Since the 1900s, human lives have been simpler with cooking hacks. One such way is the nonstick cookware in household chores. As days are changing, there are various nonstick cookware in the market.
If you visit local or online stores, you will see a lot of cookware in different sizes, stick or nonstick, copper or cast iron, spendy or cheap, shapes, materials, etc.
Out of all of these, the most popular ones are ceramic and Teflon cookware. But what's the difference between ceramic vs. Teflon cookware?
In this article, you will get a complete comparison between Teflon vs. ceramic cookware, along with their differences. So, stay with us till the end of the article!
Ceramic Cookware
Most people misunderstand that ceramic cookware is completely made of ceramics.
The ceramic cookware is mostly aluminum or steel with a base coat of nonstick ceramic surfaces.
In ceramic coatings, you will not find any PFOA or carbon, but it is made of different minerals blends.
Besides you can find be a non stick ceramic pans too.
Teflon Cookware
PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) substance is also known as Teflon. People often use PTFE in place of Teflon. In the 1930s, Chemours, a chemical company, invented this compound.
However, it was used in the 1960s as a nonstick surface. Nevertheless, there are many commercial purposes where you can use Teflon for its nonstick, non-reactive, and durability.
Now, let's know the difference between these two most prominent cookware materials
Ceramic vs. Teflon Cookware
There are many differences between ceramic and Teflon cookware. The table below shows some core differences:
Category | Ceramic Cookware | Teflon Cookware |
Safety | Non-toxic | Releases toxic fumes |
Scratch resistance | Metal utensils safe | Avoid metal utensils |
Heat tolerance | Max 800-degree Fahrenheit safe temperature | Max 500-degree Fahrenheit safe temperature |
Heat retention | More efficient | Less efficient |
Oven safe | Yes | No |
Lifespan | 3-5 years | 3-5 years |
Limits | Cannot deglaze | Cannot braise, sear, deglaze |
Which One is Easy to Use?
It is very easy to use nonstick cookware made of Teflon or ceramic. You don't require any special preparation or seasoning to use them in most cases.
However, you can't feel safe with them in the oven or dishwasher. Additionally, you could easily destroy the surface if you use baking soda, abrasive sponges, or metal utensils.
Which one is More Durable?
There is no difference in the durability of them. Based on the usage, both cookware has a lifespan of 3 - 5years.
However, if you use them regularly, they would wear out, lose effectiveness, or get scratched in due time.
Performance
Teflon and ceramic cookware are mostly nonstick, which stops foods from sticking in the pan.
However, there are no experiments that show Teflon or ceramics are better. But in most cases, reviews show that a lot of food gets stuck in ceramic cookware.
Care and Maintenance
Ceramic and Teflon cookware shows more differences in care and maintenance.
You will find cautions of scratching and rendering the nonstick coating. In most nonstick cookware, you should avoid using metal utensils.
Manufacturers of Teflon cookware suggest using non-metal utensils, whereas you can use wooden utensils in ceramic cookware.
However, there is a high chance of ruining these coatings with cleaners, baking soda, sponges, bleach, or cooking spray.
Another plus of using Teflon or ceramic cookware is that food doesn't get stuck easily. But if the dishes get too dirty, you can use normal dish soap and warm water to clean this cookware.
While cleaning this cookware, it would be best to cool them down because high heated nonstick crockeries get easily damaged while cleaning.
Additionally, you can use ceramic or Teflon cookware to prepare acidic food as they are very safe and non-reactive.
So, simply put your tomato sauce in the pan without worrying about damaging your cookware!
Which One is Safe?
In 2013, there were certain cancer cases for a chemical, PFOA. PFOA was used to process Teflon at that time. Later, it was proved that there is no PFOA in Teflon cookware.
Still, some people believe you will get toxic fumes from heating Teflon at 500-degree Fahrenheit. According to the American Cancer Society, there are no risks for using Teflon-coated cookware.
On the other hand, most ceramic cookware is made in the US, which seems safe, but it is necessary to get it from reputable stores.
It would be best to avoid purchasing from street vendors or flea markets.
Additionally, it is necessary to avoid using ceramic cookware that is not designed or damaged to prepare foods.
