Best Ceramic Cookware
If you’re looking to replace your old nonstick cookware with something safer, take a look at some of the best ceramic cookware on the market with me today!
Nonstick cookware is great, isn’t it? I remember when I dreaded making fried eggs even though I liked them so much – simply because I knew the mess they would create.
These days I have no such issues, and I make fried eggs so often that I’m starting to get a bit sick of them. With nonstick cookware, I can clean off the mess with just one scrub of the sponge, and the eggs I make just slide off the pan.
So, imagine my dismay when I found out that nonstick coating can be dangerous and let out fumes that can cause flu symptoms and possibly cancer.
I wanted to replace my nonstick cookware as soon as possible, but I also kinda wanted to keep it? After all, it makes life so much easier, and can it be that dangerous?
Well, luckily, I didn’t have to wrack my brain too long since there’s a safe option – ceramic cookware. It has nonstick properties but none of the dangers. I wouldn’t have to live life without nonstick cookware after all! Hooray!
To share my joy with you, today I’ll give you some info about the ceramic cookware that I encountered while I searched for a perfect set for myself.
What’s so Special About Ceramic Cookware?
When most people think of ceramic, they might picture a fragile figurine or a teapot that easily breaks – not sturdy cookware.
Well, that’s because ceramic cookware is a relatively recent invention. It’s also not really ceramic at all. Ceramic cookware is mostly made out of metal coated with silicon and sand-based finish, giving it a glossy surface that’s akin to actual ceramic stuff – hence the name.
That’s the special thing about it. This coating can withstand temperatures of up to 800 Fahrenheit before it starts breaking down, while the regular nonstick coating can withstand only around 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Unlike a regular nonstick coating, it’s also completely non-toxic and doesn’t give off nasty fumes.
On the other hand, it has most of the same downsides as other non-stick cookware. It can’t be used with metal utensils. It needs to be hand-washed so the coating doesn’t get damaged, and it can’t withstand rapid temperature changes.
Solid ceramic cookware exists as well, but it’s rarer and more expensive, and you wouldn’t know the difference by looking alone. It is more fragile than regular cookware, but it is better at conducting heat and can cook food more evenly than almost any other material.
I prefer the coated stuff, though, since it is more affordable, and I don’t have to act like a bull in a china shop in my own kitchen.
Related: Hard Anodized Cookware; What Makes Copper Cookware Better?; All About Stainless Steel Cookware
Tips for Finding the Best Ceramic Cookware Set
If you’ve never bought ceramic cookware and don’t know what to look for, here are a few pointers that you should follow:
1. Take a Look at What the Set Contains
Always check out the contents of a cookware set before you buy it and make sure that everything in there is something you need.
More pieces in the set don’t necessarily mean it’s better – if it’s got only 2 or 3 pieces that you actually need, it’s probably not worth buying. Just get a smaller, cheaper set that only has what you require.
A good set should have a few different pots and pans with lids and a few extras, like kitchen utensils or measuring cups and the like. Don’t just buy it for the extras, though; that’s never worth it.
2. Check the Materials
Since ceramic cookware is not exactly ceramic, it can still be made out of different materials, and the ceramic finish on it can also have different compositions.
But there’s also more to consider than just the materials used to make the main body of the cookware. For example, you want the handles to be made out of something other than cheap plastic or pure metal. That way, they won’t melt when they heat up and won’t be too hot to touch. Insulated rubber or thick, heat-resistant plastic is usually the perfect choice.
Glass lids are usually the best, but make sure it’s shatter-resistant glass so you can stay safe while cooking. There’s other stuff, but you get the point.
3. Make Sure the Size Fits You
Depending on what you want to cook, you’ll need different-sized pots and pans, and you should make sure the set has a good mix of different sizes that fit you.
Don’t just look at the volume, either – look at how wide and tall the cookware is. Will it fit on your stovetop? Do you have something that’s deep enough to stir what you’re cooking in it properly? Is it too shallow for what you want to cook in it? Consider everything about it before buying it.
4. What’s Your Budget?
Finally, consider your budget and compare it with the price of the cookware. Do you really need a full set? Can you get by with a smaller, cheaper set that will save you money? Are you willing to pay for a high-quality set, or will you be satisfied with something a bit less glamorous but affordable? These are all questions you need to ask yourself when shopping for ceramic cookware.
Most Recommended Ceramic Cookware Sets: Detailed Reviews 2022
Paula Deen Signature Collection Porcelain Nonstick 15-Piece Ceramic Cookware Set
When a big name is attached to a product, I tend to get a little bit wary, but it turned out there was no reason for that in this case. It’s a superb set of ceramic cookware with only a few flaws to its name.
The first thing that caught my eye was the number of pieces in the set – 15 in total and with a lot of variety – various pots and pans, a Dutch oven, and so on. Plus, you get a set of cute measuring spoons with everything, not a bad deal!
The next things I noticed were the handles – they’re well-insulated, and they have handy metal rings on the end, allowing you to easily hang the cookware. It’s great for space-saving!
The negative of that is that the handles end up being quite heavy, more so than the main body of the cookware. That means that the pots and pans will turn over if they’re empty or only slightly full, so watch out.
It seems that the screws on the handles also come loose after a while – they seem fine after I tightened them, but it’s a negative nonetheless.
Pros
- Lots of variety in terms of size and function
- Copper rings on handles so you can hang the cookware.
- Handles are well-insulated and don’t heat up too much.
