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.
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.
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.
Are Ceramic Pans Safe? Ceramic nonstick pans that are made without PFAS chemicals are safe to use. They don't release harmful chemicals when overheated and generally have a higher heat tolerance than traditional nonstick coating.
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.
Some ceramic cookware may not be ideal for high-heat cooking methods like searing or broiling. Exposing ceramic to very high temperatures can damage the non-stick surface and cause it to break down. This limitation means that ceramic cookware may not be the best choice for anything higher than medium heat.
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.
“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.”
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.
Based on this list, it is best to avoid Teflon and other nonstick pans, especially those made with either PTFE or PFOA, as well as aluminum pots and pans.
Xtrema makes safe, reliable cookware that doesn't contain harmful forever chemicals like PFAS. Unlike ceramic-coated cookware like the internet-famous Always Pan, GreenPan or Caraway cookware, Xtrema uses only ceramic in the construction of their 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.
Shorter Lifespan
Even if you manage to carefully source a well-made ceramic pan, your cookware is still only likely to last a couple of years. This is due to the nature of the coating, which naturally releases every time you heat up your pan.
Without non-stick coatings, ceramic cookware is also free of PFAS like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and other harmful chemicals. When comparing a cast iron pan versus ceramic cookware, ceramic is the healthier choice.
Average ceramic cookware will last for about a year, whereas quality ceramics can last for up to 3 years when well taken care of. The main reason ceramic cookware may need to be thrown out is that it loses its nonstick coating.
HexClad's nearly indestructible three-ply pans consist of stainless steel, magnetic stainless steel (for induction stovetop compatibility), and aluminum, finished off with laser etchings and diamond (carbon) dust.
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.
Both stainless steel and ceramic cookware are free of the same chemicals that are in Teflon cookware, making them both great options for investing in a new set of non-toxic cooking surfaces. However, it is worth noting that many products claim to be stainless steel but not all stainless steel is created equally.
ceramic is among the safest material for pans
From dishes, to glasses, bakeware and cookware, ceramic bakeware is our pick for the best cookware material for health thanks to its non-reactive nature and resistance to high temperatures and acidic foods. Plus it's so pretty!
Our products are safe, and compliant with with all applicable federal and state safety regulations. We are proud to be able to offer our customers a variety of cookware materials to choose from, including stainless steel and nonstick ceramic.
Stainless steel: Another generally safe option. But experts note that you should ideally refrain from cooking acidic foods, like tomato sauce, in these types of pans. “Stainless steel may have some heavy metals in it, such as nickel and chromium, that can leach, especially when cooking acidic foods,” Minich explains.
Can you sear meat in a ceramic pan? It's not a good idea. You can but it's not recommended. This is because with searing, you have to make sure you pan is hot.