cloth or paper towel.
Step 2: Flip Your Pizza Stone
If you still have stubborn bits after the oven cools, carefully remove your stone, flip it over, and place it back inside. The next time you cook, the high heat against the bottom of the stone will "self-clean" that side.
Step 3: Cleaning the Oven Exterior
While the stone must stay dry, you can keep the outside of your oven looking sharp. Once the oven is completely cool, use a damp cloth with a small amount of light dish soap to wipe down the exterior shells. Dry it immediately with a clean towel to avoid streaks.
Can you clean an Ooni pizza stone with water/soap?
No. We do not recommend washing your pizza stone with soap or water. It’s especially important that you never:
- Soak your pizza stone.
- Put it in a dishwasher.
- Run water over the stone (hot or cold).
All of these can cause cracking and permanent damage. While soap is great for the exterior of the oven, it should never touch the stone, as the porous material will hold onto the detergent and ruin the flavour of your next pizza.
