The Absolute Best Non-Stick Cookware, Explained

Whether you’re a connoisseur in the kitchen or a quick and easy meal kind of person, you’re probably familiar with those nonstick cookware sets that people have been raving about over the past few years. At this point, it seems like everyone either wants one or already has one sitting in their kitchen.

Are you curious about what the hype is all about and considering buying one too? Read on to find out about the best non-stick pans out there and which one you should buy.

What Are Non-Stick Pans?

So, what exactly are these non-stick pans that everyone loves and wants to get their hands on? In fact, they are as you expected: pans that have a non-stick quality. That alone can probably tell you why people love them so much.

If you’re reading this, you’re likely no stranger to the stress of hoping your dinner won’t get stuck to the bottom of the pan while you’re cooking. Let’s face it, that olive oil cooking spray isn’t doing enough, because of course, the food gets stuck, and you’re left scrubbing the cookware for way too long afterward.

We want our kitchens to be a place of beauty and relaxation, not a place we dread going to.

Enter: non-stick pans.

What Makes it Non-Stick?

Most cookware is specifically designed to have that slick, non-stick cooking surface through a coating made with a material called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or Teflon, as it’s more commonly known.

Teflon is a synthetic chemical that is made up of carbon and fluorine atoms. It provides a non-stick, non-reactive, and frictionless surface, which gives us that lovely quality that we know and love in non-stick cookware.

How exactly does that work, you ask? Well, if you were to really look into the material of, let’s say, a metal pan from a microscopic lens, you would see that the surface has a multitude of crevices, and when the pan is heated, the metal expands, and the pores get larger.

This allows food to seep into the pan and stick. The non-stick coating comes in handy in combating this issue, as it fills those pesky crevices of the pan so food can’t get in, thus creating a non-stick surface for cooking.

The non-stick coating makes for an easy and convenient cooking and cleaning process since your food won’t stick to it. On top of that, you really don’t have to worry about coating your pan with heavy amounts of oil or butter to prevent sticking. A little goes a long way, and not only does that mean your oil or butter will last longer, but you’ll also be making your dishes healthier!

Is Teflon Really Safe to Use?

Now, you’ve probably heard of the whispers around Teflon and whether or not the material is safe to use in cookware. As our understanding of chemicals and how they impact us has grown and evolved over the years, we are now aware of the hidden dangers in everyday items.

The secret threat in our cookware was revealed to be found in Teflon. Specifically, the chemical people worry about is perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The manufacturing process for these nonstick frying pans can release toxic fumes, but that's not where the danger stops.

PFOA is linked to a multitude of severe and life-threatening health risks, including cancer, thyroid disorders, kidney disease, and more. In fact, a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 1999 and 2000 found PFOA in the blood of 98% of people who participated in the survey.

This happens due to the Teflon coating in non-stick cookware. Like with most cookware, if you don’t care for your non-stick pans, or if you get ones that are poor quality, they end up wearing out sooner than you’d expect. When this happens, non-stick pans are prone to rusting and chipping, which can result in increased amounts of the PFOA chemical in your food.

However, because of recent worries about what we put in our bodies through our cookware, a new type of non-stick cookware has come on the market in a new and exciting form.

How To Shop For Non-Stick Pans

So, what exactly should you be looking for when browsing for non-stick pans? The biggest thing right now: cookware made without toxic chemicals. Toxic chemicals are found in so many non-stick pans due to the fact that Teflon is what gives these pans their non-stick ability. Because of this, it may seem tricky at first to track down the best pans.

Thankfully, it is possible to avoid Teflon while still enjoying the benefits of non-stick pans. Believe it or not, ceramic non-stick pans exist, and they actually have better non-stick ability than Teflon cookware.

Ceramic is a great conductor of heat and ensures an evenly heated surface—all while being free of Teflon and PFOA-free.

The Caraway Promise

So, where do you go from there? Lucky for you, our products come with a natural ceramic long-lasting non-stick coating that works great for all of your cooking needs. Whether you’re in the market for a new non-stick pan or a whole kitchen redecoration, Caraway’s products are ideal.

If the non-stick quality of your cookware is something you value, then you’ll love our Cookware Sets. Rather than spending so much money on several pieces of cookware that inevitably take up so much space in your kitchen, we’ve boiled it down to four versatile ceramic products: the Fry Pan, Sauté Pan, Dutch Oven, and Sauce Pan. It’s everything you need, and nothing you don’t!

In the mood to fry some eggs or make omelets or pancakes? We’ve got you covered with our wonderful Fry Pan that is sure to get the job done better than anything else. The product also has a flat lid, which works wonders for heat retention.

The lack of toxic chemicals isn’t the only thing that sets Caraway apart:

• With ceramic cookware, using a super high temperature isn't usually as necessary with the induction properties of ceramic nonstick surfaces. Medium heat should be enough to make the frittatas of your dreams.
• Looking for cookware that you can bring from the stovetop to get a nice toast? The Caraway set is totally oven-safe with stainless steel handles will prove ideal for handling any meal or snack.
• Tired of seasoning your cast iron skillet? With ceramic cookware, this isn't necessary.

Free of Toxic Chemicals

As we mentioned earlier, you may still be concerned about the chemicals found in the coating of non-stick cookware.

That’s why we created ceramic non-stick cookware that is completely free of toxic chemicals, including lead, cadmium, PTFE (including Teflon®), PFOA, and other PFAs. We believe in full transparency with regard to our products, so we’re happy to share testing reports with anyone via email to prove just how safe our products are.

You may be wondering, “How is it non-stick if it doesn’t have Teflon? Isn’t that what non-stick coatings are made of?” Our products have a natural, mineral-based ceramic coating, which works just as well (even better, actually) than traditional non-stick coatings. It gives you all the benefits of any other non-stick pan, just without the chemicals and the fear of them leaching into your food.

Treat With Love and Care

Some of our most treasured and valuable items require certain attention and care. Some of our dresses and suits need to be dry-cleaned. Our jewelry needs to be scrubbed now and then and stored in a cool, dry place.

When we invest in high-quality products, we expect them to last. However, we need to treat them with the love they deserve. When you buy a set of pans, you don’t want to be throwing them in the dishwasher because soon enough, you’ll be throwing them in the garbage.

So, when in doubt about how to treat the newest accessory in your gorgeous kitchen, follow these simple tips and tricks to get the most out of your kitchen utensils. Hint: hand washing is your friend. This will help your pots and pans retain not only their non-stick powers but also help keep them beautiful and pristine so they can accent your kitchen, not hinder it.

However, cleanup is incredibly easy with ceramic cookware; basically, just one wipe and the layer of food residue your pan was clad in will slide right off.

While Caraway Cookware is durable, like most cookware with a nonstick coating, try to avoid using metal utensils because our pots and pans are not scratch resistant.

Enjoy the Fun of Non-Stick Cooking!

As an added bonus, Caraway Cookware comes in a variety of aesthetically pleasing colors, including Sage, Cream, Perracotta, Navy, and Gray. With a beautiful pop of color, your kitchen is sure to be brightened up.

The splash of color and the minimalistic look to your kitchen makes for an appealing and less overwhelming space. With the non-toxic ceramic coating, Caraway won’t just help keep your kitchen looking beautiful; it will also keep your food beautiful and healthy as well.

Sources:

Healthy Cooking Oils | AHA Association between serum perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and thyroid disease | Pubmed Polyfluoroalkyl chemicals in the US population | Pubmed What Are the Basic Rules for Using and Caring for Nonstick Pans? | The Spruce Eats