Pizza Stones vs. Baking Steel vs. Firebrick for Detroit Style Pizza
Last updated on May 8, 2025
Detroit-style pizza is known for its thick, airy crust with a crispy bottom. In restaurants, chefs achieve this texture using specialized deck ovens that provide even, high heat. However, home cooks can get similar results with the right equipment: pizza stones, firebrick, and steel baking pans.
The Benefits of Pizza Stones
A pizza stone, usually made of ceramic or cordierite, helps in distributing heat evenly. When preheated in your oven, the stone absorbs and retains high heat, which is essential for creating a crisp crust. By placing your Detroit-style pizza on a hot stone, the bottom of the dough gets that coveted crispy texture, similar to what you’d get in a deck oven.
Be sure to get your stone nice and hot before putting your pizza in the oven on top of it. I usually allow mine to pre-heat in the oven for an hour if possible.
But don’t be fooled. Not all pizza stones are created equal. A lot of those stones you find in Amazon are crappy. If you’re going to go that route, don’t skimp on it. This is a case where buying the cheapest one out there is not going to get you the same results as the more expensive version. Check this one out:
Firebrick from a Building Supply Company
If you’re willing to put in another effort, what I would do is call up some building supply stores in your area. One of them likely can get the firebricks that are used to make pizza ovens at restaurants. Some of them likely have them in stock and will sell them to you.
Those are thicker than any pizza stone you’re going to get on Amazon and they aren’t going to crack on you the way a flimsy pizza stone will. They are usually cut into 6″ x 4″ rectangles that you fit together to make one large stone in your oven as seen above. Their size and thickness makes them very hard to break.
On top of all that, they are cheap. The bricks I bought at my local building supply store cost me $2.50 each. Buy 6 of them and you should be in good shape to fire up some pizza.
The Advantages of Steel Baking Pans
Steel baking pans are another excellent option. This should not be confused with the steel pans that the pizza is cooked inside of. When I say baking pan I’m talking about this:
These steel pans act like stones in that they go in your oven under your pizza pan and act as a heating agent to crisp the bottom of your dough. If you’re not able to get the firebrick mentioned above, this is what I would go with.
Steel conducts heat better than stone, resulting in an even crispier crust. These pans can withstand higher temperatures and distribute heat more evenly, which is crucial for Detroit-style pizza. You need a significant amount of heat on the bottom to crisp the dough through your Detroit Style cooking pan.
Why Use a Pizza Stone, Firebrick or Steel Pan?
- Even Heat Distribution: Both pizza stones and steel pans help in distributing heat evenly, which prevents the dough from becoming soggy and ensures a uniformly crispy crust.
- High Heat Retention: These materials retain heat better than regular baking sheets, providing the intense heat necessary for a perfect crust.
- Moisture Absorption: Pizza stones, in particular, absorb moisture from the dough, reducing the chances of a soggy bottom.
Tips for Home Cooks
- Preheat: Always preheat your pizza stone or steel pan. Place it in the oven at the desired temperature for at least 30 minutes before baking. I usually let it go for an hour
- Proper Dough Placement: I like to place my pizza on one side of the pizza stone or steel and then halfway through the bake, I’ll move it to the other side of the stone or steel. This gives it a little extra burst of heat with the exposed area being heated more by the oven.
- Place your element close to your heat source: If you’re not getting a golden brown bottom to your crust, try moving your stone or steel down closer to your heating element. Be careful though. If it’s too close, you could burn it. I’ve smoked out a kitchen or two moving my oven rack a little too far down.
Using pizza stones or steel baking pans at home can significantly enhance your Detroit-style pizza experience, making the crust crispy and delicious, just like at your favorite pizzeria. With the right tools and techniques, you can achieve restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen.
