I received a pizza stone for a gift. However with use, it has turned very dark almost burned looking. I am not able to restore it to its original color. What did I do or not do to have this happen. My daughter-in-law has a stone and has used it as much as I have and hers does not look like mine. Please help.
The darker the stone becomes the more seasoned and non-stick it becomes. And don't used soap or cleaners on your stone. Just water and a rag or brush and scrap off any baked on bits if necessary.
I throw mine in the oven during the self cleaning cycle, and it comes out as if it is new.
WHATEVER you do, don't clean it with soap or any cleaners of any kind. It will stay in the stone forever.
I also have a Pampered Chef baking stone. IT is about 15 years old. At the 1st demonstration for items we were told that the stone, once used, would continue to darken. Mine looks almost black. We were also told never, but never to use anything to clean it except water & a paper towel.
I accidently left mine in the oven during the self-cleaning cycle. It came out looking like new. I did look it up and they don't recommend doing this though because it could crack your stone and then it would not be under warranty anymore.
I was told never to use soap or cleaner. Scrap food debris after your stone has cooled down from cooking. If you absolutely feel you need to rinse, to do a quick rinse and immediate dry with a towel. Then condition it with a light rub of olive oil. I agree the stone has character with the spots and darkening. And much like cast iron cooking it becomes "seasoned" and non-stick after several uses.
The color is normal, nothing to worry about. I have a stone and also loaf pans, and they are discolored, too. It's just a sign of use.
It's supposed to darken with use - the darker it is the less "sticking" it does. It's now seasoned.
Mine is very dark. It is ok. Don't do anything to it.
The darker the better, your pizza's will taste better
It is supposed to darken with use.The darker it becomes, the better it cooks.
I have one from Pampered Chef. Mine has been used a lot and has gotten dark and very smooth. I thought this was the way you were suppose to keep it.
I'm so sorry I didn't see this before.
I bought 2 pizza stones, one large, one medium at garage sales and my grandson uses them all the time, and they got oily, stained, burnt, etc.
Threw them in the oven on middle shelves when self cleaning,
thinking if they cracked well.....they came clean as new and I let them cool before touching. Perfect.
Its not really possible to put it inside the oven during cleaning cycle because of the removal of the wire shelves. If you leave the wire shelves in during cleaning, the gliding action of the shelves is permanently disrupted.
