Cook confidently and safely with your toxic-free nonstick pots and pans.
By Editor Team | May 17, 2023
FOR A HEALTH-CONSCIOUS world, food safety and environment friendliness would rather be the priority than food releases, but if you can get both, that’s called perfect.
We’ve all heard about the dangers of the old PTFE—better known as Dupont Teflon—as first made by using PFOA, a carcinogen that was banned from the U.S. since 2015. Today, though Teflon is generally safe, it can still emit polymer fumes when heated over 300°C or 570°F, which increase your health risks and kills nearby birds—whereas 260°C is the temperature at which we sear steak. That’s why ceramic pans that are considered “non-toxic” or “eco-friendly” products becomes rifer. Keep in mind that most traditional PTFE (or Dupont Teflon) pans still have a better nonstick power and a longer usable lifetime, but not in every case.
After hours of researching (and dozens of eggs to fry), here’re our best ceramic cookware for all the price points and expertise conditions.
1
Image: GreenPan
Best All-Around
GreenPan Chatham holds the best balance between quality, performance, functionality and price here. It offers an effective and quality nonstick, a durable hard-anodized build and user-friendly designs—all at a reasonable price. Performance-pleasing, it provides even heating outcomes, while the Thermolon surface, which is from PFAS (including PTFE), PFOA, lead and cadmium, makes very easy to handle eggs and fish filets, quite like a traditional nonstick.
The whole design is ergonomic and practical. It offers drip-free rims, nice-to-grip stainless-steel handles and a good weight balance. It’s also safe for metal utensils, dishwashers and high heat cooking, maxing out at 600°F. There’s a steamer insert included—a needful item for healthy recipes. Overall, this black beauty has everything a go-to ceramic cookware set ought to be.
We Picked: 11-piece set—1- and 2-quart saucepan, 3-quart sauté pan, 5-quart stockpot, 8” and 10” fry pan, and a steamer
Material: hard-anodized aluminum, Thermolon nonstick
Oven-Safe: 600°F (425°F for lids)
Induction Compatibility: No
2
Image: GreenLife
Budget Buying
Whether you’re a value seeker or just taking a step into the toxin-free cooking society, GreenLife Soft Grip is our recommended buying for years long due to its ease of use and unbeatable value. At around $120*, you’ll get a sturdy recycled aluminum build and an entry-level Thermolon coating—no PFOA, PFAS, cadmium and lead, in at least. This economical set clearly isn’t at the high peak, but it provides reasonably cooking performance that suffices for average nonstick duties on low to medium heat. Also, the entire pieces are dishwasher safe.
We also like the soft silicone handles as making way easier to maneuver and cozier to grip during cooking. A lovely gain, this 16-piece set has a wide variety of pretty pop colors to please your decoration palette.
We Picked: 16-piece set—1- and 2-quart saucepan, 2.5-quart sauté pan, 5-quart stockpot, 4”, 7” and 9.5” fry pan, 7” stainless-steel steamer, and 4 kitchen utensils.
Material: Recycled aluminum with a reinforced base, Thermolon nonstick
Oven-Safe: 350°F
Induction Compatibility: No
3
Image: GreenPan
Best Upgraded Performer
GreenPan is considered one of the OGs in ceramic cookware market, and this Valencia Pro is assured by America’s Test Kitchen and many renown pros as a perfect mixture of a solidness, efficacy, and functionality. The hard-anodized construction and very effective nonstick coating make it sturdy without feeling weighty and give remarkable thermal and nonstick performance. We also like its spacious, flat nonstick surface and a high temperature resistance, which helps producing impressive searing, both delicate white fillet and red meats—better than many traditional nonstick rivals out there.
We’re also hooked by its high workability. It can cook everywhere—on every stovetop (including induction), in the oven or in the broiler, and is also allowed for dishwasher and metal utensils—a splendid uncommonness for ceramic arsenals. The professional stylish look is pleasing, too.
We Picked: 11-piece set —1- and 2-quart saucepan, 2.5-quart sauté pan, 5-quart stockpot, 4”, 7” and 9.5” fry pan, 7” stainless-steel steamer, and 4 kitchen utensils.
