Ceramic pans: pros and cons, manufacturers overview and choice

Non-stick cookware with a special type of coating (ceramic spraying) appeared on the market 12 years ago and has successfully established itself as a durable, safe product for human health. At the same time, ceramic pans are especially popular with most housewives. Since these products are presented on the market in a huge assortment, it is necessary to take into account many nuances before purchasing them - this will save from buying a fake.

Ceramic pan with non-stick coating is considered a modern type of dishes, which provides uniform heating and is ideal for cooking dishes that require a long heat treatment. The first patent for the manufacture of ceramic pans was received by William A. Groll, now he is the leading manager of the All-Clad Metalcrafters company, which produces high-quality cookware. Thanks to modern technology, a ceramic non-stick layer can be applied in two ways.

• Roller coasting. This is a budget option and it is considered the most common. For its implementation, the use of stamped aluminum is required. First, prepare the appropriate forms, they are burned and placed in containers. After that, a suspension is applied to them, which includes stone chips and fine sand. The forms are sent to dry and a new layer of protective powder is re-applied to the future product.

• By spraying. This method provides a thick coating (up to 70 microns).It is carried out in two stages: the surface of the workpieces is carefully polished and placed in closed chambers, after which they are treated with a mixture of oxygen and inert gas. Then, using special sprayers, a powder containing a solvent (hydrochloric and formic acid), water, and silicon-containing substances is sprayed on the inside and outside of the disc.

Despite the fact that ceramic pans appeared on the market recently, they were able to successfully displace their Teflon "relatives". The popularity of this type of cookware is explained by the following list of advantages.

• Environmental friendliness. For the manufacture of such products exclusively natural materials are used, namely clay, sand and stone chips.
• The ability to cook with minimal use of fats and oils or without it. This is great for proponents of a healthy lifestyle.
• Protection of products from burning. Due to the fact that the surface of such pans does not have pores, it is completely smooth, the possibility of damage is excluded. In addition, the coating is resistant to chemicals, it is inert and has no extraneous odors and tastes.
• Modern design. Since the mixture, which is used in the manufacture of non-stick pans, is resistant to staining, multi-colored pigments are often added to it.

As for the shortcomings, they are also available.

• Ceramics are considered too fragile. therefore, dishes should be treated with care. During cooking, try to avoid falling the pan.
• High price. A good ceramic frying pan can be purchased with a starting price of 1,500 rubles, but it can be significantly higher depending on the brand.
• The instability of the ceramic coating to the effects of aggressive, abrasive substances, sharp temperature changes. As a rule, such pans serve no more than three years.
• Not all models are ideal for induction cookers. The only exceptions are products from the Tefal trademark.

Ceramic pans are available in various models, which have their own operating characteristics depending on the material of manufacture of the base. Usually on sale there are products whose base is made of the following materials.

• Cast iron. This cookware is heavy and suitable for long cooking. Thanks to these pans, you can cook very juicy and tasty dishes like “from the Russian oven”.

• Aluminum. The basis for pans is usually made of stamped or cast aluminum, while the latter is largely a leader in quality. Cast base allows you to quickly cook any dishes. Aluminum dishes are lightweight, this is one of its advantages. There are also pans on sale, in which the base is made of forged aluminum. They are inexpensive and operational in no way inferior to cast.

• Steel. This base material retains heat well, distributing it evenly over the entire surface of the pan. On these products you can cook both fried eggs and stew meat. Steel pans are considered universal, high-quality, but they are expensive.

As for the varieties of pans with non-stick coating, they are divided into the following.

• Pancakes. Designed for cooking cottage cheese pancakes, pancakes, pancakes and fried eggs.They differ in the presence of low inclined sides.

• Grill. Unlike a regular frying pan, this model has a ribbed bottom, which contributes to the accumulation of juice in the grooves, extracted from the meat during cooking.

• For cooking fish. Such products are rectangular or rounded. They are used for frying fish.

• Stewpan. They are used for extinguishing, characterized by the presence of an elongated handle and inclined (straight) sides.

• Wok. This is a conical pan with which you can fry meat on high heat. Most often, this type of product is purchased for cooking oriental dishes.

Each hostess should have at least 2-3 pans of different depths and diameters in the kitchen. If you plan to cook special dishes, then you need to purchase additional highly specialized models. This will greatly simplify the cooking process. To date, the market is represented by pans of different sizes.

For a family of two people, a product with a diameter of 24 cm is perfect, of three - 26 cm, and for a large family of more than five people, the best option is to purchase a pan with a diameter of 28 cm.

Despite the fact that ceramic pans with non-stick coating have proven themselves well and received many positive reviews, you can often find their pseudo-brothers of Chinese manufacture on the market. They are characterized by low quality and affordable price. To avoid such purchases, it is necessary to give preference only to well-established manufacturing companies. Their rating is as follows.

