Ceramic cookware sets have been flooding the market big time and it is only fair that we find out if they are worth it. I am sure that you guys understand that choosing a cookware set can be quite difficult especially with the large variety that is in the market.
Today, ceramic cookware is seen as a better alternative to cookware that features Teflon. This is the reason why people are ditching their old nonstick cookware to go for ceramic nonstick cookware sets.
It is, for this reason, I decided to cover the pros and cons of this cookware. I hope they will help you make an informed decision
Ceramic Cookware Pros
I have mentioned that ceramic has become quite popular and below are a few reasons why people like using this type of cookware
Promotes Healthy Eating
For people who are looking to get into a more healthy eating regime, ceramic should be your go-to cookware set. I am saying this because you won’t need to use a lot of oil or fat when cooking food with ceramic.
This actually means your calories and cholesterol intake will be reduced significantly. Of course, this is a plus for those of you who are looking to shed off some weight.
It Is Toxin-Free
One of the key reasons why people have switched to ceramic cookware is the fact that it is considered to be safer than Teflon.
This type of cookware is free of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The mentioned products are used to make Teflon coating that is supposedly polluting the environment.
Such toxins end up in our drinking water, thus causing serious health problems. Choosing ceramic nonstick cookware over traditional PTFE nonstick cookware is the way to go if you really want to avoid the aforesaid concerns.
Easy to clean
Having cookware that is easy to clean is always a plus coz you will spend less time cleaning. With Ceramic cookware, all you need is a quick wipe and you will be sorted.
You can also clean ceramic cookware in a dishwasher but there are concerns about longevity. I would just advise you to hand wash them just to be sure about the longevity.
Nonstick
As I mentioned earlier, ceramic cookware does not use any sort of chemicals to make a nonstick surface. The surface of ceramic cookware always ends up being smooth and slick.
This is why you don’t have to use plenty of oil when cooking. You will notice that food slides easily when using this type of cookware.
Non-Reactive to Acids
Ceramic is popular for its nonreactive attributes. You don’t have to worry when cooking acidic foods such as tomatoes.
As you well know, some of the cookware will release metals or other substances into your food. This is why your food has a metallic taste at times. If you want to avoid such problems when cooking acidic foods, go for ceramic cookware.
Affordability
I am pretty sure you guys think that ceramic cookware is expensive, especially with all the pros I’ve just highlighted. The good news is, most ceramic cookware is affordable.
It doesn’t matter if you purchase it as a set, you won’t have to break the bank to own one. Although you can get a cheaper set, it is always good to go for a set that ranges between $100 to $150 for quality purposes.
Variety of colors
If you having fancy cookware in your kitchen, then you should buy into the idea of purchasing ceramic cookware. You will get to choose from a variety of colors such as yellow, red, green, sky blue and others.
Ceramic Cookware Cons
It is evident that ceramic has plenty of advantages, but does that mean it does not have weaknesses? Absolutely not! Below are some of the cons that you might not like about ceramic cookware:
Durability
The construction quality of ceramic cookware is questionable because its nonstick coating wears off over time. The coating might last depending on how often you use your cookware and how you clean it.
The durability varies depending on the quality of the finish used. If the exterior finish is of poor quality, then don’t expect it to last. This is the reason why I mentioned that you should handwash ceramic cookware instead of throwing them in a dishwasher.
Doesn’t have PTFE or PFOA
Ceramic Cookware doesn’t contain PTFE or PFOA. So, which safety concerns am I talking about here? Well, the major concern here is porcelain glaze, it contains traces of lead that might be a serious threat to our well-being. Make sure you check whether the set you are about to purchase has been tested for lead.
Not Compatible with Metal Utensils
I believe you guys know that all cookware with nonstick surfaces does not go well with metal Utensils. The same thing applies to ceramic cookware.
Using metallic utensils on a nonstick surface will scratch the coating and damage the cookware. Just stick to plastic, nylon, wooden or silicone utensils if you are going to use ceramic cookware.
Not great at high temperatures
Ceramic Cookware is great as long as you are not exposing it to high temperatures. Of course, ceramic can handle higher temperatures than Teflon coated cookware.
However, there is a limit that should be observed. Some companies produce 100% ceramic cookware that can withstand very high temperatures. Always check the heat rating before you use any ceramic cookware.
Uneven heat distribution
Ceramic pots and pans feature nano particle sized coatings on their surface. This particle is irregular and this means that the surface will be uneven to some extent.
As a result, food does not receive heat where it does not touch the surface. This means that food will take time to cook.
Final Thoughts
Now that I have covered the pros and cons of ceramic cookware, it should be easy for you to make an informed decision. So far it is safe to say that ceramic is much better than most cookware. You should not rely on ceramic alone, some cooking methods will require you to have other types of cookware.