A lot of people ask themselves whether Is cooking with ceramic cookware safe for their health? or Is Ceramic cookware safe? or Is ceramic cookware good?
and the short answer is yes.
In fact, most ceramic cookware is made with tin, which is considered a low-toxin material, as it does not cause any toxic effects.
Source: Healthy House on the Block
The ceramic coating is a non-toxic, non-stick surface that will help you cook your food easily.
If you accidentally heat a ceramic-coated pan beyond 450 C, it will not emit any toxic smoke or any toxic chemicals, unlike a Teflon-coated pan.
Before explaining everything in detail, let’s start from the beginning…
Contents
What is Ceramic Cookware?
Ceramic cookware is metal cookware that has been finished with a ceramic coating.
This coating is what makes these pans stand out from their stainless steel, aluminum, and other non-stick cousins.
However, the base of ceramic cookware is aluminum.
Basically, this cookware is a combination of ceramic coating and aluminum.
The ceramic finish of these pans is free of PTFE and PFO (commonly called Teflon) as well as heavy metals.
Ceramic Cookware Materials: Toxin-Free Alternative
Although the coating is not technically ceramic, it has been labeled ceramic due to its slick and shiny texture and appearance.
Ceramic-coated cookware is touted as a toxin-free alternative to traditional non-stick options because they do not contain PFOA, PFAS, PTFE, lead, or cadmium.
So, there is no risk of releasing harmful fumes if ceramic cookware is overheated.
So, does that mean it is PTFE and/or PFOA free?
None of these chemicals are used in the manufacture of ceramic-coated cookware.
PTFE is the chemical name for Teflon and Teflon-type nonstick coatings.
PFOA is a compound that was used in the process of making PTFE.
Manufacturers sometimes combine ceramic coatings with PTFE to combine the strength and heat resistance of ceramic particles with the superior nonstick food release of PTFE.
Just keep in mind and make sure that when you are shopping and if your intention is to buy cookware with pure ceramic coating, the description should say PTFE free and PFOA free.
Ceramic Cookware Performance
It has been growing in popularity due to its wonderful non-stick performance and thermal conductivity properties.
While the above features are great, perhaps the number one reason for its popularity is that it is 100% safe and contains no toxins.
People are becoming more and more health-conscious and realizing the importance of cooking with safe pans.
Also cooking in ceramic cookware/pan is as easy as normal cooking. No special rules for this type of cooking.
Ceramic Cookware Pros and Cons
Before buying ceramic pots or pans, it is necessary to clearly know their advantages and disadvantages.
Let’s look below to get a clear concept of the pros and cons of ceramic cookware.
Pros of cooking with ceramic cookware
Ceramic cookware is naturally non-stick which makes cooking a breeze and makes it easy to clean.
You don’t have to worry about scratching your pots and pans while trying to scrub the food.
Cooking should be fun and easy. Cleaning should be no less difficult than it already is.
1. It’s Non-reactive
Ceramic cookware/pans come in different colors and different thicknesses, but it remains non-reactive.
This means that you can cook acidic foods quite safely and it will never leak anything into your food.
2. More efficient heat transfer
Since the base of ceramic coated pans is generally made of aluminum, the heat transfer is fast, even, and efficient, which means you can use less energy to cook your food in the same way.
3. Non-stick Coating
One of its main properties is that it is non-stick. Ceramics is smooth and requires only a little oil or butter to prevent food from sticking.
Unlike stainless steel or cast iron, which need fairly high doses of fat to prevent food from sticking…
4. Lightweight
The combination of the aluminum base and the ceramic coating makes for a lightweight pan, which is a nice change if you are used to cooking with heavier cookware.
5. 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 then wiping with a paper towel or wet cloth(you can clean it by simple wipe if you’re using a wet cloth).
Cons of cooking with ceramic cookware
The major downfall of ceramic cookware is that not all ceramics are created equal. Every ceramic cookware set on the market is different.
What you end up buying depends on your personal preferences for materials, the purpose of use, and budget.
1. Lack of safety studies
The sol-gel ceramic surface is a “self-sacrificing” surface, which means that their coating is released during cooking and is ingested with food.
There is not yet enough evidence or studies to conclusively determine whether ingesting small amounts of silicone oil is harmful to the human body.
