The Best Ceramic Cookware Sets, According to Our Tests
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Our top picks include sets from Caraway and Our Place.
EatingWell / Russell Kilgore
Whether you’re whipping up a gourmet dinner each night or just learning how to cook, finding reliable, non-toxic, easy-to-clean cookware is essential. That’s where ceramic cookware comes in. Thanks to its nonstick, scratch-resistant quality, this style of cookware is an attractive alternative to traditional nonstick pans, some of which contain “forever chemicals” called PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl). The nonstick surface of a ceramic pan also requires less oil, helping you cut down on unnecessary fats when preparing meals. Plus, ceramic’s balanced heat distribution ensures your food cooks thoroughly and evenly, perfect for searing salmon and preparing other delicate proteins.
If you’re considering adding a ceramic set to your kitchen, it’s worth doing some research. The best ceramic cookware sets should efficiently cook a variety of foods without sticking and be easy to clean. To help narrow down the list, we tested several top-rated sets to see which ones could flawlessly sear and cook foods and were easy to maintain without staining and discoloration. These were our favorites.
Our Ceramic Cookware Set Recommendations
Best Overall: Caraway Nonstick Ceramic 12-Piece Cookware Set
Also Great: GreenPan Nova Ceramic Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set
Best Budget: CAROTE Granite 10 Piece Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set
Best Splurge: Our Place Home Cook Duo 2-Piece Ceramic Cookware Set
What Is PTFE?
Traditional nonstick pans are often coated in a substance known as PTFE (commonly known by the brand name Teflon, and part of the PFAS family of chemicals), which gives these pans their nonstick capabilities. Before 2015, this coating was made with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) until studies showed a link between this substance and health issues. While PTFE is still in use and generally considered safe, there is still some debate as to whether or not PTFE-coated cookware releases gases and chemicals when exposed to high heat and what impact that may have with continuous use. For that reason, ceramic cookware has emerged as a healthier alternative.
Best Overall: Caraway Nonstick Ceramic 12-Piece Cookware Set
What we like: These pans were a cinch to clean and the included storage components are helpful for organizing this large set.
What to know: We found this set to be a bit heavy, and the clearance space between the handles and the lids is a bit shallow, which can be challenging if you’re picking them up while wearing oven mitts.
The Caraway set was our favorite ceramic cookware set that we tested. This comprehensive 12-piece set includes a 3-quart saucepan, a 4.5-quart sauté pan, a 10.5-inch fry pan, a 6.5-quart Dutch oven, and accompanying fitted lids. Of course, this being Caraway, it also comes with useful accessories like a canvas lid storage holder, pan rack organizer, a cleaning sponge and a trivet.
The pans are made with a stainless steel base and finished with a ceramic coating free of PFOA and PTFE. The lids fit snugly on the pots and pans, and each lid has an air vent for safe steaming. The handles on the lids are wide and flat, so they’re easy to grab, but some cooks might find the clearance between the top of the lid and the handle a little tight. The pot and pans each have long handles secured with low-profile metal rivets, and there are holes at the end of the handles if you prefer to hang your cookware. The larger sauté pan also has a small helper handle, which is helpful for moving it from your stove to your countertop. The interior of the cookware is gray with a range of attractive exterior color options such as navy, gray, sage, marigold and black.
This ceramic set can be used on gas, electric and induction stovetops and is oven-safe up to 550°F. Caraway suggests using low to medium heat when cooking, preferably warming up your pan for about 90 seconds before adding any oil, so there was a bit of a learning curve. During our first few tests, searing our salmon filets took much longer than we expected. However, after a few practice runs, we were quite pleased with the results; our rice and salmon cooked evenly, with no noticeable hot spots and zero sticking. The impressive nonstick properties of this set were even more apparent during cleaning, which only required a bit of soap and warm water to achieve. This, combined with the thoughtful design and useful accessories, made the Caraway set stand out from the rest, earning its spot as our overall favorite.
