How to Clean Pizza Pans

Making pizza is fun for everyone, but making a delicious treat such as pizza means taking the time to clean up after. The type of solutions and soaps you use may vary depending on the type of pan you have and just how much of a mess there is. Learn how to clean pizza pans with us and you’ll be ready to go for the next pizza.

Types of Pans & How to Clean Them

As we mention in our article about the different types of pizza pans, there’s a wide variety of options to choose from. Depending on the one you use, you may have to trade in the mild soap and water for something more heavy-duty. Check out these cleaning tips for the top three pizza pans used to help you decide which will work best for you.

Pizza Stones

Using this tool can give you the crispy, oven-fired pizza flavor you’ve been craving. When it comes to cleaning it, you’ll want to be careful with what you use as stones are porous and can absorb easily. So how do you clean a pizza stone? Here are a few tips:

• Wet the surface of the stone with a small stream of hot water. You want to avoid using a lot of water because the stone will absorb it quickly and it will be tougher to completely dry.
• Wipe away any food particles with a damp rag.
• Use a stone brush to scrub the tough areas thoroughly.
• Let the stone air dry or use a clean towel to dry it.

Pizza Discs & Screens

Pizza discs and screens can be a bit easier to clean since the crumbs will just roll right off. Here are some tips on cleaning discs and screens the next time you make pizza:

• Fill your sink with warm water and 1 tbsp. of dish-washing liquid.
• Get the pans wet, then sprinkle baking soda over them. If there’s burnt food, use a bit more baking soda.
• Get a sponge wet, then scrub the pan of the burnt food and grease.
• If there’s stuck on food, soak the pans for about 15 minutes.
• Rinse the pan under warm running water and dry with a clean cloth.

Cast Iron

Cast iron pans can be tough to clean because they’re heavy and require a bit of extra care. Here’s the proper way to clean a cast iron pizza pan:

• Clean this pan soon after use, while it’s still warm. If you let it soak, the pan may rust.
• Using a sponge or a stiff brush and hot water, wash the skillet. Avoid using dishwasher soap or steel wool as they can strip the seasoning on the pan.
• Remove stuck-on bits with a paste of coarse kosher salt and water. Then rinse with a paper towel.
• Using a clean towel, thoroughly dry the pan.
• Use either paper towel or a cloth to apply a light coat of vegetable oil inside of the cast iron pan. Buff out any excess oil.
• Store the skillet someplace dry.

Keep your pizza pans nice and clean after each use and you can prolong its life. In the meantime, learn more about pizza pans, football food ideas and more with us!