Best Ceramic Cookware Set

If you know your way around a kitchen then you probably know how much easier cooking is when you have the correct ceramic cookware.

We’ve reviewed five different cookware sets to determine the best of 2018 and help you find your ideal ceramic cookware.

A good set of cookware is at the nucleus of any kitchen and your kitchen at home is no different. Investing in a complete set of ceramic cookware will save you significantly over picking up individual pots and pans, piece by piece.

Instead, browse our picks for the best ceramic cookware set of 2018 and start shopping.

Before you start shopping for any item you’ll want to do some research. Ceramic cookware is no different so there are a few basic things you should know before you get started to give you the background you need to be knowledgeable about the product your shopping for.

To get you started, we’ve taken a few of the most common questions relating to ceramic cookware sets and answered them right here for you.

What are Ceramics?

Ceramic is actually made from clay. Manufacturers treat the clay and firing it at extremely high temperatures so it hardens and become stronger.

The main difference in the manufacturing process for varying ceramic materials, like earthenware and porcelain, are the temperature it was fired. Porcelain, for example, is fired at a high temperature. This causes the clay to fuse together more thoroughly and become less porous.

Why Ceramics?

A ceramic enamel coating has several advantages over traditional all-metal cookware.

Stylish

Ceramic cookware sets’ recent rise in popularity came largely because of the huge selection of available styles and colors.

With a huge range of vibrant colors, ceramic pots seemed to be the perfect matching accessory to any kitchen.

Your cookware is part of the soul of your kitchen, and having beautiful pots and pans that match your homes color schemes makes ceramic cookware a centerpiece in your kitchen, even when they’re not being used.

How Do I Care For My Ceramic Cookware?

Maintenance & Care

The insides of ceramic pots and pans are often made of traditional metals for heat conduction purposes. When cleaning the interior, use the same practices as you would cleaning any other non-stick pan.

For cleaning the ceramic exterior, baking soda is regarded as the best detergent to use for cleaning since it won’t discolor the coating. Just create a gentle solution of baking soda and water and use circular motions to gently scrub with a sponge.

Use Low to Medium Heat

Ceramics are not equipped to handle very high temperatures. Most have a maximum heat rating of 350 F. Take care not to expose your ceramics to prolonged extremely high temperatures.

Allow Ceramics to Air Cool

Subjecting your ceramic cookware to cold water immediately rapid use causes an extremely fast temperature drop that can cause your cookware to crack. Always allow ceramic cookware to cool down before washing.

Use Ceramic-Friendly Utensils

Do not use metal utensils on your ceramic pots and pans. The hard and sharp edges can chip or crack your ceramics. Always use utensils made of soft materials like plastic, wood, silicone, or nylon on your ceramic pots and pans.

Take Caution When Handling

Take care not to drop you ceramic pots or pans on the floor. Be sure not to bend them or put significant structural stress on them in any way. Deforming the cookware can result in problems with the nonstick coating, and the ceramic may chip or crack.

Which is the Best Metal for Cookware?

Ceramics don’t have good conductive properties. In order to create quality ceramic cookware, manufacturers need to use conductive metal to improve the cookware’s heat dynamics.

High-end cookware is constructed out of different various types of conductive metals. However, there a four metals that are commonly used in cookware manufacturing. Each has its own unique set of benefits and drawback.

Here is a quick guide explaining the basic pros and cons of each metal.

Copper

Copper is a highly sought after metal for cookware because of its excellent heat conduction properties. Often, it’s the first choice for top-tier chefs.

However, copper does have its drawbacks, most notably its high price. Additionally, copper cookware can be high maintenance because it scratches easy and needs to be polished periodically to maintain its appearance.

Aluminum

One of the most common metals found in cookware is aluminum. Aluminum has the advantages of being extremely cheap and plentiful, which means it’s often a practical material to use in cookware. However, the is a wide range of quality in aluminum cookware.

While some aluminum cookware sets are priced reasonably, bargain prices are often the result of cutting corners in the manufacturing process. Lower prices usually reflect lower quality construction and you might have issues with durability.

Cast-Iron

Cast-iron is a very dense metal and, as a result, is quite heavy. Since cast iron is so dense it takes a long time to heat up and also stays hot for a long time, once it’s heated.

Cast-iron cookware usually does not have a coating and can potentially rust. Additionally, the metal can react to acid. However, cast-iron is extremely durable and it can withstand very high heat.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is an incredibly strong and light metal, which is why you see it used so commonly in construction and manufacturing. In the kitchen, steel is commonly used in utensils and knives, but it’s an excellent material for cookware as well. You can tell a high-quality steel pot or pan by looking at the bottom.

Steel does not conduct heat very well, so its necessary to have a solid core of aluminum or copper in order to heat up quickly. You can recognize quality steel cookware by looking for that core to extend through the entire pan and not just be on the bottom surface of the pot/pan.

How Many Pieces Do I Need?

One of the most common questions about shopping for cookware is, “how many pieces do I need for my kitchen?” Buying multi-piece cookware sets is the most economical way to buy your pots and pans.

However, don’t assume that the set with the highest piece count is always the best option. Depending on the type of cooking you do, a lot of those pieces may just end up sitting in your cabinet, taking up space and getting in the way.

