Ceramic cookware is gaining popularity in today’s world since they are safe, more traditional and is a natural alternative. With the introduction of ceramic cookware, the problem of food being stuck or pan surface roughening has certainly come down. Let’s explore more on ceramic cookware and the pros and cons.
What is ceramic Cookware? Is Ceramic cookware safe?
Ceramic cookware is basically of two types, one is 100% ceramic which are naturally made in Kiln and glazed. The ceramic coated cookware is the second variety they have coating in the core which is nonstick in nature. The sole gel process is used to do the coating of ceramic to obtain the finished and smooth cookware.
Ceramic cookware is generally considered toxin free and is labeled as ceramic due to the glossy texture it has. Ceramic cookware doesn’t constitute any toxic elements such as Lead, Cadmium, PTFE and other harmful components. Ceramic cookware is often indicated as a sustainable alternative to the traditionally available cookware and are best nonstick pan.
Ceramic cookware Vs Stainless Steel
When you are in a hunt to select a new cookware, ranges we have in the market may confuse you. Here is everything you need to know while selecting in between Ceramic and Stainless cookware.
Appearance
Stainless steel is traditional cookware which are often used in all homes. They can fit into any type of Kitchen atmosphere. Ceramic cookware is a choice where interior is prioritized. Ceramic cookware is available in different ranges of colors. You may observe even eye catchy pans in variety of social media pages.
Durability and Life Span
Durability is another important concern when it comes to the daily usage of Cookware. On the context of durability, stainless steel takes the cake as they resist wear and tear for longer time. They are less prone to cracks and scratches and are basically known as workhorses in a normal kitchen.
Ceramic cookware doesn’t compare with a quality stainless steel pan; the coating may wear or rip off over time. One other factor that affects the life of coating is the quality of the pan set. An inferior quality pot and pan wears over time and a superior ceramic pot and pan stay for years.
Cooking Experience and Context
Stainless steel pan sets cover a wide range of cooking and heating limits. While ceramic cookware set is nonstick and offers a pleasant cleaning experience. They are often used to cook veggies, fishes, sauté vegetables etc. The heat limitation of the ceramic cookware is also another limiting factor of the pot and pans made of them.
Ceramic pots and pans are durable and is the best cookware set when it comes to overheating as they are thermally stable. Ceramic cookware is just not bothered even when you leave the pan unnoticed over the stove for long time. If you are a person with memory issues this is just the ideal choice for you due to its heat resistance.
Ceramic Cookware Pros and Cons
The recent studies have highlighted the risks in using cookware set made up of PFOA and PFA. Ceramic cookware has been emerged as a better alternative for the cooking needs. Some important Pros and Cons of the ceramic cookware is written here for perusal.
What are Nonstick pans? Is Ceramic pans Nonstick?
Nonstick pans are cookware that are no susceptible to material sticking on to the surface. The nonstick pan makes sure that the foods turn brown or gets cooked without sticking to the surface. The non-stick nature of a pan is established by coating components to the surface where cooking is done.
The global nonstick pans are generally Teflon Coated. However, Teflon pan could turn toxic once degraded which limited the usage of such nonstick Cook wares. Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) is another agent used for coating cookware to make it non sticky. When used over a temperature of 260 degC, the PTFE coating degrades and the pans no longer behave nonstick.
The usage of harder utensils also creates concerns while dealing with nonstick pan made of PTFE. It often creates wear and scratches over the cooking surfaces of the nonstick pan.
Health concerns of nonstick pans
When PTFE nonstick pans are overheated beyond 260 degC, the material releases hydrofluoric acid or other Fluro material which causes toxicity in humans. PTFE also once released causes environmental and health concerns. The PTFE processing causes major health hazard and environmental pollution.
Ceramic Non-Stick Pans?
