Are Ceramic Pans Safe | The Truth You Should Know
You probably have heard countless times if ceramic pans are better and healthier than the traditional non-stick pans. With all the claims over ceramic pans, no surprise if lots of people immediately throw their traditional non-stick pans and replace it with the ceramic one. However, before actually ditching your old pans, the truth over ceramic pans' safety is still vague.
The main concern with ceramic cookware is the health concern. Even though many people claim that ceramic cookware is a healthier option but some ceramic cookware still contains heavy metal that may leach and hazardous for human health.
What is Ceramic Pan Made Of?
Technically, the term ceramic refers to clay which has been hardened by fire. However, the ceramic cookware is classified into two types of cookware as the following.
Ceramic Coated Cookware – Ceramic coating is a new addition in the cookware industry. The cookware is made of some sort of metal (mostly hard anodized aluminum) which has been coated with ceramic. Simply to say, the ceramic is only used to cover the metal surface. There is also the non-stick option of ceramic coated cookware that usually made from inorganic minerals such as oxygen and silicon.
100% Ceramic Cookware – the 100% ceramic cookware is the type of cookware which made from original clay and hardened by fire. Since the ceramic cookware is made from metal-free material, it should be a good choice. However, the main issue with 100% ceramic cookware is it easily cracks and prone to damage.
What about ceramic pans Heat Resistance?
Both ceramic cookware and ceramic-coated cookware has a great heat resistant. Since it is made of inorganic nature, the ceramic cookware can be used up to 450 degrees Celsius before starting to produce fumes. Even after reaching the high heat, ceramic cookware does not emit any hazardous and harmful particles.
Are ceramic pans leaching metal?
Are ceramic pans safe? Well, most people likely to question the safety of ceramic cookware. The 100% unglazed ceramic pans are completely free from harmful substances. It is one of the safest choices for cooking. The problem is the ceramic coated and glazed cookware. This is because there have been some reports of ceramic glaze that leach cadmium and lead into food. However, unless you are buying ceramic-coated pans from Asian countries or Latin America, there should be nothing to worry about. This is because, in America, ceramic cookware has to meet the FDA standard which should free from cadmium and lead.
Is it really the best choice over traditional non-stick pans?
If you are comparing with traditional Teflon pans, ceramic cookware can be considered is a healthier option. Even though there is some shady truth about the safety issue, but as long as you get to buy from a reputable brand, there should be no problem. It is also important to always maintain the cleaning procedure because ceramic cookware is very easy to chip and crack. You will also need to follow the cooking instruction to prevent the cookware from damage and still preserve the flavor of the food.
