Is Ceramic Coating Safe on Cookware?

Over recent years ceramic coated cookware has been marketed as a safer alternative to Teflon and other nonstick cookware. But there are still health-related considerations that you should know about before investing in ceramic cookware.

A selection of pots and pans that are sold as ceramic on a white background.

It is difficult to understand what chemicals are in the ceramic coating on cookware. Companies tend to use marketing speak to describe their products (words like “natural”, “stoneware”, “ceramic”) instead of listing the actual materials used to make the ceramic coating.

“Ceramic cookware” makes people think of cookware that is made from materials such as clay. And companies can use this association to mislead people into thinking ceramic coating on cookware is a risk-free alternative to brands like Teflon. Telfon has faced numerous lawsuits due to its role in vast environmental pollution and health concerns.

But what many people don’t realise is that the ceramic coating used in a large number of ceramic cookware options is made from a chemical called Polytetrafluoroethylene (or PTFE). And it turns out that PTFE is the trade name for Teflon. This means that far from being a natural alternative, most nonstick ceramic coated cookware is just Teflon cookware in disguise.

A screenshot of a variety of pots and pans being sold as having a ceramic coating.

I thought Teflon was banned?

The use of a particular chemical (perfluorooctanoic acid – PFOA) to create PTFE (Teflon) nonstick coatings has been restricted due to environmental and health concerns. But PTFE itself has not been banned.

A screenshot of white pots and pans being sold as having a ceramic coating.

What is ceramic coated kitchenware?

Today, the term “ceramic” is largely a marketing term that is used to describe one of two types of cookware.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Cookware

The majority of cookware that is marketed as ceramic tends to be, in effect, aluminium, stainless steel, or otherwise metal cookware, coated in a thin layer of PTFE (Teflon), which makes the pot or pan nonstick.

A selection of pale pink pots and pans on a white background that are sold as having a ceramic coating.

Ceramic Cookware

There is also ceramic cookware, which is cookware that has been coated with a mixture of chemicals combined with silica (which is used to make silicone). The mixture is made into a gel and heated to form a ceramic coating on the cookware.

Is ceramic coating safe on cookware?

PTFE Cookware

PTFE is able to be marketed as nontoxic because at low temperatures the compound is inactive. However, when high heat is applied, studies have shown that it can release harmful fumes.

PTFE is also known as a “forever chemical” meaning that it does not break down due to natural processes. Given that nonstick pans last only 1-5 years, it’s astounding to think about the sheer volume of PTFE-coated cookware that will be around for thousands of years after it is manufactured.

Ceramic Cookware

There are fewer studies that look at the potential harms of silica in cookware. However, one of the components that can be in the silica mixture is titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles have been linked to cancer in humans, however according to one study, an extremely high heat of 500 Celsius (or 932 Fahrenheit) was needed for the particles to release from the coating.

Due to lack of studies, it’s not known if chips or scratches in a ceramic silica-based coating would allow the particles to be released at a lower heat.

An overhead shot of a cast iron pan on a white background.

Alternatives to nonstick pans

Benefits of Cast Iron

Long-lasting: cast iron lasts a lifetime

Durable: you don’t need to worry about cast iron chipping

Heats evenly: cast iron heats food evenly

Less expensive: a 12” cast iron skillet costs about $30 and a ceramic-coated pan costs about $20. Let’s assume that the cast iron skillet will last 20 years (they can last much longer) and the ceramic-coated pan lasts 3 years. This means that the cost per year of the cast iron skillet will be $1.50 ($30/20) whereas the ceramic-coated pan will cost $6.67 ($20/3). Overtime, the cast iron skillet is less expensive and a safer investment.

An overhead shot of a stainless steel saucepan on a white background.

Benefits of Stainless Steel

Long-lasting: if stainless steel cookware is well-maintained, it can last for a decade

Durable: like cast iron, you don’t need to worry about stainless steel cookware chipping

Scratch resistant: doesn’t pose the same health risks as some nonstick coatings

Less expensive: on average a 12” stainless steel pan costs $35 and a ceramic-coated pan costs $20. Let’s assume that the stainless steel pan will last 10 years and the ceramic-coated pan lasts 3 years. This means that the cost per year of the stainless steel skillet will be $3.50 ($35/10) whereas the ceramic-coated skillet will cost $6.67 ($20/3). Overtime, the stainless steel skillet is less expensive and a safer investment.

So, is ceramic coating safe on cookware?

There are safer and less expensive options than ceramic coated cookware. Cast iron and stainless steel are better options than ceramic coated cookware.