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Are you looking to purchase ceramic cookware for your kitchen? If yes, you should know what are the pros and cons of ceramic cookware.
Modern Indian kitchens these days have all types of cookware such as hard anodized, nonstick, stainless steel, cast iron, etc.
The demand for the ceramic cookware in the kitchen has increased recently, because of the elegance this type of cookware has.
One of the biggest benefit that you get with the ceramic cookware is that it is naturally nonstick, so its manufacturing does not require the use of chemicals such as teflon.
In this post, we will discuss what are the advantages and disadvantages of ceramic cookware, so you can make the best choice for your kitchen cookware.
You can also check out other posts on Best 2 Burner Stainless Steel Gas Stove in India and Best 2 Burner Glass Top Gas Stove in India.
What is Ceramic Cookware?
Ceramic cookware, as the name suggests is not made from ceramic. In fact, ceramic cookware is made from metal. The manufacturing ingredients of ceramic cookware may vary, but the common ingredient is a sol-gel coating, which is bonded to the cookware, to make it ceramic.
Speaking about sol-gel, it is simply the silicone oil which gets released, every time you use the ceramic cookware for cooking. The gel has natural nonstick properties, without the use of any chemicals. This is one of the biggest reason, why ceramic cookware is such a hit.
Ceramic pots and pans are also made from clay, which are specially glazed and kiln-baked. The exposure to fire in a kiln and the glazing process provides a nonstick coating to the ceramic cookware.
There are 2 types of ceramic cookware, the first one is 100% ceramic cookware, and the second type is ceramic coated cookware. Let’s read more on the types of ceramic cookware.
Types of Ceramic Cookware
In order to choose the best ceramic cookware for your kitchen and for the Indian style of cooking, it is imperative for you to understand the 2 types of ceramic cookware.
1. 100% Ceramic Cookware
100% ceramic cookware, also known as pure ceramic cookware, is manufactured using a combination of clay, minerals, and quartz sand. Once the shape of the cookware is formed, the mixture is hardened by firing at around 1000 degree celsius.
Since,100% ceramic cookware or pure ceramic cookware uses clay as part of its manufacturing process, it does not cause any harm to the health, as clay is a natural mineral and constitutive part of the soil.
This type of ceramic cookware is also known as classic ceramic cookware. Some of the best brands in India for pure ceramic cookware are Meyer, Nirlon, Ibell, etc.
2. Ceramic Coated Cookware
Ceramic coated cookware as the name suggests is a coating of ceramic on another type of metal. The metal used inCeramic coated cookware is usually aluminium. The base of the aluminium is coated with a hard film of polymer materials with a ceramic appearance.
This coating contains nonstick properties, binders, etc. However, the nonstick coating on the ceramic coated cookware is not permanent, and starts to degrade basis, how you are maintaining it.
Ceramic coated cookware is considered the best alternative to a nonstick pan, and most importantly, it is toxin free since it does not contain PFOA, also known as Perfluorooctanoic acid.
Some of the best brands in India for ceramic coated cookware are Meyer, Impex Pearl, Greenpan, etc.
Pros of Ceramic Cookware
1. Non Toxic
One of the main reasons people are somehow reluctant to upgrade to nonstick cookware is the risk of toxicity it comes with. Nonstick cookware uses a chemical known as PFOA, also known as Teflon. This chemical is known to harm human bodies if heated over 260 degrees celsius.
Although, you should know that most of the nonstick cookware brands in India and all the world stopped using Teflon after 2013. The point here to note is ceramic cookware is naturally nonstick without the use of any chemicals. So, even if you are heating the ceramic cookware at more than260 degrees celsius, there is no potential health impact.
2. Naturally Nonstick
People these days are moving towards cast iron cookware, but why? Cast iron cookware, with time and some hard work, becomes naturally nonstick. Of course, you will have to season the cast iron cookware to achieve a naturally nonstick surface over a period of time.
However, with ceramic cookware, you get a naturally nonstick surface right from day 1. Your ceramic cookware is going to be slick and smooth, without the use of any toxic chemicals. So, if you are cooking eggs or flip pancakes on the ceramic pans, it is going to be a very smooth experience.
3. Less Oil
Well, guess what, there is no need to pay dieticians a hefty amount of money, as you can cook with less or no oil, if you have ceramic cookware in your kitchen. All types of cookware, such as stainless steel or aluminium requires a bit of oil to cook the Indian dishes.
On the contrary, since ceramic cookware has a natural nonstick surface, you do not have to use oil to cook eggs, fish, or other food items. Not to forget, a nonstick surface also means the cleaning experience is going to be very easy.
4. Eco-Friendly
Ever since the Coronavirus, some sense has finally prevailed, at least in terms of how we want our kitchens and homes to be. The good thing is we are finally replacing non eco-friendly items such as plastic with glass, steel, bamboo, etc.
The best part about ceramic cookware is that it is a 100% eco-friendly choice for the kitchen cookware, yet there may be opposing theories to that as well.
5. Easy to Clean
Unlike the stainless steel or aluminium cookware, ceramic cookware is ridiculously easy to clean. You do not have to keep scrubbing the surface of the cookware to get rid of the stains. Ceramic cookware can easily be cleaned with the help of a quick wipe of soap and warm water.