2. Less efficient heat distribution
The main drawback is that ceramic cookware or pan does not distribute heat evenly. As a result, ceramic-coated cookware will not heat evenly.
3. Less durable construction
The lifespan of a non-stick ceramic pan is quite short compared to other types of cookware available, such as stainless steel, PTFE-based non-stick surfaces, and cast iron pans.
…It is important to know the pros and cons of ceramic cookware before making any purchase.
Also, there is that much difference in ceramic pans’ pros and cons.
Both are ceramic and have the same properties…
Is Ceramic Cookware Safe?
However, ceramics are toxin-free and lead and cadmium-free.
It is considered “healthy cookware” because of its natural minerals and inorganic raw earth materials.
The pans are manufactured using safe, clean-burning, and natural gas.
No toxic chemical fumes, gases, or odors are emitted into the air during cooking, even at very high temperatures.
However, extremely high temperatures will damage your pans.
But it’s good to know that even if you accidentally overheat a pot, it won’t be a risk factor for your health or the environment.
There are some brands that manufacture 100% ceramic pans without a metal base.
These cook a little differently, are heavier and are usually much more expensive.
These are also completely toxin-free.
Although they are much more expensive, they are worth the additional cost.
They are very durable and will last many, many years, much longer than a simple coat on a metal base.
How safe is ceramic cookware?
According to several ceramic manufacturers, even if you accidentally heat a ceramic-lined pan to more than 450 C, it will not emit toxic fumes or any harmful chemicals, unlike a Teflon-coated pan.
It won’t break either. Which means it is safe for humans and pets.
Is Ceramic Cookware Good For Health?
- Ceramics is completely non-reactive and contains no chemical additives. There is nothing to leach into your food, so your cookware is safe.
- Since you can use less oil than with other cookware, you can happily sauté your food instead of steaming or boiling it, which can lower the nutritional content.
- Using a little oil or fat is good for your health – New studies show that oils like coconut oil are good for your health.
Things to be aware of…
Ceramic can be fragile:
Do you know that ceramic cookware is fragile? It can easily get scratched and may even break, if not handled properly…
Keep sharp, metal utensils away from the cooking surface, and cushion the inside if you decide to stack things inside it.
These measures will help to make your ceramic coating last much longer.
You do have to use some fat:
True fat-free cooking is pretty rare (usually reserved for steaming and boiling, in my experience).
We have found that even with the best non-stick coatings, the coatings last longer and work better if a tiny bit of oil or butter is used.
The same goes for ceramics.
There are actually two different types of ceramic cookware: Pure Ceramic Cookware and Ceramic Coated Cookware.
1. Pure Ceramic Cookware
pure ceramic cookware is generally made from clay, minerals, and quartz sand.
After the shaping process, the mixture is hardened by firing to vitrification at approximately 1915 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ceramic cookware is often glazed to obtain a decorative and waterproof surface.
2. Ceramic Coated Cookware
Ceramic-coated cookware is made of a metal base such as aluminum and is coated with a hard film of polymer materials with a ceramic appearance.
This coating contains binders, non-stick components, color pigments, and reinforcing agents.
This ceramic-coated cookware is often referred to as ceramic non-stick cookware or modern ceramic cookware.
Final Thoughts
You must learn to cook safely and avoid using the wrong materials at the wrong time.
Ceramic cookware is considered one of the safest cooking materials for frying, steaming, boiling, etc.
It can even be used for frying in the oven.
Copper and iron cookware are also preferred because they have a lower expansion rate, which is a good way to cook without causing burns.
You should not be afraid to use ceramic cookware as it is generally safe for consumption.
FAQ
What is ceramic cookware?
Ceramic cookware is metal cookware that has been finished with a ceramic coating.
This coating is what makes these pans stand out from their stainless steel, aluminum, and other non-stick cookware.
Is ceramic cookware better than nonstick cookware?
Ceramic coating has better heat retention compared to the standard non-stick coating.
If you are concerned about healthy cooking, then ceramic cookware is better than non-stick cookware.
Is ceramic-coated cookware safe?
Yes, It’s completely safe, most ceramic cookware is made with tin, which is considered a low-toxin material, as it does not cause any toxic effects.
How do you clean ceramic cookware?
Ceramic pots and cookware should be hand washed in warm soapy water, rinsed well, and dried with a soft cloth.
Ceramic cookware should be washed after each use to remove food and all the particles that are present.
