The kitchen holds an integral part of every household. It is where we spent a good amount of time every day, cooking healthy and nutritious dishes for our loved ones and ourselves. However, to ensure that food is cooked in a healthy and nutritious way, the choice of our containers is essential too. When it comes to cookware, ceramic, stainless steel, and Teflon are the most popular choice of cookware in India. In this article, we are going to have a detailed discussion about ceramic cookware vs stainless steel.
Yes! We will carry out the contrast between them and will learn about them.
This article will also answer your question about “Is ceramic cookware better than stainless steel?” But, before learning about ceramic cookware vs stainless steel, let us know about them separately.
Table of Contents
Ceramic cookware
Ceramic cookware is comparatively the latest addition to the nonstick cookware market. It is an environment-friendly, safe, and durable cookware option. However, compared to stainless steel, it is less sturdy. However, it is better than Teflon since it does not come with any chemical coating and hence food cooked in it is healthy, nutritious, and safe.
Ceramic cookware is mainly of two categories- the pure ceramic one made by baking clay and the ceramic coated cookware made by spraying stainless steel and aluminum cookware with a coating of ceramic.
Advantages of ceramic cookware
Some of the advantages ceramic cookware have over other cookware are
1. Toxic-free
Ceramic cookware is completely free of toxins. It is made of all-natural material to prevent any foreign and harmful substances from leaching into your food. The minerals with which ceramic coating is made is also devoid of harmful toxins like cadmium and lead.
2. Nonstick
Some ceramic cookware is non-stick. Ceramic cookware has nonstick properties which ensure that food does not stick to the surface while cooking. It is also a better choice compared to Teflon since it does not have a harmful coating. Stainless steel cookware, on the other hand, is not nonstick.
3. Easy clean-up
Since ceramic is nonstick cookware, therefore food does not stick to the surface of the cookware. Hence, these utensils are easy to clean. This means that you do not have to spend hours cleaning the cookware surface like with other cookware. Another bonus is that some ceramic cookware now is dishwasher safe to make cleaning even easier.
4. Equal heat distribution
Ceramic cookware heats up easily, making sure that food is cooked uniformly and consistently since the material does not have any unequal heating and cooling spots.
5. Affordable
Ceramic cookware is comparatively more affordable as compared to Teflon and stainless steel cookware. This is even more so when you buy ceramic-coated cookware.
Disadvantages of ceramic
A few disadvantages ceramic cookware have are.
1. Used at Low or Medium Heat
- Can be used only at low or medium heat.
- Ceramic cookware is best suited for food that requires it to be cooked at low or medium heat. Cooking on ceramic cookware at high heat can damage it. Hence, they can be used to cook only a certain kind of dishes that require low to medium heat.
2. Short Lifespan
- The lifespan is shorter.
- Ceramic cookware is delicate and fragile and can break easily if not dealt with care.
- Cooking on them on high heat or an accidental fall on the kitchen floor can bring an end to it. Compared to ceramic, stainless steel is more durable and sturdy and can last for many years.
3. Things to Avoid while using Ceramic
- Metal utensils should not be used with ceramic.
- When you cook on ceramic cookware, try to avoid metal utensils with them as they can damage or even break them. Wood, nylon, plastic, or nonstick utensils are best suited to them.
Precautions that need to be taken while using ceramic cookware
Before moving to Ceramic Cookware Vs Stainless Steel, let us talk about the precautions you need to take when it comes to using ceramic cookware. Ceramic cookware heats up quickly. One should, therefore, master the art of cooking on low heat before switching to ceramic. Ceramic cookware also should be limited for cooking on low to medium heat.
These should be stored in a good and safe place, where the chances of them colliding with other utensils are minimum as they are prone to breakage.
Stainless steel cookware
It is important to know about stainless steel cookware before you learn about Ceramic Cookware vs Stainless Steel. So, if you are looking for sturdy and durable cookware, then stainless steel is the one for you. This cookware is highly sturdy and durable and can last up to several generations if handled with care.
It is made by using different metals such as carbon, silicon, nickel, manganese, chromium, and iron. This results in a durable and robust substance that it is.
If cleaned and used properly, they add a sufficient shine to your kitchen. It is also a safer option for cookware. Unlike Teflon, it does not come with a chemical coating, and compared to ceramic cookware, they are extremely sturdy.
Advantages of stainless steel cookware
Some of the advantages stainless steel cookware have over other cookware are
1. High durability
Stainless steel cookware is highly durable and sturdy since they are made up of a combination of metals. You don’t have to worry about them accidentally falling from your hands or rusting or chipping.
2. Great cooking advantages
Food can be cooked perfectly in stainless steel cookware because it distributes heat equally, ensuring that your food is cooked perfectly.
3. Low maintenance
Stainless steel cookware is low on maintenance. Since these do not break easily, these can be cleaned easily. Also simple but regular cleaning will make it last for generations.
