What is the beauty of ceramic tableware? It’s simple. First of all, no one ever has any questions about its impact on human health. Remember, how much talk was and is about the harm of aluminum cookware or dishes with Teflon coating.
You won’t hear any of that about “clay.” No, not even microscopic amounts of metals can get into the food in this case. Ceramic dishes are chemically inert, does not react with the food, with its individual components. It does not emit harmful substances when overheated. There is no scaling in it.
In principle, earthenware is most convenient for storing food, rather than for cooking. Here ceramic cookware can hardly be compared to any other. So, for example, in the flour and cereals that are stored in clay pots, it is unlikely to get harmful bugs. Tea or coffee in a clay pot for a long time will not get cold. But a cool compote or kvass, on the contrary, will keep cool for a long time.
Of course, no one cancelled the delicious “homemade” roast or chanakh cooked in portions of clay pots. But the fact is that conventional earthenware is better suited for cooking in the oven. It is better not to put such utensils on the fire or electric stove. From the sharp temperature drop, due to uneven distribution of heat (thermal conductivity of ceramics is low) dishes can get spoiled – cracked, for example.
Of course, there are earthenware, in which you can fry something. But again, when using such utensils it is worth remembering that they should not be put immediately on high heat. It is necessary to gradually and carefully increase the intensity of heating, but it is best to cook the dish on a “slow” fire. In addition to “keci” and “latki” there are also ceramic duck and goose pans, pots, pots for brewing coffee.
It is believed that the advantage of ceramics is its porous structure. Because of this, it always gives away accumulated moisture during cooking. To this end, before using the earthenware, you should leave it in cold water for about 10 minutes. Then send the products in it and start cooking. The moisture will gradually transfer to the food.
However, the same porous structure is also a disadvantage of ceramics. After all, because of it, such dishes not only gives, but also absorbs. For example, grease. As a result, earthenware is difficult to clean after cooking. Already mentioned here clay coffee pots are suitable, as a rule, only for cooking one kind of coffee – the one that was brewed in it for the first time. Otherwise, the taste of each new variety will be mixed with the taste of the previous one, which the clay will “give up” during the brewing process. In fact, this also applies to other types of earthenware – it is better to use different dishes for different dishes. Otherwise, the meat will smell like fish and vice versa. There is no “smell problem” only if the earthenware inside is covered with lead glaze.
We should say a few words about terracotta cookware. This, too, is a type of ceramic tableware. Terracotta is made from special types of clay (red clay). After firing, it acquires a characteristic texture – can be coarse or fine, with a solid or partially polished. The color ranges from black and red-brown to light cream.
For a long time crockery was not made of terracotta. To a large extent this was due to the prevailing opinion that terracotta was not fond of water. That’s why even in terracotta flower vases it was accepted to put only dry bouquets. However, with the development of technology, everything has changed: terracotta dishes are becoming more and more popular.
Terracotta dishes are rarely covered with glaze. Hence the set of pros and cons typical of “uncovered” ceramic cookware. You can only cook dishes in terracotta cookware that require baking. In other words, terra cotta must not be put on the open fire; it is better to use it only in the oven.
Any ceramic tableware (not only terracotta) should be washed in warm water with a small amount of detergent or baking soda. Glazed pottery can be put in the cabinet even wet (water on the glaze quickly dries up), and unglazed clay dishes must be wiped down well and still leave to dry in the open air. If it is not dried, it may crack under heat. It is better not to cover earthenware with a lid when storing, otherwise an unpleasant, heavy smell may occur (especially if you cover a wet unglazed pot with a lid).
Ceramic tableware should be handled very carefully – because it is very fragile. One false move and the clay pot, jug, or frying pan will shatter on impact with the floor. Only in fairy tales do crocks of clay have magical powers. In real life, the remains of former glory would have to be thrown in the trash. However, there is a tradition of fortune-telling on clay crocks…
Peculiarities of care of ceramic tableware.
Ceramic products should be used only for their intended purpose. Pots, trays, pots can be used in electric and gas ovens, but it is recommended to put them in the minimum oven and gradually heat up to the temperature necessary for cooking.
Never put the cookware on an open fire, do not put pans in a hot oven to cook a dish, and wash them in warm water with a little washing-up liquid.
