FAQs
Is the Baking Steel pre-seasoned?
Yes. Your Baking Steel comes pre-seasoned with a coat of organic flaxseed oil, baked on in a commercial oven. It's ready to use right out of the box. Over time it will darken and develop a nonstick patina, just like cast iron.
How long should I preheat it?
One hour at 500°F. Longer than feels reasonable, and it's the single most common reason a first pizza disappoints.
Your oven reaches temperature in about fifteen minutes and beeps. The steel doesn't. It needs the rest of that hour to fill with heat, and stored heat is what gives you a crisp bottom instead of a pale one. Use regular bake rather than convection. I put a thermocouple on both and bake brings the steel back faster between pizzas.
Why is my food sticking?
Almost always because the steel isn't hot enough. The nonstick surface comes from heat, not just seasoning. Give it the full hour at 500°F and your dough should release on its own.
How should I clean it?
Skip the soap and water. Let the steel cool completely, then use a bench scraper or metal spatula to lift off any stuck-on bits. Wipe it down with a dry towel. If it needs more, we sell a pumice cleaning brick.
Can I leave it in my oven all the time?
Yes, and many people do. It can even help your oven hold a steadier temperature. Just move it to a middle or lower rack when you're baking pizza or bread.
Can I use it on a grill or over a fire?
Yes. Gas grills, charcoal grills, fire pits, campfires. We cook on all of them.
One thing to know before you do. A Baking Steel works beautifully over a campfire or fire pit and plenty of us cook that way, but the heat is uncontrolled and warping is a real possibility. Our warranty covers normal grill use. Cooking over open flame is at your own risk.
Two more things worth knowing. Support the whole steel rather than just the ends, since an unsupported middle can sag at high heat. And let it cool where it sits when you're done. Never quench a hot steel.
Is Baking Steel food-safe?
Our steels are solid, low-carbon, American-made steel with no coating and no non-stick surface. The only thing applied to them is organic flaxseed oil, baked on by hand before they ship. It's the same material used in food service griddles and restaurant kitchens, and it has been a cooking surface for generations, the same way cast iron has.
Does it need a Prop 65 warning?
No. Baking Steel does not carry a Proposition 65 warning label. It's low-carbon steel with no coating, and nothing is applied to it but organic flaxseed oil.
What are the dimensions and weight?
The Original is 16" x 14" x 1/4" and weighs 15 pounds. It's solid and heavy, and that's what makes it work.
We also make the Pro (16" x 16" x 3/8", 27 lbs), the Modernist Cuisine Special Edition (3/8", 22 lbs) and the Plus (15" x 20", 22 lbs).
How do I store it?
Slide it into a cabinet, leave it in the oven, or keep it flat on a shelf. Just make sure it's dry.
Why are there scratches on my steel?
Those marks usually come from our seasoning process, not from damage. They're normal and they don't affect performance. Your steel will look better the more you cook on it.
What about rust?
Surface rust, discoloration and patina are natural characteristics of carbon steel, the same as cast iron. They don't affect performance. With proper care and regular seasoning, rust can usually be prevented or removed. If you're not sure how to care for your steel, email us. We're happy to help.
Will my Baking Steel stay perfectly flat?
Every steel is surfaced flat before it ships. After heating past 500°F and cooling a few hundred times, it can develop a very slight bow. That's normal, and it won't change how your steel cooks. A slight bow isn't a defect, and it isn't grounds for a warranty claim or a free exchange.
Direct, uncontrolled flame, like a campfire or bonfire, can warp a plate. That isn't covered.
Do Baking Steels come with a warranty?
Yes. All Baking Steel products are backed by a limited lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship under normal household use. If your steel cracks or breaks during normal use in a home oven or on a household grill, we'll replace it. It covers the original purchaser and anyone who receives a Baking Steel as a gift.
The warranty doesn't cover surface rust, patina, cosmetic wear, or damage from misuse or thermal shock. Full details are on our Warranty & Returns page.
Still have a question? Email us at info@bakingsteel.com. A real person reads every one.