A baking stone has many different uses, whether you plan on making anything from pizza to bread to even cookies or casseroles. But when it comes to choosing one there are many different options to consider and so learning about the different materials and brands will give you a better idea of exactly which kind is right for you.

Baking stones can be made of a variety of materials, some from marble, others ceramic, and many other possible materials. At any rate, whether you are using it for keeping your oven evenly warm or plan on cooking on it, you will want to make sure whatever you choose to use is made specifically for cooking. Many people talk of buying inexpensive tiles at their local home improvement store as a cheap solution, however there are many risks to doing this. Most tiles meant for flooring are not tested to see if they contain any levels of lead or other materials that may be toxic.

Before purchasing a baking stone, you will want to think about what purpose you plan on using it for. If you are planning to make pizzas for example, there are many pizza stones that can be used both in the oven and on the grill. If you just want something to help even out the heat, then other types might be just as well.

Many people wonder if it is worthwhile to upgrade to the more expensive ones, such as Cordierite (sometimes also misspelled as corderite) baking stones. While it is true these ones can sometimes be more appealing, we’ve come to find the difference doesn’t necessarily justify the higher price – and unfortunately all stones over time and use have the tendency to crack or break. (Especially if you are a clumsy cook who has a habit to drop things accidentally!)

Fibrament stones are the only ones which we are aware of that come with a 10 year guarantee, and so for this reason they may be a better choice for some than others.

Here is another one available online that has some promising reviews, though with most very heavy and fragile items, receiving a broken one the first time you order it is quite likely.

Old Stone Oven

Because of the fragile nature of baking stones, it is very important you learn to season one properly, never allow it to heat up or cool down to quickly, and of course be careful about dropping it! Many people like to instead buy one at a local kitchen specialty shop in person because of the fragility, but this is not always possible depending on your location.

Have any tips you’d like to share for using a baking stone? Share it in the comments below!