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Ditch the chemicals and the stuck-on food. professional kitchen knives
Real Simple / Marcus Millán
When you’re used to stainless steel skillets and cast iron pans, cooking on a nonstick surface probably feels like a luxury. While Teflon cookware has been the nonstick standard for many years, modern ceramic cookware can offer the same convenience, but more safely and arguably more effectively.
“Ceramic [cookware] is generally made without those nasty chemicals like PTFE and PFOA, which can release harmful fumes if overheated,” says Dennis Littley, a professional chef and recipe developer. “Plus, ceramic pans often have that sleek, glossy finish that looks pretty slick on the stovetop.”
Like any cookware set, the design and quality of ceramic options can vary. To filter out the best options, we tested several different ceramic cookware sets, evaluating their ability to cook food efficiently and maintain their nonstick properties. We also consulted Chef Littley for expert advice on what qualities to look for when shopping for a ceramic cookware set and how to properly care for it.
The ceramic coating is oven-safe.
Almost half of the pieces in the set are for storage and organization.
There’s a lot we love about this Caraway Nonstick Ceramic 12-Piece Cookware Set, particularly its balance of safety, performance, and versatility. During testing, it stood out from the rest due to how well it distributed heat and prevented food from sticking. It delivered consistent browning and caramelization, and even stubborn ingredients were easy to wipe clean from the pans.
While the pieces in this set do have to be hand washed, they aren’t fragile or flimsy. The pots and pans are thick-walled and durable, equipped to handle a range of different cooking tasks, and they’re safe to use with gas, electric, and induction cooktops, as well as ovens up to 550°F. Because they’re fairly heavy duty, you may need two hands to carry them, however, the weight is supported decently by the handles. These handles also stay cool to the touch and have safety bumpers, so handling the cookware is still very manageable.
Suitable for both those who prepare basics recipes as well as more serious cooks, this set gives you four pots and pans to work with, including a 3-quart saucepan, a 6.5-quart Dutch oven, a 10.5-inch frying pan, and a 4.5-quart saute pan, plus three lids to go along with them. The rest of the five pieces in this 12-piece set are pot racks and a lid holder, which may be disappointing if you wanted more pots and pans. However, it is still moderately priced compared to other sets, especially for what it offers, and comes in eight different colors.
Number of Pieces: 12 | Oven Safe Temperature: 550°F | Induction Safe: Yes | Care: Hand wash only
The set comes with 14 pieces and is made of scratch-resistant PFOA- and PTFE-free ceramic.
It doesn’t perform as well for tasks like frying and baking.
This T-Fal Initiatives Ceramic Cookware Set is ideal for those who want to replace old pots and pans without spending a lot of money and don't need high-end cookware. For under $100, you get four lids, four nylon cooking utensils, and six pots and pans, which include 8.5- and 10.5-inch frying pans, an 11-inch saute pan, 1- and 2-quart saucepans, and a 5-quart Dutch oven. All of these pieces are made from recycled aluminum and coated in scratch-resistant ceramic that is also free of PFOA and PTFE.
One of the best features of this cookware set is the Thermo-Spot indicator, which turns red when the pot is hot enough. We noticed that the pans run hot and cause food to brown very quickly—the water reached a boiling point in about four minutes—so this unique feature definitely comes in handy. Even though the pans get very hot, the handles stay noticeably cool.
While this cookware set excels at sauteing food without sticking, it’s not the best at frying or high-temperature baking. We noticed that whenever oil is added to the pan, it tends to pool in one area, and even though it’s technically oven-safe, it can’t handle anything higher than 350°F. After cooking, cleaning up is fairly easy, as you can just stick it in the dishwasher, however, the manual advises against using dishwasher tablets.
Number of Pieces: 14 | Oven Safe Temperature: 350°F | Induction Safe: No | Care: Dishwasher-safe but only with liquid detergent; Hand wash recommended
It has user-friendly features like pouring spouts and flat rivets that make cooking and cleanup easier.
It isn’t ideal for someone who prefers lightweight cookware.
