How to Season or Prepare a Biscotto Stone Before First Use

How to Season or Prepare a Biscotto Stone Before First Use

If you’ve just received your new biscotto pizza stone — also known as a biscuit stone — congratulations! These handmade clay stones, crafted near Naples, Italy, are the gold standard for baking Neapolitan-style pizza. But before you fire up the oven, there’s one small but important step: curing (or seasoning) your biscotto stone.

In this quick guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to prepare your stone for first-time use, and how to care for it properly to extend its life.


🧱 What Makes Biscotto Stones Unique?

Each biscotto stone is handmade using natural clay, air-dried, and low-fired to preserve its porous, moisture-wicking structure. This gives your pizza a beautifully crisp base — but it also means each stone is a little unique.
Expect some natural imperfections:

  • Slight size variations

  • Surface scuffs, small chips, or even hairline cracks

These are completely normal and won’t affect performance.

🔄 Always cook on the smooth side of the stone for best results.


🔥 How to Season (Cure) a Biscotto Pizza Stone

This simple one-time process helps remove any residual moisture from production and prevents thermal shock or cracking during use.

Step-by-Step Curing Instructions:

  1. Rinse the stone
    Use cold water only to gently rinse off dust or residue.

    ⚠️ Do not soak the stone — it will absorb too much water.

  2. Let it air dry completely
    Place the stone somewhere cool and dry. This is important — moisture trapped inside the stone can cause it to crack when heated.

  3. Place in a cold oven
    Put the completely dry stone on the oven rack before turning on the heat.

  4. Heat to 50°C (122°F)
    Slowly warm the stone to 50°C and let it sit for 30 minutes. This gently evaporates any residual internal moisture.

  5. Turn off the oven and let it cool naturally
    Don’t remove the stone — allow it to cool fully inside the oven.

That’s it — your biscotto stone is now seasoned and ready to bake! This only has to be done once .


🧽 How to Clean Your Biscotto Stone

  • After each use, let the stone cool naturally.

  • Use a brass bristle brush or dry rag to remove any food bits.

  • If needed, rinse lightly with cold water.

  • Let it air dry completely before next use.

❌ Never use soap, detergent, or a wet stone in a hot oven — it can crack or absorb unwanted flavors.

The Effeuno Pizza Oven Brush, with its long handle and rubber grip, is perfect for cleaning grills. It features a sturdy bristle head with brass bristles arranged in rows for effective scrubbing.


⚠️ Biscotto Stone Care Tips (Don't Skip These!)

  • Never use a wet stone in a hot oven — always let it dry completely.

  • Don’t expose it to sudden temperature changes (e.g., placing it in a preheated oven or on open flame).

  • Avoid banging or dropping the stone — it’s fragile by nature.


Final Thoughts

Taking a few minutes to season your biscotto stone properly is the best way to protect it and get the most out of its performance. Once cured, your stone will reward you with crispy, blistered pizza bases, just like in Naples.