9 Best Bread Baking Stones Of 2023
A baking stone can help you enhance your baking skills and bake crusty pizza and evenly golden bread in the oven.
But if you are new to these stone slabs for baking, you might be at a loss about what type of baking stone to buy as they come in different materials, sizes, and shapes.
What are the best bread baking stones? The best bread baking stones are made of materials that conduct heat evenly, such as ceramic, cordierite, clay, and cast iron. To choose the best baking stone for you, consider the size, shape, finish, and usability of the baking tool.
In this article, we will tell you not only the primary criteria to consider when buying a baking stone but also what are the main differences between baking steel and stones.
Additionally, we have picked nine of the best bread baking stones. No matter which one you choose, you are guaranteed to get perfectly baked bread.
Bread Baking Stones
If you are an avid baker, you have most likely considered buying a bread baking stone.
A baking stone will help you achieve evenly baked pizza crust and bread.
Ovens have cold and hot spots as the temperature is higher near the areas where the heating elements are located. A good baking stone is a great solution to your uneven baking problem.
These stones heat up evenly and retain that heat well. You do not need to move the bread around to get it to bake evenly.
When on the hunt for a good bread baking stone, you may come across baking steels.
If you already have, you may be wondering what is the difference between the two and when you should use each of them. Here’s everything you should know about baking steels vs. baking stones for bread.
Baking Steel Vs Stone for Bread – Which to Use?
First off, baking steels, as the name suggests, are made of steel. Baking stones are made of different materials – ceramic, cordierite, clay, marble, etc.
Secondly, baking steel heats up more quickly than baking stones. It can also achieve higher temperatures.
One thing that you should know about baking steels and stones is that you need to heat the stone gradually in order not to expose it to thermal shock. Baking steel, however, won’t be affected by drastic changes in temperature.
Lastly, there is a difference in maintenance for baking steels and stones. On one hand, steel won’t break no matter how many times you drop it. But you need to season it to prevent rusting.
On the other hand, bread baking stones are breakable and prone to chipping if you don’t handle them carefully. But they don’t get rusty so long as you clean food leftovers using steel wool and burning the debris away and cleaning it dry cloth.
Baking steels and stones can be used interchangeably. But if you need a baking plate that will heat up quickly, go for a baking steel. Having baking steel is also a better option if pizza is all you need it for.
If the heat up time doesn’t concern you, you might as well buy a bread baking stone and use it for all your baking needs, from pizza to bread and cookies.
Depending on the material, some bread baking stones also absorb moisture. This is one of the secrets to perfectly baked crispy bread. Baking stones are also particularly good at retaining even heat during the baking process.
With all its versatility, stones for bread are usually cheaper than baking steel. So, they are an economical choice too.
Bread Baking Stone – Buyer’s Guide
There are a few things to consider before you buy a baking stone.
Material
Baking stones come in a range of materials. Ceramic and cordierite are two of the most popular ones for baking stones. But you can also find bread baking stones made of clay and cast iron.
Heat resistance and moisture-absorbing properties of baking stones depend on their material. So, before you buy one, having a basic knowledge of the specifics of each material would be helpful.
- Cordierite: Cordierite slabs are more expensive compared to bread stones made of other materials. This naturally occurring mineral is very durable and has great heat conductivity. An issue people often face with baking stones is breaking them because of temperature changes. With cordierite slabs, the chances of facing such problems are low as it is easy to get them heated.
- Ceramic: Ceramic bread baking stones are very popular. One reason to pick a ceramic bread baking plate is that it absorbs moisture and will provide the crispiest results. But keep in mind that you need to be extra careful with ceramic baking stones as they break easily if not handled with caution.
- Cast iron: If all that matters to you is the durability of your bread baking stone, cast iron is your best bet. It also heats up quickly, thus saving you time. There is practically no risk of breaking your cast iron baking stones, either.
Finish
Bread baking stones can have a glazed or unglazed finish. Baking stones are made of primarily natural materials and are often unglazed. Unglazed stones are good at soaking moisture and providing crispier baked goods.
While glazed baking stones also absorb moisture to a certain extent, the small cracks on these plates are mostly covered.
Shape and Size
When it comes to shapes, rectangular and square stones are more versatile compared to their round counterparts.
More important than the shape of the bread baking stone you are buying is the size. Measure your oven to make sure the stone will fit nicely into it. Pick a stone on the larger side if you often bake two loaves of bread at a time.
Design
Taking a baking stone out of the oven can get you in trouble if you are not good at handling the hot plate, especially when it comes with no handles.
We recommend looking into bread baking stones with built-in handles. These will provide a secure grip on the slab which is something you certainly need when handling it hot.
Versatility
Some baking stones have high heat-resistance, up to 600 degrees. So, you can use them on a gas grill too if you happen to have one.
As far as versatility is concerned, you can also pick a baking stone you can serve the food on. If this is something you’d want to do, pick a baking stone that comes with a serving rack.