Ceramic cookware is worth the splurge when it offers high quality construction and features that simplify the cooking process, and the GreenPan GP5 Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set is no exception. The pots and pans are made with three layers of aluminum, two layers of stainless steel, and a signature Infinite8 nonstick coating made up of a blend of ceramic and diamonds. They’re also hard-anodized, allowing them to heat evenly and withstand temperatures of up to 600°F whether it be on an induction stove or in the oven.
The cookware in this set includes a saute pan and saucepan, both of which are 3.25 quarts and come with lids, 9.5- and 11-inch frying pans, and a 5-quart stock pot with a lid. Along with the pots and pans, the set also comes with three pan protectors, three silicone cooking utensils, and a Wonder Sponge. All of these pieces are dishwasher safe, though handwashing was just as easy for us thanks to the slickness of the ceramic that allows food to slide off.
Our favorite piece in the set is the stock pot because the edges of the pot have two spouts, making it convenient to pour out liquid. We also appreciate the thoughtful design of the saute and frying pans. The Balance Pro Bases ensure the pans stay flat and maintain even contact with the heat source—that means no oil pooling on one side of the pan. It’s worth mentioning though that these bases do add to the overall weight of the cookware, which is on the heavy side.
Number of Pieces: 10 | Oven Safe Temperature: 600°F | Induction Safe: Yes | Care: Dishwasher-safe, hand wash recommended
It’s designed to eliminate hot spots which helps control the cooking process.
You have to hand wash it after every use since it isn’t dishwasher-safe.
The Bialetti 10-Piece Ceramic Pro Cookware Set has features that minimize the room for error, making it beginner-friendly for those who are new to cooking with ceramic cookware, or cooking in general. During production, the heavy gauge aluminum is treated so that the surface is dimpled to create even heat distribution. We found this to be effective, as we didn’t observe any hot spots that could lead to burnt or undercooked results, which tends to trip up beginners.
This set comes with 10 pieces, including a Dutch oven, two saucepans, two frying pans, three saute pans, and four lids to go along with all of the pieces except the frying pans. The cooking surfaces of each of these pans were all roomy, making it a great choice for cooking one-pot meals. We also liked that the edges of the cookware were rounded, providing added control when we poured sauces and soups. Gripping the handles was also comfortable, and they stayed cool while cooking.
Even though this is more of a starter set, it’s still very versatile. If you have any recipes that require the oven, you can also bake in this cookware up to 400°F. Unfortunately, the only major drawback with this set is that it isn't dishwasher-safe, so you’ll have to wash it by hand. Luckily the ceramic surface delivers well in terms of its nonstick quality, so clean-up should still be manageable.
Number of Pieces: 10 | Oven Safe Temperature: 400°F | Induction Safe: No | Care: Hand wash only
It can withstand higher temperatures like traditional stainless steel, but is nonstick and lightweight due to the ceramic coating.
The lids are not vented and fog up.
While traditional stainless steel cookware is prone to sticking, the GreenLife Stainless Pro Cookware Set has the properties of both stainless steel and ceramic. It’s made with tri-ply stainless steel, a material that is made up of a quick-heating aluminum core sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel and an outer layer of ceramic. Based on our observations, this material proved to be effective at crisping up eggs and cooking rice without it sticking to the pan. It’s also oven-safe up to 600°F and is easy to clean up.
This set of cookware comes with 10 pieces, including 8- and 9.5-inch frying pans, a 3-quart saute pan, a 2-quart saucepan, a 5-quart stock pot, and two bamboo cooking utensils. Except for the two frying pans, each piece of cookware comes with an oven-safe (up to 425°F) glass lid. These lids made it easy to see through while cooking, but they fogged up at higher temperatures and didn’t have a steam vent to prevent overboiling.
We also appreciated the design of the handles, which are hollowed out and long. This made the cookware lightweight and easy to handle compared to heavier stainless steel. Despite being lightweight, the cookware is durable, likely due to the diamond-reinforced ceramic coating, which is also free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium.
