Cookware, especially a non-stick skillet or pan, is an important item in anyone’s kitchen.People probably face difficulties when it comes to choosing a frying pan.The wide array of options that comes on the market makes it is tricky to choose the right pan for your cooking needs.If purchasing new skillets, you might be curious, what’s the difference between a Ceramic frying pan and a Teflon frying pan? These are the two main choicesthat have many uses in the kitchen. Differentiating the Ceramic and Teflon pans will help determine which one is the right one that best suits your kitchen necessities. Anyway, let’s know the pros and cons of both.
What is Ceramic Frying Pan?
Ceramic pan is one of the popular materials used in the worldwide kitchen. It is considered the most eco-friendly and safest option. Recently, these pans have gained immense popularity due to environmental and health concerns occurring from PTFE pans. PTFE is safe for both human beings and the environment.
The nonstick surface ceramic pan with an aluminium base and stainless steel handle provide extreme heat distribution. Its coating allows cooking without sticking to the surface.
It generally has a ceramic non-stick coating that amalgamates with a steel or aluminium base. A ceramic coating doesn’t contain carbon and comes in many mineral-based mixtures. Presently, there are two types of ceramic available in the market. These include Ceramic-coated Pan and Pure Ceramic Cookware.
- Ceramic – Coated Pan
As the name suggests, ceramic skillets, including ceramic frying pans are not pure like 100% ceramic. These skillets commonly have an aluminium or steel base. Just because, the material is coated with a ceramic layer and non-stick base, they are known as ceramic frying pans. As we have already mentioned, a ceramic coating comes in numerous mineral-based blends. Usage of ceramic coated pans is not that much good as you think as it is a poor conductor of heat. It often involves glass lids for boiling food on your stovetop.
- Pure or 100% Ceramic Pan
Unlike the ceramic-coated pans, there are also some completely ceramic frying pans available in the market. This type of skillet is generally made using minerals, a mixture of clay, and quartz. Note: These pans are completely free from all types of chemicals. In simple words, a 100% pure ceramic frying pan is like a clay pan that doesn’t have a natural ceramic glaze. Ceramic excluding Teflon doesn’t contain carbon or PFOA, also is one of the safest options for both health & environment.
What is Teflon Frying Pan?
Teflon or PTFE is not a type of cookware; however, it is a brand name for non-stick cookware. Since 1930, it has received poor ratings and reviews because it made a non-stick coating using PFOA.Just as ceramic skillets have either a ceramic coating or a 100% pure ceramic coating, Teflon pans are popular for their PTFE coating.These pans are equipped with multiple layers of coating to make them non-stick, slippery and smooth. Most Teflon pans are coated with selected PTFE and constructed of aluminium or steel.
Teflon frying pans gain immense popularity before being embroiled in controversy. The coating used in Teflon is thoughtfully designed to keep the food from sticking to the surface of the pans. For the past few years, it has been entitled to environmental and several health concerns, leading many to turn to ceramic alternatives available in the market.
People may think that PFOA and PTFE are the same, but in reality, there is a huge difference between them.The use of PFOA in coating Teflon was only until 2013 because it increased the risk of cancer.These days, people go with PTFE-coated skillets as widely as Teflon pans. Though, it is completely safe as it has non-stick capabilities which are easy to clean in minutes. Apart from skillets, it has several commercial applications due to its non-stick surface, durability, and non-reactive properties.
Factors Differentiating a Ceramic and Teflon Frying Pan
Both Ceramic and Teflon Frying Pan have their benefits and drawbacks. There is no doubt that both pans are used to prepare a variety of foods including soups, stir-fries and omelettes. No matter which one is your favourite, make sure the pan you’re going to choose is safe for cooking food. Knowing more about ceramic and Teflon pans will enable you to make the right choice. To make your selection easier, we’ve come up with a few factors to show you which one is the better option. Keep reading to see some essential similarities and differences between the two types of pans.
