Ceramic cookware is mega-popular as a cooking surface in many kitchens. After consumers got wind that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) coatings like Teflon were not safe in cookware, ceramic cookware became more advantageous and demand increased. But this increase in demand for ceramic cookware has also created an industry that is unresponsive and less transparent to consumers.  So which ceramic cookware brands do we recommend? You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like best & worst probiotics, best & worst organic mattresses, & best & worst collagen, now join us as we bring you the best & worst of nonstick ceramic cookware.

This post contains affiliate links and has been fact-checked by Rebecca Elizabeth Sherrick Harks, RN, BSN.

It’s Settled. Pretty Much All Non-Stick Cookware is Toxic.

When it comes to cookware, there are a plethora of options. In fact, Mamavation’s investigation on cookware in 2019 is still one of the most popular posts on the site. When you hear “non-stick cookware” it’s typically referring to cookware that has been coated with perfluorinated chemicals, or PFAS like PFOA. These are the traditional nonstick chemicals.

The danger in PFAS chemicals is the accumulation of exposures over time because it does not leave your body for quite some time. So your daily exposure to PFAS chemicals matter and should be reduced overall. To reduce exposure, look into the following products in your home that make things grease-proof, water-proof and stain-proof like :

• Grease-proof food packaging (pizza boxes, cake cardboard bottoms, & french fry wrappers. Click here for a list of which grocery store chains are serving PFAS-free packing)
• Stain-proof clothing
• Water-proof jackets & tents (Patagonia, North Face, etc.)
• Stain-proof carpeting & furniture (like StainMaster)
• Non-stick cookware (Teflon & several others)
• Personal care products like tooth floss
• Mattresses (for stain resistance)
• Some water districts located close to airports & military bases

Careful Buying Cookware Stating “PFOA-Free!” Replacement Chemicals Aren’t Better.

Like we said before, non-stick cookware is in trouble. “Generation X”, the replacement chemical to PFOA in Teflon, has been deemed problematic by the Environmental Protection Agency. This is bad news for all the non-stick cookware you have in your kitchen. These companies may have represented themselves as “non-toxic”, but they didn’t tell you the entire truth about the chemicals they replaced them with.

They forgot to mention that the “short-chain” PFAS replacement chemicals that are marketed as “non-toxic” have demonstrated problems when seriously evaluated for health and human safety.

So if you see a cookware company marketing themselves as “PFOA-free” take a closer look and ask them about other PFAS chemical replacements. In fact, if you are in California, many cookware brands could be operating outside new laws passed to protect consumers from PFAS. Many brands are calling cookware coated with PTFE, PFAS free and this simply is not true. It may have ease of cleaning, but it’s still coated with PFAS “forever chemicals.”

What Do The EPA & State Officials Say?

As of this writing, the EPA has not created enforceable limits on the levels of PFOA or related chemicals (such as PFOS) in drinking water. Boo!

However, states all over the nation are considering their own health standards for PFAS in drinking water, food packaging, cosmetics, and grease fire fighting foam. Including Washington State, who recently banned PFAS in food packaging. We will keep you informed as this progresses.

What’s Up With Nanoparticles Coating Ceramic Cookware?

In nonstick ceramic cookware, you’ll find lots of brands using ceramic nonstick coating made nanomaterials. These nanomaterials make it “non-stick” and easier to cook with. This nonstick ceramic-coated cookware has become very popular.

Engineered nanoparticles are now being used in many industries, including medicine (for possible targeting of cancerous cells, among other purposes), in electronics, as well as being added to make certain materials – like cement – to make them both lighter and sturdier.

One of the reasons that nanoparticles might have some interesting and useful applications is that they don’t always behave in the same manner as the same substances. They also like to congregate around organs, so this can become particularly challenging for your health long term.

Researchers are still unsure what these new nanoparticle-based coatings will do for long-term health, especially when the exposures are daily like with cookware. Additionally, the route of transmission – inhalation or ingestion – may affect any number of lung or digestive functions. Therefore, caution is warranted when it comes to purchasing cookware coated with nanomaterial. This is not traditional nonstick cookware either. 

Unstudied & Potentially Dangerous: Sneaky Little Nanoparticles in Ceramic Cookware

While nanoparticles may lead the way in numerous advances in science and medicine, the long-term effects of their usage on human health have not been studied. This is really bad when you realize that we have no idea how many brands are using nanotechnology in the coating of their cookware.