Number of Pieces: 10 | Oven Safe Temperature: 600°F (425°F for the lids) | Induction Safe: Yes | Care: Dishwasher-safe
It's made up of multiple layers of material and ceramic that make it resistant to wear and damage.
It isn’t compatible with induction stoves.
If you tend to be heavy-handed with metal cooking utensils or are concerned about your pots and pans wearing down quickly, we recommend checking out the Zwilling J.A. Henckels Vitale 10-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set due to its exceptional durability. During testing, we found that it stood up well to intensive cooking tasks like baking, braising, searing, and frying, and didn’t leave behind any damage aside from minor scratches. It’s made of aluminum and features a triple-layered, PFOA-free Granitium nonstick coating, which is formed with several layers of ceramic-based and other hard particles.
This over-safe set comes with two frying pans, two saucepans, a saute pan, and a Dutch oven. Unlike other ceramic cookware, each piece has a textured surface which we found aided lifting food from the pan with ease. When washing the pots after use, we noticed that any food residue that was left behind could be washed away with just water (even without the help of a sponge), despite being dishwasher-safe.
Based on our tests, we conclude that this set could last a family a long time even with regular, heavy use. Unfortunately, those who have an induction stove would not be able to use it. However, this set is compatible with many other types of stoves including ceramic, halogen, gas, and electric.
Number of Pieces: 10 | Oven Safe Temperature: 500°F | Induction Safe: No | Care: Dishwasher-safe
It’s available in seven different colors.
High heat may lead to discoloration.
For stylish, yet functional ceramic cookware, the Drew Barrymore 12-Piece Ceramic Nonstick Cookware set stood out to us for its clean aesthetic. It comes with two frying pans—8- and 10-inches—as well as a 3-quart saucepan, a 2-quart saucepan, and a 5-quart Dutch oven. It’s available in seven different colors to match your kitchen, and each features gold die-cast lids and handles. The set also comes with four matching pot holders, to create a coordinated look even when serving.
Despite containing coloring agents and pigments to make it different colors, this cookware set is non-toxic and free of chemicals including PTFE, PFOA, and PFOS. Underneath the ceramic nonstick coating is sturdy aluminum. We noticed that the pots and pans were heavy-bottomed, which helped heat foods evenly and reach a boil quickly. We also liked that we could even use this cookware in the oven up to 500°F.
While this set is oven-safe, we found that it was better for stove cooking and lower temperatures, as the high heat caused discoloration. We also discovered that since the edges are curved, soups and sauces are more prone to dripping when poured straight out of the pans. But if you like the look of straight-sided pots, you’ll be a fan of this set.
Number of Pieces: 12 | Oven Safe Temperature: 500°F | Induction Safe: Yes | Care: Dishwasher-safe but hand wash recommended
None of the pieces are bulky, so you can pick them up with one hand.
Its nonstick quality could be better.
If you don’t cook elaborate meals that require lots of pots and pans, we recommend the Frieling Black Cube Quick Release 7-Piece Cookware Set. The 7-piece set comes with a 9.5-inch frying pan, plus three lidded pots—a 7.5-quart stockpot, a 2.5-quart saucepan, and a 3-quart sauté pan. We liked that each piece of cookware was a manageable size, and could easily be held with one hand. Despite this, they are not flimsy, as they are made with stainless steel and aluminum.
The cookware in this set can be used in the oven up to 450°F, and even when you do so, the handles are designed to stay cool. However, we still recommend using a potholder or oven mitt on the knobs on the lids, as they do get hot. Although we were impressed by the performance of the cookware, the price is relatively steep. This is likely due to the brand’s unique Quick Release cooking surface, which is formed with a layer of PFOA-free nonstick coating and a stainless steel texture.
One benefit that this set has is that you can use metal utensils on it. We tested this out by using a knife on the pieces, and we noticed that it easily resisted any scratches. We only wish that this solid durability extended to the set’s nonstick quality, which we found to be a bit lacking. It wasn’t too bad, but we did find ourselves scrubbing burnt bits from the cookware after use.
