Ceramic vs. Teflon Frying Pans

Choosing the right frying pan is important. You want to know that your frying pans are going to enhance your cooking and make it more enjoyable.

So, ceramic or Teflon? Is there a difference? Will your cooking benefit from either? Or are ceramic and Teflon frying pans pretty much the same?

Let’s find out, shall we?

Both ceramic and Teflon coatings provide a non-stick finish. However, which is right for you?

Your style of cooking very much dictates which type of non-stick frying pan you should invest in. For example, if you cook a lot of food on high heat, you need to know that the coating you choose can handle this heat.

If you enjoy transferring your frying pans from the hob into the oven to finish off the meal, you’ll need a frying pan that can do this.

Let’s take a look at the differences between ceramic and Teflon coatings to help you choose between them.

Ceramic Frying Pans

1. Free from PTFE and PFOA

Ceramic has been used in cooking for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Recently it has come back into fashion as concern has grown about Teflon releasing chemicals like PTFE and PFOA.

Ceramic coatings don’t have any harmful chemicals in them to release. So, if you are worried about the side effects of chemicals in your cooking, a ceramic coated frying pan is a good way to go.

2. Tough, and good for high heat

One great thing about ceramic is that it is extremely tough and can withstand very high heats for a long time. This means that most ceramic frying pans can be transferred from the hob to the oven.

It also means that the non-stick coating on your pan will last a long time too. Plus, ceramic coatings are so good that you can use less butter or oil during the cooking process without any stresses that your food will stick to the pan.

So, ceramic coatings are great for environmental purposes and for healthy cooking too.

3. Coating comes off easily

One downside to ceramic frying pans is that the coating, while extremely tough when cooking, can be removed quite easily. You shouldn’t use a scouring pad on ceramic coatings, for example, as these can remove the coating quite easily.

However, because ceramic coatings are so fantastic at repelling water, oil and food, a wipe with a sponge is likely all your frying pan will need to remain clean.

Advantages of ceramic frying pans

• Chemical free
• Come in a huge array of colours and styles
• You can use hardly any oil
• Very easy to clean
• Can be used on most hob types (depending on the manufacturer), and in ovens too

Disadvantages of ceramic frying pans

• You can’t use metal utensils to cook with as they can ruin the coating
• Must be careful when washing your frying pan

Teflon Frying Pans

As you know, Teflon is a brand name. It is a non-stick coating made from PTFE which has excellent non-stick properties.

1. Can contain harmful chemicals

Depending on the brand of frying pan you choose, the non-stick coating could also be made from PFOA. This has all of the excellent non-stick properties of PTFE. Some companies use PTFE; others use PFOA.

Both can release chemicals during the cooking process. Some stories circulated a few years ago that PTFE and PFOA have been linked to cancer. PFOA was deemed more dangerous, though. This has meant that many cooking companies have been phasing out the use of it. So, nowadays, you only see PFOA in lower-end cookware.

If you are going to invest in Teflon or non-stick frying pans, get good quality ones. Good quality Teflon frying pans are made from PTFE which is generally considered safe, as long as it’s not heated to temperatures over 570°F (300°C). Secondly, the coating is far thicker on quality frying pans, and so the coating will last a lot longer.

2. Not suitable for very high-heat cooking

Teflon shouldn’t be used for high heat cooking. Most manufacturers say that a Teflon coating frying pan shouldn’t exceed 500 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that if you’re cooking food on a high heat a lot, perhaps a ceramic frying pan is better suited.

It also means that Teflon isn’t the best for transferring into the oven either. However, if you stick to low or medium heats, Teflon frying pans are fantastic.

Advantages of Teflon frying pans

• Extremely durable
• Easy to clean
• The non-stick coating will last for years

Disadvantages of Teflon frying pans

• Cannot be used for high-temperature cooking
• Cannot be used in the oven in most circumstances

Conclusion

While ceramic frying pans certainly seem to have won this battle, some cooks still prefer Teflon. It is all about how you cook and which frying pan is better suited to that style of cooking.

However, if you’d like a frying pan that can do everything and be a real asset to your kitchen, ceramic is certainly the preferred option by many.

We hope this look at ceramic vs. Teflon frying pans has been helpful. To find out more about cookware, please explore our website further.

We have loads of cookware comparisons and reviews on here that can help you kit your kitchen out with the best pots, pans and cooking essentials.