4. Easy cleanup
You can clean them easily. Like ceramic cookware, these have a smooth surface. You do not need to pay any unnecessary amount of effort to maintain these. Most stainless steel cookware is also dishwasher safe.
5. Non-reactive with food
Unlike Teflon, which comes with a chemical coating, food cooked in stainless steel cookware is extremely safe and hygienic. It is perfect for cooking acidic recipes like tomato sauce without worrying about the risk of contamination.
Disadvantages of stainless steel cookware
A few disadvantages stainless steel cookware have are.
1. They are not nonstick
Stainless steel cookware is not nonstick. Hence there is a risk of food sticking to the surface when cooking. Thus, they are great for deep frying, boiling, or sautéing.
2. Poor heat conduction
Stainless steel cookware, without proper aluminum or copper coating, does not conduct heat properly. However, this is not the case with multi-ply types.
3. Comparatively expensive
Compared to ceramic cookware, these are far more expensive. Although cheaper ones are also available in the market, they are generally of poor quality.
4. Discoloration
The exterior surface of the stainless steel cookware can discolor easily when exposed to high heat.
Precautions that need to be taken while using stainless steel cookware
When cooking on stainless steel cookware, one should always heat it before adding oil. The oil should also be swirled around the entire surface to form a nonstick-like layer to prevent it from sticking to the bottom surface.
Stainless steel vs ceramic cookware
Both stainless steel and ceramic are great cookware options. It depends on your choice of food to decide which one you would like to purchase. While ceramic cookware is nonstick and suitable for cooking on low and medium heat, stainless steel ones are sturdy and durable and can last up to many generations when taken care of.
Hence, is ceramic cookware better than stainless steel?
Let us have a close look at Ceramic Cookware vs Stainless Steel or you can say Cookware Ceramic Vs Stainless Steel.
1.Which one is safer?
Both ceramic as well as stainless steel cookware are made of natural materials. Hence there is no chance of the food getting contaminated. However, with stainless steel cookware, a small scratch can cause small metal particles to leach into your food. Stainless steel cookware, on burning, releases tiny metal particulate into the food. Not grazed ceramic cookware, therefore, is a better option to use. Not grazed ceramic cookware, therefore, is a better option to use. This is an important aspect when it comes to Ceramic Cookware vs Stainless Steel.
2. Which is more popular?
Stainless steel cookware has been there for a long time. They can be found in almost every Indian household. They are durable and low on maintenance. Ceramic cookware, too, on the other hand, has been gaining rapid popularity as more and more people now are opting for nonstick cookware options.
3. Durability
When it comes to durability, stainless steel ones are more sturdy and durable since they are made up of a combination of metals. They are low on maintenance. Ceramic ones, on the other hand, are quite fragile. An accidental slip from your hand means that you have to bid it goodbye! So, this feature is important when it is about Ceramic Cookware vs Stainless Steel.
4. Which is cheaper?
Stainless steel cookware are comparatively priced higher than ceramic ones. So, the affordability plays a great role when it comes to Ceramic Cookware vs Stainless Steel.
Both the cookware have their own set of pros and cons. Hence, whether you want to purchase stainless steel or ceramic cookware depends entirely on your wish.
The above-mentioned information will help you to choose better between ceramic or stainless steel cookware.
Stainless steel vs nonstick vs ceramic cookware- Which one should you choose?
Choosing among stainless steel, nonstick, and ceramic cookware can be quite a Herculean task. However, we have made your work easier.
Below mentioned information can guide you to choose the best cookware for your home.
1. Affordability
Ceramic cookware is often cheaper than stainless steel cookware. It is, however, more expensive than Teflon-coated cookware.
Teflon is the cheapest of the three options.
Stainless steel cookware, when made of the best quality stainless steel, is the most expensive cookware out of these three.
2. Durability
The ceramic coated cookware is more durable than Teflon cookware but lesser than stainless steel ones. Ceramic cookware is prone to breakage, chipping, and cracking. Hence they have to be handled with care.
The Teflon coated cookware is not very durable as the coating peels off with time, exposing the food to the metal base.
Stainless steel cookware, however, does not have any such problems.
3. Safety
Ceramic cookware is made up of natural materials and does not contain any toxic materials. Hence there is no risk of the food getting contaminated.
In the case of nonstick cookware, when the nonstick material starts to wear off, there is an increased risk of exposure to metals and toxic chemicals.
There should not be any safety concerns in the case of stainless steel cookware.
Also Read:
Is Non-Stick Cookware Harmful For Your Health?| How To Use, Precautions & Other Cookware Types
4. Cleaning
Both the nonstick as well as ceramic cookware, are easy to clean. On the other hand, the stainless steel cookware is difficult to clean since it does not offer a nonstick surface.
