When providing your family with nutritious, healthy meals is a priority, you examine every ingredient. Did you know that the cookware you use in the kitchen could have just as great of an impact on your health?
Some pans are prone to leaching toxins into food at high temperatures. As you search for new cookware, its safety should be just as important as its ease of use and maintenance.
You've likely come across ceramic and nonstick cookware, which have several significant differences. Comparing ceramic cookware vs. nonstick can help you determine which option is best for your family.
Ceramic Cookware
100% ceramic cookware is made from a blend of water, natural minerals and clay. Manufacturers sculpt the ceramic mixture into the desired shape for their cookware and fire it in a kiln at over 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Overall, ceramic cookware is safe for use on the stovetop, in the broiler and over the campfire, and you can easily clean it in the dishwasher.
Another type of ceramic cookware, called ceramic-coated or ceramic nonstick, can't be considered pure ceramic because it contains a metal substrate and a Sol-gel nonstick coating.
Traditional Nonstick Cookware
Traditional nonstick cookware gets its nonstick properties from its coating, which keeps food from adhering to the pan. Nonstick cookware is made with a metal base, which could be aluminum or stainless steel.
The nonstick coating on traditional nonstick cookware is made with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a synthetic fluoropolymer. In the past, a harmful chemical called Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was used to develop this polymer.
Nonstick cookware has been in use for decades, and there's a wide variety of traditional nonstick cookware on the market today.
Ceramic Cookware vs. Traditional Nonstick Cookware
When deciding between ceramic and nonstick cookware, examining the features of each one along with their differences can help you make the best decision for your family. There are several factors to consider, including durability, ease of use and health.
1. Durability
Cookware is an investment that should provide years of everyday use. The durability is significantly different when comparing a ceramic frying pan vs. a nonstick one.
A nonstick pan's coating can flake off or become damaged over time, reducing the effectiveness of the coating. Because of this factor, traditional nonstick cookware may only last for a few years.
With the proper care, ceramic cookware can last for generations. Pure ceramic cookware is highly durable because it contains no coatings that can scratch or disintegrate. Ceramic also provides excellent heat retention and is easy to clean, making it perfect for everyday cooking.
2. Use and Maintenance
Nonstick cookware is known for being easy to clean by hand and in the dishwasher. The difference when comparing ceramic nonstick vs. nonstick cookware is also minimal, as ceramic nonstick cookware also contains a nonstick coating that simplifies cleanup.
In other words, ceramic cookware is just as easy to maintain when used correctly. Ceramic cookware is dishwasher safe, although a quick scrub in warm, soapy water will do just as well. Baking soda and elbow grease can quickly remove any stubborn food scraps.
3. Health
Many people are switching from nonstick to ceramic because of the health implications that could be involved in using traditional nonstick pans. At high temperatures, generally around 500 degrees Fahrenheit, the PTFE in nonstick coatings can release polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals.
PFAS have demonstrated adverse effects on human growth, reproduction and liver function. If a nonstick pan or baking dish reaches over 500 degrees Fahrenheit, it could release these harmful chemicals, impacting the safety of your dish.
Ceramic cookware is completely non-toxic, contains no PFAS, or leachable lead and cadmium. Because pure ceramic is not made with elemental metals, it will not leach metals from its core into your food.
When comparing the health and safety of traditional nonstick vs. ceramic cookware, ceramic comes out on top.
Ceramic Cookware vs. Teflon Cookware
We've compared ceramic vs. traditional nonstick cookware, but what about other types of nonstick? You've likely heard of Teflon, a specific brand of nonstick cookware. Contrast the features and benefits of a ceramic pan vs. nonstick Teflon below.
1. Durability
Examining the durability of a ceramic vs. a nonstick Teflon pan tells you whether the cookware will endure meal after meal. If used correctly, Teflon pans can last longer than ceramic-coated pans. However, cooking at heats above 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which is easier to do than one might expect, can damage the Teflon coating.
Pure ceramic cookware provides longer-lasting heat retention and can withstand extremely high temperatures. If you invest in ceramic cookware, be prepared to hand it down to the next generation.
2. Safety
In 2021, the manufacturer of Teflon agreed to a $4 billion settlement for lawsuits surrounding its use of forever chemicals in products like Teflon. While PFOA isn't used in manufacturing anymore, the PTFE in Teflon's nonstick coating is less studied and can leach toxins into food if heated high enough, or if the surface is scratched.
If you're concerned about the health and safety of nonstick cookware, pure ceramic cookware is an excellent alternative. 100% ceramic cookware is completely non-toxic and free of PTFE, PFAS, and other harmful chemicals.
Browse Ceramic Cookware From Xtrema
When you compare ceramic vs. nonstick cookware, only one provides optimal safety, is easy to maintain and has a life span that stretches over generations. Pure ceramic cookware has been trusted for centuries and helps the modern cook support their family's health. With no harmful chemicals or nonstick coatings and a durable design, ceramic cookware is the healthy choice.
If you're looking for 100% pure ceramic cookware, Xtrema can help. We make our timeless ceramic cookware with a proprietary blend of natural minerals and clay to create reliable and worry-free products you'll love to cook with. Our cookware is artisanally handcrafted from 100% ceramic and does not contain PFAS, coatings, or leachable lead and cadmium, so you can feel confident in your cookware.
Find the perfect pieces for your kitchen and browse our cookware sets today.