To understand nanoparticles a bit more clearly (as this is an emerging technology), here are some of the things that you should keep in mind:

• The size makes nanomaterials a double-edged sword. The very properties of nanoparticles – the tiny size, their ability to be manipulated, their shape, and other characteristics are the very same thing that cause concern about their interactions with the human body and our environment.
• Unknown health impacts. The potential health and environmental effects of using nanomaterials are currently being studied, but unfortunately, we don’t know a lot about them yet.
• It’s numerous in diversity and potential harm. There’s no single type of nanoparticle – they vary in usage, size, shape, coating, and strength of their chemical bonds. This means that the word “nanoparticle” is a stand-in for many different types and materials – it’s just a nonspecific term.
• It’s ubiquitous. Nanoparticles are literally everywhere. From the lining of our canned goods, to our toothbrushes, to our dietary supplements, to the very flavor in our food, to medication, to beauty products, to the very color pigments we see in our foods. They’re everywhere, which is why many people are both skeptical and concerned by their extensive reach.

So what DO we know about the possible health effects of nanoparticles in our bodies? The research is both ongoing and insufficient to make any broad statements.

• In Food packaging: Some of the studies being performed include the potential dangers of nanomaterials in food packaging, as many foods and goods contain nanoparticles. While no one is certain the long term effects, it appears that these nanoparticles may, with chronic exposure, alter protein profiles, microbial balance, and/or harm the immune systems found in our intestinal tracts.
• Nano titanium oxide gives rats a bad day. Another study found that titanium dioxide can cross the intestinal barrier and enter the bloodstream (of rats) and migrate around the body to places like the liver and spleen, as well as causing precancerous lesions on the intestines of some of the rats.
• Nano titanium oxide is found in some ceramic cookware: Some studies performed in the UK have shown that when the nanoparticle titanium oxide is used as a nonstick surface for pots and pans, the titanium oxide can migrate from the pan into our food.
• High heat sets them off! One study found that heating nonstick cookware to temperatures higher than 500 degrees Celsius showed the first nanoparticle matrix to break down, releasing nanoparticles of titanium-containing compounds.
• Acidic foods unleash nanomaterials. Another found that cooking with acidic foods (tomatoes, vinegar) could release nanoparticles of titanium-containing compounds.
• Everyday use & scratches unleash nanomaterials. One study found that nanoparticles from cookware were released more quickly when the nonstick coating was scratched. 
• Immune disruption & gut lesions. A study from January 2016 discovered that chronic oral (not aerosolized) titanium dioxide nanoparticles may lead to precancerous gut lesions as well as immune disruption.

Additionally, and most importantly, consumers need to be on the lookout for any cookware that may contain nanoparticles and avoid whenever possible.

Ceramic Pans Have Some Additional Problems

When you read reviews online, you discover something even more problematic about most ceramic pans. Most modern ceramic pans do not last very long and have a tendency to chip and scratch after only a couple of years of use. In other words, most of them are not very scratch-resistant.

When coatings are scratch, they can start to leach and expose your family to additives present inside the coatings. These additives inside the coatings are a mystery and will then be coming off in your cooked food. Therefore, it’s recommended to avoid metal utensils and spoons when using nonstick ceramic coating so it has less of a chance to scratch and expose your family to what’s inside the coating.

Additionally, it’s also good to avoid cookware that is a bright red or orange color. This is because cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, is used to make those very bright colors and over time and misuse, your family can be exposed to cadmium if you are not very careful. Best to just avoid those colors in general around cookware.

 

Mamavation Investigation of Ceramic Cookware

We emailed about 30 different brands and asked questions about the presence of nanoparticles, heavy metals, PFAS coating, and proof to back up their claims. Unfortunately, the vast majority of ceramic pan brands are non-responsive to consumers and their questions. We find that troubling.

Would you like to know who is more transparent with their claims? That’s why we did this campaign. But if you are wondering how we rated them, it was simple. So because there is no certification we can rely on to help us verify claims and because there is no public record of cookware testing, we had to rate them based on their responsiveness, transparency to the public, website content, some public records & reputation audits. Finally, we put them in one of these categories:

1. Have no ceramic coating
2. Have a PFAS coating,
3. Have a coating that contained a nanomaterial,
4. Have a coating with a mystery ingredient that is “proprietary” but not a nanomaterial
5. Have been sued for false advertizing

Not Our Favorite Brands

These brands were not responsive to consumer emails or did not answer our specific questions when asked. Brands that were not responsive, were not given a passing grade. Then other brands in this list DO contain nanoparticles and are open about that via emails. And finally, brands below could have received a letter of intent from an attorney in the State of California to sue them under Prop. 65 consumer protection laws, meaning they allegedly found something toxic during lab testing. Here are those brands:

