Using a ceramic frying pan: pros and cons

Any housewife knows a lot about quality frying pans. The regular frying pan was replaced by a Teflon frying pan and then a ceramic frying pan; the pros and cons of this type of kitchen utensil are worth considering in more detail. In recent times, frying pans made of steel and cast iron without any coating on the surface were used everywhere. Everyone remembers the heavy, heavy-duty frying pans that grandmothers used to have. They are the strongest and most durable, there is practically no need to wash them, it was enough just to rinse and wipe dry. An undoubted advantage was that such a frying pan was not afraid of acid, but modern detergents have a negative effect on it. Cast iron frying pans can still be found on store shelves, but they are not as in demand as before.

In the 60s of the twentieth century, a French engineer came to the aid of tired cooks and suggested using a coating such as polytetrafluoroethylene (tefal) as a replacement for aluminum. Chefs really liked this non-stick coating, which was taken into account by cookware manufacturers, and they began to produce frying pans with such a non-stick coating. Years have passed, housewives can no longer imagine kitchen items without a non-stick coating, but Teflon is also becoming obsolete, as recent studies indicate that this compound is harmful to human health. The main harmful properties of this coating are the following:

• when heated, Teflon releases not only harmful, but also dangerous substances for the body;
• When washing pans with strong detergents, Teflon cracks, and toxic substances are released even faster and stronger.

Modern man is concerned about maintaining health, a beautiful figure and strives to prevent harmful carcinogenic compounds from entering the body. Such concern for one’s own health has led to the fact that Teflon coating is now fading into the background and becoming less popular. The latest coating for dishes made from ceramics has come to the fore.

Ceramic frying pan: production and technology

Just like Teflon, ceramic frying pans have a non-stick coating. Very often the question arises among consumers: what is the difference between Teflon and ceramic? Why pay more? Manufacturers of frying pans with ceramic coating say that the coating is natural and the release of harmful substances is minimized.

The non-stick coating consists of water and sand, which subsequently melt at 1000°. The melt is applied as a thin film to the aluminum. To apply a non-stick coating to metal, special compounds are introduced into the composition, allowing the non-stick composition to be fixed in the form of a film on the surface of the frying pan. Frying pans with ceramic coating are among the safest. There is practically no release of harmful substances when using such utensils. The amount of substances released depends on the quality of the raw materials and the quality of manufacture. If the manufacturer makes high-quality frying pans, then the harmful substances are almost invisible; for this you need to follow some rules of use.

Review of the best manufacturers

Unfortunately, today on the market you can find many products from pseudo-European (actually unknown Chinese) manufacturers, whose products are characterized by low prices and poor quality. Even among products with the same characteristics, give preference to dishes from well-known and well-established brands that provide a hygienic certificate and a guarantee for their products.

Tefal

The company that was the first to give Russian housewives the opportunity to use frying pans with ceramic non-stick coating. The highlight that distinguishes the manufacturer’s products from competitors is the presence of a thermospot - an indicator of heating up to +180 °C and the readiness of the frying pan for use.

The most modern models developed by Tefal specialists include frying pans of the METEOR CERAM aluminum series, the distinguishing feature of which is an ultra-thick bottom (5 mm). The non-stick ceramic coating has a low porosity structure, which promotes closer contact between food and the surface of the cookware. In addition, the French brand's pans are the only ones on the market that are compatible with induction cookers.

Ballarini

The Italian manufacturer, founded in 1889, produces frying pans with both its own environmental non-stick coating and licensed DuPont multilayer coating. All products are made of aluminum with the addition of copper. The ISO 9002 standard guarantees durability and defect-free products.

Today the company produces several series of frying pans made using quick heating technology. The group coated with ceramic microparticles includes cookware from the Cortina and Cookin lines. It is distinguished by its elegant appearance (many speed bars have a white color on both the internal and external surfaces), safety of use (the absence of heavy metals in the composition) and increased heat resistance (up to +450 °C).

Rondell

Since 2006, all products of the German brand, founded in 1988, have been manufactured in China, which has not affected its quality in any way. The company's calling card is the patented technology of a three-layer stamped bottom, thanks to which the thermal conductivity of the materials is increased several times.

The range of cookware produced by Rondell includes two lines focused on ceramic coating - Eis and Terrakotte. The frying pans of both series are made of aluminum (wall thickness - 3.5 mm), have a presentable appearance and durable cast steel handles with reliable riveted fastening.

