The three Greatest Ceramic Nonstick Pans of 2024, Examined & Reviewed

As we speak’s nonstick coatings are thought-about safer than their ancestors and are produced from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Nonetheless, whereas PTFE is initially inert, it could possibly off-gas if heated at excessive temperatures, probably inflicting polymer fume fever—a uncommon situation that manifests in flu-like signs. 

With correct care (and retiring nonstick pans after they’re broken), conventional nonstick is considered secure for basic use. However for individuals who’d prefer to keep away from it, there’s ceramic cookware. Its coating is derived from silica, which is present in natural supplies like seashore sand and granite. This floor will nonetheless degrade over time, however there’s no danger of off-gassing.

To seek out the perfect ceramic cookware, I went via almost 4 dozen eggs, evaluating 11 skillets.

The Winners, at a Look

The Caraway’s sloping partitions are tall sufficient to accommodate dinner-sized sautées or saucy braises and it’s oven-safe as much as 550ºF. The nonstick floor launched meals simply and didn’t scratch throughout my assessments. 

This thick-bottomed pan carried out very nicely. Eggs and crepes slid off of the nonstick floor and its coating was sturdy and did not scratch in my sturdiness check. This pan was heavy sufficient to be substantial however gentle sufficient to maneuver with one hand. It’s oven-safe as much as 550ºF. 

The Kyocera skillet options deep partitions and a scratch-resistant nonstick coating. The pan’s angled sides comprise meals nicely and its rounded deal with is comfy to carry.

The Assessments

• Fried Egg Check: I fried one sunny-side-up egg in every skillet to check the pan’s nonstick properties. I heated every skillet and cracked the egg instantly into the pan with out utilizing any oil or butter. As soon as the whites have been set, I used a nonstick spatula to elevate the egg out of the pan, checking for sticking. 
• Omelette Check: I used every pan to arrange a three-egg omelette, evaluating the pan’s nonstick skills and the way simple it was to take away the omelette. 
• Sturdiness Check: To check for sturdiness, I used a metallic fish spatula and even stress to scrape the floor of every pan 10 occasions. Afterward, I checked for any scrapes or marks. 
• Crepe Check: I made three crepes in every of the highest pans to check for efficiency and ease of use. I appeared for even cooking and evaluated consolation and dealing with. 
• Cleanup Check: I washed the pans in response to their producers’ directions after every check, checking for any put on. 

What We Realized

The Colour of the Pans’ Coatings Didn’t Matter

Ceramic coatings are available in a spread of colours. I examined white, cream, copper, gentle grey, and black skillets. To start with, I suspected lighter pans would present put on faster, however my sturdiness check didn’t reveal any connection between shade and scratch resistance. I additionally didn’t observe any distinction in cooking time whereas making fried eggs, omelettes, or crepes. I investigated the matter and discovered that coating shade is linked to client notion. Ceramic cookware producers could select lighter coatings to distinguish their pans from conventional nonstick skillets, that are nearly all the time black. 

Scratches and Dings Had been Dealbreakers 

Issues have been trying fairly good after the primary two assessments—fried eggs and omelettes slid proper off of every pan’s new nonstick floor. The skillets began to point out their true colours once I introduced out a fish spatula. It’s value noting that almost all producers don’t advocate utilizing metallic utensils on nonstick surfaces. I selected a harsh software as a stress check to see how they could maintain up after repeated use. Regardless that ceramic nonstick pans are made with out conventional nonstick supplies, they need to nonetheless be retired as soon as they begin to chip or degrade. Nonstick pans have already got a brief shelf life, and ceramic coatings are usually extra fragile than their chemical counterparts.

Solely three pans—the winners—emerged with none put on. The Caraway, Le Creuset, and Kyocera surfaces didn’t scratch or chip, even after repeated scrapes. The worst offender was the GreenLife Diamond Ceramic Nonstick Skillet, which scratched immediately and ended up with lengthy streaks exhibiting the trail of the spatula. General, the outcomes of the sturdiness check advised a hyperlink between value and high quality. The Caraway, Le Creuset, and Kyocera represented three of the costliest pans I examined. (Editor’s be aware: That mentioned, we nonetheless advocate low-cost, conventional nonstick pans—costly variations of those are simply as sturdy as funds ones.) 

I Most popular Rounded Handles 

A deal with could make or break cookware. A number of the skillets I examined, just like the BulbHead Purple Copper and Gotham Metal, had flat handles. These have been much less comfy to carry—the skinny edges dug into my palm whereas lifting and maneuvering the pan. Bigger, rounded handles distributed weight extra evenly. Pans just like the Tramontina Deluxe and Caraway felt comfy within the hand and have been simple to work with. The Tramontina’s deal with included a silicone pad for added consolation and the Caraway’s hole, rounded design stayed moderately cool on the stovetop.