You can find cadmium or lead in ceramics in handmade or overseas manufactured ceramic cookware.
Drawbacks of Teflon and Ceramic Cookware
Though there are many benefits of using ceramic vs. Teflon cookware, you will also find drawbacks of Teflon and ceramic cookware while you start to cook.
Metal Utensils
It would help if you used plastic, silicone, or wood utensils while using Teflon or ceramic cookware.
Therefore, you should avoid tongs, metal ladles, or spatulas. If you use metal, your cookware would easily scrape off and damage your nonstick coating.
Short Life
Ceramic and Teflon nonstick cookware requires less maintenance and care than traditional cookware.
However, the time limits of Teflon and ceramic are very limited and similar to each other. But they would wear out if you use them carelessly.
Similarly, you can use them for years if maintained properly. Nevertheless, don't misunderstand having similar disabilities like cast iron or stainless steel cookware.
Oven-safe
You will get plastic handles with almost all nonstick cookware. Therefore, you cant put these dishes in the oven because the handles will easily melt down.
It is also a great idea to keep nonstick coatings away from the oven because the extreme heat could damage the crockeries. So, it would help if you used steel or cast iron to pans to braise your food.
Deglazing
While you're in the kitchen trying to make your sauce, most flavor sticks on the pan. Most cooks say that rather than being an issue, the sauce sticking on the pan is the most delicious.
Therefore, the cooks use stainless steel pans to get all the protein by scraping them off. So, you won't get these best flavors if you use a nonstick pan as it's risky to scrape the cookware.
Dishwasher Safe
Nowadays, you will find manufacturers claiming that nonstick is safe in the dishwasher—however, it's very risky to use detergents and high temperatures on nonstick coatings.
If you continuously use the dishwasher on the nonstick coatings, the cookware will wear out in a short time. So, it would be best if you used the ceramic and Teflon cookware with your hands.
Why Should You Use Nonstick Cookware?
Since the 1950s, most professionals have avoided using nonstick cookware in their kitchen. However, many homemakers choose nonstick cookware for regular use.
The main reason is the food doesn't get stuck in the pans. This reason can lead to many other reasons for getting attracted to nonstick cookware:
- Makes cooking easier for beginners by avoiding metal cookware
- Easy to clean as there's no food stuck
- Very cheap
- Use less oil while you Sautee your food
Additionally, most people stick their omelet in the pan while cooking, so you can be stress-free with getting a perfect egg.
Bottom Line
There have been many advances with Teflon in the last years. By getting rid of PFOA, they are now very trustworthy and safe cookware. You don't need extra time to scrub your dishes or stuck food in the pans.
On the other hand, ceramic goes hand-in-hand with Teflon cookware. But it is not possible to replace any of the cookware. In ceramic vs. Teflon cookware, professionals think ceramics are much long-lasting.
As this cookware is making life easier, it is tough to stop using them. However, if the technologies change, homemakers would always expect many convenient ways of cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ceramic or Teflon better?
Most people suggest that ceramic coatings are better than Teflon coating because there are no toxic fumes or chemicals. Some people believe you will get toxic fumes from heating Teflon at 500-degree Fahrenheit. However, in the case of durability, it is seen that ceramic is less durable than Teflon cookware.
Is ceramic safer than Teflon?
Most people suggest that ceramic coatings are better than Teflon coating because there are no toxic fumes or chemicals. Some people believe you will get toxic fumes from heating Teflon at 500-degree Fahrenheit. However, in the case of durability, it is seen that ceramic is less durable than Teflon cookware.
Which lasts longer, Teflon or ceramic?
There is self depleting surface in ceramic cookware. But the nonstick coating tends to fade away when you continuously use ceramic cookware. On the other side, Teflon cookware lasts longer if you take proper care of them. When cookware has a nonstick coating, it will also have similar characteristics.
Do ceramic pans have Teflon?
There is no Teflon in ceramic coatings. Ceramic cookware has one layer of nonstick coating, whereas 3 layers in Teflon pans. Therefore, you will get much lesser ( around 50%) carbon dioxide production than Teflon pans.