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The Pros and Cons of Ceramic Cookware
Check out the following list of pros and cons of ceramic cookware to see what cookware set is best for your kitchen.
- Team Made In
- Jul 26, 2022
Check out the following list of pros and cons of ceramic cookware to see what cookware set is best for your kitchen.
You've probably seen ads for Ceramic Cookware sets on social media. They come in a rainbow of colors, boast a variety of health claims, and even promise to replace other pieces of Cookware. This can make deciding which cookware set is best for you even more confusing.
We're tackling the confusion behind some of the claims of Ceramic Cookware and evaluating whether or not it's worth adding to your kitchen. Check out the following list of pros and cons of Ceramic Pans that will help you determine whether or not ceramic is the best choice for you.
Ceramic Cookware is made out of metal, not ceramic. The composition of Ceramic Cookware can vary, but the unifying feature is a sol-gel coating that is bonded to the cookware.
Sol-gel is a silicone oil that is released every time Ceramic Cookware is used. This mimics non stick properties, and is often referred to as "ceramic non stick coating."
1. Non Stick Coating
The silicone oil on the surface of Ceramic Cookware is released every time you cook, which provides a non stick cooking surface. At the beginning of its lifespan, this coating may eliminate the need to use cooking sprays, butter, or oil to prevent foods from sticking.
However, as this silicone layer degrades, your ceramic cookware will lose its non stick properties and your pan will only be as good as its composition.
2. Easy to Clean
Like other Non Stick Pans, the non stick surface of ceramic cookware is easy to clean. Hand washing is recommended, usually only requiring a bit of mild dishwashing soap, warm water, and the wipe of a paper towel or cloth.
1. Lack of Safety Studies
The most asked question regarding ceramic pans is if they're safe to use. The popularity of ceramic cookware first accelerated when the toxicity of PFOA-rich Teflon (used on non stick cookware in the past) made headlines. Nowadays, you'll often hear from marketers, "Safe under high heat and even when damaged, the ceramic coating applied to ceramic non stick pans provides a simple, non-toxic solution to chemical coatings."
This claim is unproven. Sol-gel cookware is deemed safer mainly because it has been studied less. Sol-gel ceramic surfaces are "self-sacrificing" surfaces, which means their coating is released during cooking and ingested along with the food.
There is not yet enough evidence or studies to determine conclusively whether or not ingesting small amounts of silicone oil is harmful to the human body. Furthermore, Ceramic Cookware may contain lead.
2. Less Efficient Heat Distribution
Ceramic Pots and Pans get their non stick surface from a nanoparticle-sized silicone-based coating on the surface of the pan. The irregularity of the spacing of these particles increases the Ceramic Coated Pan's cooking surface area, making it rough and, thus, leaving areas where the surface does not touch the food.
While this means there is a lessened chance of food sticking, this also means food doesn't receive heat where it doesn't touch the cooking surface. As a result, Ceramic Coated Cookware will not heat quickly and evenly.
3. Less Durable Construction
The lifespan of a Non Stick Ceramic Pan is quite short when compared to other types of cookware available, such as Stainless Steel, PTFE-based Non Stick, and Cast Iron or Carbon Steel.
The very same nanoparticles responsible for these pots and pans' inefficient heat distribution are also behind Ceramic Cookware's disappointing durability and status as not dishwasher or metal utensil safe. The rough surface increases friction on the pan, leading to quicker and easier wear and tear on the ceramic coated surface.
Although high-quality ceramic coated cookware is available at a premium price, most Ceramic Cookware products are not cladded, meaning they are more prone to warping and won’t heat up well or retain that heat.
If you've been considering adding a set of Ceramic Cookware to your kitchen, here are a few alternatives we recommend that last longer and perform better.
1. Non Stick Cookware
Made In's line of Non Stick Cookware contains a double coating of American-made PTFE made without PFOA and features extended durability—it's been shown to outlast Ceramic Cookware by 70x. Our special surface is oven safe up to 500F and consistently delivers a truly non stick cooking experience again and again, whether it is our Non Stick Frying Pans, or our Non Stick Saute Pan and Saucepans.
Plus, our Non Stick Frying Pans effectively distribute heat, cooking food evenly due to their heat-efficient 5-Ply Stainless Clad construction and our high-quality manufacturing processes.
Shop Non Stick
2. Blue Carbon Steel Cookware
Made In's Carbon Steel Cookware is made of iron and carbon, and can develop non stick tendencies over time. With the ability to heat up efficiently and retain that heat throughout the cooking process, this pan is great for searing meats, and sautéing vegetables.
These non stick tendencies can lead it to become your go-to for quick cooking tasks like scrambled or fried eggs, similar to Non Stick Cookware. Similar to the rest of Made In's Cookware, this pan is made by manufacturers who have been making cookware for generations.
While Ceramic Cookware may look good sitting on your stovetop, we believe the cons outweigh the pros. The construction, heat retention, and cooking surface will all degrade over time, leaving you with nothing but a colorful piece of metal. Made In Cookware offers better alternatives to Ceramic Cookware that prove they only get better as time goes on.
Born out of a 100-year old, family-owned restaurant supply business, we work to ensure our Cookware is as detail oriented as the chefs who choose to use it in their kitchens.
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