Hello! When preheating your oven for pizza, precision is key to getting that crispy crust and properly melted cheese.
For a standard home oven, you should preheat it to its highest temperature, usually between 450 and 550 degrees Fahrenheit, for at least 30 to 45 minutes. If you are using a pizza stone or a baking steel, that extended preheat time is absolutely essential so the stone can absorb enough thermal energy.
Place your stone on the rack while the oven heats up. Skipping this step or starting with a cold oven will result in a soggy crust, so taking the extra time to let the oven fully heat is well worth it for your meal prep.