The 5 Best Pizza Stones in 2020 for Family Pizza Night

Introduced over 30 years ago, the best pizza stones have been helping family pizza night preserve that old-world authentic feel ever since. If you are tired of making soggy pizza, we can offer some crispy perfection for you below:

In a hurry? Our top rated pizza stones for ovens and grills are: 

1. CastElegance – 16″ Round Pizza Stone (Oven & Grill) — Overall
2. Mulandd – 16″ Round Pizza Stone (Oven & Grill) — For the Grill
3. ROCKSHEAT – 12×15″ Rectangular Pizza Stone — Small Ovens
4. Heritage – Pizza Stone – Non-Staining Black — Elegant Kitchens
5. Honey-Can-Do -14×16″ Rectangular Pizza Stone — Large Families

Read on to learn more…

How Big Should My Pizza Stone Be?

This depends on the size of your oven. Ideally, your stone should touch the sides so it can heat up quicker and stay hot longer.

This is crucial if you want your food to have that authentic wood-fired taste and texture. Most household ovens can’t reach the temperatures needed to achieve this taste, so getting a stone that heats quickly is essential.

What is the Best Material to Use for a Pizza Stone?

So, what are pizza stones made of? Common materials include stone, steel, ceramic, or clay — but the best ones are made from stone or steel.

Cordierite is the most common stone variety, as it heats evenly and absorbs moisture to make the crispiest crusts. 

Some modern pans are now made from metal such as baking steel. Baking steel is less likely to break and usually heats up faster. 

Which is Better: Pizza Stone or Pizza Steel?

We recommend a traditional stone. It’s usually more affordable and absorbs moisture from your dough, giving you that perfect crispy base. It can be high maintenance, though, and breaks easily if not cared for well.

For a more durable stone, opt for baking steel, which is easier to clean and heat. Baking steel is usually more expensive and heavier, so if you’re on a budget or need something easy to lift and move, we recommend cordierite.

Does a Pizza Stone Make a Difference?

Most who start using baking stones never go back. A stone really does make a difference, but only if you follow these tips:

• Preheat: Place your stone in a cold oven and preheat it gradually for about an hour. This helps to prevent thermal shock, which can cause stone to break.
• Oil: You won’t need to use any oil, although a sprinkling of cornmeal can help your base slide off easily with no mess.
• Cool: Let the stone cool down before removing it from the oven. You can even leave it in there permanently, as it won’t affect your cooking at all, other than making it easier to distribute heat.
• Clean: To clean your stone, simply wipe it with a cloth in warm water. Make sure you don’t use soap, as the porous material will absorb it and could make your food smell and taste like soap.
• Drying: Dry it in the oven or leave it to air dry.

What Drove Our Ratings

• Strength: Cordierite is durable and high-quality
• Value for money: Cheaper doesn’t mean better, but you don’t need to break the bank
• Heat resistance: The higher, the better

Our Top-Rated Best Pizza Stone — Overall

The CastElegance – 16″ Round Pizza Stone is arguably the best pizza stone for BBQ and ovens, alike. It’s made from thermarite, which is a highly durable natural stone and can withstand temperatures up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit — perfect for grilling.

Eighty-one percent of customers have given this product a 5-star rating as of the date of publishing. Users love it for the BBQ and comment on the manufacturer’s excellent customer service.

We gave this our #1 spot because of its strength, heat resistance, and fabulous customer service from the manufacturer.

In January 2020, James T. (a verified customer) said: “The attention to excellence is clear every step of the way, from product to packaging, and instructions.”

Negatives? Some users reported a strong odor, despite the manufacturer’s claim that its stones are odorless. Just as many customers reported that they didn’t have this issue. Several reported that this issue seems to self-resolve after a few uses. If it does not, then call customer service.

Our Top-Rated Best Pizza Stone — For the Grill

The Mulandd – 16″ Round Pizza Stone is great for pizza, baked goods, and for crisping leftovers. As we drool over the thought of pizzas, 70 percent of customers have given this product a 5-star rating. Users especially love the crispy base this stone produces.

We gave this our #2 spot thanks to its affordability, durability, and performance.

In February 2020, C. Huynh (a verified customer) said: “It is easy to clean, easy to use, and is a durable stone.”

Negatives? The few complaints seem to be that this stone is 15 inches in diameter, not the 16 inches advertised. It still makes a great pizza, though.