Take a look at what each set includes and determine what you actually need. Don’t spring for specialty cookware that you might only use once or twice a year.

The Top Five Cookware Sets of 2018

Paula Deen Signature Collection Porcelain Nonstick

This cookware set from Paula Deen features 15 pieces and porcelain construction. This is a particularly handsome set of cookware and it comes in six different colors, so you can find the color that matches your kitchen and your personality.

These pots and pans feature a non-stick Teflon coating, so you can make perfect omelets without destroying eggs when you try to flip them.

The porcelain enamel is brilliantly colored, bringing some personality into your kitchen. It resists stains and cleans easily, giving the eye-catching finish some functional benefits as well.

 15 Piece Set 

This cookware set includes everything you need to make memorable meals in the comfort of your own home. In this package, you get both 1-quart and 2-quart saucepans; a 6-quart saucepot; a 2 ¾-quart saute pan; 8” and 10” skillets; and a 5-piece measuring spoon set.

 Porcelain Enamel 

This cookware’s porcelain enamel exterior isn’t just good-looking, it has many practical benefits as well. The special coating makes these pots & pans very durable. The coating is also stain-resistant and is easily cleaned.

GreenLife Soft Grip Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware Set

construction. The design consists of a ceramic body with a reinforced aluminum core to improve heat conduction, and soft, ergonomic handles make lifting and carrying the pots easy and comfortable. This cookware features a Thermolon coating so prevent food from sticking and make clean up easy.

 16 Pieces of Cookware Included 

GreenLife includes 16 pieces of cookware and has all the pots and pans most home chefs will ever need. This set includes a 4” mini-frypan; a 7” open frypan; 9.5” open-frypan; a 2-quart covered saucepan; a 5-quart covered pot; a 2.5-quart; 7” stainless steel steamer; and 4 kitchen utensils.

 Aluminum Core 

These pots and pans feature an aluminum enforced body to make this set of ceramic cookware stronger and more energy efficient. The aluminum serves two purposes, the first is strengthening the ceramic construction and the second is to improve conduction and make cooking faster.

Rachel Ray Cucina

This porcelain enamel set of cookware from Rachel Ray is a premium product and an excellent addition to her rapidly growing list of cookware products. The included items feature an aluminum design and a fetching ceramic porcelain exterior.

This cookware has an excellent conduction profile and heats up and cools down rapidly. Quality construction features shatter-proof glass lids and riveted stainless steel handles with rubber coating for comfort and insulation.

 12 Piece Set 

This cookware set includes the following: a 1-quart saucepan; a 2-quart saucepan; 5-quart dutch oven; an 8.5” deep skillet; an 11 ¼“ deep skillet; and cooking utensils.

 Cooking Evenness 

This high-quality cookware set from Rachel Ray is specially designed to have excellent conductive properties. These pots and pans heat up and cool down quickly so you have maximum responsiveness when adjusting the heat.

Cook N Home (NC-00359)

This cookware set is one of the best bargains on our list. Featuring a ceramic and thick-gauge aluminum construction, this 10 piece set from Cook N Home has excellent heat conduction profiles. This cookware set is a great value and is one of the best values on our list.

Why not the most glamorous pick, these pans get the job done. The set has all the features you would expect to have in a cookware set, like a non-stick coating, ergonomic handles, and tempered-glass lids.

 10 Piece Set 

Cook N Home includes the following pieces with this set: both a 1 & 2-quart saucepan; a 3-quart casserole pot; a 5-quart dutch oven; and both 8” and 9.5” frypans.

 Great Value 

This set has one of the best prices on our list. It’s a great set for students or bachelors moving into their first dorm room or apartment. It has everything you need and nothing you don’t, perfect for the minimalist chef or culinary beginners.

WearEver C943SA

Featuring heavy-gauge aluminum reinforcement, this ceramic cookware set from WearEver is a good balance of quality and value. The set includes all the basic pots and pans the average kitchen needs. Soft, ergonomic handles use silicon rubber for padding and insulation, and the ceramic finish resists stains and scratches.

The manufacturer even includes a limited lifetime warranty, so you can use your cookware with confidence.

 10 Piece Set 

This cookware set includes the following pieces: a 5-quart dutch oven; a 3.5-quart skillet; a 3-quart saucepan; 8” and 10.5” saute pans; and a nylon spoon and slotted turner.

 Eco-Friendly 

This cookware set is designed for today’s eco-conscious consumer. The manufacturers went out of the way to make sure these pots and pans are free of harmful chemicals that could transfer harmful chemicals to your food during cooking. There is no harmful PTFE, PFOA, cadmium, or lead present in these pots and pans.

Analysis

Even though we’ve taken the time to outline and review our picks for the 5 best ceramic cookware sets, it’s hard to retain all the specific information about each set with just read through.

We organized all the key details of our five best sets and organized them into an easy to use reference chart. Use to compare them to each other or as a reference point for exploring other options. However you use it, we hope you find this chart useful in your shopping.

Verdict

This is a strong line up of ceramic cookware that highlights some of the best features available in the market. However, as with any contest, some entries did better in certain categories than others.

These pots and pans will serve you well in the kitchen and are more than capable of being the only cookware set you’ll need to buy.