Ceramic dishes can be used in a microwave oven (except teapots, coffee pots, pitchers).
Coffee pots, teapots, before pouring boiling water into them, should always be rinsed with hot water 50-60 and it is strictly prohibited to put these products on electric stoves or open flame, to use for boiling water electric heating devices like “boilers”, as well as to heat their contents in microwave or electric stoves.
Ceramic products are not recommended to be exposed to sudden temperature changes.
For example, a pot in which food is frozen or refrigerated should not be placed immediately from the refrigerator into a hot oven. Ceramics may crack due to excessive pressure, scratching, shock, or sudden cooling.
Do not place hot cookware on a cold or damp surface.
Pros
Ceramic has many advantages. For example, it can withstand temperatures up to 450 ° C. For comparison: Teflon-coated cookware can be heated without damaging its properties only up to 250 ° C. Ceramic coating – smooth and perfectly smooth – turns the process of washing dishes in the child’s play: wipe with a damp cloth, wipe dry with a towel – and it’s done.
Not without reason in Europe, ceramics is classified as easy-clean, that is, easy to clean. One of the reasons why cookware with ceramic coating is so popular is the ability to cook without oil on it.
Needless to say, how encouraging this news is for those who follow the figure?
Finally, coated cookware comes in such a rich range of colors that the rainbow pales in comparison. Bright colors whet the appetite – it’s proven!
Cons
Unfortunately, the non-stick properties of ceramic coating, at the initial stage of use of dishes often even superior to Teflon, rather quickly begin to give up positions …
If you plan to leave it to your children and grandchildren, we have to disappoint you. In addition, not all dishes with such a coating can be washed in the dishwasher. Carefully read the manufacturer’s recommendations before buying.
But the choice is a personal matter for everyone.
What would you prefer: oil-free cooking, easy washing and absolute environmental friendliness or an extra 5 years of dish life? It’s up to you to decide.
Ceramic cookware: How do I handle it?
Stock up on silicone spatulas and spoons and soft sponges.
Don’t put them on the stove or the table with force – let’s be gentle.
Buy cookware from a reputable and, most importantly, a manufacturer that specializes in these coatings.
Choose a heavier and thicker product – it will heat up more evenly and give off heat longer.
This is good from a culinary point of view. In addition, products made of thin metal, with a sudden change in temperature, such as momentary cooling under a stream of water, can deform.
Ceramic utensils have the ability to draw negative negative energy from people and fill it with that which it has received over many centuries, or even millennia, from the sun, air, water, earth – the four primary elements and elements.
The visible benefits of ceramic tableware are discussed below:
- Eco-friendliness – the main and most “fat” plus in the list of properties of ceramic elements. Not every material can boast that when heated does not emit even a small fraction of harmful substances. The basis of ceramic tableware contains only natural substances, which allows you to make sure that it is safe.
- Resistance to high temperatures is another of its main advantages. Baking forms or pots will never crack in the oven (if you follow the rules of operation). All because during the manufacturing process, ceramic dishes are exposed to even higher temperatures.
- Cooked food can be stored in the same container.
- Products cooked in ceramic cookware, have a unique taste and flavor. This is due to the fact that during cooking, the container does not release any substances that could affect the taste of food.
- Durability. If you follow the rules of operation, the devices will serve you for a long time. Not without reason, some kitchen utensils pass from generation to generation.
- Non-stick properties have utensils covered with vitreous glaze. Even using a small amount of oil, it is unlikely that the products will burn.
- Such utensils are not subject to the formation of scum.
- Scratch-resistant.
- Reasonable price.
- A wide range of assortment.
Disadvantages of ceramic cookware
Despite the rather weighty advantages, the disadvantages of such kitchen utensils also have:
- One of the main disadvantages of ceramic cookware is its fragility. Careless handling can lead to chipping, and from the impact on the tiles, the dishes are very likely to break.
- Although molds and pots are protected by glaze, they are very good at absorbing fats and odors. Therefore, ceramic cookware is sometimes very difficult to clean and completely clear the smells of previous cooking.
- Another disadvantage is a fear of temperature extremes. Because of them, dishes can crack, so when cooking it is important to put the form in a cold oven, so that heating occurs gradually.