Number of Pieces: 7 | Oven Safe Temperature: 450°F | Induction Safe: Yes | Care: Dishwasher-safe
We ranked the Caraway Nonstick Ceramic 12-piece Cookware Set as our best overall pick because of how durable, well-made, and versatile the pieces are, especially considering its price. The cooking surface of the pots and pans heats up fast and does a solid job at maintaining that heat, whether you use them on the stovetop or in the oven. However, if you’re looking to spend a bit less but still want quality ceramic cookware, our budget pick, the T-fal Initiatives Ceramic Cookware Set is a good option. It’s dishwasher- and oven-safe and comes with 14 pieces (including nylon cooking utensils).
We carried out testing on several different ceramic cookware sets, focusing on heating ability, design, durability, and nonstick performance. Throughout the testing period, we made sure to adhere to the technical specifications in the manual, such as washing the pans as directed and not heating them higher than the recommended temperature.
For the skillets and pans, we cooked scrambled eggs, fried eggs, rice pilaf, and sauteed onions, then evaluated the evenness of the browning at the bottom, as well as how much the food did or didn’t stick to the bottom. For the saucepans and stock pots, we boiled water to see how long it would take to heat up, what temperature it could reach, and how long it would maintain that temperature.
We also considered how certain design features affected the cooking experience, including testing pouring spouts for proper functionality and potential spills. We also assessed how much food we could comfortably move around in each pan before it became too crowded.
To test the durability of the ceramic coating, we performed two different scratch tests. For cookware that was compatible with metal utensils, we used a paring knife to make an “x” on the cooking surface and then inspected it for damage. For cookware not advertised as metal-safe, we instead used nylon and plastic spatulas to remove fried eggs from the skillets and evaluated any effects on the material. We also evaluated the weight of the cookware, noting whether it felt flimsy, sturdy, or clunky.
When shopping for a ceramic cookware set, consider how many people you usually cook for and how complicated your recipes tend to be. If you typically prepare dishes with a smaller serving size, you’ll want to opt for a smaller set, such as the Frieling Black Cube Quick Release 7-Piece Cookware Set. A set with lots of different pots and pans is only useful if your recipes have a lot of different components and steps.
If you’re not quite sure what will best suit your cooking habits, Littley recommends looking for a 10- to 12-piece set that includes a couple of saucepans and frying pans, a saute pan, and a stockpot. “Look for pieces that can multitask, like a sauté pan that can also handle a quick stir-fry or a small stock pot that’s perfect for soups and stews,” he advises.
If you’re looking for cookware that doubles as bakeware, or even if you just like to start dishes on the stove and finish them in the oven, not all ceramic sets will fit the bill. “While most [ceramic cookware] is oven-safe, you’ll want to check the details because some brands might only be safe up to a certain temperature,” Littley says.
In addition to the cookware itself, be sure to double check if the lids are oven-safe. All of the ceramic cookware included in this roundup can be used in the oven, with the GreenPan GP5 Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set having the highest heat tolerance at 600°F.
If you have a gas or electric stove, you should have no issue using ceramic cookware on it. However, if you have an induction stove, be aware that not all ceramic cookware will be compatible with it. “Induction cooktops need magnetic materials,” Littley explains, “so unless your ceramic pan has a stainless steel or aluminum base, you might be out of luck.”
Using ceramic cookware that isn't compatible with an induction stove isn't dangerous—it just won't heat up when you turn the stove on. Unlike gas stoves which have an open flame, induction and electric stoves often look very similar. If you’re not sure which one you have, you can check by turning on the stove without placing a pot or pan on the burner. If the burner gets hot, you have an electric stove. If not, you should look for an induction-friendly ceramic cookware set.
While ceramic cookware is durable and heat resistant, it can also scratch and chip. To make it easier to take care of and maintain its quality, there are certain features you can look for when shopping for a set. Seek out ceramic cookware that is hard-anodized or advertises that it can be used with metal utensils, as this usually means it’s scratch-resistant. However, even scratch-resistant ceramic cookware needs some TLC.
