Cheap vs Expensive Ceramic Coated Cookware

Ceramic-Coated Cookware gained popularity during the last decade because it was considered a safe alternative to Teflon. All ceramic coatings are free of PTFE and PFOA, the two substances that have picked up a lot of negative publicity.

Here are some benefits that ceramic cookware with a non-stick coating can offer to potential buyers:

1. Ceramic-coated cookware is claimed to be non-reactive, which means you can safely cook any type of food in it, including acidic foods.
2. A non-stick surface helps to prevent food from sticking, allowing for easy release.
3. The ceramic-coated interior surface requires less fat to keep food from sticking compared to stainless steel or cast iron cookware.
4. Silicon dioxide, which is found in ceramic coatings repels oil and water from the surface, making cleanup a breeze.
5. Ceramic cookware has a visually appealing finish and looks nice when displayed on your kitchen shelves. A variety of bright, decorative colors makes this cookware attractive for food-serving purposes.
6. The aluminum construction ensures that ceramic-coated cookware is lightweight and easy to lift and handle.

Common Complaints About Cheap Ceramic-Coated Cookware

The early models of ceramic-coated cookware didn’t have a high-quality coating and the performances did not fulfill buyers’ needs and expectations:

The most common complaints about older ceramic-coated pots and pans are:

• The coating is vulnerable to impacts and prone to chipping or cracking. With proper use and care, the average lifespan of this cookware is about three years.
• Non-stick properties tend to decline over time. Some types of coating can lose their non-stick properties after a short period.
• The non-stick coating can be scratched with metal utensils, so you must use silicone or wooden spatulas and spoons.
• Hand washing is recommended because the strong dishwashing detergent can wear out the non-stick surface.
• The interior ceramic coating has a low thermal resistance and is oven-safe only up to 350°F.

The Next Generation of Ceramic Coated Cookware

Nowadays, ceramic-coated cookware lines are made using more innovative technology. The improvements include the following:

1. Manufacturers apply more layers of ceramic, so the newer coatings are less susceptible to scratching. Consequently, modern ceramic-coated cookware has a much longer lifespan.
2. The newer ceramic coatings can remain non-stick after years of use.
3. Some new product lines are made from high-quality stainless steel with an aluminum core and multiple-layered ceramic interior coating. The stainless steel base makes this cookware compatible with induction ranges, while the aluminum core improves heat conductivity.
4. The new qualities also include better heat resistance. Some brands with innovative coatings are oven-safe up to 850° F.
5. Some brands of modern ceramic-coated cookware are dishwasher-safe to give you added convenience.

Sol-Gel Technology

Most ceramic non-stick coatings are applied using a sol-gel process. The sol-gel process converts an inorganic liquid substance into a gel. The gel then can be applied to any metal. Sol-gel coatings are generally applied either by spraying or dipping the item in the mineral gel. The next step is firing under high heat known as curing.

There are five basic ingredients in a sol-gel coating: The binder, the “non-stick” component, the pigments, the reinforcing agents, and the carrier which evaporates when the coating is cured.

Sol-gel coatings are scratch and abrasion-resistant, have a good non-stick performance, and can withstand higher temperatures (up to 450°C/840°F) compared to PTFE or inferior ceramic coatings.

Thermolon

Thermolon is the patented non-stick ceramic coating based on sol-gel technology that GreenPan company uses in their non-stick products. The coating is made of silicon and oxygen. These pans feature excellent thermal conductivity and high scratch resistance. They are dishwasher safe, and heat resistant up to 850°.

Titanium Reinforced Interior Ceramic Coating

Titanium-reinforced coating incorporates titanium to provide extremely high resistance to scratches and chemicals. This type of coating has all the benefits of top-quality ceramic coating. Plus, it is much harder.

Related brand: The cookware from the popular brand Scanpan has recycled aluminum-stainless steel construction and ceramic, titanium-reinforced interior surface. The interior coating is highly scratch-resistant and allows for the use of metal utensils. The metal layer on the bottom makes this cookware suitable for induction stovetops. Plus, these pans are advertised to last a lifetime.

Nano Ceramic Nonstick Coating

Nanoceramic coating consists of ceramic nanoparticles, which are glued to the cookware surface by using a special adhesive. This coating is durable, scratch-resistant, and extra smooth. Plus, nano-ceramic nonstick coating is dishwasher safe, and will not fade or peel with repeated use.

Related brand: The Flamekiss Fry Pan by Amorè Kitchenware has a scratch-resistant nano-ceramic coating that can be used with metal utensils.

The problem is that nanotechnology is a completely new branch of science. It also still isn’t entirely clear whether the use and disposal of nanoparticles affect human health and the environment.

Diamond Technology

Diamond coating is reinforced with real shimmering diamond crystals. This type of coating has excellent durability and exceptional non-stick properties.

Related brand: Swiss Diamond Cookware

The coating of Swiss Diamond pans contains up to 200,000 real diamond crystals. Diamond particles give an extra-long lifetime, superior heat conduction, and outstanding nonstick release properties to their cookware. Diamond cookware is advertised to be perfect for cooking without oil, so you can trim down calories and fat.

It seems that high-end ceramic-coated cookware will be worth investing in.

Sharing is caring!