A pizza steel (or baking steel) is similar to a pizza stone but made of metal, and it offers superior heat retention and transfer. Here's how to use a pizza steel:

1. Place the Steel in the Oven
Put the pizza steel on the middle or bottom rack of your oven while it's cold. Placing it in a cold oven prevents thermal shock. You can also use it on a grill.

2. Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 475°F to 500°F (250°C to 260°C). Let the steel preheat for at least 20-30 minutes. The steel needs ample time to absorb heat and reach a high temperature for optimal pizza crust crisping.

3. Prepare the Pizza
While the pizza steel is preheating, prepare your pizza on a pizza peel or flat surface dusted with flour or cornmeal to ensure the dough doesn’t stick when you transfer it to the steel.

4. Transfer the Pizza
Slide the pizza onto the preheated steel using a pizza peel or carefully sliding it off parchment paper.

5. Bake the Pizza
Bake for about 6-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the crust and toppings. A pizza steel cooks faster than a stone due to its excellent heat conductivity, so keep a close eye on your pizza.

6. Remove the Pizza
Use the pizza peel or tongs to remove the pizza once it’s done. Let it cool for a minute or two before slicing.

7. Cool the Steel
Allow the steel to cool completely in the oven before removing it.

Additional Tips for Pizza Steel:
Use for Other Baking: Pizza steels are great for baking bread, roasting veggies, or even searing steaks due to their heat retention.