Performance
The leading and foremost factor to keep in mind when purchasing between ceramic and Teflon frying pan is how it performs in the kitchen. Ask someone who has already used them, which coating is perfect for releasing food? In our opinion, cast iron and stainless steel cookware are the perfect options in such a case.
After all, you’re buying frying pans to slide eggs and flip pancakes without any edges hassle. Well, no evidence shows which coating is less sticky. If you ask people for their experiences with this cookware, Teflon may be the winner in this category. In terms of performance, both Teflon and ceramic do a better job. For better cooking results or to minimize the risk of food sticking, it is good to go with Teflon.
Non-Stick Capabilities
When it comes to non-stick capabilities, both ceramic and Teflon frying pans are tough competitors.You can stir-fry or cook food without worrying about food stickiness to the bottom of the sides of the pans. In fact, it requires less oil which makes food healthier and tastier.
Anyway, some people have great faith in ceramic frying pans because they have better nonstick capabilities than Teflon pans.Based on the number of coatings, the non-stick capability of the ceramic pan is decided.Firstly, when these pans were introduced in the market, the pans were considered too flimsy, and the nonstick coating wears off after some time, so almost every manufacturer adds layers of coating to make the pan more tough and durable.
These pans are entirely safe for the making of acidic food due to the fact is they are nonreactive. It enables you to cook any acidic food like tomato sauce, whip vinaigrette without distressing about damaging or harming your pan.
Oven Safe
Mostly, Teflon coated pans are not safe for oven use since the coating will not be able to tolerate the heat and primary collapsing. On the other side, ceramic pans are considered oven-safe, but keep in mind that the fluctuation of temperature is based on the handles. For instance: A ceramic pan with stainless steel handle is oven safe up to 550 F. If you plan to cook food in the oven, especially from stove to oven, then a ceramic pan is an excellent choice for you.
User-friendly
The user-friendly quality of a frying pan is generally based on the construction, design, style, most important weight of the pan. Anyway, both pans are perfect for beginner cooks due to their ease of use. Thus, ease of use is extremely varying from pan to pan. When it comes to Teflon and ceramic, they both are highly user-friendly. Unlike another frying pan available in the market, you’ll like them the most. Note that most ceramic-coated frying pans are not induction safe whereas a Teflon pan with a magnetic base is a more suitable option for induction tops.
Durability
The durability is very limited whether it has Teflon cooking pans or a ceramic pan. The stainless steel cookware is the only one that will last a lifelong. The reason behind short durability is the non-stick coatings that get scratched and worn down. Generally, Teflon and ceramic non-stick frying pans will last around 1 to 5 years. However, how well you take care of them or how often you use them decides the exact lifespan.Some highly quality skillets come with three layers of Teflon coating on their cooking base. Only in these cases, Teflon skillets will ensure extreme durability than ceramic. Most of the cookware only has one layer of ceramic coating or Teflon; hence their durability is almost the same.
Safety
Most discussion revolves around the off-gassing of harmful chemicals into the food consisting of PFOA, a type of chemical used in the production of Teflon. The fact is that PFOA infects food when a Teflon skillet is heated to extremely high temperatures. On the other hand, ceramic cookware has its safety concerns, as it may contain lead or cadmium. Both Teflon and ceramic pans may leach into the food and be harmful to health.
Care and Maintenance
Manufacturers of ceramic frying pans usually recommend using wooden spatula or utensils with Teflon requires non-metal. Avoid using cooking spray, baking soda, bleach, and abrasives whether has a ceramic or a Teflon pan.
Final Words:
Teflon and Ceramic are Nonstick cookware used for frying eggs, fishes and other delicate cuisines. Most Nonstick cookware has similarities in benefits and disadvantages.
Other Pans Comparison:
Hi, my name is Ashley Robinson. I’m a food blogger and a part time chef in Food & Drink Junction, Denver. With my blog I’m sharing information & tutorials about different kinds of cooking pans.
Thankfulness to my father who told me concerning this webpage, this
website is actually awesome.