Sur La Table · Pizza Stones & Baking Surfaces
Sur La Table 18" x 13.5" Cordierite No-Slip Pizza Stone
Lower concern. Uncoated cordierite is inherently PFAS-free.
Pizza stone made from cordierite ceramic with no nonstick coating or surface treatment. Cordierite is a mineral material that does not contain or require PFAS.
The safe swap
Nordic Ware
Nordic Ware Pizza Stone Set
90/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Cordierite ceramic stone, no coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Thermal stress cracking and particle shedding
Although cordierite is engineered for thermal shock resistance, sudden temperature changes or thermal cycling over years may cause hairline cracks. Shed ceramic particles are not toxic but pose a minor choking or texture risk if ingested with food.
Moisture absorption and mold growth
Porous cordierite can absorb ambient moisture if stored in damp conditions. While the stone itself will not harbor pathogenic mold, prolonged wetness may cause internal stress or surface degradation; proper drying and dry storage eliminate this risk.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Lead
This product is explicitly uncoated cordierite with no glaze or enamel finish. No coating-related contamination has been reported for this specific model or Sur La Table's pizza stone line.
Source: ATSDR ↗Aluminum or silicate leaching into food
Cordierite is chemically stable under normal cooking temperatures (up to 500F typical use, material safe to 1200F). No published data indicates migration of magnesium, aluminum, or silicate ions into food under standard pizza-baking conditions.
Contaminants from manufacturing or clay source
Sur La Table has not publicly disclosed cordierite sourcing or manufacturing quality audits. No trace metal contamination (arsenic, nickel, cobalt) has been reported for consumer cordierite pizza stones in independent testing.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Cordierite is a naturally occurring magnesium-aluminum silicate mineral fired into a dense ceramic body, specifically engineered for thermal shock resistance and high heat retention. Unlike glazed or enameled cookware, this Sur La Table stone has no coating, glaze, or finish applied to its surface, which eliminates the primary routes for lead, cadmium, or synthetic polymer leaching. The porous ceramic structure allows moisture to evaporate during preheating, reducing steam-induced cracking and prolonging the stone's lifespan.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sur La Table has not published detailed chemical safety certifications or third-party testing results for this specific product in publicly available documents. The brand does not maintain a vocal PFAS reduction stance, though cordierite pizza stones are inherently PFAS-free by design since they contain no non-stick coatings or water-repellent treatments. No recalls or safety complaints specifically naming this product have been recorded in FDA or CPSC databases.
How it compares in its category
Uncoated cordierite stones are among the safest pizza stone options available, avoiding risks present in coated or glazed alternatives that may contain lead in colored decorations or synthetic polymers. Compared to cast iron or stainless steel pizza pans, cordierite eliminates metal leaching concerns while offering superior heat distribution. Cordierite stones are more durable than terracotta or ceramic tiles, which can shed particles or crack more easily under thermal stress.
If you buy it
Season the stone by preheating it gradually to room temperature before first use and avoid sudden temperature changes, which can cause cracking despite cordierite's heat-shock resistance. Do not use soap or submerge the stone; instead, scrape off food residue with a wooden or plastic tool and wipe dry. If the stone develops visible cracks or surface flaking, discontinue use and replace it. Store in a dry location to prevent moisture absorption that can degrade the stone over many cycles.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 88% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Sur La Table has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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More pizza stones & baking surfaces grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.