Another factor for their popularity is the different coating materials. Many who are leery of nonstick cookware turn to ceramic for that same property, but without PTFE, PFOA, and PFOS. It’s important to note that ceramic cookware does need a bit more care when it comes to maintenance. The surface can be easily scratched by strong metal utensils, scouring pads, or abrasive cleaners. If cared for well, these pots and pans can last you for years. Get ready to make the easiest omelette of your life. You can start with Cuisinart’s Advantage Ceramica XT 11-Piece Cookware Set, which is our favorite option thanks to its even heating and nonstick interior. We’ve got a thoroughly researched list of the most effective and best ceramic cookware sets on the market right now. As a brand, Cuisinart earns well-deserved acclaim as a company producing consistently strong and well-priced kitchen items. With its Advantage Ceramica XT set, however, it’s forged a path forward into a high-tech territory and they’ve done so with aplomb. This cookware collection is made from Cuisinart’s own proprietary ceramic material, but the ceramic is reinforced with titanium, making for a set of cookware that’s built to last. The ceramic covers the aluminum core, which ensures even heating throughout the cookware. The ceramic interiors are fully nonstick, and all the pieces have silicone handles designed to be cool to the touch throughout the cooking process. Other features include tight-fitting tempered glass lids that are slightly domed for condensation and tapered rims for drip-free pouring. The cookware is safe on gas, electric, glass ceramic, and halogen stovetops, and can even go in the freezer. It is recommended these be washed by hand. Price at time of publish: $120 Caraway burst onto the cookware scene a few years ago as a powerful reflection of the growing trend in favor of colorful, picturesque cooking tools with just as much aesthetic value as practical value. The brand’s ceramic-coated pots and pans come in vivid colors and look beautiful on any cooktop, but they also perform at a high level. Beneath each piece’s ceramic enameling is an aluminum core serving as a prime heat conductor, allowing for quick and consistent culinary pursuits. The lids though go get hot during cooking, so it’s important to have an oven mitt or potholder nearby at all times. Caraway cookware is naturally nonstick, simplifying the cleaning process. The set comes with a magnetic rack for storing your cookware and a lid holder that easily fits on a cupboard door. It’s recommended you handwash your Caraway pieces. Price at time of publish: $395 Looking for a wide selection of cookware products with nonstick surfaces, remarkable flexibility in the kitchen, and affordable pricing? Then this Farberware set, which includes a whopping 12 pieces and is made from ceramic-coated aluminum, could be your ideal match. The aluminum rapidly transmits heat throughout the pot, while the ceramic insulates and helps to keep the cookware temperatures consistent throughout the process. Farberware’s ceramic pots and pans are oven-safe up to 350 degrees, and the stainless steel handles make for easy maneuvering. The shatter-resistant glass lids help keep moisture in your dishes and the entire set comes with a limited lifetime warranty. When it’s time to clean up, these pots and pans are safe in the dishwasher. Price at time of publish: $110 GreenPan’s professional-caliber cookware is immensely popular among home cooks who want to elevate their kitchen games, and the Revolution Ceramic collection maximizes the benefits of ceramic cookware while adding some high-tech touches. The texture of GreenPan’s ceramic nonstick coating allows you to sauté and brown with less oil. These durable pots and pans have a hard-anodized aluminum core to expertly conduct heat alongside minerals in the coating to prevent chipping or cracking. They also feature magnetic bases to ensure even heat transfers on all cooktops. Finally, GreenPan Revolution Ceramic cookware is oven-safe up to 600 degrees, though the lids can only handle up to 390 degrees. And it’s all dishwasher-safe. Price at time of publish: $350 GreenLife puts the term “Soft Grip” right in the name of its nonstick ceramic pan set, and that’s for good reason; if you’ve ever burned your hand on a pan’s handle, then you know how irritating (and painful) that experience can be. Luckily, GreenLife has invested significant time and energy into developing a Bakelite coating for its handles, which allows users to get a firm, sustained grip without worrying about hurting their skin. The ceramic coating used on this (recycled) aluminum pan duo is nonstick, and GreenLife pans have specially designed, wobble-free bases to promote even cooking and the comfort of the cook. Another great aspect of this set is they come in seven different colors and are safe in the dishwasher. Price at time of publish: $35 Neoflam’s ceramic sets appeal to home cooks who value unique aesthetics but who also insist upon very modern cookware construction and capabilities. This collection of 3 pots and 1 pan (and 3 lids) uses aluminum as its core material, but the pots and pans are coated in nonstick ceramic made from natural materials. The glass lids feature Bakelite handles and have steam vents to prevent overflow (they aren’t safe in the oven though). The result? A set of visually charming cookware that efficiently and effectively conducts heat and is built to last. Price at time of publish: $119 Le Creuset’s most famous product is its enameled cast-iron Dutch oven, but savvy shoppers know that it’s a mistake to overlook the brand’s selection of stoneware. The baking pans in the Heritage Collection feature high-fired stoneware as their core material and an enamel glaze that makes them aesthetically consistent with Le Creuset’s other iconic offerings. By nature, stoneware enables even heating and resists breakage, so these pans provide impressive levels of both performance and longevity. The flared handles allow you to confidently grip them from out of the oven to the table. These are safe in the oven, broiler, microwave, and freezer, and can even go into the dishwasher. Price at time of publish: $75

