Ceramic, Teflon, and Stainless Steel Cookware are the most popular types of cookware. People normally like to use these cookware in their kitchens for their different features and benefits.
Teflon and ceramic cookware come with a non-stick coating surface. They are lightweight and easy to handle. On the other side, stainless steel cookware is more durable and classical. It is considered timeless classical cookware and it is sturdy and lasts longer.
All of these types of cookware will be great for your kitchen though they are different from each other by their own facilities. If you are not an expert about cookware it would be very tough to find out the differences between them.
In this article, I have added everything in detail about ceramic vs Teflon vs stainless steel cookware. Hopefully, all of the information will help you to choose the right one for your kitchen.
Ceramic Vs Teflon Vs Stainless Steel
It is necessary to know everything about the cookware before you purchase them. It will help you to save both your time and money. There are the details right below about these kinds of cookware. Check the article to get more important facts about ceramic vs nonstick cookware as well as stainless steel vs nonstick in detail.
Ceramic Cookware
One of the most fashionable and modern cookware is ceramic cookware. It is lightweight and safe for health as it is made from organic material. Ceramic cookware is nonstick and so that it is easy to clean.
Moreover, this type of cookware is free from cadmium, PFOA, and PTFE. A ceramic coating is used on the surface of the cookware which is made of natural minerals. And 100% ceramic cookware made of solid ceramic clay and other natural materials. So, it does not emit toxic fumes into the foods.
Most of the ceramic nonstick cookware comes with a glaze polish which is a kind of glass. Glass is easily broken and also harmful if accumulated in the human body with large amounts.
Moreover, ceramic cookware is useful for the new cook as it is not sticky and easy to handle. This form of cookware is available in various colors and designs. Some of them are higher grade and also safe for the dishwasher. In general, ceramic cookware is not so much expensive and needs extra care and attention to makes it last longer.
Check Ceramic Cookware Pros and Cons Here
Stainless Steel Cookware
Stainless steel cookware is best known as a timeless classical and most durable cookware. The shiny, bright, and silvery outlook of this cookware never be outdated. This cookware is considered the safest option for cooking.
Although stainless steel is a combination of other materials still it doesn’t emit a metallic taste to the foods. This kind of cookware does not come with the non-stick feature that means it does not produce any harmful toxin fumes. Stainless steel cookware has rust and corrosion resistance ability.
However, stainless steel is not as good as a heat conductor. So that, higher grade stainless steel cookware comes with an aluminum layer on the base of the pans or pots. An aluminum-based with stainless steel cookware conducts the heat evenly and perfectly.
The cookware is safe for high heat temperature, you can use it on the oven as well as the broiler. This type of cookware is very easy to clean, comfortable to handle and does not need extra care as it is sturdy and lasts longer.
Check Stainless Steel Cookware Pros and Cons Here
Teflon Cookware
Teflon is the brand name of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It is a polymer and it has non-stick properties. PTFE is used on the cookware as a non-stick coating that is very non-reactive to the foods. Although it is claimed by the manufacturers that Teflon is safe for humans and nature.
But when Teflon is heated above the recommended temperature it will release toxin fumes and chemicals into the foods and environment. So, it is recommended to cook at low to medium heat with your Teflon coated cookware.
Moreover, most of the Teflon cookware is not suitable to use with metal utensils. It is better to use wooden or plastic utensils with your Teflon coated cookware. This type of cookware is relatively expensive like ceramic coating cookware.
However, Teflon coated cookware allows cooking with less butter or oil. That means Teflon cookware is useful to reduce cholesterol or fat. And this type of cookware is also lightweight and comfortable to maintain. Since it provides non-stick features it is also very easy to clean.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Teflon (Non-stick) Cookware
It’s important to know the positives and negatives of Teflon coated nonstick cookware before buying or using it. And here are they.
Advantages of Teflon Cookware
- Teflon cookware is useful for the inexperienced or new cook.
- It allows cooking with less oil that means it is a healthier option to cook your meal.
- This kind of cookware is durable.
- It is considered classical and excellent non-stick properties.
- This cookware is lightweight which is easy to maintain.
- Non-stick cookware is affordable and available in various designs.
- Generally, it’s made from aluminum or hard anodized aluminum which helps to distribute heat evenly.
- Some high-grade non-stick cookware is safe for the dishwasher.
Disadvantages of Teflon Cookware
- Teflon cookware used PTFE-base coating which may leach toxin fumes when it is heated above the recommended temperature.
- This cookware could leach metallic flavor or taste when it is scratched or damaged.
- It is not safe for high heat temperature, only stable at low to medium temperature.
- This form of cookware is not suitable for metal utensils or metal scrubbers.
- Need extra attention or care to make it last longer.
- Not resistance for scratch or not for the dishwasher cleaning.
Quick Overview of Ceramic Vs Teflon (Nonstick Cookware)
The main difference between ceramic vs Teflon Cookware lies in the structure of the non-stick coating surface. Teflon non-stick cookware used a PTFE-based coating surface which is known to release fume toxin when it is heated above a certain temperature.
On the other hand, the surface of ceramic coated cookware is free from PFOA and PTFE. It is made from natural minerals, which means it does not release harmful chemicals to the foods. In short, both of the non-stick cookware comes with a different coating surface.
Teflon and ceramic cookware both of them are not stable to use with metal utensils. You have to use wooden, silicone, nylon, or plastic utensils when you cook with your Teflon or ceramic coated pans or pots. Both of the types of cookware are similarly expensive and come with a short lifespan.
