Is ceramic cookware worth a buy? With a handful of cookware options available in the market, choosing the best non-stick cooking appliances can be confusing.
Moreover, the ceramic cookware sets claim to be a healthy and safe option for cooking. But, is that true? Are the ceramic cookware sets gaining increasing popularity for these claims, or are they simply misleading the customers?
To help untangle this, we have come up with this blog that talks about everything you should know about ceramic cookware. Besides that, we even enlisted the pros and cons to help you decide whether it is the right option for you or not.
Continue reading below to explore more information.
What is Ceramic Cookware?
Ceramic cookware is basically of two types. The first type is made of 100% ceramic, and the other type is ceramic-coated appliances.
Let us try to learn more about these types and the characteristic differences they both have.
100% Ceramic Vs. Ceramic Coated Cookware
When it comes to the ceramic coated cookware, they are metal cooking appliances (mostly aluminum) with a sol-gel coating that gives the cookware a ceramic appearance.
Both 100% ceramic and ceramic coated products are ceramic cookware. However, there are certain distinguishing factors between them that you should be aware of.
While both types are healthy, ceramic coated cookware is comparatively less healthy than the 100% ceramic cookware. Nevertheless, the cooking appliances made of ceramic coating have a greater tolerance to temperature when compared to the pure ceramic.
The other characteristic feature is that most of the ceramic coated cookware sets are dishwasher safe. Also, they are compatible with metal utensils, as well. Whereas, the 100% ceramic cooking appliances are not. Moreover, the coated ceramic pots and pans are more durable than the pure ones.
Now that we have a fair idea about ceramic cookware, let us try to know the good things about them and their weaknesses, too.
Advantages Of Ceramic Cookware
Below are the top reasons why people consider ceramic cookware as the best option for cooking.
1. They have a non-stick coating
As discussed earlier, the ceramic cooking appliances are not made of ceramic but contain a sol-gel coating on them. Sol-gel is nothing but the silicone oil infused into the surface of the cookware. This oil gets released every time you use the appliance, providing that non-stick cooking surface. This coating prevents the food from sticking to the pans or pots, and also eliminates the use of cooking oil, any sprays. It facilitates less usage of oil for cooking or even oil-free cooking.
2. Easy to Clean
Ceramic cookware is easy to clean when compared to its other counterparts. Because of its non-stick feature, you do not have to struggle when washing the appliance. All you need to do is simply wipe the surface to remove the food residues on the pots and pans. This is how you can do it.
- Take a wet cloth or sponge and pour a drop or two of dish soap on it.
- Now, wipe the surface gently using it. (Do not scrub it hard, as it can damage the coating.)
- If the residue is stubborn to get rid of, we suggest you soak the pan with hot water before cleaning it.
- You can also use ceramic cookware cleaner for cleaning as it will not harm your appliance.
3. Non-Toxic Cookware
One of the significant merits of ceramic cookware is its non-toxic nature. We all know that this cookware is made of natural materials, and the coating also does not contain LEAD
Since natural materials get infused in the non-stick ceramic surface, the coating is non-toxic. Moreover, it does not release fumes and leach chemicals while cooking.
4. Non-Reactive to Acid
The other advantage of using ceramic cookware is that it is non-reactive nature. Unlike other cookware sets that leach chemicals and metals into the food while cooking, a ceramic pot does not allow the acids from the food to react with the appliance.
Moreover, when cooking in a ceramic appliance, the odour or colour of the food does not change. While some non-stick appliances release a metallic taste to the food, the ceramic tackles this issue with ease, guaranteeing healthy and safe cooking.
5. Promote Safe Health
Ceramic cookware is safe for cooking and is eco-friendly, too. Because of the non-stick feature, you can eliminate using oil or butter in the pans to prevent the food from sticking. Most manufacturers often claim that ceramic cookware helps in reducing the risk of high cholesterol.
6. High-Heat Tolerance
Unlike traditional non-stick cookware, which releases fumes and other toxic materials to the food while cooking, ceramic cookware does not. This is because they have a high tolerance to heat. Even if you heat the frying pan to around 500 F, you will not have to worry about the leaching from the surface.
However, it is advisable to always check for the instructions in the user manual for the maximum degree of heat that you can heat the pan. Not all ceramic products have the same allowable temperature range; some have higher and some lower.
We recommend sticking to medium-high heat to be on the safer side. When you expose the cookware to more heat, the chances are likely that the coating will start breaking down. Eventually, it will ruin the non-stick coating of the appliance. Hence, we suggest you use a stainless-steel pan or cast-iron skillet to sear meat.
7. You don’t need to season the pan before using it.
Unlike cast-iron skillets and stainless-steel cookware, which need seasoning regularly, ceramic cookware does not require it. They offer great and unparalleled flexibility in using.
8. Lightweight
Ceramic-coated cookware is light in weight and very easy to handle. While a 12-inch ceramic fry pan weighs around one kg, a stainless-steel fry pan with a similar size weighs around two kgs.
9. Low Maintenance
Using ceramic cookware is a low maintenance affair. You do not need to follow the seasoning process as you do with a cast-iron skillet. Just one wash after use and these products are ready to use again.