What To Look for in a Ceramic Cookware Set

Materials

By definition, ceramic is a material made by mixing non-metallic materials with water and then exposing this blend to high levels of heat (like those produced by an open fire). Stoneware, earthenware, porcelain, and brick all qualify as ceramics. Many examples of ceramic cookware are actually metal tools that are then covered in a ceramic coating. Popular metals used for the cores of ceramic cookware include aluminum and cast iron. The metals allow the cookware to conduct heat, while the ceramic makes for a nonstick surface and aids with the balance of heat, preventing inopportune scorching. Only some of these metals will work on induction cooktops.

Set Styles

Ceramic cookware sets come in a variety of instrument combinations. However, a collection that’s billed as a “cookware set” can be expected to contain the following: a frying pan, a saucepan, a sauté pan, and a larger pot (a Dutch oven or a stockpot). Focus on acquiring the pieces you definitely need for regular cooking. However, if a set is billed as a “ceramic pan set,” then you can generally assume that you’ll only get frying pans in that set. The same goes for bakeware (that set will include baking dishes).

Maintenance

In order to get the long-lasting potency promised by many ceramic cookware producers, you’ll need to learn how to care for these pieces of equipment.  First and foremost, it’s recommended to wash ceramic cookware by hand, even when it can be put in the dishwasher. Regular washing in the dishwasher will wear the finish quicker. Also, it’s best to stick with a soft sponge, dishwashing liquid, and warm water; extreme temperatures will weaken the ceramic, and abrasive sponges can scratch the surface. Because ceramic pots and pans are nonstick, you may avoid the need to deal with stubborn food residue. But if you just can’t get the pan fully clean with a sponge and dish soap, then you can try sprinkling baking soda on the bottom of the pan with some warm water, letting it sit for a half-hour, then gently scrubbing the residue out. Lastly, avoid using metal utensils on ceramic cookware since it can easily scratch the finish.

What do you do if white ceramic cookware gets stained?

First, you shake your fist in frustration or hang your head in sadness. Then, take the advice of pros like “Top Chef” and “Chopped” competitor Joe Asto. “The easiest way to clean any stained cookware is to clean it with white vinegar, baking soda, and salt,” he says. “Allow this mixture to soak on the surface of the pan for 15 minutes.” After, he says, it should be pretty easy to scrub off the stain. Atlanta-based chef Suzanne Vizethann, on the other hand, opts for the long soak. “Overnight in warm water and you can also use vinegar” for more stubborn stains.

How is ceramic cookware made?

As mentioned above, ceramic is stoneware made from nonmetallic materials, like sand or clay, mixed with water exposed to high heat. Cookware made of this material, however, is just metal—for heat conduction—wrapped in this finish. Manufacturers then glaze it for that signature glossy sheen, and use silicone oil sol-gel to bond these layers to the metal. The use of polymers makes it nonstick. This does, however, eventually wear off, like any other nonstick coating, as opposed to materials like cast iron or carbon steel, which start off grippy but get slippy with use.  Another thing to note in ceramic cookware manufacture is that some processes are not any better than those used to add traditional nonstick coatings to pots and pans. Sure, they may only require one layer of application as opposed to Teflon’s three, and less time to cure, but the better ones like the Caraway Cookware Set recommended in this guide feature more layers anyway.

Why Trust Simply Recipes?

This article was written by Taylor Tobin, a freelance journalist who specializes in recipe testing and deep dives into popular dishes and ingredients. She regularly uses a wide range of cookware to try out new recipes and to execute old favorites, and her ceramic skillet is her absolute go-to tool for anything involving eggs. Read Next: The Best Waffle Makers