Good cookware provides good heat conduction, which helps ensure even cooking and the perfect sear every time. They should be safe for cooking and may also be oven safe. When you're done, they are also easy to clean and maintain, yet still durable enough to last. Both hard-anodized aluminum and ceramic cookware, two popular choices in cookware today, can provide these benefits. But just how do they stack up against each other?
Related: Best Ceramic Cookware Reviews
Related: Best Hard Anodized Cookware Reviews
As it turns out, they each have their own unique features that make them interesting, but they each also have their share of cons, which will help you determine the best option for you.
Hard Anodized Aluminum Features
Hard anodized aluminum (HAA) cookware is a favorite of many professional chefs because, like stainless steel, it is lightweight and can't be damaged or scratched easily. It is also about 30% harder than stainless steel and nonporous, which means it won't stain with food or food odors.
HAA pots and pans are comprised of an aluminum base that is then bathed in a layer of nontoxic chemicals, a process called anodization (1), to make it thicker, durable, and long-lasting. This procedure is then followed up with an oxidation process, which gives it a nonstick surface.
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Cons
Ceramic Features
Ceramic cookware is available in three types: 100% ceramic cookware, glazed pure ceramic cookware, and ceramic-coated cookware.
100% ceramic cookware is made using all-natural clay, sand, minerals, and quartz that has been hardened by fire, think of the earliest forms of pots; therefore, it is completely free of toxic chemicals, contaminants, and manufacturing additives, which provides many benefits in and of itself. (2)
Glazed pure ceramic cookware is 100% ceramic cookware that has been finished with a glaze to make it glossy, less porous and strong, and to also enhance the color.
Ceramic coated cookware is the most common type of ceramic cookware. This type of cookware typically contains a ceramic base that has been treated with a ceramic coating to give it a nonstick ability and to prevent the transfer of any chemicals into your food while cooking. However, there is also metal-based ceramic coated cookware, which provides good heat conduction and increased durability.
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Ceramic vs Hard Anodized Aluminum: Health
Ceramic Cookware Safety
Ceramic is considered the safest cookware when it comes to concerns about chemicals getting into your food while cooking because it is all-natural, which means, it is free of various chemicals found in other cookware, such as PTFE and PFOA. However, in order for ceramic fry pans and pots to be an entirely safe option, it must contain an all-natural base and be treated with all-natural materials, which is not true for every brand.
For instance, not all ceramic coated cookware is treated with a natural ceramic coating. Instead, some are treated with synthetic-based materials, such as silicone.
It is also important to research the glaze components on glazed ceramic cookware, as some glaze can contain toxic chemicals, such as cadmium and lead, which, though banned in the United States, is not in other parts of the world.
You should also keep in mind that some brands are not obligated to disclose what's in their coating because the ceramic pots and pans may be marketed for decoration and not as cookware, so be sure to read the label to ensure it says it is safe for cooking.
Hard Anodized Aluminum Cookware Safety
Hard anodized aluminum cookware is also deemed safe for cooking, provided it is used according to the manufacturer's instructions. For instance, HAA cookware contains PTFE, which is generally safe; however, it can become toxic if it is overheated, which can cause certain health risks in humans. Its fumes can also affect certain pets, especially birds, which, in some cases, can even be fatal.
No matter which type of cookware you choose, you should also be careful not to nick, scratch, or chip the surface, as it can allow bits of glaze or ceramic coating, or even bits of metal, to get into your food while cooking, which can be highly toxic and dangerous, depending on the coating's derivatives, and certain foods, such as acidic foods, can further increase the toxicity. You should also avoid using ceramic cookware with cracks in them because it can harbor bacteria, which can also make its way into your food and cause health issues.
When it comes to eco-friendliness, both are also deemed safe for the environment when used properly; however, since ceramic cookware is not recyclable and may have a shorter lifespan than hard anodized cookware, it can add to the landfill.
Hard Anodized vs Ceramic: Cooking
Anodized cookware has a very strong coating, which makes it better suited for slightly higher heat, which will enable you to get a better sear than ceramic cookware. However, due to the threat of potential toxins, which can be released when the cookware is exposed to certain temperatures, it may still be recommended that you use lower heat cooking. Because it can take slightly more heat, it may also be more compatible with modern stovetops, too. Again, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
On the other hand, ceramic cookware, because of its delicate coating, which can dissipate under high heat, most manufacturers recommend heating them on no more than low to medium heat in order to preserve the coating, and thus prolong its lifespan. This means they may not be ideal for searing meats, and it may also take longer to bring liquids to a boil. Again, the recommended heat temperatures will depend on the quality of the ceramic cookware, which will affect how many layers of coating the cookware has, as well as the coating's derivatives.
Hard Anodized vs Ceramic: Cleaning and Durability
All in all both cookware types are fairly easy to clean by hand, which is always recommended, provided you quickly wash away any remaining food residue to avoid a stuck-on mess, which can cause you to have to rub harder to clean the cookware, and thus also wear away the coating.
Because HAA cookware is not as nonstick, it may also cause food to adhere to the cookware, which can also cause you to have to rub harder to clean it, unless fat or oil is added to the pan before cooking to prevent sticking.
And never, ever wash either cookware type with scrubbing pads or other abrasive materials because it can also scratch the surface and lead to premature wearing of the coating. You should also avoid using metal utensils with the cookware because it can also chip the coating and make the cookware unsafe. The cookware should be stored carefully to help prevent damage.
As far as durability, hard anodized cookware has a stronger coating, which means it will take a lot to wear down the coating; therefore, it can last for many years. Ceramic cookware, on the other hand, tends to wear more quickly, and some brands can also crack or break easily, so they may not be as durable.
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