Nonstick pans can also be made using ceramic. For example, ceramic pans can be made with sandblasting of titanium and ceramic at a temperature of 2000 degC. The nonstick pan finish is obtained by using silica by the Sol gel method of processing. However, the coating layer of ceramic degrades at a temperature range of 370 degC with PTFE degrading at 260 degC.
Ceramic Cookware Pros and Cons
Since the world has been educated with the health risks of PFOA and PFAS, Ceramic cookware has been successfully chosen for variety of reason. Below, we shall see details on the pros and Cons of using Ceramic cookware.
Pros of Ceramic Cookware
Lightweight and Non stickiness
Unlike the original non-stick pan of Cast iron, ceramic cookware doesn’t need a seasoning process. They are lightweight, easily handled and brings more versatility on to the kitchen. The nonstick nature of the ceramic coating takes away the difficulty of scrubbing harsh to remove the particles on the pan. When it comes to harsh scrubbing, the traditional nonstick pans get destroyed very easily whereas ceramic cookware excels.
Affordability of Ceramic Cookware
Although brands such as Place and Carawy are more expensive when it comes to ceramic cookware, there are affordable brands also. On the other hand, ceramic cookware also offers additional benefit of being nontoxic in nature. If health and wellbeing is a priority ceramic Cookware makes a better alternate.
Eco Friendly
Ceramic Cookware manufacturing has been claimed to be releasing 60 % less Co2 that the conventional cookware making process.
Healthy Cooking
With ceramic cookware there is no need of excessive greasing or coating with oil or butter. This reduces the consumption of oily or high fat foods. Without excessive use of oil, you may be able to cook low fat meals without the meal getting stuck on the surface.
Appearance and esthetically pleasing
Ceramic cookware comes with variety of color options which might be a great fit to the kitchen atmosphere. In comparison with stainless steel or cast iron that offers little color variation, ceramic cookware can be a better option for the interior designers to have the best kitchen designed.
Heat tolerance
Ceramic cookware can sustain high temperature around 500 deg F without generating toxic fumes However before using the ceramic cookware, it is essential to take a look at the operating ranges of temperature. A view of operating temperature will make sure the ceramic coating doesn’t break or degrades.
Non-Reactive to active foods
Cooking with active or acidic foods poses a threat to copper and carbon steel. The foods react with the cooking surface leaches the chemicals and metals into the food. Ceramic cookware on the other hand is non-reactive with acidic foods. It can handle any ingredient.
Cons of Ceramic Cookware
Non stock Property degradation
The biggest complaint about the ceramic cookware is the degradation of ceramic at certain working temperature. It loses the traditional property of non-stickiness sooner than the traditional nonstick pans. The nonstick nature incorporated with the sol gel process can diminish faster when compared with regular PTFE coatings.
Durability
Ceramic cookware is not forever like stainless steel and cast iron. The painted ceramic exterior surface chips off when rubbed with harsh elements. The ceramic cookware coatings generally degrade over time within a time frame of 2 to 3 years.
Inconsistency in Performance
Ceramic cookware doesn’t give consistent cooking performance for all type of cooking. Ceramic cookware non sticks are generally made of nanoparticle imparting the property to the cookware. Food gets unable to be cooked completely if the particles are not touching the surface of the pan. Consistent results are harder to be obtained with ceramic cookware.
Not Oven Safe or Induction Compatible
Not all ceramic is oven safe which makes usage of ceramic inconvenient for all the recipes. Exposing the ceramic cookware to temperatures not within the limit may result in warping. Hence a knowledge on oven safe temperature is very important before using the ceramic cookware.
Aluminum based bottom of ceramic cookware are not induction safe, if the base is made up of stainless steel using the cookware becomes easy. Before buying ceramic cookware hence it is important to consider the context of using the item.
Closing Remarks
The above article has defined the multi-dimensional aspects of why to consider or not consider ceramic cookware. Ceramic cookware fits the daily cooking needs and for sure were able to replace non sticks and stainless steel. They are classy equipments which gives an aesthetically pleasing look to the kitchen elements.