There are some secrets to cleaning ceramic cookware and we’ll show you what they are. While maintaining your pots and pans regularly may take a little extra time, the benefit is that they will last you a long time. These tips also can keep them looking like they are brand new!
What Is Ceramic Cookware?
Ceramic cookware is made from a combination of clay, sand, and other materials that are used in the manufacturing process of ceramic tiles. The material is then fired in high temperatures to form a hard coating on top of the surface.
Once this hard coating has been formed, it can be used for baking and cooking purposes. Some people prefer to use these types of pots for frying and sauteing as well because they do not have any oil or grease on them at all.
The Advantages Of Ceramic Cookware
The biggest advantage to using ceramic cookware is that it is made from all natural materials and will not leach any toxins into your food. This means that the food you prepare in these pots and pans will be free of metals, chemicals and other substances that can be harmful to your health.
Ceramic is a very durable material, so ceramic pans are likely to last longer than other types of nonstick cookware.
Ceramic cookware also has benefits from an environmental perspective: The materials used in production do not contain PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), which is a synthetic chemical that is used in many nonstick coatings.
The interior surface of ceramic cookware is typically made with two types of materials: silicone or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Both materials are considered safe for use at high temperatures, although PTFE is more durable. PTFE can withstand temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, while silicone can handle temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Both materials are considered environmentally friendly because they don’t contain PFOA.
Types Of Ceramic Cookware
There are three main types of ceramic cookware: glazed, unglazed, and enameled. Each type has its own set of pros and cons, so make sure you understand the differences between them before choosing a new piece for your kitchen.
- Glazed ceramic cookware is what most people think of when they hear the word “ceramic.” Glazing involves coating the outside of a pot or pan with a liquid glass substance that hardens into an enamel-like finish. When heated, this glaze protects the pot’s ceramic material from reacting with food.
- Unglazed ceramic cookware is made from clay without any additional substances added to it. Because the clay is naturally nonstick, no other protective coating needs to be added to this type of cookware. Unglazed ceramic does not contain PFOA or PFOS (perfluoroalkyl substances) or any other harmful chemicals because it isn’t treated with any chemicals during production. It’s also naturally dishwasher safe and scratch resistant.
- Enameled ceramic cookware is another term for porcelain cookware. This type of cookware has a non-porous glass layer applied to the surface that makes it easy to clean and prevents food from sticking to the surface as well.
Why You Should Clean Your Ceramic Cookware
Although ceramic cookware is easy to clean, developing a regular cleaning routine will help keep your cookware looking new. In addition, grease and food residue will build up over time on the surface of ceramic cookware, making it more difficult to clean.
If you have not yet cleaned your ceramic cookware or if food has been burned onto the surface of the cookware, you may need to use some of the following suggestions for removing tough stains.
How Often to Clean Ceramic cookware
To keep your ceramic cookware in pristine condition, thoroughly wash it after every use. Some people only wash their pans after cooking with oil because they don’t want to use their dish soap unnecessarily. However, this can cause an excess of leftover grease buildup from previous meals which can make your pans harder to clean later on. If you do not want to wash them immediately after every use, at least soak them in hot soapy water for about 15 minutes before washing them by hand. This way, the grease will be much easier to remove and less likely to stain your cookware by sticking around for too long. You can use some of the following support tools:
Wipe it Down
You’ll be tempted to scrub at those baked-on bits of food, but resist the urge. Doing so will scratch up your ceramic surface. Instead, wipe down your cookware with a soapy, wet cloth after use. If you don’t want to use soap on your cookware, simply run it under hot water and gently scrub away any food.
Use Baking Soda
Cookware that’s gone through a lot of use may need a little bit more love and attention than simple scrubbing. Baking soda is one of the best ways to clean ceramic cookware without damaging the surface or scratching it up. To do this, simply sprinkle some baking soda into a wet sponge and gently scrub at the area where there are stubborn stains on your cookware. Rinse with water once you’re done.