“I always hand wash mine, even if they claim to be dishwasher-safe. It takes an extra minute, but it’s worth it to keep them in good shape,” Littley shares. You’ll see that a lot of brands also recommend hand washing the cookware even if it can go in the dishwasher. This is because the harsh detergents and forceful jets can cause the nonstick surface to wear down and become dull, making it less effective over time.
Blue Diamond Ceramic Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set: The biggest appeal of this ceramic cookware set is its price, which is quite low compared to other diamond-infused cookware. But while this material looked good on paper, when we tested it, the quality wasn’t consistent across all the pans in the set, with some being fully nonstick, and others requiring a good scrubbing. Someone looking for a lightweight set might like it, but the construction felt cheap, leading us to favor more durable options.
Farberware Ecovantage Ceramic 13-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set: While this set is made of non-toxic material and has helpful features like lid vents and pouring spouts, when we cooked with it, it underperformed. We did like how fast the aluminum core heated the cooking surface, but its nonstick quality wasn’t the greatest, and the cookware seemed to have hot spots, as the food didn’t always brown evenly.
If you have concerns about toxins making their way into your food, then yes, according to Littley, ceramic cookware is better than traditional nonstick cookware. Instead using chemicals prevalent in traditional nonstick cookware like PTFEs and PFOAs, ceramic gets its nonstick properties from natural minerals like silica and diamond. When these get heated to high temperatures, they won’t leach toxins into your food, which is one of the biggest reasons ceramic is such a popular choice.
It's easy to find ceramic cookware sets with cooking surfaces made without any forever chemicals, like the Drew Barrymore 12-Piece Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set or the Caraway Nonstick Ceramic 12-Piece Cookware Set. This is because ceramic does not require PTFE, PFOA, and PFOS to be nonstick. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that no chemicals were used in the manufacturing process at all.
For example, the GreenPan GP5 Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set owes its durability to hard anodization, a manufacturing process that involves chemicals. Despite this, the cookware does not produce any toxic fumes when you cook with it. So while you may not be able to find ceramic cookware that is chemical-free from top to bottom, it's definitely possible to find options manufactured without toxic chemicals.
Littley recommends opting for wooden, nylon, or ideally silicon utensils because they are the most gentle on ceramic, plus they’re flexible and easy to clean. Some ceramic cookware is safe to use with metal utensils, however, the majority of them are not.
As a rule of thumb, Littley recommends staying away from using metal at all on this type of cookware. If your kitchen drawer is filled with metal cooking utensils, consider a cookware set that comes with ceramic-safe ones, such as the T-Fal Initiatives Ceramic Nonstick 14-Piece Cookware Set, which includes four nylon cooking utensils.
Ceramic cookware may be nonstick, but it’s a good idea to use oil or butter anyway for foods that are naturally more prone to sticking such as those with a high sugar content or delicate proteins like eggs and fish. “A little bit of fat helps distribute the heat and adds flavor, so don’t be shy!" Littley says, explaining that either oil or butter is fine to use in ceramic cookware.
For high-temperature cooking, oil is a better choice because it has a higher smoke point, while butter has a lower one and can burn. You should always avoid using aerosol cooking sprays, as “they can leave a sticky residue that’s hard to clean and can mess with your pan’s nonstick abilities,” Littley warns.
Ceramic cookware can be very durable, but unfortunately, it won’t last for generations like cast iron or stainless steel might. “Ceramic cookware can be a bit like that new car smell—great at first, but it doesn’t last forever. If you treat your pans right, you’re looking at a good one to five years of use.”
The better you take care of your ceramic cookware, the longer it’ll last. Doing things like hand washing it instead of dishwashing it, and always using silicone cooking utensils can help. Additionally, always use your ceramic cookware as directed. For example, avoid exceeding the heat threshold recommended by the manufacturer to ensure your cookware remains in good condition for as long as possible.
This article was written by Kalea Martin, a kitchen shopping writer for Real Simple. To compile these recommendations, we tested and compared several ceramic cookware sets and assessed their performance based on factors like nonstick quality, stove compatibility, durability, and more. For expert tips, Kalea consulted Dennis Littley, a professional chef and recipe developer.
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