The only thing you should be aware of is the joints and rivets, as those are the areas where food can accumulate, and can get a bit difficult to get rid of.
6. Pocket Friendly
Ceramic cookware is affordable, easy on the pocket, and is widely available. If you go to the market to buy a nonstick cookware set, you might have to pay around 3,500 – 4,000 rupees. On the other hand, you can get a ceramic cookware set for around 2,000 – 2,500 rupees in India. Moreover, individual ceramic pots and pans can be bought for as low as 700 – 800 rupees in 2023.
7. Attractive
There is no question or doubt about the fact that ceramic cookware is absolutely classy and elegant to have in the kitchen. There is nothing that compares to a ceramic frying pan or a pot in terms of looks and class.
The best part about ceramic cookware is that it is available in a wide range of so many attractive colours, colours and patterns, that you might not have seen on other cookware materials. With steel and other types of cookware, you do not get many choices to choose from.
8. No Seasoning
One of the biggest pain points of having a cast iron cookware in your kitchen is the regular requirement of seasoning them from time to time. If you do not season your cast iron cookware, it will no longer remain nonstick and loose its essence.
On the contrary, you only need to wash your cast iron cookware before using it for the first time, and they will be nonstick right out of the box. This means, you can enjoy oil free cooking without coating the cookware with oil, and then bake it at a high temperature to create a non-stick surface.
9. Multipurpose
When you are not cooking in the ceramic cookware, you can also use those pans and pots to store the food leftovers, this is why ceramic cookware is quite multipurpose. Moreover, you do not have to worry about the chemicals leaching into the food contents as ceramic cookware is chemical free.
10. Dishwasher Safe
Nonstick cookware are mostly not compatible with the dishwasher, as there is a risk of nonstick coating being damaged by the dishwasher running cycle. On the other hand, ceramic cookware is usually dishwasher safe. However, we strongly recommend to read the product label and instructions before putting the ceramic cookware in the dishwasher.
11. Non-Reactive
There is a phenomena that you should not cook acidic foods in the nonstick cookware, as there is a risk of possible contamination or altering of the dishes in terms of taste. However, with ceramic cookware, there is no such risk as you can cook almost anything and everything in the ceramic pans and pots.
12. Heat Retention
It is true that cooking in ceramic cookware can take some time, as it takes a lot of time to heat up evenly. However, it is also true that once the cookware is heated, it remains so for a longer period of time. The lid of the ceramic pan also helps to keep the food hot for longer durations. This means, you can keep the food warmer in winter by cooking in the ceramic cookware.
Cons of Ceramic Cookware
1. Fragile
One of the biggest disadvantages or cons related to ceramic cookware is its non-durability over a period of time. When it comes to the ceramic cookware’s nonstick surface, its life is not a long one. Once it starts to peel off, the surface will quickly wear down, and become sticky for any food type.
The worst part is you cannot even use oil to combat this issue, and you will have to replace the cookware. However, a lot of this also depends on the way you maintain and upkeep your ceramic cookware.
2. Flimsy
The good thing about ceramic cookware is that it is very lightweight. However, this mostly goes against the ceramic cookware, as the thin metal surface of the cookware does not always stand up to the rough and tough usage, especially in the Indian kitchens.
Moreover, if you store the ceramic cookware with the heavy duty cookware such as cast iron pans or pots, there are chances the parts of ceramic pan might chip off during the storage process.
3. Handwashing
Although you will see most of the manufacturers advertising the ceramic cookware can be washed using the dishwasher, but the reality is you should not. While dishwasher cleaning is not a strict no, but the recommendation is to handwash the ceramic cookware. The ceramic coating might not keep up very well with the high temperatures of the dishwasher cycles.
4. No Metal Utensils
Similar to the nonstick cookware, it is recommended not to use metal utensils or ladles while cooking in the ceramic pots. Heavy spatulas or ladles may scratch off the ceramic coating, leaving it almost useless. Thus, be ready for the transition to wooden or silicone spatulas if you want to keep using the ceramic cookware.
5. No High Flame
While you are cooking in the ceramic cookware, make sure to cook at medium or low flame only, this is very much similar to the nonstick cookware, where the high heat settings can tarnish the nonstick coating. If you are used to cooking on high heat settings, better use stainless steel pans.
6. Safety Concerns
Although ceramic cookware is considered an eco-friendly choice, and is free from teflon, but the fact its construction process includes porcelain glaze. There is a possibility that some cheap brands may include a small amount of lead in the final composition, which could have possible health effects.
Conclusion – Pros &Cons of Ceramic Cookware
Just like everything else, ceramic cookware has its own pros and cons. If you are thinking to buy ceramic cookware for your kitchen, weigh down both the pros and cons with your requirements to be able to make a decision. The good thing about ceramic cookware is that it is safer and better for the environment than the traditional non-stick, which may or may not include teflon.
We hope this post on the pros and cons of ceramic cookware was useful and informative to you. We also encourage you to read the customer reviews of any product before buying. Should you have any questions on this, feel free to leave a comment. If you want our team to review a product you are interested in buying, you can reach out to us at askus@betterchoices.in, and we will be happy to review it.