• Anolon Ceramic Cookware
• BulbHead Ceramic Cookware
• Calphalon Ceramic Cookware
• Caraway Ceramic Cookware (Updated: Recent disclosure of nanoparticles in coatings)
• CookLover Ceramic Cookware
• Cook-n-Home Cookware
• Cooksmark by Americook Cookware
• Cuisinart Ceramic Cookware
• Equal Parts Cookware
• Farberware Ceramic Cookware
• Gotham Steel Cookware
• Hexclad Cookware
• Kenmore Arlington Nonstick Ceramic Cookware
• Le Creuset Ceramic Cookware
• MICHELANGELO Kitchen
• Neoflam Retro Ceramic Nonstick
• Nutrichef Nonstick Cookware
• Our Place Cookware (Updated: Recent disclosure of nanoparticles in coatings)
• Shineuri Diamond Hard-Anodized Cookware
• Staub Ceramics
• T-Fal Cookware
• Vremi Cookware Set
• WearEver Ceramics
• Williams Sonoma
• Deane and white cookware

Better Brands

This is the best of the “ceramic nonstick cookware” section. Why? All coatings have problems. These brands are telling us they contain a mystery coating of something they say is not made of nanoparticles or PFAS. It’s likely a type of silicone or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based coating. However, these brands are not very transparent about what is actually inside the coating of their product. The Ecology Center released cookware testing of Green Pan, Bella Basics and confirmed they were coated with silicon dioxide ceramic (that’s basically silicone) and we stuck them here. Some of these products are best budget brands while others are not. Some have easy storage while others do not. However, you’ll easily be able to fry an egg with these pans, but we cannot say they will last for more than two years.

• • DaTerra Cucina Cookware
  • Bella Basics Cookware
  • Green Pan Cookware (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 30% off products!)

Best Ceramic Cookware Sets 

This brand does not contain any nano-coating and does not leach nanomaterials into food. This brand also passes California’s strict consumer Prop. 65 laws with laboratory testing on heavy metals and offers sample laboratory reporting from all runs of cookware. You can view them all here. They have a great number of pieces, can handle high temperatures, have durability, and are oven-safe cooking utensils. You’ll find ceramic pans, ceramic pots, dutch ovens, etc. These are our top picks without the toxins in the ceramic realm.

• Xtrema Ceramic Cookware (If you are a blogger that is interested in joining their affiliate team, Click here)

Xtrema Ceramic Cookware is offering Mamavation readers 15% off their products by using “mamavation” at checkout. 

 

Additional Cookware Recommended by Mamavation

You may want some other options and recommended products like a 8-inch skillet, sauté pans for eggs or dishwasher-safe pans. Mamavation is also recommending additional types of cookware like stainless steel, cast iron, carbon steel, and bakeware. The best set is coming when you scroll down. Get your stovetop ready for some non-toxic options!

Stainless Steel Cookware

This category is for people with nickel sensitivities and people without nickel sensitivities so please pay attention to the sub categories. The 304 stainless steel pans are for people who are not sensitive to nickel. These pans are 5 ply and made from the best quality stainless steel. This makes them more durable and less likely to leach aluminum from the core over time. You should not have to replace them.

The 430 pans are for people with nickel allergies and sensitivities. However, because of the lack of nickel, they are less durable than the “better” category. This is the tradeoff. Eventually, you will need to replace them. These pans are considered 430 stainless steel (also referred to as 18/0 stainless steel because of it is composed of 18% chromium and 0% nickel.

Best 304 Stainless Steel (with Nickel)

This cookware is for everyone!

• All Clad D5 Brushed Stainless Steel Cookware
• All Clad D5 Brushed Stainless Steel 4 Quart Pot
• All Clad D5 Polished Stainless Steel Cookware
• All Clad Copper Core Stainless Steel Cookware
• Anyfish Stainless Steel Cookware Set
• Demeyere Atlantis with Silvinox Stainless Steel Cookware
• Demeyere Intense 5-ply with Silvinox Stainless Steel Cookware
• Demeyere Industry Stainless Steel Cookware
• Healthcraft 7-Ply 4-SQUARE DELUXE Waterless Cookware Set 17 Pcs Magnetic T304s
• Henckels RealClad Stainless Steel 5-ply 10-piece Cookware Set
• Legends 5 Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set
• Made In Stainless Steel Cookware (NOT one in TARGET store. Brand in Target store are made of lower quality stainless steel.)
• Misen 5-Ply Stainless Steel Pans & Cookware Sets
• Viking 2 Quart Sauce Pan, 5 Ply
• Viking 5 Ply Stainless Steel Cookware

Best 430 Stainless Steel (without Nickel)

This cookware is a lower quality stainless steel and should only be purchased by people with allergies or sensitivities to nickel. But if you have a sensitivity to nickel, this is your list.

