| Step | Do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Preheat | Max heat, 45–60 min from cold | Stone must fully soak up heat |
| Launch | Floured peel or parchment | Pizza slides on without sticking |
| Clean | Scrape and wipe, no soap | Porous stone soaks up soap |
| Never | Cold water or surface while hot | Thermal shock cracks it |
How to Use a Pizza Stone
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Put the cold stone on a middle or lower rack, heat the oven to its highest setting, and let the stone soak up that heat for a full 45–60 minutes before you bake. Slide the pizza on with a peel dusted with semolina or flour (or on parchment), and the stored heat crisps the base fast — never wash it with soap or plunge it in cold water while hot, which cracks it.