It has long been known that the taste and quality of food depends not only on the mastery of the hostess, but also on the dishes in which she cooks. Most often, pans are used in the kitchen, so the choice of this particular household item should be approached wisely. It is very important that the food in it evenly warms up and does not burn. Therefore, non-stick cookware has become more widespread in recent decades . And replacing the previously popular Teflon cookware came pans and pots with a ceramic coating.
But besides the first enthusiastic reviews about her, negative ones have now appeared. What are ceramic coated pots? Why are they so popular and are they so safe? Before answering these questions, you need to find out what pans generally exist.
How to choose dishes
The most important thing for the hostess is that the pans in which she cooks are beautiful, comfortable, and the food in them does not burn. In addition, when choosing them, you need to consider what they will cook. Now they make dishes from different materials, and you can choose a pan for every taste.
1. The most common cookware in the middle of the last century was an aluminum pan. It was available, and the food in it boiled quickly. But such pans have many drawbacks: the material is easily deformed and darkens, food burns and may contain particles of aluminum.
2. Enameled pans have not lost popularity for many decades. A wide variety of shapes and colors attracts housewives. In such dishes, it is easy to cook, but with a lack of liquid, food burns very much. In addition, if a piece of enamel breaks off, such a pan becomes hazardous to health.
3. Cast iron pots are also known for a long time and are used to this day. They are good at preparing dishes that require long stewing. But such pots are very heavy and not suitable for storing food.
Modern non-stick pans
How to choose dishes in which food will not burn? This question is most often asked by modern housewives. Indeed, for many women it is important that the process of cooking and washing dishes does not take much time. And the manufacturers of household utensils meet the wishes of the housewives. In recent decades, many cookware with non-stick coatings have appeared.
1. Metalware has become popular . Stainless steel pans are easy to clean, the food in them almost does not burn, and the material is absolutely safe. But not all housewives like their appearance.
2. Teflon coating was especially popular all over the world until recently . In such pans, you can cook any food almost without oil and water, and it does not burn. But there are also disadvantages: if cracks appeared on the walls, then the dishes become hazardous to health. And they appear very quickly, because the Teflon coating is easy to scratch, it can crack even from a strong temperature difference.
3. The last “squeak” of fashion has become refractory glassware. It is especially easy to cook with a microwave. But a glass pan can even be used on a gas stove. True, she also has disadvantages: it is fragile, can crack from a temperature difference or with a lack of liquid, and not all dishes in it can be cooked. But a glass pan is still the choice of many housewives.
Why ceramic dishes are popular
This material has been used since ancient times for the manufacture of household utensils. Dishes made from clay are still popular today. It is considered the most healthy, and the food cooked in it acquires a unique taste. Therefore, experienced craftsmen use pottery for the most exquisite dishes. Its only drawback is fragility and the ability to absorb odors.
But technological advances were able to solve these problems. In recent years, a modern ceramic coating has been created that retains all the advantages of such dishes, but is devoid of most of its shortcomings. It is used for pots, pans and roasters. And such dishes have enjoyed increasing popularity in recent years.
What is a ceramic coating
Manufacturers have learned how to make a thin layer of ceramics and apply it on a metal base. Such dishes retain all the positive qualities of natural clay, but gain strength and refractory qualities. What is ceramic coating on pots made of? Although the advertisement is full of promises that such dishes are absolutely environmentally friendly and contain only natural materials, this is not entirely true. Contrary to the words of its manufacturers, there are other substances in the ceramic coating besides clay and sand. Indeed, it is difficult to apply natural ceramics with a thin layer on a metal surface. Therefore, a ceramic coating is made using sophisticated sol-gel technology. It is obtained by combining silicon with chlorine, various hardeners and catalysts. Therefore, one cannot talk about the absolute safety of such utensils. True, there are really no toxic compounds like polytetrafluoroethylene or perfluorooctanoic acid.
The advantages of such dishes
Ceramic-coated pans have become very popular in recent years. Against the backdrop of negative reviews about Teflon cookware, they are considered the safest and most convenient to use. And indeed, such utensils have many advantages:
- Ceramic coating is much safer than Teflon, as it does not contain toxic compounds released during heating.
- It is quite strong and durable. Ceramic-coated pans will last up to 10 years with proper use.
- When cooking in such dishes, you can use metal spoons, since the coating is scratch resistant.
- Ceramics can withstand heat up to 450 degrees, so in such a pan you can cook any dishes.
- This coating has non-stick properties, therefore oil is saved, and it is easy to wash the dishes later.
- Due to the thickness of the walls, heat spreads evenly and dishes cook faster. In addition, the food takes on a unique taste.
- Manufacturers now produce ceramic pots of various shapes and colors, which is also important, as they can become an adornment of any kitchen.
The disadvantages of ceramic coating
Let's talk about the disadvantages of ceramic coating:
- It is still afraid of sudden changes in temperature, and because of this, the coating may crack.
- Food may start to burn some time after the start of operation.
- The quality of such dishes is highly dependent on the manufacturer. It is worth choosing only European firms that comply with all production standards. Other dishes have lower quality, and the pots will not meet the declared properties.
- Not all pots with ceramic coating are still available. Their price is quite high - from 1000 to 4000 rubles.
How to care for such pots
To make the dishes last longer, it is better to use wooden or silicone spoons. You can’t wash such pots with alkaline detergents, hard sponges and use dishwashers, you can not knock on the walls and drop such pots. They need to be washed only with warm water with a soft sponge, and after that it is necessary to wipe dry. In no case should you heat such dishes without food.
How to choose a ceramic pot
Despite the shortcomings, such dishes are still needed in the kitchen. But you need to choose it correctly:
- You should not take the pot cheaper - it will not last long.
- You need to carefully examine the dishes before buying: the coating inside should be perfectly smooth, and the handles should hold tight.
- It is desirable that the pan be heavy. This means that it is made on a cast basis and will last longer. It is especially important that the bottom is thick.
- You only need to buy dishes from well-known manufacturers.
- The pan should have a clear shape and, of course, fit the design.
Reviews about such dishes
The hostess's ceramic coating was especially appreciated, which is important for the dishes to have non-stick properties and easy to wash. After Teflon, such pans turned out to be very convenient. Therefore, those who first tried using ceramic-coated utensils are enthusiastic about it. They say that it’s not only easy to cook in it, as the food is evenly warmed up and does not burn, but it’s easy to take care of such dishes.
But over time, not everyone began to like pots with a ceramic coating. Reviews of their shortcomings can increasingly be found on the forums. It turned out that they are short-lived and fragile, the surface quickly crackes, spots appear on it, and the food begins to burn. However, most housewives believe that quality dishes, if properly looked after, will long delight with their positive qualities.