Safety Secrets of Ceramic Coated Cookware

There are many opinions on cookware coating whether it will be non-toxic, safe to use, easy to clean and maintain, etc. While Teflon coating has had its contribution to negative advertising, there have been lot question marks, as well, about cookware that comes with the ceramic coating.  Concerns mostly comprise the likelihood of toxins and metals, such as cadmium, lead, and arsenic leaching into the food. There is even doubt on the non-stick feature of the ceramic coating.

The marketer, as well as the ceramic coating manufacturer, claims that the ceramic-coated pots and pans are ultra safe, without heavy metals or chemicals and that, they are extremely durable. However, how far their claims are true mainly counts on the opinion and the personal experience of their users.

Technically, ceramic refers to clay that has been hardened through burning it by fire, so when comes to ceramic coated cookware, it refers to some kind of metal, typically hard anodized aluminum, which has been coated with a ceramic layer.  The ceramic non-stick coating is usually prepared from inorganic minerals, chiefly oxygen and silicon, meaning the coating does not contain any carbon. This indicates that the cookware that comes with the ceramic coating will be free from PFOA and PTFE. A ceramic coating manufacturer will use only inorganic materials to produce the ceramic-coated cookware and the composition will be essentially the same as stone or sand.

Additionally, ceramic makes the manufacturing process quit simpler. Unlike PTFE based non-stick coatings that need a minimum of three applications, ceramic coatings need only one layer.  Ceramic needs less time to treat, as well, which decreases the oven time, saves power, and releases 50% less carbon dioxide than the products that are manufactured using PTFE.

Sol-gel is the process involved while manufacturing ceramic-coated cookware and kitchenware. The process will change the inert liquid Solution into a Gel, which can be applied to any metallic matter.  Sol-gel coatings are used either by dipping the item or by spray in the mineral gel. This is then hardened by curing, which is a process that involves high heat firing.

The major benefit of using the ceramic cookware coating is that it will have immense resistance to heat. The cookware will be capable of tolerating maximum heat of 450 degrees Centigrade, as ceramic is inorganic in nature.

According to a ceramic coating manufacturer, even if you heat a ceramic-coated pot or pan by chance beyond 450 degrees Centigrade, it will not release any toxic smokes, unlike a Teflon coated pot or pan.  It will not even break down, as well, meaning ceramic-coated pans or pots are safe to use.

There have been complaints on some ceramic coatings that leak cadmium or lead into food.  This is naturally true of ceramic cookware from Asian and Latin American countries where rules may be a bit slack.  In other countries like India, there are strict manufacturing principles for ceramic products to be free of cadmium or lead.  All reputable ceramic coating manufacturers should obey or are supposed to abide by these requirements.