Today, we will be showcasing a comparative analysis featuring Ceramic vs Granite cookware as we dive deep into what each of these product lines include and how similar and different they are from one another.
More importantly, we’ll be giving valuable insights into what it’s like to use each type of cookware so you can know for sure which type is best for your needs. We’ll be analyzing feature by feature and determining which products perform better between ceramic cookware and granite cookware. We won’t tell you which one to purchase, but hopefully, empower you to decide what is the best buy!
What is Ceramic Cookware?
In a world dominated by bulky aluminum and stainless steel cookware sets, ceramic cookware made its rise to combat the flaws of metal cookware. Gaining popularity in the 1960s, ceramic cookware has been the go-to for toxic-free cookware.
Ceramic cookware typically comes in two types: a hybrid known as “ceramic coated cookware” with a metal core. The other is pure or solid ceramic cookware, encompassing 100% clay cookware from the inside and out.
The more common type of ceramic cookware out of these two is ceramic-coated cookware. It often features a hybrid of ceramic and metal materials such as stainless steel with an aluminum core.
You can enjoy the toxic-free cooking surface of ceramic pans and embrace better heat conductivity and distribution through the stainless steel or aluminum core. Of course, this means your cookware won’t be completely free of harmful chemicals from the interior. However, the general consensus is that it won’t really matter in practical cooking terms.
Related: The Best Ceramic Cookware Sets Reviewed For Any Budget
What is Granite Cookware?
The first thing to understand about granite cookware is that it does not contain any actual granite, having derived its name purely because of its similar appearance to it. More accurately, granite cookware is made of a high carbon steel core coated in what is known as porcelain enamel.
In a nutshell, porcelain enamel coating is made by fusing powdered glass with a substrate through high heat (1). This melts the powder and hardens to a smooth and durable coating.
Granite cookware is known for its smooth and glossy surface that is resistant to corrosion and rust. It usually comes in a black color with white sparkles emitting from the surface. The interior typically consists of a steel carbon core or aluminum core that heats up quickly and distributes heat evenly across the pot or pan.
Granite cookware’s other notable features include its lightweight design and its non-reactive cooking surface safe for cooking alkaline and acidic foods.
How are they different?
The most notable difference between granite and ceramic cookware is their materials and craftsmanship, offering unique benefits and cooking experiences. Ceramic cookware is made with a non-stick coating free of chemicals such as PTFE and PFOA often found in Teflon cookware.
On the other hand, granite cookware uses a porcelain coating specializing in resisting rust and corrosion, making it the optimal choice for long-lasting durability.
How are they similar?
Despite clear differences in looks and materials, both ceramic and granite cookware heats up relatively quickly compared to other cookware. In addition, the accompanying aluminum core heats up the pots and pans thoroughly with both types of cookware.
In addition, both ceramic and granite are free of harmful chemicals, though ceramic has a slight edge in that regard. Finally, both types of cookware are lightweight by nature, coming in at a lower weight than cast iron.
What’s better about Ceramic Cookware?
For starters, you get much more variety in colors and design choices with ceramic cookware. Something to consider considering it remains fairly similar to granite in many other ways.
However, one of the major performance-based advantages of ceramic over granite is its chemical-free non-stick surface that prevents food from sticking to the cookware. The benefit of this is you can cook more delicious foods without burn marks. You can also clean your pots and pans more effortlessly as the dirt slides right off.
Additionally, solid ceramic cookware pros are even more vast, offering a greater level of heat retention with its pure ceramic design. Solid ceramic pans and pots may not heat as quickly as stainless steel cookware or aluminum. However, once you do reach your desired temperature, you can continue cooking for long periods after turning off the heat source.
As a result, you can save more money on power bills with solid ceramic cookware.
What’s better about Granite Cookware?
The granite cookware pros come with unique benefits not achievable by ceramic. This includes its rust-resistant stone-derived coating that offers more durability than any other non-stick cookware set. Often coming in with a stainless steel base, you can enjoy fast heating with granite cookware as well as a durable cooking area that won’t degrade over time.
One of the major reasons people prefer granite cookware is that it is safe to use with metal utensils. This is unlike ceramic coatings, which are prone to scratches and chipping.
Other advantages of granite cookware include its inert porcelain enamel cooking surface that won’t compromise the taste of your food with a metallic taste. While not officially considered to be nonstick cookware, many owners of granite cookware claim to experience some non-stick properties.
This alludes to the possibility of granite being a “natural non-stick cookware.” Granite cookware is also superior to ceramic in terms of oven safety levels. It can often reach 500 degrees F or greater of high heat tolerance than ceramic, which is prone to structural damage at such temperatures.
Who should get Ceramic Cookware?
Ceramic cookware is the optimal choice for home cooks and chefs that prioritize the healthiest cookware options over high heat cooking performance. Built for sustainability, this type of cookware appeals to “greenies” who want the best non-toxic cookware that’ll benefit their bodies and the environment.
