Ceramic refers to items made from clay and other natural minerals that are hardened by heat. In kitchenware, it includes both traditional pottery/stoneware and modern ceramic-coated cookware.
Types of ceramic kitchenware:
**Traditional Ceramic (Stoneware, Earthenware, Porcelain):**
- Made entirely from natural materials
- Used for baking dishes, dinnerware, storage containers
- Can last indefinitely with proper care
- Important: Verify lead-free glazes, especially for imported or vintage items
**Ceramic-Coated Cookware:**
- Metal pans with ceramic non-stick coating
- Free from PTFE and PFAS
- Good non-stick properties when new
- Coating may wear over time (typically 1-5 years of good performance)
- Not as long-lasting as traditional cast iron or stainless steel
What to look for:
- Lead and cadmium-free certification (especially for dinnerware)
- Reputable manufacturers with safety testing
- For coated pans, understand they're a consumable item that will need replacement
Ceramic is a good choice for bakeware and dinnerware. For stovetop cooking, consider the tradeoffs between ceramic-coated pans and longer-lasting cast iron or stainless steel.