Ease of Cleaning
When it comes to cleaning the baking stones, the best thing you can do is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
There are, of course, a few simple rules to follow, such as never cleaning bread baking stones with soap, and cleaning them only when the stone has cooled down.
If you want to make the cleaning process easy, pick a stone that is thicker as it will lower the chances of breaking it.
Picking a glazed bread baking stone will also be helpful if you want to avoid the time-consuming cleaning process. The coating on glazed stones makes cleaning them faster and easier.
Price
Bread baking stones are not as expensive as baking steels. However, you can find baking stones in various price categories.
If you have baking steel and need a stone for baking bread from time to time, you may be comfortable with buying something with a lower price tag.
But if you are looking for a baking tool to cover many of your baking needs, spending a little more on the stone for baking is reasonable as you will certainly get your money’s worth so long as you pick a quality slab and take good care of it.
9 Best Bread Baking Stones
There is a wide variety of baking stones on the market.
But if you are on the hunt for the best bread baking stone, it is important to pick one made of top-quality material or a blend of a few. Only in this case the slab will spread heat evenly and bake crusty and delicious bread.
Here are our top picks for bread baking stones:
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Honey-Can-Do Oven Pizza Stone | Made for oven or on the grill |
| 2. | Unicook Heavy Duty Baking Stone | Heat resistant up to 1450 degrees Fahrenheit |
| 3. | ROCKSHEAT Baking & Grilling Stone | Built-in handle design |
| 4. | Kitchen Craft Cast Iron Baking Stone | Develops non-stick surface over time |
| 5. | Cuisinart Alfrescamore Grilling Stone | Made for oven and outdoor grill |
| 6. | CastElegance Pizza Stone | Crafted with thermarite |
| 7. | Jamie Oliver Pizza Stone & Serving Rack | Comes with a serving rack |
| 8. | Emile Henry Charcoal Pizza Stone | Dishwasher and microwave-safe |
| 9. | Bialetti Ceramic Baking Stone Tiles | 4-piece customizable tile set |
We also have full reviews of each one so you can make the best decision for your bread baking needs. So read on and happy baking!
1. Honey-Can-Do Oven Pizza Stone
Key Features:
- Material: Cordierite
- Shape: Rectangular
- Dimensions: 16 x 14 x 0.75 inches
Soggy bread and pizza are never good. With this clay baking stone by Honey-Can-Do, crispy baked goods are all you get. Made from a blend of lead-free clays, this baking stone features great heat conductivity and bakes bread evenly which can be an issue when baking bread in the oven.
The material is durable and crack-resistant as long as you are careful not to drop it. The rectangular shape allows you to use this stone for a range of baking needs, including pizza crusts, bread, pastries, etc. According to the manufacturer, you can also use this plate for baking vegetables.
The raised edges on the bottom part of the baking stone allow you to grab it securely which is important when handling the hot slab. Due to its high heat resistance, you can use this baking stone in the oven and on the grill.
2. Unicook Heavy Duty Baking Stone
Key Features:
- Material: Cordierite
- Shape: Rectangular
- Dimensions: 14.9 x 11.8 x 0.6 inches
If you are not sure what kind of baking stone you want, it is best to go with such neutral options as this cordierite baking stone by Unicook.
The size of this baking plate is suitable for most ovens. The rectangular shape makes it perfect for using this stone to bake bread or pizza. Due to the natural cordierite material, the slab draws out moisture from the bread as it bakes, thus resulting in crispy and airy bread.
Heat-resistant up to 1450 degrees Fahrenheit, the Unicook cordierite baking stone gets heated evenly. This is key for achieving evenly baked goods. Molded under 400 tons of pressure, this cordierite baking stone is very durable and won’t break easily when exposed to thermal shock.
This baking stone also comes with a scraper. A much-needed tool for not only cutting the dough but also scraping the stone plate when you are cleaning it.
3. ROCKSHEAT Baking and Grilling Stone
Key Features:
- Material: Cordierite
- Shape: Rectangular
- Dimensions: 12 x 15 x 0.6 inches
Cordierite is one of the most durable materials baking stones can be made of. Thus, it is not surprising that many of the best bread baking stones on the market are crafted from this material.
Another great option for cordierite baking stones is this one by ROCKSHEAT. This baking stone is slightly smaller compared to some others on the list. So, it will work perfectly for ovens that are on the smaller side.
The ROCKSHEAT rectangular cordierite baking stone has robust thermal stability and can withstand heat as high as 1400 degrees.
The best part about this baking stone is that it is double-faced with built-in handles. You can get a good grip on the hot plate when taking your pizza or bread out of the oven.
Due to its compact size and optimal thickness, this baking stone is not overly heavy. Additionally, it is free of unpleasant odors and any harmful substances.
