Why Pizza Stones Break Outdoors and How to Protect Them for Years

There's nothing quite like a pizza oven for summer cooking. However, after a season outdoors or winter storage, you may find your pizza stone has cracked.

Moisture is usually to blame, explains pizza specialist Vickie Hawley, founder of a popular outdoor cooking brand. When the stone faces temperature changes—particularly in spring—the moisture inside can expand and contract, leading to cracks and ruining your pizza plans.

The remedy is straightforward: invest in a high-quality cover to safeguard your pizza oven throughout the year. Here’s how to keep your oven in tip-top shape for summer.

A leading brand offers a selection of covers tailored for their pizza ovens, all available on their website. Each cover is designed to repel water, withstand UV rays, and protect against wind, frost, and insects.

For Ooni users, their site provides covers and carrying cases for every model, ensuring complete weather protection.

This waterproof cover for the Ninja pizza oven is made with UV-resistant fabric, adjustable drawstrings, and elastic sides for a snug fit.

Many mistakenly believe that outdoor pizza ovens can be left exposed year-round. Temperature changes can severely damage the stone, particularly if not properly cleaned after use.

Vickie explains, 'Pizza stones can crack from thermal shock due to rapid temperature shifts and moisture exposure. Leaving a hot stone outside when temperatures drop can cause the heat and moisture to compromise the material.'

'Moisture trapped in the stone expands when reheated, which can also lead to cracks.'

The key is to find a cover that fits snugly around the base, shielding it from extreme temperature changes. A strong, weatherproof cover keeps moisture out and protects the stone, ensuring it's ready for use.

In addition to selecting the right cover, Vickie emphasizes the importance of curing your stone after extended inactivity, before the first use, and following a thorough cleaning.

'Curing involves slowly increasing the oven's temperature using kindling and an eco-friendly firelighter, maintaining a steady temperature between 200-250°C (392-482°F) for four to five hours. Avoid hardwood logs during this stage,' she advises.

This gradual heating helps remove any leftover moisture from the stone, minimizing the chance of cracks.

Additional Tools to Consider

To master the art of pizza-making at home, you’ll need more than just great recipes. Here are six must-have tools and accessories for your summer pizza parties.

Prices listed are accurate at publication time.

This infrared thermometer ensures your pizza oven’s stone is perfectly heated for cooking. Features include an LED screen, Celsius and Fahrenheit options, and single or continuous read modes.

This 12″ Ooni Perforated Pizza Peel is crafted from anodized aluminum with a heat-resistant nylon handle for safe handling.

This cookbook features over 75 pizza recipes alongside essential techniques, plus 20 outdoor recipes to help you maximize your pizza oven’s potential.

For a permanent setup, the Arc Lite outdoor pizza oven features a rolling flame system that mimics traditional wood-fired ovens, cooking a 12