Recently, ceramic cookware has become one of the most popular types of green cookware on the market due to home cooks wanting a safe alternative to non stick cookware made without PFOA, yet it is actually the oldest known type of cookware that pre-dates modern human society, that offers the benefits of non-stick cookware without the dangers of PFOA (perfluorinated carboxylic acid), a potentially toxic synthetic non stick coating for cookware. There are two types of ceramic cookware on the market that potential buyers of this popular green cookware need to be aware of, 100% ceramic cookware and ceramic coated cookware.
So this begs the question: Ceramic Cookware Or Ceramic Coated Cookware: which is best?
Is Ceramic Coated Cookware 100% Ceramic?
Manufacturers and sellers of ceramic coated cookware, market this product as ceramic cookware, which offers the benefits of non-stick cookware without the dangers of PFOA (perfluorinated carboxylic acid), a potentially toxic synthetic non stick coating for cookware, but is it really 1oo% ceramic.
Since there is no industry standard for labeling 100% ceramic cookware and the cheaper ceramic coated cookware, this can potentially lead to confusion for buyers of this green cookware. Why would someone buy a 100% ceramic cookware set for $300, when they can buy a ceramic coated cookware set for about a third of the price?
- 100% ceramic cookware starts with just two ingredients – clay and water. The mixture is poured into moulds shaped like each piece of cookware and is fired several times to create a hard cooking surface. The glaze is then applied and fired again. The entire manufacturing process takes 21 days.
- Ceramic coated cookware starts with an aluminum core and is dipped in a bath of a synthetic ceramic material that applies a thin layer of ceramic coating to the cooking surface.
- The synthetic, plastic-like coatings used in ceramic coated cookware are softer than metal, and the ceramic cooking surface degrades with normal use, which lasts about 3 to 5 years.
The main problem that arises from a lack of industry standard for ceramic cookware vs ceramic coated cookware is confusion for the buyer. Some manufacturers will market ceramic coated cookware as “ceramic cookware”, which can cause confusion to buyers. Why would some buy a 100% ceramic cookware set for $300, when they can buy a ceramic coated cookware set, also marketed as ceramic cookware for half the price? It’s kind of like buying gold plated jewelry rather than solid gold jewelry. It looks good when you buy it, but since it is a thin gold plating over another metal and not 100% gold, it won’t last as long. Well, the same is true for ceramic coated cookware. It is basically a cheap alternative.
Also, there is some concern that when overheated, the base aluminum metal can leach through the ceramic coating and into your food, which can lead to potential health problems.
If you are looking for 100% ceramic cookware sets, here are a few important facts to keep in mind:
- Ceramic cookware and ceramic coated cookware are PFOA and PTFE free, and the glaze gives it non stick properties.
- Ceramic cookware sets have a ceramic cooking surface and handle that is one piece. This is distinguished from ceramic coated cookware, which has a ceramic coated aluminum cooking surface, metal or plastic handle that is affixed to the ceramic pan with metal rivets.
- A 100% 10 to 14 piece 100% ceramic cookware set sells for between $300 and $400, rather than $100 to $150 for a ceramic coated cookware set, but will last for years. Ceramic coated cookware has a 3 to 5 years life span.
- Ceramic cookware can be used in the microwave oven, stove top and can handle oven temperatures of up to 2000 ° F, while ceramic coated cookware can’t be used in the microwave, due to it’s metal core, and can only be used in an oven up to 350 degrees to prevent damage or warping.
- The glaze on 100% ceramic cookware is one color for the entire piece of cookware. Ceramic coated cookware usually has a white or black ceramic coated cooking surface, with an aluminum outer shell that can be any color.
- Learn the Benefits of Ceramic cookware.
In Conclusion
With lack of labeling standards for ceramic vs ceramic coated aluminum cookware, this forces buyers to take some time to educate themselves on the differences between these two types of cookware before plunking your hard earned money down on a new set of green cookware.
100% ceramic cookware is non reactive and made from clay and water and lasts for years, while ceramic coated cookware is basically aluminum cookware that is dipped in a synthetic ceramic material, and manufacturers are able to market this low-cost version as affordable ceramic cookware.
Where Can You Learn more about the best Ceramic Cookware Set?
You can learn about Xtrema Cookware from Ceramcor here. Ceramcor was founded by Rich Bergstrom, a former executive of Corning Glass Works, the maker of Pyrex, and is the first company to make affordable ceramic cookware for home cooks, who want healthy green PFOA-free non stick cookware.
Sources:
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-05-23/features/sc-food-0518-new-nonstick-20120523_1_nonstick-cookware-cookware-manufacturers-association-pans
http://cookware.mercola.com/
http://www.lovelowfat.com/ceramic-vs-teflon/
http://cooking.stackexchange.com/questions/13473/pans-with-ceramic-coating-useful
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