Ceramic cookware is one of the most popular choices among the people due to its attractive outlook and non-stick feature. It is easy to clean as well as completely safe for our health. Besides so many useful sides, ceramic cookware has a couple of downsides also. In this post, I’ve added the pros and cons of ceramic cookware with an ultimate buying guide and all of the things that you need to know before buying it. Let’s check the post carefully to get every single information with details.
Table Of Contents
What is 100% Ceramic Cookware?
100% ceramic cookware is usually made from clay, natural minerals, and quartz sand. After the shape-forming process, the combination is hardened by firing vitrification at about 1915° Fahrenheit. Ceramic cookware often undergoes a glazing method to get a waterproof and decorative surface.
According to Asma Sheikh (Founder of The Kitchen Advisor), Ceramic cookware is made of clay also known as pure or classic ceramic cookware. It’s the best choice for your daily cooking since it’s durable, scratch-resistant, and easy to take care of. Moreover, this kind of cookware is absolutely safe while it does not contain metal materials.
How to Choose the Best Ceramic Cookware
When shopping for ceramic cookware, you should consider some specific factors so you can make a well-informed decision. Let’s have a look at the following factors before you buy your required cookware.
- Construction
The ceramic cookware that you buy should be strongly built. Also, it should be ergonomically designed and have the ability to tolerate heat to some degree. Moreover, the handles of the cookware should be securely fastened for easy use.
- Price or Cost
Some important factors determine the cost of ceramic cookware products. Such factors include size, quality, construction, and the number of pans included in the cookware set. Even though there is budget ceramic cookware available in the market, you should select one with the efficient features that you want of going for a cheap one that doesn’t last for long.
- Warranty of the Products
Different company will have different policies for the warranty for their products. Some products come with a warranty for a year while the best ones offer a lifetime warranty. Make sure that the ceramic cookware set your buying has at least a warranty of one year. So that you can replace your cookware if it has a defect or similar problem.
- Right Size and Quantity
Size of the cookware depends on what you want to prepare, you can choose small or large cooking pans or pots. If you don’t cook for a lot of people, select smaller cookware or those that don’t come in a set. Or if you live with your family and have to cook a lot, look for those that already come bundled.
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Ceramic cookware typically is a material that is easy to clean. However, different models will have different cleaning process from one another. Select the cookware that is easy to maintain, which means that you don’t have to do a lot to retain its quality and functionality in the long run.
Ceramic Cookware Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros of Ceramic Cookware
There are some most common reasons why people prefer to cook with ceramic cookware.
- Attractive Colours and Design
Ceramic pots and pans are available in a wide variety of colours and designs. Its amazing outlook will increase the beauty of your kitchen. You can choose exactly the colour or design that best suits your kitchen.
- Versatile
This kind of cookware can be used in different cooking applications such as oven, microwave, stovetop, and on the grill. It’s also dishwasher safe and you can store food inside the freezer with this cookware. You can also use this cookware for serving food directly on the table since the cookware looks attractive.
- Eco-Friendly
Ceramic cookware is not one only safe for human but also good for the environment. This is basically because the cookware uses less energy to heat and this makes it good for the environment.
- Safe for Healthy Cooking
If you prefer to live healthy and interested in healthy cooking, you have another good reason to choose ceramic cookware. It’s free from lead, cadmium, and other toxic chemicals. Moreover, it also allows you to cook your meals with the use of lesser oil.
- Non-Reactive
Another great side of ceramic cookware is that it is non-reactive to any acidic foods. It will not leach any metal or other contaminants into your food. Moreover, ceramic cookware doesn’t change the actual taste of the food and the food doesn’t get as dried out.
Cons of Ceramic Cookware
All kinds of cookware have something to be aware of. There is a list of the things that you need to think about when you’re buying a ceramic cookware set.
- Not Suitable for High Heat Temperature
Although ceramic cookware will not leach toxic when exposed to high heat, however, high temperature can damage its non-stick coating. Because of that, ceramic cookware is recommended to use over low to medium heat only.
- Prone to Chip
If you cannot treat your ceramic cookware carefully the surface including the bottom can chip off easily. This is a common problem most users complained about their ceramic products.
- Short Life Span
When compared to stainless steel or cast iron, the lifespan of ceramic cookware is quite short. The rough surface increases conflict on the cookware leading to quicker and easier wear on the ceramic coated surface.
- Requires Extra Attention and Care
Another downside of using ceramic cookware is that it will require your extra attention and care. When cleaning, you’ve to be careful not to put your hot pan into cold water, it could destroy your pan. Or during storing, you cannot store your ceramic cookware with other metallic cookware as it can damage your lovable cookware.
- Not Compatible to use with Metal Utensils
The delicate nature of a non-stick ceramic cooking surface makes it unwise to use metal utensils with this cookware. The sharp metal will quickly scratch and chip away the coating of this cookware.