That means the non-stick coating surface can wear off over time and protests of it turning sticky are common. Although both of the cookware is safe for the oven, it is better to use them at low to medium temperature in addition to avoid an unexpected breaking.
Teflon Vs Ceramic | Similarities and Differences
- Health Issue
If you are a health concern then you must know that cookware is also an important part of your health. Choosing non-toxic healthy cookware is necessary for healthy cooking. When it comes to Teflon, most people worried about health issues.
Today’s Teflon coated cookware is PFOA free that means there are no health risks with this type of cookware. But you must care about the cooking temperature. Because cooking at high temperature will leach toxins from Teflon coated cookware. Also cooking acidic foods is risky with Teflon nonstick cookware.
Finally, we can say that Teflon is safe for everyday cooking. And according to FDA “there are no known risks to humans from using Teflon-coated cookware”.
100% Ceramic and Ceramic Coated cookware, both are safer than Teflon while it comes to the health issue. But 100% pure ceramic is safer than the coated ones.
- Durability
Looking for a durable one between Teflon and Ceramic? Then you should for Teflon coated one. Teflon-coated cookware mainly made of Hard Anodized Aluminium material that is harder than Ceramic. So it lasts for long.
On the other hand, pure ceramic cookware is less durable but Ceramic coated is also the same durability as Teflon.
- Usability and Performance
You can cook almost the same type of dishes in both ceramic and Teflon cookware besides Acidic Foods. But some ceramic pots and pans appearance is better than Teflon as a result, you can also use them to serve foods on the table.
Using metal utensils is strongly prohibited for most of the Teflon and Ceramic pots and pans. But some sets available with metal utensils safe features. Still, you should avoid it to keep the nonstick surface better for a long time.
Performance means nonstick property, cleaning, and overall lifetime of the cookware. Comparing to ceramic, Teflon cookware has better nonstick properties that help to cook with less oil and clean easily.
- Dishwasher and Oven Safe
Both Ceramic and Teflon cookware available in the market with dishwasher and oven safe features. But we recommend avoiding dishwasher cleaning as well as an oven for both of them.
- Lifespan
Teflon has a better lifespan than Ceramic.
- Care and Maintenance
Both of these cookware needs care and maintenance to use them for a long time. You should use a rubber scrubber and gentle soap/detergent to clean these pots and pans.
Always avoid metal scrubbers as well as hard detergents to keep the nonstick property good. Also, avoid cooking spray for Teflon coated ones.
- Price
Ceramic cookware price is slightly higher than the Teflon especially if it’s made of 100% pure ceramic. But compared to Stainless Steel or Copper, both of these cookware is less expensive.
Ceramic Frying Pan Vs Teflon Coated Pan
When you want to compare only Ceramic and Teflon Frying Pan, then there are only a few things you can compare.
- The Teflon pan cooking surface is more nonstick than the ceramic one.
- The ceramic nonstick pans will last less than the Teflon.
- The Teflon frying pan is a little bit heavier compared to ceramic pans.
- Ceramic pan is safer than the Teflon nonstick pan.
- A nonstick frying pan is easier to care and maintain than a ceramic frying pan.
PTFE Vs Teflon
When you are talking about Teflon or Nonstick cookware, PTFE is the most used and related term. So what’s the relation or difference between Teflon and PTFE?
Well, most of the people think that PTFE and Teflon are two different things. But they are wrong because Teflon or PTFE is the same thing. PTFE is the short name of Polytetrafluoroethylene chemical and Teflon is the Registered Brand Name of the same chemical. This chemical is one type of polymer which used to make cookware surface nonstick.
And this nonstick layer won’t react with food while cooking at low to medium temperatures. But there is a risk of reacting foods with high temperatures, so you should always avoid cooking at high temperatures with nonstick or Teflon.
Check: Hard Anodized Vs Ceramic Cookware Here
Ceramic Vs Stainless Steel Cookware
The main difference between both of them is ceramic cookware is non-stick while stainless steel cookware is not. Ceramic cookware is recommended to use at low to medium heat. On the other hand, stainless steel cookware can resist heat more than ceramic ones.
You can use your stainless steel cookware with metal utensils while ceramic cookware is not safe for that. Ceramic cookware requires extra care to make it last longer.
On the other side, stainless steel cookware is stronger than ceramic cookware and also comes with a lifetime guarantee. Moreover, stainless steel cookware is scratch and rust-resistant, it is safe for the metal scrubber and dishwasher cleaning. While ceramic cookware is not safe for dishwasher cleaning, the dishwasher could damage its non-stick coating surface.
However, both of the cookware has some similarities also. Both of them are safe for healthy cooking and also eco-friendly. Ceramic and stainless steel cookware is non-reactive and also non-porous to the foods.
Last Thought
To sum up the post, it is essential to consider the issue of health when you want to buy any cookware. Check the manufactures information before buying the cookware to ensure that either it is safe or not. However, ceramic vs Teflon vs stainless steel cookware is claimed to be safe and environment-friendly.
Although some cheap grade cookware could release metallic effect on the foods. To avoid this try to get high-grade cookware sets. Though it would be more expensive but will healthier for cooking your meals.
Useful Resources
- https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/12/08/563808879/can-your-ceramic-cookware-give-you-lead-poisoning
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/teflon-and-perfluorooctanoic-acid-pfoa.html
- https://www.teflon.com/en/consumers/teflon-coatings-cookware-bakeware/safety