Our Top-Rated Best Pizza Stone — Small Ovens

The ROCKSHEAT – 12×15″ Rectangular Pizza Stone is great for smaller ovens and grills. Seventy-three percent of customers have given it top marks so far.

Users report that it’s ideal for camper van ovens, as it distributes heat evenly. It’s on the thin side, which means it’ll heat up faster. Also, you can safely use it at temperatures up to 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit.

We love the built-in handles that make it easy to move without taking up additional space.

We gave this our #3 spot because of its innovative handles and compact size.

In November 2019, jem0070 (a verified customer) said: “The thickness of this stone is … a plus… The molded handles ensure the ability to place it on the grate gently…”

Despite this, some users reported a chemical odor and staining. Staining is common with cordierite, a stone that cannot be washed using detergent. Remember not to use oil or grease, either, as this can cause the unpleasant smell these customers experienced.

Negatives? Some home chefs reported an unpleasant odor and said it stained easily. Many pizza stones have an odor for the first few uses. It seems to dissipate over time.

Our Top-Rated Best Pizza Stone — Elegant Kitchens

The Heritage Pizza Stone is a great option if you dislike the look of stained stone. It’s matte black on one side, which means stains won’t show up as easily.

Seventy-five percent of customers have awarded 5/5 for this product at the time of writing this review. It’s one of the best pizza stones for oven and grills and comes with a handy cutter wheel for slicing your pizza.

We gave this our #4 spot because of its elegant design and lifetime guarantee.

In July 2019, Peter Barron (a verified customer) said: “[This] is a gorgeous stone that’s easy to clean and use. It heats up evenly and makes an amazing pizza from scratch.”

Some users reported their purchase arrived broken or that it cracked after a few uses. While this might come down to delivery rather than quality, it is concerning. The manufacturer claims that this stone is guaranteed for life, so it’s worth contacting them if you receive a broken product.

Negatives? Some customers reported that their stone broke sooner than anticipated. If this happens, call customer service.

Our Top-Rated Best Pizza Stone — Large Families

Made from a range of lead-free clays, the Honey-Can-Do -14×16″ Rectangular Pizza Stone is one of our favorite pizza baking stones.

Seventy percent of customers have given this product a 5-star rating as of the date of publishing. They particularly love the size — you can make pizzas for the whole family with this one.

We love the raised edges on the base, which make it easy to pick up from the kitchen counter. No more dropped pizzas! Come on; we know you’ve done it.

We gave this our #5 spot thanks to its low price point and large surface area.

In May 2019, Guitar Maniac (a verified customer) said: “Love that it’s rectangular, as my hand-made pizzas rarely come out as a circle. … It retains heat very well.”

Common complaints relate to odor and difficulty cleaning the stone. That said, most customers didn’t have a problem with either, so it may come down to personal preference.

Some home chefs reported an unpleasant smell when heated. This is fairly normal for pizza stones. The odor seems to dissipate over time. Also, some people said it was too heavy, so please compare its weight to what you are comfortable lifting before purchasing.

Additional Pizza Tools

One of my favorite parts of making pizza is serving it. Ever since I was a boy, I’ve especially like the part where you use the pizza cutter. So, I have to admit that I am hesitant to suggest this one. Its a new-world spin on the old-world cutting wheel.

A pizza peel will help you remove the pizza from your oven or grill without having to move the stone or pan. This is optional since you can just move the stone, but this method is easier and safer.

If you are on the fence about a pizza stone, then you might consider a pizza pan instead. This super-popular pan is lighter than its stone counterparts and heats evenly.

Ohh… and you are going to want some good oven mitts, but not your grandmother’s kind. You’re going to want oven mitts that work well for pizza stones. You can send me a thank you note later!

May I conclude by saying “Mama Mia”?

We’re sure Old Stone Oven would be proud of how far baking stones have come in the last 30 years. With the advent of baking steel and new ways of constructing ceramic pizza stone, your options are limitless.

If you’re looking for some excellent pizza recipes to go with your new pizza stone, then you might like our three gluten-free, vegetarian, and keto-friendly fathead pizza recipes… they’re delicious!

For us, the clear winner is the CastElegance – 16″ Round Pizza Stone). We love the premium thermarite for its strength and ability to withstand high heat. It also makes a truly delicious pizza!