Number of Pieces: 12 | Oven-Safe: Yes, to 550°F| Dishwasher-Safe: No
Also Great: GreenPan Nova Ceramic Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set
What we like: This set is dishwasher-safe, and the thoughtful design elements make it easy to safely hold your cookware, such as the ergonomic handles and smartly designed lids and knobs.
What to know: The shades of the lid colors don’t quite match the bases, which is a strangely annoying design choice.
The colorful GreenPan Nova set includes all the essentials you’d need to switch to ceramic cookware, plus a few handy accessories. This 10-piece set consists of an 8-inch and 10-inch frypan, a 3.26-quart saucepan, and a 5.11-quart sauté pan and a 6.61-quart stock pot, each with its own lid. Two silicone utensils (essential for protecting your pans), two pan protectors and a sponge are also included in this set.
The GreenPan Nova is constructed of a quick-heating aluminum base finished with a nonstick ceramic coating. The pans are designed with an induction-friendly base that can be used on all stovetops and helps create an even heating surface. Unlike the other ceramic sets we tested, the Nova cookware (including the lids) is made to withstand temperatures of up to 600°F, so you can sear at a high heat without fear of releasing toxins or fumes.
Beyond its heat tolerance, we were also impressed with several of the GreenPan’s design elements. We like how the handles have valleys for comfortable hand placement, and the lids have a slight divot under the lid handle, so your hands have plenty of space when grabbing the lid. The way the lid is constructed also allows you to use it as a utensil rest while you're cooking. The sauté pan and stockpot have helper handles that are also wide for safe maneuvering and cooking.
During our testing, we appreciated the nonstick cooking quality, browning capability and ease of cleaning. We never observed any staining, and the pans were simple to clean with warm water, soap, a soft sponge, or even a few wipes of a paper towel. While we weren’t thrilled that the shade of the lid colors didn’t quite match the base colors, we did appreciate the vivid exterior hues of clay, ocean, deep teal and coral. Overall, this attractive, functional set serves as a close runner-up to Caraway’s version.
Number of Pieces: 10 | Oven-Safe: Yes, to 600°F | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
Best Budget: CAROTE Granite 10-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set
What we like: This lightweight set may be budget-friendly but still delivers excellent cooking results.
What to know: This particular set is not oven-friendly.
The Carote did not disappoint either in price or performance for a budget-friendly ceramic cookware option. This 10-piece set features a 9.5-inch and 11-inch frying pan, a 1.8-quart and 4.5-quart sauté pan with matching lids, a 4.5-quart casserole pot with lid and a steamer set with a silicone spatula.
The bases of Carote’s pots and pans are constructed of recycled aluminum and finished with a durable nonstick coating free of PFOS and PFOA. The adhered handles and lid pulls are made of smooth faux wood (though some colors offer a stainless steel option). The lids are vented, with handles that are easy to grasp, and the pan handles have holes for convenient hanging and storing. While the Carote can be used on any type of range, this particular cookware set is not oven-safe.
During our tests, we were very impressed with the Carote’s functionality and performance. The pots and pans are surprisingly lightweight, which makes cooking and maneuvering easy and approachable. Still, don’t mistake light weight for flimsiness: The Carote cookware set also performed exceptionally well, heating and searing foods efficiently and quickly. Some nice touches made this set feel more expensive. For example, the saucepan and sauté pan feature gentle spouts, which make it easy to pour food or liquid out, and we enjoyed cooking with the included steamer set. We encountered no staining, and the pots and pans came clean with minimal effort. For less than $150 (and you can typically find this set for around $80 on sale), we think this is an incredible value for the price.
Number of Pieces: 10| Oven-Safe: No| Dishwasher-Safe: Not recommended
Best Splurge: Our Place Home Cook Duo 2-Piece Ceramic Set
What we like: This scaled-down cookware set gets the job done with just two pieces, and the company offers a 100-day trial.
What to know: The helper handle gets quite hot, so use a pot holder.
