After the recent hype of ceramic-coated cookware, almost all of the households have started replacing them with old worn out metal pans, crockery and warming trays. However, are they really safe to use? I am sure none of us actually pondered on that.
With every positive side, there comes a negativity. A number of safety concerns popped up soon after the ceramic cookware gained popularity. Whether the toxins like arsenic or cadmium were used to make them, or if there non-stick coating had a long life. The list went on.
To help you have a clear idea regarding your safety and hygiene while cooking in ceramic-coated pans, we bring you ten secrets that you never had heard of!
The Chemicals aren’t really toxic
The Ceramic coating usually refers to using some kind of metal (aluminium for instance) that is coated with a layer of ceramic. The minerals are inorganic mainly silicon and oxygen.
Easier Manufacturing
Since it is non-Teflon based, it only requires one layer of coating which makes the manufacturing process easier and faster than other Teflon based non-stick coatings.
Inorganic Nature
The inorganic nature makes the product environmentally friendly, making them a healthier option for daily usage.
Heat Resistant
The ceramic-coated cookware surprisingly has a heat resistant property up to 450 C. Meanwhile, other products made up of Teflon and steel easily deteriorate after 400 F.
It is much safer than you can imagine
According to a recently conducted experiment, if you accidentally over heat a Ceramic-coated pan beyond 450 C, it won’t emit any fumes or give away a metal burning smell, unlike a Teflon coated one.
Ovenproof?
Most Ceramic pans have handles that belong to a different metal. If you buy a pan having a stainless steel handle, it will be ovenproof up to 500 F whereas if it has a silicon handle, you must only heat it up to 350 F.
Fascinating Non-Stick Properties
People have had different opinions on this over the years. Some think that the non-stick life lasts up to a year despite all the caution while others think it performs excellent for a long time. To us, it depends on the brands you buy. A good quality Ceramic-coated pan will have a superior non-stick release that is durable, abrasion and scratch resistant and will prove a long-life partner.
Cadmium and Lead, Really?
There were doubts regarding Cadmium and lead found in food cooked in Ceramic pans. Again, we’d like to repeat the fact that buy cookware that has good quality. Ceramic cookware made in the US and Germany undergo strict rules and are free from any traces of poisonous toxins. However, you could find some low quality products that are made in Asian and Latin American regions, so don’t go for that in any case.
Dishwasher Safe
Easier to wash with all other pans and the coating won’t come off too.
High Heating?
Since the pan is heat resistant, it can survive high heat. However, we recommend avoiding cooking your food at high temperatures because it not only takes away all the nutrition but also increases your chances of decreasing the pan’s life span.