Material: Hard-anodized aluminum, Thermolon nonstick
Oven-Safe: 600°F (425°F for lids)
Induction Compatibility: Yes
4
Image: Caraway
Best Essential Set (That’s Neatest)
Whether you’re living a limited place or finding a “compact but practical” set that can handle serious cooking tasks, probably no one stands out than Caraway. The hypes on the IG aren’t too exaggerated. It really makes no disappointing on the cooking ability. It heats quickly and evenly, maintains heat well, releases food effectively with a slightly grease and cleans up is breezy, though you need to hand wash.
Our deeply pleasing is it’s a few non-toxic cookware—completely free of PTFE, PFAS, lead, cadmium and nickel—that has impressive nonstick power and durability, with SGS 3rd party and California Prop 65 certified. It can cook on every stovetop with a maxing out at 550°F.
The dainty attractiveness and thoughtful designs are also fascinating. We like its apt assembling of essential pots and pans and its neat organizing concept—the crispest and cleanest minimalist set ever!
We Picked: 7-piece set
Material: Aluminum core, PFOA- and PTFE-free ceramic nonstick
Oven-Safe: 550°F
Induction Compatibility: Yes
5
Image: GreenPan
The Chicest Workhorse
GreenPan Reserve offers a flattering answer to cook on nonstick way safer and more aesthetic. Not just being unquestionable chic, but it also has a durable Duoforged hard-anodized structure and a Greenpan’s nonstick coating—no PFOA, PFAS, lead and cadmium contaminated. The cooking ability and the nonstick power are very effective—eggs slide right off the pan and searing turns out pleasing. There’s a large 11” skillet in the set—a good rarity.
Perhaps the design shines the most—stylish and practical. There’re a wide, flat surface with a roomy capacity for easy searing and a good shape for handling daily cooking. We do like the extensive choices of gorgeous color with gold-tone handles. A bugging point, it’s prone to chip more easily than other premium GreenPan comrades, so you should need to handwash, use soft utensils and avoid stacking.
We Picked: 10-piece set—2-quart saucepans, 2.5-qaurt sauté pan, 6- and 8-quart stockpot, 8” and 11” fry pan
Material: Hard-anodized aluminum, Thermolon nonstick
Oven-Safe: 600°F (425°F for lids)
Induction Compatibility: No
6
Image: Scanpan
Most Reliable Performer
If you’re expecting for an upgraded fundamental ceramic set that outshines at cooking ability, quality and endurance, Scanpan Classic is to consider. The heat performance is besting. It produces a quick, super evenly heat distribution and impressive outcomes even on high-heat cooking, giving well-formed, slide-around eggs, juicy braises, good sautés and sears to golden deglaze beautifully like a pro. The STRATANIUM surface, a titanium ceramic coating that is free from PFOA and PFOS, brings both effective nonstick and longer lasting, and metal utensil-safe. A lifetime warranty is another plus.
With a thick recycled cast-aluminum body, it feels solidly quality but comfortably lighter than many higher-end models. The heat-protected Bakelite handles are also favorable, though we’re not a fan of the skillet’s shape—a very broad surface with short sides. There’s also an induction version, with a few more dollar to pay.
We Picked: 11-piece set—1.25-, 2- and 3.25-quart saucepan, 2.75-quart sauté pan, 6.5-quart stockpot, and 10.25” fry pan
Material: Hard-anodized aluminum, STRATANIUM nonstick
Oven-Safe: 500°F
Induction Compatibility: No
7
Image: Carote
Best Starter Set
For students, occasional cooks and on-budget newlyweds who highly accent on the concern of your health and the earth, Carote Granite has all these guts. With 4-mm thick die-cast aluminum and Swiss 5-layers stoneware coating, it gives very fast, satisfying outcomes and acceptable sturdiness. The nonstick power is nice. Even with a minimum skill, you can successfully make eggs and delicate flour-based foods on every stovetop. Cleaning up is just a quick wipe down.
The most admirable point is the safeness of our health and environment. It’s made of 100% recycled materials and free from possible harmful chemicals—no lead, cadmium, APEO, GenX, PFBS, PFOS, PFOA—and passed some trusted safety inspections. An only downside, you can’t put it in the ovens nor dishwashers, but it’s a perfect egg (and pancake) master for beginners to cook with an aesthetic pleasure.