Brand Vari

The Landskrona company (St. Petersburg) has been producing high-quality tableware since 2002 and uses Italian fittings and coatings from the international corporation WHITFORD in its production. One of the brand’s popular series is the Cerama line. This thick-walled cookware is made using the die casting method, which guarantees a denser aluminum structure, and is then coated with the following layers:

• non-water-absorbing Akzo Nobel Matrix® spraying, the peculiarity of which is its use in a wide temperature range, resistance to most chemical compounds and contact with metal objects;
• reinforced coating containing ultra-hard tiny ceramic particles.

Among other advantages of Vari brand cookware, it is worth noting the thickness of the bottom and walls (4-6 mm), the absence of cadmium, lead and harmful emissions when heated, soft handles and the ability to use on gas, electric and induction (with an adapter) stoves.

Frying pan with ceramic coating: how to choose a good and high-quality one?

There are many frying pans with ceramic coating on store shelves. Just like other frying pans, ceramic ones are made from an organic silicon coating, and the base of such a frying pan is made up of cast iron, aluminum or steel blanks. Ceramic frying pans, although the safest, are very similar to other non-stick frying pans, so you should choose them according to similar principles. So, you need a high-quality frying pan with a ceramic coating: the store manager will tell you how to choose a good one. These are the parameters that are important when choosing kitchen utensils.

Thickness of the pan bottom. Reliability and durability depend on this factor: the thicker the bottom, the better. If the bottom is thin, it means it is made from low-quality raw materials, but if it is too thick, this is also not an indicator of a high-quality frying pan. The ideal bottom thickness is 4 to 7 mm.

Pay attention to the color: a good ceramic frying pan should be beige, ivory or café au lait. Such pastel colors indicate naturalness and the least amount of harmful substances added to its composition.

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The quality depends on the technology of applying the ceramic layer to the frying pan. There are 2 methods: rolling or spraying. The first method is used in the manufacture of stamped cookware, that is, the coating is applied to the required metal disk, and then the pan is squeezed out under a press. With this method, the pans are thin and of low quality; the coating is applied with a thin ball, as a result of which it is distributed and deformed in some places. To avoid buying such a frying pan, you should inspect the inside, and if there are any marks there, it is better to put such an assistant aside (as a rule, they cost an order of magnitude cheaper than high-quality ones). Using spraying technology, an alloy is applied to the finished frying pan, and therefore there are no abrasions or marks left, the frying pan is smooth, without any roughness and will serve you for a long time and reliably.

Comparison table of characteristics

All ceramic frying pans have similar characteristics, so choosing just one model can be difficult. A comparison table with the main characteristics will help you make your choice.

Should I pay attention to the country of manufacture and whether there is a warranty?

A manufacturer that values ​​its reputation will not produce frying pans using the stamping method. The best products are cast and spray-coated. But even among the best there are the worst. Italy is famous for the highest quality products; it is in this country that frying pans of the highest quality are produced; they are smooth, without defects, durable, resistant to scratches and chips, and retain their non-stick properties for a very long time. But the cost of such a frying pan will not be low.

Is there a warranty for this product? Having decided on your home assistant, you should decide on one more factor - a guarantee. If the product meets all the high qualities, then the frying pan must have a warranty. Ask the seller about this; if the manufacturer is confident in the quality of the item, he will definitely establish a warranty period.

What is the price of the product? You must understand that there is no price range for ceramic frying pans. By definition, a good durable frying pan cannot be cheap, if any, remember that these are stamped Chinese products.

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Clean burnt-on food properly

If the food is burnt tightly, try pouring some water into the bowl and heating it over low heat. When the stains are wet, take a spatula and carefully remove them.

If greasy residue has formed on the pan, use one of these products.

• Activated carbon . Apply a layer of regular detergent to the bottom of the dishes, and crumble 10-20 charcoal tablets on top. Leave for an hour, then rinse with warm water.
• Alcohol . Dampen a cotton pad with it and gently wipe the dirty areas. The procedure can be repeated several times.
• Soda . Sprinkle it generously into the bottom of the bowl, add two tablespoons of warm water and leave for 15-30 minutes. Then go over the problem areas with a sponge. It is worth using this method when others have not helped: soda cleans perfectly, but at the same time it worsens the non-stick properties of the cookware.

How to choose the shape, size and configuration of a frying pan?

How to choose a ceramic frying pan based on external data? There is no definite answer; everything is very individual, even when choosing the right size. First decide for what purpose you need it. For example, a small frying pan for pancakes and pancakes - with low sides; the stewing pan is more like a saucepan with handles; the frying pan for sautéing and frying will have high sides and sufficient depth to prevent liquid splashing.

Which handle should you buy the product with? Good cast products are equipped with heat-resistant handles; henceforth you will no longer need gloves, towels and improvised means to support and remove the frying pan from the stove. Of course, the choice of handle is also individual; hold it in your hand, depending on how comfortable it is for you.