Make a DIY Cleaning Paste
Sometimes, baking soda alone isn’t enough to get tough stains out of ceramic pots and pans. Make a paste by mixing two tablespoons of baking soda with two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide (3 percent) and one teaspoon of dish detergent. Rub this paste onto the stained area using a soapy cloth or sponge, then rinse with water once you’re done.
5 Steps For Cleaning Ceramic Cookware
Ceramic cookware is nonstick and dishwasher safe, making it a convenient choice for home cooks. However, some care is required to keep ceramic cookware in top condition.
Here are five steps to clean ceramic cookware:
- Step 1: Remove any excess food from the pot or pan after use.
- Step 2: Pre-wash in warm water with a sponge or dishcloth, then wash again in the sink with warm water and dish soap.
- Step 3: Rinse under warm running water until all soap residue is removed and the water runs clear.
- Step 4: Dry thoroughly with a clean cloth or air dry before storing.
- Step 5: If your ceramic cookware still has food stuck on it after washing by hand, fill the piece halfway with water and add a few drops of liquid dish soap. Bring the water to a boil on the stovetop, turn off the burner, and allow it to sit for half an hour before emptying the pan and washing it normally with soap and warm water.
Mistakes You’re Probably Making
- Using a dishwasher: Even if your pan is dishwasher-safe, you should hand-wash it. The dishwasher’s intense heat can damage the finish on your pots and pans, leading to discoloration.
- Using metal utensils: Metal utensils scratch the enameled surface of ceramic cookware, so stick to wooden spoons, spatulas, and tongs when stirring or flipping foods in your ceramic pots and pans.
- Using abrasive tools or scouring pads: Again, ceramic cookware is not scratch-resistant. Avoid using harsh scrubbing brushes or steel wool pads to clean it—instead use a non-abrasive sponge for stuck-on foods like burnt sugar or eggs.
- Not cleaning up spills immediately: Stuck-on messes are hard to clean off of any cookware material—but especially with ceramic. If you notice that a pot or pan has burned food stuck on the bottom of it, fill it with warm water (soaking is fine), then let it sit for 10 minutes before washing it (avoiding the use of abrasive tools).
Tips to Keep Your Ceramic Pots and Pans Clean Longer
Ceramic cookware is naturally nonstick, which makes it easy to clean. However, you still have to be careful with ceramic pans and cookware because even though the ceramic coating is durable, it can still scratch if not cared for properly. Follow these tips to keep your ceramic pans and cookware clean longer.
- Use only non-metal utensils on your ceramic pans and cookware. Many ceramic pans are advertised as “metal utensil safe” but that doesn’t mean you should use metal utensils on them regularly. Doing so will scratch the surface of your pans and reduce their nonstick ability over time.
- Avoid steel wool scrubbers or any other cleaning tools that may scratch the surface of your nonstick pan. Instead, use plastic or nylon cleaning pads for tough jobs and a soft sponge for everyday cleaning.
- Use only mild dish soaps and avoid using heavy-duty dishwasher detergents or abrasive cleaners on your ceramic pans and cookware. With gentle care, they will last a long time without losing their non-stick capabilities.
Tips For Maintaining Ceramic Cookware
- The most important step in maintaining ceramic cookware is to pay attention to what you’re cooking. Ceramic cookware isn’t suitable for every recipe.
- Heat the pan to a medium or high heat before adding oil or butter. This will prevent food from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Use low-acid foods in your cooking. High-acid foods can cause scratches on the surface of your ceramic cookware, which could allow food particles to get trapped inside the pan and lead to rusting. You should avoid using acidic foods, such as tomatoes, citrus fruits or red wine when cooking with ceramic cookware.
- Don’t sear meat in your ceramic pan, as it could cause damage to the nonstick coating. Searing meat typically requires high heat, which can damage the coating on ceramic cookware.
- Ceramic pots and pans are dishwasher safe, but hand washing is recommended by manufacturers because it’s gentler on the nonstick coating.
Conclusion
Best practices aside, it’s important to realize that the efficacy of any cleaning method is dependent upon the type of ceramic cookware. In other words, just because something worked on a brand doesn’t necessarily mean it will be successful on another. Ultimately, your best bet is to follow the instructions specifically provided by your cookware manufacturer.
