Kitchen cookware has come a long way over centuries. Our descendants were cooking in utensils made of materials that were local, affordable and easily accessible like earthen (pots), brass, copper, and cast iron etc. Culinary techniques and traditions have gradually evolved over time and when it comes to choosing the best cookware these days, we are spoiled for choices.

Whether you are a young person just starting out with your new kitchen or you are just looking out at adding more appliances to your old kitchen or renovating your dream kitchen; do remember to shop the right cookware & make healthy choices.

Every type of cookware has pros and cons, and certain cookware materials work better for certain cooking methods. The goal should be to choose the pieces that are most fitting for the food you cook.

We have listed below detailed analysis to compare the most commonly found cookware materials – Teflon, stainless steel and ceramic to see the differences and to help you make an informed decision to stock up on new cookware:

Teflon cookware:

Pros:

• Teflon is a synthetic chemical which is used to coat the surface of the cookware and provides a non-stick finish. Non-stick cookware with a coated surface reduces the ability of food sticking to it.
• By using Teflon cookware, the consumers can reduce the amount of oil usage in the food and since its non-stick, it also reduces the washing time for such cookware
• Teflon is cheaper in comparison to other available cookware materials in the market

Cons:

• Teflon is a synthetic material and belongs to a highly useful class of plastics and is known to emit toxins.
• On high heat, the coating from the cookware starts to break down and release toxic chemicals into the air. On inhaling these fumes or even getting these chemicals mixed in your food can create a negative impact on health.
• Teflon cookware also have shorter life span as the coating wears off over time and food starts sticking leading to the pan as good as disposable.
• Teflon is made from organic material, which acts as a greater risk to the safety of the food specifically after the coating begins to wear out.

Ceramic cookware:

Pros:

• Ceramic non-stick material used in cookware has become increasingly popular as it is free from PTFE and PFOA, and the coating is scratch-resistant.
• Ceramic is made from inorganic materials that does not contain any metals or toxic chemicals and safer health wise
• The silicone oil used in ceramic coating is released every time while cooking, hence allowing food to avoid sticking to the pans and easily transferred to your plates!
• Ceramic coated cookware heats slowly but retains heat well thus will prolong the life of your pan

Cons:

• Ceramic coating is not as durable, as it can crack, chip and wear off over time, when it chips and wears off its particles mixes with the food
• The cookware is more expensive in comparison to other non-stick utensils
• The particles used in ceramic cookware are made up of tiny mineral particles thus preventing food from being in complete contact with the cooking surface.
• Ceramic coated cookware performs great at first but loses its non-stick properties quicker than the other traditional non-stick cookware
• Ceramic cookware is very delicate and needs to be handled with care therefore avoid putting it in the dishwasher

Stainless Steel cookware:

Pros:

• Stainless steel cookware is a staple in every household. They make an eye-catching statement in every kitchen.
• Stainless steel cookware is versatile, making them the kitchens main pillar. As they are sold in sets it's suited to cooking any food types from curries to kachoris, to pickles to pasta sauce.
• Very durable and easy to clean and are dishwasher safe depending on the construction.
• Don’t scratch easily and nothing beats stainless steel in terms of durability.
• Metal does not leach into the food
• Food is free from toxins as there is no coating involved and can be easily cooked on high heat

Cons:

• Stainless steel requires excessive usage of oils and butter in order to avoid food from sticking
• Not a good option for cooking food items which require gentle heat consumption
• Bit more expensive in comparison to other cookware materials available in the market

To conclude, we can say every household has a blend of cookware made of various materials. In the end its personal preference, cooking style and cuisine that remain some of the factors that influence your decision. Whatever cookware type one decides on make sure to cook healthy and take care of your tools. And most importantly – have fun in the kitchen