• Tefal. This is one of the very first companies that started the production of karmic pans and gave Russian housewives the opportunity to enjoy the cooking process. The main advantage of Tefal products is that they have a thermostat. This is a unique heating indicator that indicates the pan is ready for use. The maximum heating temperature is +180 C. In addition to this, the dishes produced under this brand have an extra thick bottom (5 cm).

• Ballarini Products from this Italian manufacturer are well known all over the world, its main difference is the presence of a multi-layer non-stick coating DuPont. Pans of this brand are made of aluminum alloy, in which copper is added. Therefore, the products are durable and last a long time. Particularly noteworthy are the frying pans of the Cookin and Cortina range - they are characterized by a chic design, are available with a white coating inside and out.

• Rondell. German pans of this brand are produced in China, but this did not affect their quality in any way. The main "highlight" of the product is that during its production they use modern technology of a three-layer stamped bottom. Due to this feature, the thermal conductivity of dishes increases several times.

• Vari. Products of this manufacturer have appeared on the Russian market since 2002. Positive feedback was given to the pans of the Cerama lineup.They are thick-walled and are produced by the method of chill casting, due to which a dense layer of aluminum is coated with a reinforced ceramic coating. The dishes are resistant to contact with metal objects, do not enter into chemical reactions.

Any housewife wants her ceramic frying pan with non-stick coating to serve for a long time, so before such an important purchase you need to consider many important indicators. When choosing, experts recommend paying attention to the following characteristics.

• Coating structure. Quality products should have a uniform surface without chips, dents, curvatures, interspersed in the form of spots and dots. As for the color scheme of the coating, it is best to give preference to pastel colors. Shades of ivory and beige indicate the presence of synthetic dyes in the composition of the product.
• The thickness of the walls and bottom of the dishes. The wear resistance of the ceramic coating and protection against deformation largely depend on these indicators. It is advisable to buy cookware for frying with a bottom thickness of more than 3 mm (if the base is aluminum), 3.5 mm (cast iron) and 4 mm (steel).
• Size and shape. Today, manufacturers produce ceramic pans of various designs and sizes. Therefore, in addition to universal products with a diameter of 18 to 30 cm, you can additionally buy products designed for cooking special dishes. The set of pans should consist of products measuring 25 cm in diameter for making pancakes (pancakes, cheesecakes, fritters), for cooking grilled fish and meat, as well as models with inclined (straight) sides, which are called stewing pans. The diameter of the pan should not be more or less than the circumference of the burners.
• Handle design. They can be both cast, screwed, and removable. During cooking, the handle should not heat up, so dishes with plastic or silicone handles are a good choice.

Besides, It is important to know where it is planned to cook dishes: on a gas or electric stove. For electric stoves, dishes with a flat, even bottom should be selected, it is best to give preference to models with thick walls. The color of the bottom plays a huge role. So, matte and dark shades do not reflect heat well. Pans of not all manufacturers are suitable for induction cookers; products from the Tefal trademark are considered a good choice in this case.

If you plan to cook dishes not only on the stove, but also in the oven, then Before buying dishes, you need to pay attention to such indicators as the ability to remove the handles and the level of heat resistance. In addition, pans for the oven must have in their configuration lids that match the size of the product. Ideal options are heat-resistant glass covers with a rubberized or metal rim. Also, lids should have openings for steam to escape, this will improve the taste of the dish.

The correct operation and maintenance of the ceramic pan will extend the life of the ceramic pan. Do not start using dishes immediately after purchasing them. First, the product must be treated with soapy water, rinsed well with warm water and wiped dry. After that, the walls and the inner surface of the pan are greased with grease or oil. The next step in preparing dishes for use is quenching. To do this, it is heated over high heat for several seconds.

Ceramic dishes are highly resistant to damage, but when cooking it is impossible to use metal accessories in it, it is advisable to replace them with wooden or plastic spatulas that will not leave scratches. In addition, this type of coating does not withstand sudden temperature changes. Therefore, it is impossible to immediately lay frozen products on a hot surface. Such products should be cleaned with detergents that do not contain alkali, acid and chlorine; use only a soft sponge. Do not wash ceramic pans in the dishwasher.

Frying pans with beige and white color quickly become greasy, after which spots appear on their surface. They not only spoil the appearance of the dishes, but also affect the cooking process. Products begin to burn. You can get rid of such stains with the help of special tools that are designed to clean microwave ovens.

If you take into account all of the above recommendations and treats dishes carefully, it will last a long time.

Enthusiastic and skeptical reviews can be found among buyers of ceramic pans. Many housewives are satisfied with their convenience, non-stick qualities and speed of cooking, while others do not like the fact that the dishes are whimsical in relation to detergents, water and are not suitable for cooking various sauces.

About the features of ceramic pans, see the next video.