clean stoneware pan Pampered Chef Pizza Stone
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This subject may seem a little odd for my blog, because I rarely never discuss cooking. However, I want to make sure that when you are thrifting, that you don’t pass up something like this:
This is a Pampered Chef Pizza Stoneware. I agree, it has seen better days! Some of you know that I do odd jobs, one of those includes cleaning vacant houses occasionally. I “curbed” this stoneware last week at a house that had been vacant for 3 years. The former tenants apparently “stored” it in the bottom of the oven. I’m supposing that the dark spots on the sides may have been “spillage”? It appeared to have never been used for it’s purpose-pizza. It seemed like a hopeless case. I showed it to a friend and she insisted that I not “wash” it. Well, too late! While I was at that house, I scrubbed it with a green scrubby. (that’s what Cathy calls it) It really didn’t do much good. This is what it looked like when I brought it home.
This is what it looks like now! Can you believe this is the SAME stoneware? I promise you it is! I talked to a very wise woman (whoa that sounds weird) Woman-jamie! She’s my go-to girl on so many things. She sold Pampered Chef for a while, and I asked her if she wanted this. She said “yes”, but then I told her that it was in bad shape, and I would probably put it in the oven many times to try to kill anything that might be on it. Her advice? “clean my oven”
huh? clean my oven? “yep, clean your oven and put it in there. That’s what they told us at Pampered Chef” Then she went on to explain that she had a pan that is stinking and that she might want to put hers in her oven during the self clean cycle. I told her to wait and let me put this one in my oven to see what happens. (since it didn’t cost me anything)
I fired up the oven, placing this stoneware right in the middle. Setting it to the self clean cycle the timer automatically came on for 4:20. My oven was not that dirty, and I rarely let it finish the cycle. I didn’t know how long it might take for this stoneware to “redeem itself”. However this time was no exception. I stopped the cycle after about 2 hours 30 minutes. It looked like the stoneware was coming clean, but it was hard to see through the door. I was so anxious for it to cool down enough to open the door.
I was amazed! Oh, and very pleased! These things are not cheap! I teased jamie that I was going to keep it after all.
So, long story short—if you are thrifting and see one of these Pampered Chef pieces, get it! You can give it new life!
Oh, you say you’ve never used one? I have two, the large bar pan (cookie sheet) and the small bar pan (sort of like brownie pan size) and I love them both! Once they are seasoned, they cook breads and cookies perfectly!
Have YOU thrifted any stoneware? If so, now you know how to revive it!
gail
Edited to add: I got an email from someone who had experienced a fire in their oven with their pizza stone. Please check out this link: https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Pizza-Stone It states that ovens are built to withstand a fire, and it says DO NOT OPEN OVEN DOOR, as the oxygen could make the fire worse.
Do not leave your oven unattended during a cleaning cycle. The article also recommends that you heat your oven to 500 degrees (to make the stone hot) before starting the cleaning cycle.
I love my stoneware.. I have a bunch of it… It’s the best… however, i don’t think i could take it from a vacant place.
you are a brave woman!
I never knew you could clean it like that. interesting.
I almost exclusively use stone ware, I think it cooks wonderfully and have many pieces. (a few found at tag sales) woohoo
Thanks Gail! I did forget to take the racks out the first time, it took the shine/finish partially off of them…the smell was HORRENDOUS & they would no longer slide in & out easily. 🙁 I had to buy new ones. Expensive mistake on a brand-new oven. Thanks for thinking of me & my rebellious side though! Haha. 🙂
wow,, thats a great find Gail.. i cant believe how clean it came.
Genius! I never use soap on my to keep it “seasoned” but can never get all of the crusty stuff off. I’ll have to try this!
I have always wanted one of those pizza stones…alas, Pampered Chef is not in the budget just yet
My stone needs to be cleaned too but here’s my dilemma: the racks in my double ovens have to be removed during the self-cleaning cycle. Any suggestions?
Wow Gail I am amazed that is the same piece. I have one of those but don’t use it much… Dennis has tried it out a few times but didn’t like it. Never thought to use it for cookies, that is not likely to happen anytime soon either though… lol… I will definitely keep this in mind if I ever have the need to clean it. Thanks for sharing.
Have a great day.
Hugs, Deb
I’m shocked. That looks better than mine, and I thought I took care of things. Those aren’t cheap either; we need to use the usable. I’m looking forward to warmer weather to open up my house and clean my winter mess from my self-cleaning stove. Otherwise can’t stand the smell! I love stoneware. I’ve never seen any in Goodwill or I’d grab it. Who gives that stuff away! HAHA! When I lived in Texas (a long time ago) a friend and I cleaned empty houses for realy companies. We’d do it late in the evenings when our hubbies could watch the kids. It was a great money making project and we enjoyed the visiting. I’m thinking of doing it again!
Deb
@Debbie I know this is a couple of years late, but today at a Goodwill Outlet (the last stop before the dump) I found the large pan and the muffin pan for $1 each. The flat pan looks rough. I’m trying the baking soda method first… Then maybe the oven thing, but I’m a bit scared to do so!
Who knew. I have to tell my friend who has some very old Pampered Chef stoneware. She’ll be amazed.
I will often use hot water and baking soda. Works well and doesn’t damage the “seasoning”.
That’s very interesting! I’ll be forwarding your blog to my mom. I have a stone but have never used it since I don’t know how to get started. -sigh-