5. Cooking quality
Ceramic cookware is best suited for food that does not require oil as it can ruin the nonstick properties of the cookware. It is best for cooking food that requires low to medium heat
Teflon cookware though heat up easily, fails to retain heat.
Stainless steel cookware can be used to cook food that requires oil. The oil used forms a nonstick-like layer, preventing the food from sticking.
Therefore, the choice among stainless steel versus nonstick versus ceramic depends on your preferences. While stainless steel ones are sturdy and durable, they are difficult to clean. Ceramic ones are best for food that requires low to medium heat for cooking. Teflon ones, though the cheapest, are the least durable.
Here’s a detailed discussion on the pros and cons of ceramic cookware.
Teflon vs ceramic
As now you know Ceramic Cookware vs Stainless Steel, we move on to Teflon versus ceramic. The major difference between Teflon versus ceramic lies in the type of nonstick coating.
1. Teflon is Made with Plastic Polymer
Teflon, which is a synthetic material, belongs to a highly useful class of plastic. The plastic used is made up of a safe and stable compound which reacts less on low and medium heat. The use of Teflon cookware has gained considerable popularity nowadays due to this reason.
2. Teflon Breaks Down at High Heat
However, a major disadvantage of Teflon cookware is that the coating can start to break down on very high heat, thereby contaminating the food with toxic chemicals. Also, inhaling these fumes over time can harm health. When the coating starts wearing off, the chances of food contamination become alarming. Hence many people refrain from using Teflon cookware for recipes that require high heat.
3. Ceramic is Made with Ceramic Polymer
The disadvantages mentioned above have resulted in people opting for another nonstick cookware option called the ceramic. The coating in ceramic cookware is not made up of plastic polymers. It is instead made by combining ceramic polymer with silicon and oxygen, hence preferred over Teflon.
4. Ceramic is More Resistant to Heat
It is also more resistant to heat and has better durability than Teflon. It also retains heat for a more extended period compared to Teflon.
5. Ceramic and Teflon
- Both Teflon and ceramic cookware should be changed occasionally as frequently using them results in the chipping of the coating, making it unsuitable for use.
- Wooden and silicone utensils should be used with both the cookware to prevent the chances of damaging the coating.
- Although both Teflon and ceramic are oven safe, both the cookware has different temperature thresholds.
- Hand washing is recommended for both the cookware though both these are dishwasher safe. Also, a soft sponge should be used to avoid chipping.
Since ceramic is more durable and heat resistant compared to Teflon, it is priced higher than Teflon.
In short, ceramic is a better choice compared to Teflon because it is
- More heat resistant
- It is more durable
- More expensive
- Easier to clean
- Lasts longer
Hence, when comparing ceramic versus Teflon, your choice should depend on your budget, type, and cooking style.
Are ceramic pans good?
You now understand Ceramic Cookware vs Stainless Steel. If you are thinking of investing in ceramic cookware, read some of the commonly come across myths.
1. Ceramic cookware doesn’t last long
Many people think that ceramic cookware does not last long. Though it is not completely untrue, the ceramic coating is quite strong. However, one should wash and use them carefully to avoid chipping.
They should be used for cooking food on low to medium heat. Turning the heat higher could make the food stick to the pan and cause you to scrape the pan.
Also, wooden and silicone utensils spoons should be used with them to prevent chipping.
2. They cannot be stored in the fridge or dishwasher
This is true for ceramic cookware that are cheaper. Skillets with a thick coating are much more durable than ceramic coated ones, but they are also heavier. Ceramic cookware is also dishwasher safe.
Ceramic cookware will make your kitchen a better place. Cooking foods like eggs, chicken breast, and fish is best when done in ceramic cookware. The nonstick coating allows the food to be cooked without sticking to the surface, banishing their unfavorable reputation. They are also a healthy option to use since they require very little butter or oil. Hence it is best for people trying hard to avoid oil and butter in their food and lose weight.
Also Read:
Ceramic Coffee Mug with Warming Pad Review.
Frequently Asked Questions
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1. Is stainless steel better to cook with than ceramic?
Stainless steel offers excellent durability as compared to ceramic cookware. So if durability is a major factor for you, it is best to opt for stainless steel cookware.
2. What is the healthiest type of cookware to use?
Cookware made using ceramic, stainless steel, glass and cast iron are considered safe and healthy to use. The reason for this is they prevent any toxis elements from seeping into the food.
3. Can you cook tomatoes in ceramic?
Yes. You can cook tomatoes in a ceramic pan as these are less reactive with acidic foods.
Conclusion
The choice of your cookware is of integral importance since it affects the quality, taste, and safety of your food. If you are confused between ceramic cookware vs stainless steel, then this article is for you.
It will provide you with all the detailed information you need to know about Ceramic Cookware vs Stainless Steel. It will, in addition to this, give you further information about the difference between ceramic, stainless steel, and Teflon cookware to help you to choose better.