10. Dishwasher Safe
As mentioned earlier, the ceramic cooking appliances are dishwasher safe. If you do not want to wash them manually, place them in the machine, and it takes care of the rest. It will not damage the coating, and you can stay worry-free. Most cookware like Teflon, cast iron, etc., are not dishwasher safe.
11. Used As A Food Container
The upside of ceramic products is that you can use them as a food container. You can put the leftover food in the ceramic pots and store them in the refrigerator. Most ceramic pots have lids for storage purposes.
12. Various Colours and Design
Ceramic products are available in various colours and stylish designs, making them the most sought-after product. You can select from a wide range of colours like blue, red, yellow, grey, etc., to add a fancy collection to your kitchen.
13. Affordable
Ceramic cookware is very affordable when compared to traditional non-stick appliances. They usually cost you around 1000 – 2000 rupees.
Disadvantages Of Ceramic Cookware
Although ceramic cookware comes with plenty of merits, it does have a set of drawbacks that makes users, not like the product. Let us have a look at some of the demerits.
1. Less Efficient Heat Distribution
One major disadvantage of using ceramic cookware is that it does not facilitate even heat distribution. Their non-stick surface indeed prevents your food from sticking to the surface. However, it is equally true that the food does not receive heat if it does not touch the surface.
2. Not Durable
When compared to traditional non-stick cookware, ceramic-coated products are less durable. They have a lesser lifespan because the non-stick coating on the surface will wear off upon frequent usage.
We recommend you purchase a good quality product from a popular brand if you want it to last longer.
3. Doubtful Safety
No doubt, the ceramic cookware is PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) and PFOA-free (Perfluorooctanoic Acid). Despite this, some people have the fear of porcelain glaze, as it contains a small quantity of lead. We suggest you check for the lead testing information on the product before purchasing one.
4. Flimsy
Ceramic cookware tends to be flimsy, especially the cheaper ones.
5. Hand-wash Recommended
Not all ceramic cookware is dishwasher safe. Even though they are, we recommend handwash to sustain the lifetime of the coating.
Moreover, if you face any issue with the coating after putting them in the dishwasher, the manufacturer might even refuse to honour the warranty.
6. Not Metal Utensil Safe
Unlike stainless-steel cookware, ceramic products are very delicate. Using metal cooking utensils on ceramic cookware for a long time can likely damage the surface. Avoid using them when possible and prefer wooden, plastic, or nylon utensils to prevent damage to the ceramic surface.
7. Low-Medium Heat Only
Although ceramic cookware has a high tolerance to heat, it is advisable to use them on low-medium heat only. Continuous exposure to high heat may damage the coating. Ceramic cookware comes with certain limitations concerning heat levels. Hence, you will have to use stainless-steel pans for cooking specific foods like searing meat.
8. Lack of Safety Studies
The safety claims of the ceramic cookware are not scientifically proven. The Sol-gel coating on the ceramic surfaces gets released into the food when cooking. However, there is no evidence found or there are no sufficient studies regarding the harm caused to the human body by ingesting silicone oil.
9. Not the Best Cookware for Searing Meat
Ceramic cookware is definitely not a suitable option for searing meat. It cannot handle the high temperature unlike the stainless-steel and cast-iron cookware. Because of the non-stick surface, a ceramic pan cannot help with searing and form that crust on the food. IF you want to prepare crispy foods with a golden exterior, we do not recommend using ceramic pans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ceramic cookware is absolutely the best and the safest. There are no harmful materials used in it that are dangerous to health. Also, they are free from PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and are environmental-friendly. Even if you accidentally heat the frying pan beyond 450 C, it will not leach any unwanted materials into the food.
Yes. The ceramic cookware is truly non-stick. You do not have to use oil or spray in the frying pans and pots to prevent them from sticking. It is oil and water-resistant. The pans have a non-stick coating that facilitates less usage of oil for cooking or even oil-free cooking.
Yes. Many consider ceramic cookware as more non-stick than the traditional non-stick, Teflon. Moreover, ceramic is a great conductor of heat and helps in even heat distribution on the pans. Unlike ceramic, Teflon emits toxic fumes when heated up to a certain temperature. Also, ceramic cookware is easy to clean and does not wear off easily as Teflon does.
With many ceramic cookware brands available in the market, always look for ceramic cookware that is 100% ceramic, strongly-built, and can tolerate heat. Also, look for maintenance. Some models do not require efforts in retaining the quality and functionality of the products in the long run.
Most of the brands, these days, are offering dishwasher-safe models. For some of the models that are not dishwasher-safe, they recommend handwash for them. It is suggestible to check out for the manufacturing brand before choosing one.
Ceramic cookware is not compatible with metal utensils as using them can damage or scratch the non-stick coating. It is best advisable to use wooden, bamboo, or nylon spoons.
Conclusion
I hope this definite guide provided you with all the information you need about ceramic cookware. Though it has some downsides, ceramic cookware is indeed a safer and better option than other non-stick like Teflon and stainless steel.
If you consider the benefits that ceramic products offer over Teflon, ceramic cookware is definitely worth purchasing.
What have you decided? Do you want to stack your kitchen with stainless-steel cooking appliances? If you want to take your cooking to next level by preparing beautiful meals in the right cookware, make an informed decision today.
Let us know of your decision by writing to us in the comments section below. If you need more information on ceramic cookware, let us know that, as well. We would come up with a new blog answering all your queries.