And finally, a lid - for a complete set of a good ceramic frying pan. It should be attached well enough and have a valve to allow vapors to escape. Look for a lid so that the valve can be moved while cooking.

Now you can buy a frying pan with a ceramic coating in online stores, markets and supermarkets. When buying a frying pan with a ceramic coating in stores, you should pay attention to the manufacturers; here are a few companies that you should pay attention to when purchasing. These manufacturers have proven themselves at a decent level:

• (an Italian manufacturer that has patented its brand for non-stick coatings);
• German ;
• TVS company;
• Russian manufacturer "Maestro".

When choosing cookware, you should adhere to the basic criteria. There are a huge number of different ceramic frying pans, their external shape, design, lines - all this emphasizes the advantages and uniqueness of a particular frying pan over others.

What you need to know about ceramics

In everyday life, we often call all pots and pans made of clay ceramic. This is not entirely accurate, although porcelain and earthenware products are based on the same raw materials. There are few differences:

• In the production of ceramic products, in addition to clay (base), various mineral components are added to the material. Thanks to this, the degree of absorption, porosity, and color of the mass change, and the products themselves acquire new properties;
• According to the technology, clay utensils undergo one firing. The ceramic pan is additionally coated with glaze and fired again, but at a lower temperature.

Both glazed and regular utensils are used in the kitchen. But traditional clay products have quite a lot of restrictions on operating conditions. Modern ceramic pans are more practical and convenient, and some models are even suitable for induction cooking.

A ceramic frying pan has many advantages

Undoubtedly, such a product has perfect advantages; ceramics do not affect the taste of the prepared dish and do not impart specific odors. A ceramic frying pan has the following advantages:

• A ceramic frying pan is environmentally friendly, as it is made from natural and environmentally friendly materials. The material used to make a ceramic frying pan includes water, sand, clay, and the material itself from which the frying pan is made is a non-stick coating.
• The wear of such a product is very low due to the high strength of ceramics. Consequently, it is more resistant to scratches and chips. You can also help maintain its appearance by using a silicone or wooden spatula when cooking rather than iron or aluminum utensils. If you treat it correctly, following the recommendations and advice, its service life can be extended to 10 years, which will pay for your expenses.
• One of the advantages of a ceramic frying pan is the possibility of high heat. The temperature can reach 450°C; at this temperature, the cooking time is significantly reduced, and the food will be heated evenly without burning, which does not happen when using classic appliances.
• Saving ingredients during the cooking process, for example, saving vegetable or animal fats. This will be especially felt when using it daily.

Advantages

Many women choose kitchen ceramic containers for frying, which have many advantages:

1. Thanks to its light weight, frying food is much easier, and your hands will never get tired.
2. Ceramic frying pans can withstand high temperatures, the bottom will not crack, and the food will not burn.
3. You can fry dishes without adding vegetable oil.
4. Thorough care is not required; after each use, just wash the frying pan with an anti-grease agent. Some housewives use a dishwasher.
5. A durable ceramic cover protects kitchen utensils from all kinds of mechanical damage. Using plastic or wooden spatulas, the service life will extend for several years.
6. Products rarely stick to the surface. If the bottom is damaged or scratched, the risk of sticking increases.
7. A wide range of models are presented, differing in appearance and color.

Ceramic frying pans also have disadvantages.

It’s always more pleasant to talk about positive qualities, but along with the advantages, a ceramic frying pan also has disadvantages. This frying pan has pitfalls:

• High cost of the frying pan. Not every person is able to buy a product, although it has significant advantages over classic tableware options.
• The frying pan is afraid of temperature changes; if you lower it from the stove into cold water, microcracks may appear, and the service life of such an assistant will be sharply reduced. The use of iron brushes and strong detergents should be avoided.
• You should not resort to prolonged soaking of the pan - this will lead to the appearance of microcracks.
• Do not forget that this frying pan is only suitable for a conventional stove; it is strictly prohibited for induction and hob stoves (panels). The latter require a magnetic metal field, which is absent in ceramic.

Despite all the shortcomings, this cookware has more positive qualities; it will become your indispensable assistant in the kitchen.

Among the happy owners of a high-quality ceramic frying pan, no one wrote negative reviews. And the only dissatisfied people were those who ignored the advice and bought a cheap frying pan. Cooking without adding oil is one of the main advantages of the product. When frying, nothing splashes out, the food is cooked evenly, acquiring a unique crispy crust. Due to the fact that a ceramic frying pan is smooth and deep, the steam is retained inside. Many people choose this cookware based on the design and appearance of the pans. Each manufacturer tries to make their product unique, so any buyer will find an individual frying pan to suit their interior. Take care of your assistant, and she will repay you with long-lasting service and delicious dishes.

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