Pizza/Baking Steel

Most baking steels come in a thickness of 6mm which is great for baking breads and pizza, however, thicker and heavier steels are better for pizza as they can conduct, store and transmit much more heat and quicker  than lighter steels. The more heat you can store and rapidly transmit into your dough, the faster it will cook and provide a better end result.

When deciding between a pizza steel that is 6mm thick versus one that is 10mm thick, both have their pros and cons:

6mm Thick Steel:

• Heat-Up Time: A 6mm thick steel will heat up faster, usually within 30-45 minutes in a typical home oven.
• Weight: It will be lighter and easier to handle, making it more convenient if you need to move it around or store it.
• Heat Retention: While it will conduct heat well, it won’t retain as much heat as a thicker steel, which might be a factor if you’re making multiple pizzas in succession.

10mm Thick Steel:

• Heat Retention: The 10mm thick steel will hold more heat due to its greater mass. This results in a more consistent baking temperature, especially useful if you’re baking multiple pizzas one after the other.
• Crispier Crust: Because it retains more heat, the 10mm steel can produce a slightly crispier crust, which many pizza enthusiasts prefer.
• Weight: It will be significantly heavier, making it more cumbersome to handle and store.
• Heat-Up Time: It will take longer to preheat, possibly requiring up to an hour or more to reach the optimal temperature.

Which is Better?

• If you prioritize convenience and faster heat-up times, the 6mm steel is a good choice.
• If you’re after the best possible pizza with optimal heat retention and don’t mind the extra weight and longer preheat time, the 10mm steel would be better.

Overall, if you’re serious about making the best pizza possible at home and don’t mind the extra weight and time, the 10mm thick steel would likely give you superior results. However, if ease of use and quicker preparation are more important to you, the 6mm option is still excellent.

All steels on the market that are 6mm and above are made from hot-rolled steel, which comes from the factory with a surface coating called mill scale.

Mill scale is a flaky surface layer that forms on hot-rolled steel during the manufacturing process. It consists of iron oxides that develop when the steel is heated to high temperatures, typically during rolling or heat treatment. Mill scale has a bluish-black appearance and is relatively brittle. While mill scale itself is not toxic, it’s generally not considered safe to cook on because it can flake off and potentially get into your food. For this reason, it is essential that the steel receives a surface treatment to remove this coating.

The steel we use undergoes a 6-stage process, starting at the material supplier and ending with a four-stage process that includes preparation and a brushed polished surface procedure enabling excellent adhesion of seasoning wax into the steel. The steel is then cleaned further, coated with our own beeswax seasoning formula, laser engraved, inspected, and packed. This is why our steels do not have scratches and arrive with an appealing shiny surface finish.

Polished sides removing any sharp edges

Seasoning the baking steel creates a protective,  naturally non-stick layer that prevents rust and makes it easier to cook with. The process involves applying a thin layer of seasoning wax and heating it, which bonds the oils to the steel, forming a slick, durable surface. This not only enhances performance by preventing dough from sticking but also extends the life of the steel by protecting it from moisture and corrosion. It’s quite a simple process when using the seasoning wax and full instructions are provided.

We have been manufacturing steels since 2018 and have significantly improved our processes and efficiencies, allowing us to offer a premium baking steel at a great price. We manage our own storage, shipping, and customer service. We don’t sell on Amazon or eBay because it increases costs, and we prefer to pass those savings directly to our customers. Just because you’re paying less doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing quality.

We offer custom laser engraving to personalize your steel. These steels are often purchased as gifts, and adding a name or message can give it that personal touch. We don’t charge for this service; however, if you’re happy to, we suggest a small donation to Cancer Research via our JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/smokerig-bbq.

Simply leave your engraving requests in the notes section at checkout. Please allow 24 hours for us to complete this. If you have any questions about engraving, you can email us or even WhatsApp us at +447421 324084.