4. Kitchen Craft Cast Iron Baking Stone
Key Features:
- Material: Cast iron
- Shape: Round
- Dimensions: 10.6 x 10.6 x 0.8 inches
This cast iron baking stone by Kitchen Crafts is one of the most versatile baking tools you can buy. You can use it on the stovetop for Welsh cakes and pancakes. But you can also put it in the oven to bake pizza or bread.
Made of cast iron, this baking stone is very durable. It retains heat evenly across the entire surface area. As it is also very heavy, the manufacturer has added a carry handle so that you can easily lift and move the stone around when needed.
As this baking stone is on the smaller side, with only 10.6 inches in diameter, it will work better for home cooks who bake for fewer people as you can’t fit a large pizza crust or a loaf of bread on it.
Another good thing about this baking stone is that it develops a non-stick surface over time. This, of course, will only happen if you take good care of it and season the stone with oil following the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Cuisinart Alfrescamore Grilling Stone
Key Features:
- Material: Cordierite
- Shape: Round
- Dimensions: 13 x13 x 0.4 inches
If you like baking pizza on outdoor grills but are also in a need of a surface that will help you bake evenly cooked bread, this grilling stone is surely an option to consider.
The Cuisinart grilling stone is made of cordierite – the most thermal shock-resistant material a baking stone can be made of. And while this product is advertised as a grilling stone, the manufacturer does state that you can use it in the oven too. You can use it to bake pizza on your outdoor grill and bread and desserts in the oven.
This cordierite baking stone doesn’t take too long to heat. Fifteen minutes is enough to preheat the stone and get it evenly heated and ready for bread or pizza.
6. CastElegance Pizza Stone with Thermarite
Key Features:
- Material: Cordierite
- Shape: Rectangular
- Dimensions: 14 x 16 x 0.6 inches
Do you want to excel in bread-baking and take your baked goods to the professional level? Then investing in a good cordierite baking stone is certainly a good idea. It will help you bake deliciously crispy pizza and bread with an evenly golden appearance.
While this baking stone by CastElegance is crafted from cordierite as many other stone plates on the market, there is something that sets it apart from all the rest.
It is thermarite. Thermarite is a type of cordierite material that the brand uses to enhance the moisture absorbance properties of the stone. Thermarite also enhances the durability of the CastElegance baking stones.
Kiln at over 2000 degrees heat, there is no odor to this baking stone. It is also very versatile when it comes to the cooking appliances you can use it in, including electric oven, gas oven, electric, gas, and pellet grills, etc.
You can use the CastElegance baking stone for frozen pizza too. Just put it on the stone heated to 500 degrees and don’t worry about thermal shock.
7. Jamie Oliver Pizza Stone and Serving Rack
Key Features:
- Material: Ceramic
- Shape: Round
- Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 1.57 inches
If you want to buy a baking stone to get into cooking and improve your baking skills and achieve impressive results, what could be better than buying one from the most iconic chefs?
This baking stone by Jamie Oliver is made of ceramic for even heating and well-baked pizza crusts, bread, and biscuits. The material also absorbs moisture, taking the crispiness of your baked goods to another level.
One thing you should know about ceramic baking stones is that you need to preheat them for an hour before baking. Take this into account and put this baking stone in the oven heated to 500 degrees before you start preparing the dough. It should remain in the oven for at least 1 hour.
This ceramic baking stone also comes with a serving rack. Your bread or pizza can go from the oven right on the dinner table.
8. Emile Henry Charcoal Pizza Stone
Key Features:
- Material: Ceramic
- Shape: Rectangular
- Dimensions: 14 x 14 x 1.25 inches
The Emile Henry charcoal baking stone is crafted from ceramic and has a glazed finish. It has two handles for easy grip and a good size for baking bread and pizza.
This charcoal baking stone is versatile when it comes to its uses and cooking appliances you can use it on. You can bake pizza, bread, and even vegetables on it. It is suitable for being used not only in the oven but also on gas, charcoal, and natural grills so long as the temperature is not higher than 930 degrees.
This baking stone is easy to clean as it is dishwasher-safe. Even if you decide to hand-wash it, you will quickly get the stone plate clean as it has a glazed finish.
Another feature that will make you consider buying this baking stone is that it is microwave-safe. Not only can you bake pizza and bread on it but you can also reheat them on the same stone plate.
9. Bialetti Ceramic Baking Stone Tile Set
Key Features:
- Material: Ceramic
- Shape: Square
- Dimensions: 7.5 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
If you are not sure about the size of the baking plate you need, the Bialetti 4-piece baking stone set might be a good option for you. Having a baking stone with customizable size will allow you to bake mini or large pizza crusts, bread, cookies, and biscuits on this tile set.
The tiles are made of ceramic. Thus, they get heated evenly and absorb moisture resulting in crispier baked goods. The ceramic plates also retain heat well.
If you have serving racks, the four ceramic tiles can go separately from the oven directly on the table. Due to their small size, they won’t take away from the rest of the table and won’t occupy much space.
