Ceramic pans are an ideal choice for many reasons. It’s by far the best material for healthy cooking (lacking both aluminum and Teflon), it’s also just really cool.
Imagine a pan that can cook eggs at any heat without them sticking, or one that is so smooth and tough that it can be put in the oven without getting scratched.
With a ceramic pan, you can steam vegetables and meats without them sticking to the pan, and even slide a knife through them for food prep. And because these pans are non-stick, they are also perfect for cooking eggs.
You can cook with these pans that same way you do with your wooden or cast iron pan. What makes a ceramic pan different from your typical cooking pan is that it is so tough that it can even be put in the oven without getting scratched!
However, many people have difficulty using ceramic pans because they seem to be at the mercy of the heat (some burn very quickly), while some stick when using fat such as butter or oil (in which case wash out immediately).
The purpose of this article is to provide you with information about ceramic pans as well as the basic rules for using them.
The first step to using ceramic pans is to select the type that is best suited for your cooking needs. There are three main types of ceramic cookware: a frying pan, a casserole, and a cake pan.
How To Cook with Ceramic Pans – Warming Up Your Pan
Ceramic pans are generally made from clay, and they are fired at a very high temperature. They need to warm up slowly to maintain optimal cooking conditions (they should be hot enough to cook but not too hot). For this reason, it would be a good idea to warm up your pan before you use it (if you do not want your food or oil to stick). How can you do this? Start by heating it for a few minutes over low heat. Then, place it over a warm fire to let it continue warming up (make sure that the fire is not too hot; if it is, you should just wait until the pan cools). If you are using an electric stove, scrape the pan against its surface as this will create friction and help warm it up. Once you have warmed up your pan, simply place your food on top of it and put it on a heat or fire.
How To Cook with Ceramic Pans – Storing Your Pan
Ceramic pans are made of clay and will slowly break down if exposed to water or heat. They should be cleaned after each use in order to keep them in optimum condition. In addition, it is a good idea to reduce the risk of fire when storing your pans. It is recommended that you store these pans over heat (not under heat) and wipe them with a damp cloth immediately after use.
How To Cook with Ceramic Pans – Cleaning your Pans
The most basic way to clean ceramic pots and pans is by hand-washing them using warm water and a soft sponge. It is important to note that these pans are very hard and scratchy. For this reason, it is necessary to use a soft sponge and not dishwashing detergents.
If you have spilled something on your pots or pans, it is important to clean them immediately. If you do not, the stain will clean off by itself in a few minutes and you may end up washing the same pot again (increasing its wear on your ceramic pot). The best solution for cleaning these pans is using vinegar (add 1 tsp. of distilled white vinegar per cup of water). For cleaning ceramic cookware, use a sponge made of natural fiber (such as bamboo) so that it does not scratch the surface of your pan. If you accidentally drop something heavy on your pots, do not even try to clean them using a sponge. Instead, soak them overnight in very hot water (around 60 degrees Celsius), add a bit of detergent and then rinse them under cold water. If it is still necessary, you can use a stiff brush to remove any remaining bits of dirt.
How To Cook with Ceramic Pans – Preventing Staining
Ceramic pans are made of clay, and as such they contain iron oxide (oxide is crystallized ferric oxide). It is important to wash your pans after they have cooled down (and not before) as this can affect the durability of your pan. If you do not wash your pans right away, the iron oxide will slowly stain the surface of your pots and pans. In order to reduce the risk of stains, it is recommended that you only use neutral detergents (such as those used for dishwashing).
Considering that these pans are made of porcelain and contain iron oxide, there is always a risk of staining them with food. The best way to avoid this is by washing them immediately after use. For example, if you have cooked something acidic (such as a tomato sauce), then before putting your ceramic pan into the oven, put it in a sink filled with hot water and add a bit of vinegar. This will ensure that the acid does not stain your pan and that it is cleaned off immediately.
Ceramic Pans – Basic Rules of Use
These pans are made of porcelain and their ceramic properties will wear off with long-term use. For this reason, it is necessary to follow a few basic rules for using these pans:
If the pan gets dirty, do not hesitate to scrub it. One secret to using ceramic pans that many cooks fall for is to be too careful with them. In fact, they are so strong that you can use steel wool to clean them up, and this is one of the best ways to cleaning tough stains. However, you should be careful not to go too far in scrubbing your pots or your pans may become damaged.
As soon as the surface of the pan becomes stained, remove it from its cooking pot and place it over a warm fire (not too hot) for a minute or two to bring out the stains. Afterward, you can either scrub the pan using a stiff brush or place it in your dishwasher. Do not use detergents on ceramic pans as they can damage them and make cleaning them more difficult.
When using your ceramic pans, do not heat up oil just before cooking. In fact, you should never throw away oils left in any of your pots (they are very useful for seasoning pans). Instead, try to use them whenever possible for seasoning your pots.
Do not try to put ceramic pans in the dishwasher since this can also damage them. The recommended method is hand-washing. If you need a bit of extra effort during washing, consider putting the pan in the oven with little water at a low temperature (around 120 degrees Celsius).
Do you use oil in a ceramic pan?
You do not necessarily need to use oil in ceramic pans. In fact, you will usually be able to cook your food without oil or fat. However, if you still want to use this, then it is recommended that you add a bit of olive oil just before adding the food. This is because when the pan heats up, the olive oil will start to bubble and turn brown (which can look ugly). To avoid this, add the olive oil after your pan has heated up completely (and not before). You can also add butter or lard.
How do you keep ceramic pans from sticking?
Ceramic pans are usually hard and resistant to sticking. However, if you use them with acidic foods (such as tomato sauce), it is recommended that you add a bit of oil just before cooking (as mentioned above). Overtime the non stick effect will begin to degrade, and this is the perfect time for reseasoning your ceramic pan to keep it from sticking.
Is ceramic pan good for cooking?
Yes. Ceramic pans are good for cooking since they do not give off any toxic chemical residues like aluminum and iron. In addition, ceramic is less likely to scratch than other pans (such as those made of Teflon). They are also very hard to damage unless you drop them.
What kind of oil do you use on a ceramic pan?
Ceramic pans are heat resistant and do not need any oil to cook the food. However, if you still want to use an oil, then olive oil is advisable because it has a high smoke point. It is also very low in cholesterol.
Is ceramic pan safe?
Most ceramic pans are safe for human use. This is because they do not give off toxic chemical residues like aluminum and iron. In addition, they do not contain any metals that can cause allergic reactions (such as nickel or copper). Ceramic pans are relatively safe, but it is important to read the care guide before using them for cooking.