How to Clean Ceramic Cookware
The non-stick coating of ceramic cookware makes it very easy to clean and care for. There’re some effective ways to clean your favourite ceramic cookware. Check it out to clean your cookware properly.
Allow your ceramic pan to cool down completely before cleaning. Clean the pan with warm soapy water and soft sponge or dishcloth. To remove burnt food from the pan, soak it in hot water for 30 minutes before washing. This simple process will make cleaning easier.
For deep cleaning, soak your ceramic pan in warm, soapy water and clean it with a non-abrasive pad. Sprinkle a good amount of baking soda to the stained areas and let sit for 15-20 minutes. Scrub your pan light in a circular motion using a soft-bristled dish brush until the stains lift away. Rinse the pan with warm water and dry it thoroughly using a clean paper towel. Periodically apply this method to remove the stains and maintain the beautiful appearance of your ceramic cookware.
How to Season Ceramic Pan
Normally, ceramic pans don’t require seasoning. However, some models of ceramic cookware come with the recommendation to season the cookware before the first use. And also and to re-season it about twice a year to regenerate ceramic non-stick surface. There is a step by step instruction for you so that you can season your ceramic pan perfectly.
- For seasoning your pan, you’ll need water, soap, and a soft cloth or paper towel. You’ll need to use one tablespoon of vegetable to season your ceramic pan.
- At first clean your ceramic pan completely using a soft cloth and mild dish soap.
- Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the surface of the fan and spread it evenly using a paper towel. Ensure that the entire inner surface of the pan is completely coated.
- Place your pan on a stovetop and set it to medium heat temperature, leave the pan until it begins to smoke.
- After the oil has started smoking, take the pan off of the burner and let it cool thoroughly.
- Once the pan has cooled down to room temperature, wipe away any excess oil by using a clean paper towel.
Repeat this seasoning method at least once every six months to protect the non-stick coating of your ceramic cookware
Compare With Other Type Cookware
Ceramic Vs Teflon
The main difference between ceramic and Teflon coated cookware lies in the structure of their non-stick coating. Ceramic cookware is baked in a kiln and glazed with a non-stick coating which is resistant for stains. On the other hand, the cookware that contains Teflon is made of PTFE a traditional chemical used to prevent food from sticking.
Ceramic Vs Stainless Steel Cookware
The main difference between ceramic and stainless steel cookware is that ceramic is non-stick while stainless steel is not. Ceramic cookware is not compatible to use with high heat temperature. It has to be used with low to medium heat to protect its non-stick coating.
Stainless steel cookware, on the other hand, is tougher and can take much more abuse from the user. You can use it on the broiler and oven if it comes with a full stainless steel handle and lid.
Hard-Anodized Vs Ceramic Cookware
Hard-anodized and ceramic cookware both of the considered to be the safe option for healthy cooking. Most people do not prefer to cook with pure aluminium pots or pans. So, aluminium cookware has been anodized and treated with a non-stick coating in addition. Anodization process makes the cookware as harder as stainless steel as well as non-reactive.
Ceramic cookware, on the other hand, made of ceramic, clay, and other raw materials. The non-stick coating of this cookware is made of inorganic minerals, oxygen, and silicone which is free of harmful chemicals. However, unlike hard-anodized aluminium, ceramic cookware is not suitable for professional use.
Porcelain Vs Ceramic Cookware
Porcelain is a kind of ceramic clay, and ceramic, on the other hand, is known as stoneware clay. Both of them have roughly the same ingredients. However, porcelain is pure white since it doesn’t iron and other oxides that would make it darker. If both of them are formulated to be fired at similar temperatures, they can both be fired at together in the same kiln.
FAQ
Is Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware Safe?
I’m very glad to inform you that ceramic non-stick cookware is totally safe for human and also for the environment. The non-stick coating of this cookware is made of inorganic minerals which are safe for our health. Unlike Teflon coated cookware, it doesn’t leach harmful chemicals which means you can use it for cooking your healthy foods.
Is Ceramic Oven Safe?
‘Yes.’ You can put your 100% ceramic cookware on the oven. It certainly can be used for baking and roasting in the oven since its handle is part of the mold. However, ensure to use potholders as they will be very hot to handle.
What are Ceramic Cookware Dangers?
Ceramic cookware has a glazed finish to give it a smooth, shiny, and strong finish. Some cookware glaze may include cadmium and lead poisoning which are extremely toxic when entered into the body through cooking of food. To avoid this, you can get quality ceramic cookware that will not include lead or cadmium into your food.
Final Words
Even though cooking with ceramic cookware may need some adjustment, however, it’s easy to clean and resistant to scratch. It is durable when cared for and can replace almost all of other cookware of your kitchen. However, to make your ceramic pots and pans last longer, treat your cookware with little more extra attention and care.
