Pure ceramic is non-reactive and nontoxic, so it's completely safe for handling food. Without a metal core, there's no risk of metals leaching into your dishes. All-ceramic cookware allows you to create nourishing, healthy dishes — risk-free.
The short answer is: Yes, ceramic-coated cookware is safe. The ceramic nonstick coating on Always Pan is made without forever chemicals (PFAS), lead, or cadmium so you can cook worry free.
Our experts agree that buying ceramic cookware from a reputable company is completely safe. “Ceramic cookware is safe to use if it is properly glazed, using materials authorized for food contact use, and the glazing is intact,” explains a spokesperson from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For our recommendations, we stick to stainless steel, cast iron, and enamel or ceramic coatings. If you're making the switch from traditional nonstick cookware, you should look into ceramic or enameled cookware. These coatings tend to hold up for years, especially if you cook over medium to low heat.
Materials like stainless steel, cast iron, and ceramic are excellent choices because they do not leach harmful chemicals into your food. Additionally, non-toxic nonstick coatings like ceramic or titanium provide a safer alternative to traditional nonstick pans.
Ceramic Nonstick
The process of going from silica to gel is known scientifically as a hydrolysis and condensation polymerization. While that may sound complicated, the takeaway is simple: No potentially harmful chemicals are used.
Stainless: Which Is Better? The answer to whether ceramic or stainless is better is, simply, both—for different applications. Stainless cookware is preferred by both home and professional chefs, while ceramic has remained mostly an at-home cookware option.
Using metal cooking utensils on ceramic-coated pans can scratch the Sol-gel coating, which increases the risk of unwanted toxins from the metal substrate leaching into your food.
Then, we removed GreenPan entirely from our list of non-toxic cookware. There were two primary reasons: Competing brands began providing independent laboratory testing to prove their products are non-toxic. We became aware of lawsuits against GreenPan that cast doubt on the company's marketing claims.
Health and eco-friendliness for ceramic cookware
Ceramic cookware is safe and green. It does not have PFOS, PFOA, or PTFE. This makes it a better choice for the environment and your health.
Le Creuset Stainless Steel Cookware Set
As we mentioned, stainless steel is naturally non-toxic, in addition to being the material many professional chefs prefer.
When compared to other types of traditional nonstick pan and cookware materials like stainless steel cookware or Teflon cookware; ceramic cookware generally has a much shorter lifespan. Average ceramic cookware will last for about a year, whereas quality ceramics can last for up to 3 years when well taken care of.
Ceramic cookware requires a bit more gentle handling compared to more robust options like cast iron or stainless steel. While the non-stick surface makes cooking and cleaning easier, it also means that you need to be careful to avoid scratching or damaging it. This extra care might be seen as a drawback.
Xtrema Pure Ceramic Cookware | All-Natural Healthy Cookware.
Stainless Steel
This material can be found in many of the best pots and pans because it is durable and attractive. Stainless steel (particularly "18/10") is also prized as an interior cooking surface because it does not react with acidic or alkaline foods and won't pit or scratch easily.
There Are Scratches and Chips on the Surface
If you notice scratches or chips on the surface of your pan, it's time to replace it. These imperfections can harbor bacteria and the ceramic coating can flake off into your food, making it unsafe to use.
Ceramic: Indeed the healthiest material for frying pan and ideal if you're cooking delicate foods like eggs or fish. Its nonstick and toxin-free surface makes ceramic a must-have in your kitchen. Stainless Steel: Use it for stir-fries and evenly cooking food at high temperatures without worrying of leaching toxins.
Keeping your ceramics in shape
Make your pan naturally non-stick for easy cleaning and added flavor with high-quality fats or oils. Our favorite choices are Avocado Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Tallow, Ghee, or Grass-Fed Butter.
“Glass, like Pyrex cookware, is a safe option,” Perko said. “Cast iron is a safe option if NOT frying or using high-temperature cooking. If you have or can use or purchase stainless steel pots and pans, they are healthier choices for long-term/lifetime use.”
The two chemicals to look out for in your pots and pans are polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The main concern with PTFE is that it starts to break down and release toxic fumes when it's heated to high temperatures.
The short answer is yes: there is no Teflon used in its production. Ceramic provides a natural non-stick surface without the use of toxic chemicals in its production. In fact, we take pride in our 100% non-toxic cookware.
You can find nonstick cookware at much lower prices than HexClad. If you have the budget, however, HexClad is the better option. It's nonstick, it's more durable, and it provides a superior cooking experience.
Avoid metal utensils: While ceramic cookware is durable, it can be scratched by metal utensils. Instead, use wooden or silicone utensils to avoid damaging the surface of the cookware. Allow to cool before washing: After cooking with ceramic cookware, allow it to cool before washing it.