What baking surface do you use for your pizza?

Most people use pizza stones or a run-of-the-mill pizza pan.

Those can work great, but did you know there’s another option?

I’m talking pizza steels, baby.

A pizza steel, also called baking steel, is a flat, thick slab of steel used as a baking surface for pizzas. The design conducts heat quickly and evenly, producing a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese.

Pizza steel is quickly becoming a popular alternative to traditional pizza pans and stones for home cooks and professional chefs.

In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the benefits of using a baking steel, and critical factors to consider when buying — and highlight some pizza steels if you are interested in purchasing one.

Benefits of Using a Pizza Steel

Why choose baking steel when baking pizza? Easy, it’s designed for cooking the perfect pie.

Pizza steels retain and conduct heat well, allowing you to cook pizza at a higher temperature in a regular home oven. This is excellent because pizza is traditionally cooked quickly in a hot oven.

Basically, a pizza steel lets you better replicate this method at home.

Pizza steel is generally more durable and easier to clean than other pizza cooking surfaces. Some are coated with a non-stick material, making them easier to use and maintain.

Pizza steels differ, but many allow you to use them in a conventional oven, a wood-fired oven, or even on a grill or outdoor pizza oven.

Top Pizza Steels to Consider Purchasing

To steel or not to steel that is the question.

No, we aren’t talking about theft; we are talking about your options when purchasing baking steel for pizza.

Here is a list of top pizza steels you may consider purchasing.

The Original Baking Steel ®

The Original Baking Steel® is considered one of the top pizza steels on the market.

According to the maker, everything from the shape and size to the weight and seasoning process has been finely tuned to produce the best pizza steel. The company experimented with dozens of different combinations over the course of 6+ months before perfecting the design.

The Original Baking Steel offers a Perfect Pizza Guarantee, where within the first 30 days of purchase, customers can make delicious restaurant-style pizza in their home oven or get a full refund. This steel has over 120,000 happy customers.

Primica Pizza Steel 

The Primica Pizza Steel is made from high-quality steel, it can be used for both ovens and BBQ grills and has received an impressive 4.7 out of 5 stars from 200+ customer ratings on Amazon.

The steel measures 16″ x 13.4″ x ¼” and is square but also has a 13.6” x 13.6” x ¼” version for smaller pizzas. The steel is made with carbon steel that has almost 20x the conductivity and doubles the heat capacity of most ceramic stones, steel stones, and conductive plates in the marketplace.

Additionally, its sleek design gives a minimalist aesthetic. The steel is hand washable and is an excellent pizza tool that can be used at home.

Pizza Steel PRO by Hans Grill

The Pizza Steel Pro by Hans Grill is a square conductive metal baking sheet for cooking pizzas in an oven or on a grill. It is made from 1/4″ thick steel and is 14.9 x 11.8 inches.

This pizza steel has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars with 11,000+ ratings and is the #1 Best Seller in Pizza Grilling Stones on Amazon. Customers have rated the product high in sturdiness, ease of use, and value for money.

Another bonus is that it comes with a pizza paddle and a promise of a free return if it doesn’t meet your expectations.

TCFUNDY Pizza Steel

Looking for a more affordable pizza steel?

Consider the The TCFUNDY Pizza Steel with its $39.99 price tag.

It is made from solid carbon steel; this product is designed to take advantage of steel’s high thermal mass, replenish heat inside your oven, and keep consistent temperatures, reducing fluctuations in oven temperature.

This pizza steel is pre-seasoned with premium flaxseed oil, and the manufacturer recommends performing a pre-seasoning operation after cleaning to protect the steel.

The size of the pizza steel is 10” x 13.5”, 1/4″ thick, with a 1” grip and hang hole.

Customers have rated the product high on Amazon, with 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon. However, keep in mind there are only 15+ ratings and no manufacturer’s warranty.

Artisan Steel – High Performance Pizza Steel

The Artisan Steel High Performance Pizza Steel is a great option for anyone who wants to make delicious, crispy pizza at home. With 4.7 out of 5 stars from 750+ ratings on Amazon, this steel pizza stone is ultra-conductive, allowing for fast cook times and beautiful, crispy crusts.

It is also low friction, making it easy to slide pizzas in a home oven, and at 16″ x 14.25″ x .25″ and 16lbs, it is a solid and heavy-duty option that will not break under high temperatures.

It is easy to wash and care for and only needs to be re-seasoned.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Pizza Steel

Considering making a pizza steel purchase?

There are a few things you should take into account.

Thickness.

Thickness is critical when choosing a pizza steel. The thickness of the steel determines the baking time because thicker steel can retain more heat, which allows it to transfer more heat to the bottom of the pizza during baking.

Here is a great resource to learn more about pizza steel thickness.

Heat conductivity.

Look for highly conductive steel, ensuring even heat distribution and faster cook times.

Care and maintenance.

Some pizza steels require more maintenance than others. Look for a steel that is easy to clean and can be seasoned infrequently.

Brand reputation.

Look for a brand with positive reviews and a good reputation in the market.

Price.

Consider how much you are willing to spend on a pizza steel, and look for one that fits within your budget. It may be worth spending more to get a higher quality steel.

Conclusion

Will a pizza steel steal your heart? It’s possible.

Using a baking steel is a great way to cook pizza at home or professionally and may take your cooking game to the next level.