How to Use a Pizza Steel: Step-by-Step Instructions To Make Better Pizza At Home

I’ve always been passionate about making pizza in a regular home oven. Even though I love using a good pizza oven, I didn’t always have this luxury. And I know many would-be pizza chefs don’t have this luxury, either. So I enjoy sharing insights to help them improve their pies.

Of course, trying to get wood-fired styled pizza in a conventional low-temperature oven is incredibly challenging. I’ve spent a lot of time perfecting home pizza recipes and methods.

And one of the most important methods for achieving pizzeria-quality results at home is to use a pizza steel.

What is a Pizza Steel and Why Use One?

A pizza steel is essentially a heavy slab of steel designed to be used in conventional home ovens. The basic idea behind this tool is to preheat it until it’s super hot. Then bake a pizza on top of it.

This results in a crust that’s crispy yet tender. The steel conducts heat much better than a traditional pizza stone, ensuring an evenly cooked crust every time. It’s going to be hard to get a really well-cooked Neapolitan-style pizza crust in a home oven without one.

Related: See my review of my favorite pizza steel (the Ooni Pizza Steel 13) here.

Pizza Steel Instructions

Note: You can find more details and pictures to illustrate how I use my pizza steel on my blog.

Before First Use: Wash the pizza steel by hand using only water. Rinse it thoroughly and dry it completely. This is to remove any debris from the packaging or manufacturing process. Use only paper towels or a lint-free towel.

Preparing Your Pizza: Start by preparing your ingredients according to your favorite pizza recipe (here’s mine). Ensure your pizza dough is fully proofed and relaxed before shaping it. This step is crucial for the best results.

Using the Pizza Steel:

1. Positioning: Place your steel on the middle rack of your home oven and set it to the maximum temperature, usually around 500°F (260°C).
2. Preheating: Preheat the pizza steel until it stops getting hotter. If you don’t have an infrared thermometer to measure the temperature, then preheat your steel for at least one hour.
3. Assembling Your Pizza: When the pizza steel is ready, start assembling your pizza. Stretch the dough by hand, transfer it to a pizza peel, and then add your toppings.
4. Baking: Slide the pizza onto the pizza steel. It should take around 10 minutes to cook. Remember to rotate the pizza 180 degrees at the halfway point to ensure even cooking.
5. Cooling: Once baked to your liking, remove the pizza and place it on a cooling rack for 2–3 minutes before cutting.

Pro-tip: Using a pizza steel is pretty easy — if you know how to use a pizza peel. Watch this video to see how to use a peel with a steel.

Is a Pizza Steel Worth it?

Pizza steels a bit pricier than a pizza stone. But if you’re serious about making great pizza, I’d consider investing in one.

A pizza steel emulates many of the qualities of a professional pizza oven but at a fraction of the cost. It provides a flat, highly conductive baking surface that crisps the underside of the pizza, avoiding the pale, under-cooked crust common with many homemade pizzas.

And compared to pizza stones, a pizza steel conducts heat better and stays hotter longer.

So, if you’re aiming for a superior crust without investing in a pizza oven, a pizza steel is your answer.