It’s also an excellent choice for budget buyers as ceramic cookware is quite affordable. In addition, their ability to retain heat for long periods after turning off the heat source means you can save on power costs.
Other reasons to consider ceramic cookware include its vast range of color and design options. It appeals to those with an artistic taste for their home’s interior design. In combination with its eco-friendly aspects, it’s a win-win situation.
There are both pure ceramic and solid ceramic cookware options, which offer varying PTFE and PFOA-free cooking levels. Depending on your choice, you’ll be trading heat retention properties for more or less use of toxic chemicals.
Who should get Granite Cookware?
Granite coating is the way to go for a surface resistant to rust and corrosion with durability for the long term. A typical granite pan encompasses a coating of porcelain enamel that offers a sturdy cooking surface that is non-reactive and inert for safe cooking.
The interior often consists of an aluminum or stainless steel inner core, which conducts heat effectively for faster heat-up time. In addition, the dark porcelain surface is free of toxic chemicals. Thus, the best granite cookware is durable and resistant to rust and corrosion.
In addition, unlike cast iron, you’ll find granite pots and pans relatively lightweight. Thus, this makes them suitable for more fragile individuals such as the elderly and disabled. You’ll also find granite cookware is relatively stain-resistant, appealing to those who don’t like to see smudges or fingerprints on their cookware.
Features
Design & Aesthetics
Granite cookware and ceramic cookware are both designed to be chemical-free and avoid toxic chemicals like PFOAs and PTFEs. They are both non-reactive and are great choices for cooking soupy foods like tomato sauce-based pastas and bolognese (2).
Both ceramic and granite cookware weighs significantly less than cast iron cookware. This makes them great choices for fragile individuals like older people or those with injuries or other complications.
In terms of aesthetics, granite pans tend to come in a sleek black color. Unfortunately, they don’t often have many other choices of color or design outside the iconic sparkly porcelain enameled coating. On the other hand, ceramic offers a greater variety of color options and artistic design choices. This can single-handedly change the atmosphere of your kitchen and deliver bright and positive vibes.
While the design of granite cookware is no doubt a gorgeous option in itself, the sheer variety that ceramic offers are simply unmatched. This makes it the clear winner in the field of design and aesthetics.
Winner: Ceramic
Cooking Performance
Ceramic coated cookware and granite cookware perform equally as well in terms of efficient heat transfer and distribution. Both types of cookware can reach high temperatures fast through their aluminum or stainless steel carbon core, making for great heat conductors.
Additionally, both ceramic and granite cookware are non-reactive, meaning they won’t take on a metallic iron taste like some other types of cookware.
The ultimate difference between ceramic and granite pans and pots is their cooking surfaces. Granite takes on a rust-resistant porcelain enameled coating, while ceramic encompasses non-stick coatings that provide superior food release properties.
Unfortunately, the pleasures of nonstick cooking come at the price of reduced temperature tolerance. Granite is certainly the superior cookware for oven safety potential. However, the benefits of nonstick coating for cooking and cleaning outweigh the deficits.
This combined with its superiority over granite’s poor heat retention capabilities, makes ceramic cookware the winner once again on this occasion.
Winner: Ceramic
Cleaning & Maintenance
It can’t be a complete granite cookware vs ceramic cookware contest without mentioning how easy both types are to clean. Unfortunately, both these cookware lines are not particularly dishwasher safe, though some brands will claim otherwise.
Regardless, you’ll be better off handwashing your granite and ceramic cookware. This ensures no rusting or chips occur on the exterior and interior surfaces and the handles.
The kiln-baked cookware that is ceramic is significantly easier to clean because of its non-stick surface. This enables the food residuals to just slip right off the pan or pot. However, these benefits may be short-lived because non-stick coating degrades over time and is more susceptible to scratches, chipping, and cracks.
In addition, granite cookware is rust-resistant, meaning you can soak your granite cookware for hours on end without any damage to the surface, unlike ceramic-coated cookware.
Winner: Granite
FAQ
What is the best cookware, granite or ceramic?
Ceramic cookware is among the best toxic-free cookware you’ll find. Its non-stick pans are among the best on the market, but it’s also fragile and sensitive to anything above a medium heat level. Granite is more resilient to higher temperatures and is more rust-resistant than ceramic, though wooden utensils are still recommended for maximum longevity.
Is granite the same as ceramic cookware?
Granite differs from ceramic cookware in that it uses porcelain enameled coating instead of ceramic coating. This leads to significant differences in performance, durability, and maintenance procedures.
Is granite cookware better than non-stick?
Not necessarily, but many will find more value in granite cookware for its high resistance to rust and corrosion. Granite is a better choice for those who prefer to use their own seasoning when cooking rather than rely on the cookware’s non-stick features.
Sources
(1) – https://encyclopedia.pub/1192
(2) – https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/myplate-cnpp/pasta-bolognese