Wall Form Impacted Versatility 

Skillet measurement is usually described by diameter—eight-, 10-, and 12-inch pans are all normal. A ten-inch skillet ought to have sufficient room to comfortably fry two to 3 eggs with out overcrowding. Throughout testing, I discovered that wall design impacted capability. 

I most well-liked skillets with tall, rounded partitions, which elevated capability, however have been nonetheless simple to work with. Steeper-sloping partitions (like on the Kyocera) meant extra finesse was essential to flip and take away meals.

The Standards: What to Search for in a Ceramic Cookware

My favourite ceramic skillets had slippery, easy surfaces that nothing caught to. Additionally they featured comfy, rounded handles and wonderful sturdiness. As a result of ceramic cookware is already extra fragile than nonstick, I prioritized scratch-resistant skillets.

Our Ceramic Cookware High Picks

What we favored: I beloved the Caraway pan’s deep, rounded form. The partitions have been tall, however it was nonetheless simple to sneak a spatula beneath the sting of a crepe. The graceful nonstick floor launched all the things I cooked in it and didn’t scratch throughout my sturdiness check. This pan is available in eight colours and appropriate lids can be found individually.  

What we didn’t like: At 5 kilos, this was by far the heaviest mannequin I examined. I believed the pan was well-balanced and manageable, however this nonetheless could also be too heavy for some cooks.

Key Specs

• Weight: 5 kilos
• Supplies: Aluminum, ceramic
• Care: Hand-wash solely; keep away from metallic utensils 
• Most oven temperature: 550ºF
• Induction appropriate: Sure

What we favored: The Le Creuset skillet’s floor was easy however robust. Eggs, crepes, and omelettes all lifted cleanly off of its floor and the coating resisted scratching. This pan had a sturdy, thick backside however was gentle sufficient to toss and shake with one hand.  

What we didn’t like: The Le Creuset pan is shallower than the Caraway and Kyocera skillets. It’s excellent for eggs and crepes however may not be spacious sufficient for sauces or bigger parts or sauteed veggies. At $110, that is the priciest pan I examined.  

Key Specs

• Weight: 2 kilos, 10 ounces
• Supplies: Ceramic, aluminum, and chrome steel 
• Care: Dishwasher-safe; hand-washing is advisable
• Most oven temperature: 550ºF
• Induction appropriate: Sure

What we favored: The Kyocera delivers high quality at a cheaper price level. It was the most cost effective skillet to cross my sturdiness check. The nonstick coating didn’t chip or scratch after repeated passes with a metallic fish spatula. Throughout testing, eggs scooted across the easy floor. This midweight pan was simple to elevate and shake however heavy sufficient to really feel sturdy. 

What we didn’t like: In comparison with the Caraway’s rounded design, it was harder to maneuver round this pan’s steeply angled partitions. Getting a spatula beneath a crepe took extra finesse. 

Key Specs

• Weight: 1 pound
• Supplies: Ceramic, aluminum, and chrome steel 
• Care: Hand-wash solely
• Most oven temperature: 400ºF
• Induction appropriate: Sure

The Competitors

FAQs

Is ceramic cookware secure? 

Some research counsel that cooking with scratched or abraded ceramic nonstick surfaces presents a danger of nanoparticle migration, however the precise well being dangers linked to ceramic nanoparticles are unknown.

Is ceramic cookware non-toxic?

Ceramic cookware doesn’t comprise PFAs or PTFEs—probably dangerous chemical substances previously or at the moment present in conventional nonstick cookware. 

How do you clear ceramic cookware? 

Light cleansing strategies will extend the lifetime of ceramic coatings—even small scratches cut back the effectiveness of nonstick surfaces. Most producers advocate hand-washing nonstick cookware. For greatest outcomes, keep away from utilizing abrasive instruments, such because the tough aspect of a sponge. 

How lengthy does ceramic cookware final?

Ceramic nonstick cookware lasts from one to 5 years relying on high quality, care, and use. Correct care will prolong the lifespan of your pan. For greatest outcomes, keep away from utilizing metallic utensils and chorus from stacking different dishes on prime of the nonstick floor throughout storage. Use light handwashing strategies to guard the ceramic coating. 

Why We’re the Specialists

• Madeline Muzzi has over 10 years of expertise as a meals author and recipe tester. 
• She’s examined and reviewed kitchen merchandise for over 5 years and has banished conventional nonstick cookware from her kitchen. 
• For this evaluate, she examined 11 ceramic nonstick pans, evaluating their efficiency and sturdiness.