If price isn’t a concern, you may be drawn to the Our Place Home Cook 2-piece ceramic cookware set. This scaled-back duo features the dynamic Always Pan 2.0 and the Perfect Pot, so you don’t need to invest in (or store) a multi-piece ceramic cookware set. The 2.6-quart pan and 5.5-quart pot are designed to braise, steam, sear, boil and fry foods. This set has two interchangeable lids, a steamer basket and two wooden spoons.
The pan and pot are constructed with an aluminum body and coated in Thermakind, a long-lasting, nonstick ceramic finish without PFAS, including PTFE and PFOA. This set can be used safely on any type of stovetop and is oven-safe (but not broil-safe) up to 450°F (minus the lid). The long handles are made of stainless steel and constructed without visible rivets. The pots and pans have a smooth interior with a slightly textured exterior and feature convenient pour spouts. The pot and pan come in a variety of trendy colors that you can mix and match.
Each pan comes with a dome-shaped lid and is outfitted with a tall knob handle at the top for easy lifting. Both lids have a convenient steam release feature and can be used on either pot or pan. The wooden spoons are designed to work with each piece of cookware, and the lids double as a spoon rest. While this set looks sturdy, the pan weighs just 3 pounds, and the pot weighs just 4.5 pounds, so lifting and maneuvering this cookware throughout your kitchen is relatively easy.
Our Place recommends using smaller burners and low heat settings to prevent the bottom of the pans from discoloration. During our testing, we observed that searing and browning foods did take a bit longer, and the helper handle did get quite hot. However, the nonstick capabilities of the pots and pans were excellent, and it was a cinch to clean with just warm water, soap and a soft sponge.
The Our Place Home Cook Duo set is definitely a splurge at $315 (although the set is typically on sale for $250), but less is more in this case. Thanks to its impressive versatility—you can braise, sear, fry, and steam with this small but mighty set—and the powerful performance of the pot and pan, we think the Our Place 2-piece is worth the investment.
Number of Pieces: 7 | Oven-Safe: Yes, to 450°F | Dishwasher-Safe: No
The Bottom Line: The Best Ceramic Cookware Set
The Caraway Ceramic 12-Piece Cookware Set (view on Amazon) gets you just about every piece you’d need to build your ceramic cookware collection, including a few handy extras. The GreenPan Nova Ceramic Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set (view on Amazon) is an excellent alternative, offering nearly as many pieces with the bonus of being able to tackle high-heat cooking.
Choosing a Ceramic Cookware Set
Material quality
Ceramic cookware is known for its lightweight, nonstick properties. Most ceramic cookware is constructed of a durable metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel, and then coated with a ceramic finish. While a nonstick cooking surface can be ideal for cooking all sorts of foods, not all ceramic cookware is designed the same. When heating your cookware and food, you want to be cautious of any potential chemicals or toxins that could leach, including “forever chemicals” such as PFOA, lead and cadmium. Fortunately, most ceramic cookware is made without these controversial chemicals, including the sets featured on our list. We recommend reading the manufacturer’s literature on cookware materials, and you should always follow the maintenance and care instructions to ensure the longevity of your pans.
Durability
Let’s face it: Your pots and pans will probably take a beating over time. From hot oil to rich foods to regular braising, searing and stirring, cookware has to be durable to withstand heat, cooking elements and utensils. Scratching and misuse can cause the ceramic coating to deteriorate, so it’s essential to consider the proper utensils—we prefer wood or silicone for ceramic cookware. Fortunately, thanks to the nonstick nature of ceramic cookware, most ceramic cookware tends to be chip- and scratch-resistant when treated correctly.
Compatibility
Whether you cook on a gas, induction, or electric stovetop, you’ll want to ensure your ceramic cookware set is compatible with your range. Looking at the manufacturer’s best practices and user guides will help you determine whether the set is oven-safe (and to what temperature) and if the set is dishwasher-friendly. Other factors to consider are the number of pieces, the style of the set and storage options, the weight of the pots and pans and how the lids and handles feel in your hands.