• HOMI CHEF 5 Quart Stock Pot (18/0 nickel free)
• HOMI CHEF 8 Quart Extra Large Stock Pot (18/0 nickel free)
• HOMI CHEF 10-Piece Nickel Free Stainless Steel Cookware Set Copper Band (18/0 nickel free)
• HOMI CHEF 14-Piece Nickel Free Stainless Steel Cookware Set (18/0 nickel free)
• Solidteknics nöni™ Stainless Steel Cookware (18/0 nickel free, however may contain trace amounts of nickel)(Use code “MAMAVATION170” for a free gift of a 7.5″ US-ION Lightening Skillet for any order over $170)
• Solidteknics nöni™ Stainless Steel 3 Saute Pans (18/0 nickel free, however may contain trace amounts of nickel)(Use code “MAMAVATION170” for a free gift of a 7.5″ US-ION Lightening Skillet for any order over $170)
• Solidteknics Stainless Steel Dutch Oven (18/0 nickel free, however may contain trace amounts of nickel)(Use code “MAMAVATION170” for a free gift of a 7.5″ US-ION Lightening Skillet for any order over $170)

Best Cast Iron Cookware

Cast iron and carbon steel both contain ferric iron (non-absorbable) vs ferrous iron (natural form in foods). They’re safe to use, but be sure to rotate your pans as recommended because too much ferric iron uptake is bad for the body and can deplete vitamin C levels. Note that cooking acidic foods in iron cookware increases the release of iron, so be mindful of that. It may be better to use stainless steel pots if you are cooking tomato sauces.

• Finex Modern Heirloom Pan (seasoned with organic flax oil vs soybean oil)
• Lodge Cast Iron Combo Set
• Simple Chef 3 Piece Cast Iron Set
• Solidteknics Cast Iron Fry Pans –10 inch fry pan, 12-inch fry pan, & 14-inch fry pan
• Solidteknics Cast Iron BBQ Sear Ring Camping System
• Solidteknics Cast Iron Quenched 14 inch Flaming Skillet
• Solidteknics Cast Iron Quenched Bigga Skillet
• Universal Housewares Cast Iron Square Grill

Carbon Steel Cookware

Carbon steel is the sister of cast iron, but despite its name contains more iron and less carbon than cast iron. It’s lightweight, versatile and convenient to use, but still releases ferric iron so it should be rotated regularly between your other cookware options. Remember to avoid cooking with acidic foods in these pans. We have not done a complete investigation on this category but can make these recommendations.

• Craft Wok Traditional Hand Hammered Carbon Steel
• De Buyer Round Carbon Steel Fry Pan
• ICON Pre-seasoned Wok
• IKEA Vardagen Carbon Steel Frying Pan
• Lodge Carbon Steel Skillet
• Matfer Black Steel Paella Pan
• Mauviel French M’Steel Back Frying Pan
• Mineral B Round Carbon Steel Steak Frying Pan

Bakeware

Glass is an inert substance if there are no coatings or decorations on the product. As we’ve seen, coatings, in general, are a huge problem, and we found that non-stick nanofilms are being developed for glass bakeware so be sure to purchase only uncoated glass products.

• Xtrema Muffin Pan (Take 15% off bakeware by using discount code “mamavation” at checkout.)
• Xtrema 1.5 Quart Loaf Pan (Take 15% off bakeware by using discount code “mamavation” at checkout.)
• Xtrema Rectangular Baking Dish (Take 15% off bakeware by using discount code “mamavation” at checkout.)
• Xtrema 7-Inch Roasting Rack (Take 15% off bakeware by using discount code “mamavation” at checkout.)
• Xtrema 8-Inch Grill Pan (Take 15% off bakeware by using discount code “mamavation” at checkout.)
• Xtrema Pie Plate (Take 15% off bakeware by using discount code “mamavation” at checkout.)
• Visions 4-Piece Cookware Set
• Visions 5-Piece Dutch Oven Cookware Set
• Visions 6-Piece Glass Saucepan Set
• Anchor Hocking Glass Bakeware Set
• Creo SmartGlass 2 Quart Baking Dish
• Glasslock 4 Piece Square Bakeware Set
• Libbey Bakeware 7 Piece Glass Bakeware & Casserole Set
• Pyrex Bakeware Oven Bakeware Set
• Simax Glass Fluted Bundt Cake Bakeware
• Simax Classic Glass Loaf Dish
• Solidteknics Cast Iron 12 x 10 Bakeware Sheet (Use code “MAMAVATION170” for a free gift of a 7.5″ US-ION Lightening Skillet for any order over $170)
• Solidteknics Cast Iron 20 x 13 Bakeware Sheet (Use code “MAMAVATION170” for a free gift of a 7.5″ US-ION Lightening Skillet for any order over $170)

Other Mamavation Investigations Around the Kitchen

Here are our investigations on kitchen appliances & cookware:

• Cookware
• Stainless Steel Cookware
• Dinnerware (dishes), including dinner plates, bowls, salad plates, cups, etc.
• Silverware / Flatware
• Air Fryers
• Toasters & Toaster Ovens
• Blenders
• Waffle Makers
• Kitchen Utensils