We Picked: 10-piece set—2.3-quart saucepan, 4.5-quart sauté pan, 4.3-quart casserole, 3-qaurt sauté pan, 9.5” and 11” fry pan, 4.3-quart steamer and a turner
Material: Die-cast aluminum, granite nonstick
Oven-Safe: No
Induction Compatibility: Yes
8
Image: GreenPan
Best Innovative & Minimalist
GreenPan has taken most of our positions in ceramic favorites for some reasons. When we’re so pleased with their standards, then a better peak arrived—the GP5. Not just a hype, the 5-mm thick hard-anodized build with the new Infinite8, a top-graded Thermolon coating, gives impressive quality, durability, productivity and safety—no PFAS, PFOA and some toxic metals. It’s truly nonstick, heats impressively fast and evenly and holds heat much better without pesky scorches. A big bonus, the unique flat surface lets keeping oil wherever you want, so you can make crustier results without soaking in oil.
It comes with a substantial price and weight, but still easy to hold and keep balance. The silhouette rivets also help cooking and cleaning more smoothly. On top of that, this vivid performer sports a modern minimalist look—reminding us of Caraway.
We Picked: 11-piece set—3-quart saucepan, 3-qaurt sauté pan, 5-quart stockpot, 9” and 11” fry pans, silicone utensils, protectors and a sponge
Material: Hard-anodized aluminum, Infinite8 nonstick
Oven-Safe: 600°F
Induction Compatibility: Yes
9
Image: ScanPan
The Toughest (That Also Great for Searing)
Scanpan Classic has been our quality proposal for several years, and things are even better with Scanpan HaptIQ. As neatly made of a cast aluminum and 5-ply stainless-steel build coated by a commercial-graded STRATANIUM+, an extremely vigorous PFOA- and PFOS-free ceramic nonstick, durability and performance are unquestionably exceptional. We really love how sturdy it feels and how consistently it cooks. It takes time to heat up but spreads and controls temperature excellently on every temperature and stovetop—impressive for searing, braising and deglazing tasks.
It offers a toughest ceramic surface here, highly resisting to scratches and stains and safe for metal utensils and dishwashers. Any downsides? Some people mightn’t like its hefty weight and shallow-sided skillets for unwieldy to lift and do sauté and stir fry, but it’s a splurge-worthy pick that does make you feel the difference.
We Picked: 10-piece set—2- and 2.75-quart saucepan, 2.75-qaurt sauté pan, 7.5-quart Dutch oven, 8” and 10.25” fry pan
Material: 5-ply, polished stainless-steel exterior, STRATANIUM+ nonstick
Oven-Safe: 500°F
Induction Compatibility: Yes
10
Image: Cuisinart
Best User-Friendliness
Cuisinart GreenGourmet makes you feel that you won’t sacrifice cooking capability (and break the bank) for health and earth sustainability. With a solid hard-anodized build and a ceramic-based coating that is completely free of PTFE and PFOA, it has a good heating performance in a controlled and even manner for daily cooks. We do appreciate the willingness of the company to “go greener” since using 70% recycled materials for stainless-steel handles and 100% for packaging, as well as non-toxic soy ink prints.
A next best thing, Cuisinart never fails for their user-friendly designs for their cookware. There’re flared rims for easy pouring, a practical assortment, ergonomic lids and well-balanced, comfortable handles. Just a weakness, the nonstick coating is rather less durable than others, which needs more care to maintenance.
We Picked: 12-piece set—1.5-and 2.5-quart saucepan, 3-quart everyday pan, 6-quart Dutch oven, 8” and 10” fry pans and a steamer insert
Material: Hard-anodized aluminum, Ceramica nonstick
Oven-Safe: 400°F
Induction Compatibility: No
There’re a few more we don’t like as much as the ones we’ve picked above—maybe somewhat less comfortable, too heavy or too expensive—but, in opposite way, you might love them. That's what the second round is for.
When it comes to ceramic cookware, we bet: many of us think that every ceramic pan should be a bunch “safer” than traditional nonstick ones. Not always, it depends on materials (chemicals) and quality it made. To clear some myths, here's what you should know before turning to ceramic cooking.