Our Ceramic Cookware Set Tests
During our testing process, we compared six popular ceramic cookware sets, noting the boiling time, nonstick capability, cooking performance, durability and ease of cleaning. We measured how long it took to boil, comparing boiling times and looking for residual staining. We also tested the nonstick capability of each set’s pots and pans by cooking eggs, salmon and jollof rice and observing any sticking, food residue and potential hot spots.
When looking at durability, we scraped a paring knife over the interior surface to determine how well the ceramic cookware could withstand potential scratching or damage. We also repeatedly cleaned the pots and pans according to the manufacturer’s instructions to observe how easily we could remove any food remnants. During these tests, we looked for any discoloration and staining from oils or food. The ceramic cookware sets on our final list ultimately performed the best.
We Also Considered
Ninja Extended Life Premium Ceramic 9-Piece Cookware Set ($250 at Ninja): You can use higher heat with this ceramic set, and it is dishwasher-safe. However, this set did not pass the knife scratch test.
Cuisinart Culinary Collection 12-Piece Set ($230 at Amazon): We were impressed with the nonstick quality of the skillet. We seared salmon in the pan without any oil during testing and encountered no sticking issues. However, we wished the accompanying lids fit on all of the skillets.
Common Questions
What makes ceramic cookware sets different from other types of cookware?
While the word “ceramic” probably conjures up visions of clay pottery, this type of cookware is actually made up of a metal core (typically aluminum or stainless steel) coated with thin layers of silica and other inorganic chemicals. This application method is known as “sol-gel,” and the resulting finish gives the cookware its nonstick properties.
Ceramic cookware is compatible with a variety of stovetops, including induction, electric and gas, which is also a plus. Another unique component is how it conducts heat; due to the construction of the cookware, ceramic cookware is best suited to lower heat or smaller burners, and you should not heat a pan while it’s empty. While this cooking method may take a bit of practice and patience, the results are worth it.
Are ceramic cookware sets safe to use?
With proper care, ceramic cookware sets are generally safe to use. When cooking, you’ll want to avoid high heat that can damage the fragile ceramic coating and avoid any sort of cooking spray, which can adhere to the pan and compromise the nonstick cooking surface. Proper utensils, such as wood and silicone spoons and spatulas and non-abrasive sponges, are also recommended to avoid any sort of scratching. However, if your cookware does become scratched, cracked or chipped, you will want to replace it. Many ceramic cookware sets are made of aluminum, and once the outer ceramic layer is scratched, the aluminum may leach into your food, especially when cooking with higher heat. But with diligent care and maintenance, your ceramic cookware should stay scratch-free and remain safe to use.
How long do ceramic cookware sets last?
By following the manufacturer's cooking and cleaning instructions, as well as using the appropriate utensils (silicone or wood), your set may last for years. Make sure to use low to medium heat when cooking, avoid any sort of cooking sprays and double-check to see if your set is oven-safe and to what temperature. Proper cleaning is key, as most ceramic sets are not dishwasher-safe. Usually, a soft sponge, warm water and gentle soap, followed by a soft cloth or paper towel, should be sufficient.
How do you clean ceramic cookware sets?
One of the benefits of ceramic cookware is the ease of cleaning, thanks to its nonstick nature. Most sets can be cleaned easily with some warm water, soap and a soft sponge. To dry, just wipe down with a towel. Also, make sure to check the manufacturer's guide, as some ceramic cookware sets may be dishwasher-safe.
Our Trusted Expertise
Our writer, Marisa Olsen, has more than 10 years of experience writing and reporting on food, lifestyle and product reviews, and she has written for multiple publications, including Chowhound, EatingWell,Southern Living, The Spruce Eats, Food & Wine, Byrdie and Liquor.com.
This article was edited by Katie Tuttle, a commerce editor and contributor to publications such as Food & Wine and The Spruce Eats.
Read the original article on Eating Well.