- You get a nice extra measuring set with it.
- The set is completely oven-safe
Cons
- The handles are quite heavy, so the pans can tip over when they’re not full enough.
- The screws on the handles can come loose and need to be tightened.
Cook N Home NC-00358 Nonstick Ceramic Coating 10-Piece Cookware Set
This is only a 10-piece set, but you still get a lot of stuff in it, more than it seems at first. There are two saucepans, a casserole, a dutch oven, and two frying pans. You also get glass lids for everything except the frying pans.
For a price this low, that’s a great deal, and as a starter kit, this set works exceptionally well. The construction seems to be sturdy too.
They seem to heat up well, keep the heat for a long time, and the non-stick ceramic coating works exceptionally well.
Now, with that said, I do feel that it lacks a few things – there’s nothing extremely large in the set and nothing extremely small. Everything is medium-sized, and I prefer to have some of the options that are missing here. There are also no extras.
There are other issues, too – the coating seems fragile and the handles, while nicely insulated, seem rather flimsy and easy to break.
It’s clearly a budget-oriented set, and it’s good for what it is.
Pros
- Great set for such an affordable price
- Mostly sturdy
- They heat up easily
- The non-stick coating works wonderfully.
Cons
- The set lacks some extremely large or small pieces and has no extras.
- The handles are flimsy.
- It seems the coating is fragile.
T-fal C996SE Ceramic Cookware Set, 14-Piece
When I saw the price on this 14-piece set, I was surprised since it seemed like a steal. Do you get a set with 4 pots, 2 frying pans, and 4 plastic utensils for a price this low? Is this possible?
Well, that’s because not all pieces of the set are useful. The smaller pan is nearly useless since it’s just so tiny. I can find some uses for it from time to time, but that’s exceptionally rare.
The plastic utensils that come with it are quite flimsy as well, so they won’t last too long. They melt way too easily.
However, once I got over some of those initial apprehensions, the rest of the set was great. The nonstick coating works great, and it seems to be quite durable – I’ve seen no chipping or scratches so far.
The handles are sturdy and well-insulated, and the same goes for the handles on the glass lids. The food browns nicely and evenly too, which I love.
It also seems that the pots and pans all heat up quite well and retain the heat for quite a long time.
So, overall, this is a great budget set, though it does have a few problems.
Pros
- The nonstick coating works, and it’s durable
- Durable and well-insulated handles
- Incredibly affordable
- Everything heats up well and evenly
Cons
- The smallest frying pan is too small
- The extra plastic utensils are of poor quality
GreenLife CW0005103 Soft Grip Nonstick Ceramic Cookware Set, 14-Piece
Most ceramic cookware is not dishwasher safe at all, so it was a nice surprise to see a set that claims to be completely dishwasher safe. It seems to survive the dishwasher fine, which is always a good thing.
You also get a wide variety of different cookware here – fry pans, sauté pans, saucepans, a stockpot, and so on. Most of them also have great lids made of tempered glass.
The nonstick coating seems to work well, as far as food not sticking to it goes. I also like the overall design – the top edges are slanted, so it’s easy to fit any utensils into them.
Sadly, the ceramic coating here seems to be on the lower end. It scratches easily and starts peeling at high heat. It’s quite disappointing. It’s still a good set, provided that you cook at lower temperatures with it.
That also helps with the handles overheating and melting slightly. That was just disappointing.
Pros
- Affordable price for what you get
- It’s dishwasher safe
- A wide variety of available cookware
- Comes with some good extras
Cons
- The ceramic coating is of poor quality
- The handles can overheat
GreenLife CC001792-001 Soft Grip 16 Piece Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware Set
This is absolutely the most beautiful and one of the most complete sets I’ve seen so far. It contains three open fry pans, two covered saucepans, a covered stockpot, a covered sauté pan, and a food steamer along with four plastic utensils.
Unlike most of these sets, the plastic utensils here are useful and well-made, which was a pleasant surprise.
The pots and pans are also sturdy and well-made. They’re made out of reinforced aluminum and conduct heat evenly, as far as I can tell. Nothing’s I’ve cooked in them has come out uneven so far!
The entire set is also dishwasher safe, and the nonstick coating seems to hold up well after quite a lot of use.
But, there are a few negatives here as well. The smallest pan doesn’t hold up well, and it broke apart rather quickly.
The handles also heat up too much since they’re not well insulated, which is a big negative to me. Still, despite that, I’d say that this is a set worth buying.
Pros
- You get a lot of variety in the set
- Comes with a set of great plastic utensils
- They cook food evenly
- Dishwasher safe, and the nonstick coating is durable
Cons
- The smallest pan is less durable than the rest of the set
- The handles are not well-insulated
The Final Word
Now, after all this, there’s just one question left – which of these ceramic cookware sets is the best?
Well, it was a bit difficult for me to decide on that since all of these sets have something unique to offer. There’s so much variety available that my mind was spinning!
The one I set my heart on after I was finished fussing about it was the GreenLife CC001792-001 Soft Grip 16 Piece Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware Set since it just seems to offer the greatest value for the price. It’s got a lot of variety, almost everything in the set is useful, it can be washed in the dishwasher, and the nonstick coating is great.
That’s my final decision, and I’m sticking to it like food to a pan!
If you’ve got some thoughts on my decision or just a question you want to ask, feel free to do it! I would love to hear from you, and I’ll answer as soon as possible!
Take care and enjoy your new ceramic cookware!
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