The variety of coatings on kitchen cookware is sometimes quite confusing. At first, you think it is better to prefer Teflon, but then you are fascinated by ceramics. In other words, you start wandering in the maze of choices all over again.
Nevertheless, in today’s article, we will turn our attention to granite cookware. Is granite cookware safe? So, let’s start!
What is granite cookware?
The most common characteristic of all granite cookware refers to its granite color. Granite cookware does not actually contain granite stone other than color, and it is just one marketing tactic. It is possible to use granite cookware as cooking vessels for various purposes to coatings.
Granite cookware design
Granite cookware construction
Granite cookware offers a variety of products, so it’s important to know exactly what you’re seeking. The metal core is made of either aluminum or carbon steel, depending on which brand you buy from, but other factors may influence your decision too!
For example, if durability is more important than weight, choose an all-aluminum model. At the same time, for those who are looking for impressive high heat retention, it is better to buy a model with a thicker layer (and therefore heavier) cast iron cookware inner frame.
By contrast, if non-stick properties are more important to you than anything else, your best option would be a porcelain granite set. They are usually cheaper than their all-aluminum or cast iron cookware, but they don’t retain heat as well.
Granite cookware induction base
The least known feature of most granite cookware models is the induction base. It is important to remember that all of these bases (especially the more modern cookware) are made of magnetic or magnetized materials. This means that a granite pan will be a great addition to your induction hob.
The bottom of the pan is where it all starts. The first heat-contact layer must have high thermal conductivity to ensure on-time cooking and prevent burns or burning of the core.
The induction base should help to heat the surface of the pan evenly, allowing the energy source to have enough surface area on which it can cook food perfectly.
Granite cookware core
When cooking with granite cookware, the core of each pot or pan is vital to achieving even heat distribution and retention.
This means that it must be made of conductive materials, such as aluminum and other materials, to not only hold whatever you heat but also to distribute heat throughout the dish and still withstand high temperatures without being damaged by burn-through seams between layers in case cracks occur in them during the manufacturing process.
The three most common safe granite cookware cores are aluminum, stainless steel core, and cast iron. They all have unique advantages, so it’s important to know which one is best for your needs before making a purchase!
Aluminum is often considered the best option because it is a great heat conductor. It is a light and easy-to-maneuver material. However, stainless steel has similar heat conductivity but is heavier than aluminum. Finally, cast iron is the heaviest option, but it retains high heat perfectly. Cast iron cookware is ideal when you need your food to stay warm for a long time.
Granite cookware weight
Granite cookware is usually heavy because of the materials. The weight can be either good or bad depending on what you are looking for in your cookware!
Heavier pans retain heat better and are more durable. However, they can cause wrist problems, so they should only be considered if you have no choice but to use them all day.
Lighter options may seem more convenient, but you have to pay extra for them. Despite the greater convenience factor, lightweight granite cookware is not as durable. Also, it is more difficult to control heat when cooking in lightweight granite cookware.
So, what is the optimal weight for granite cookware? It depends on your needs and preferences. If you want durability, choose a heavier pan. If convenience is important to you, choose a lighter frying pan.
Handle for a pan
An equally important detail is the handle for your pan. The best option is a molded handle. In this case, you can use the pan comfortably and not be afraid that the handle will fall off. It is ideal if the handle is cast and will be additionally covered with plastic or wood, or will be bakelite. That way it won’t get hot.
If the pan is used for baking in the oven more often, a removable handle is a good option; otherwise, the cookware may not fit.
Advantages and disadvantages of granite cookware
Modern granite cookware pros:
- You don’t have to worry about scratching your granite pots and pans accidentally with sharp utensils. Still, there’s no need to try to do that.
- Pretty fast and smooth heating. Which means you will no longer be late for work.
- Long-term cooking temperature retention. That means that the food in granite cookware will not cool down so quickly, and you will always be able to have a snack.
- The material of granite cookware reacts calmly to high temperatures.
- Granite frying pans are suitable for use on various types of cooking surfaces, including induction.
- It is very easy to take care of granite pots and pans.
- In granite cookware, you can cook food such as fatty meat without adding oil.
- Granite pots and pans have an incredibly long lifespan.
And its cons:
- Unlike Teflon-coated cookware, granite pots and pans will cost much more.
- Still, some damage from high heat occurs.
- Chemicals or other abrasives are prohibited.
- As a result of a fall of granite cookware, cracks may appear, which will bring destructive consequences.
- Not all granite cookware will be dishwasher safe.
Granite cookware care and storage features
It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the use of granite stone pans to last a long time. So don’t throw away the packaging immediately after purchase. Most non-stick coatings can withstand contact with metal paddles, but that does not mean they can be scratched with forks and knives.
It is strictly forbidden:
- To allow temperature contrasts – put frozen food on a high-heat surface and pour cold water into granite cookware.
- To clean the bottom and walls of granite pots and pans with metal sponges.
- To use abrasive or harmful chemicals on granite cookware.
- To drop granite pots and pans on the floor, as it can lead to deformation or damage to their coating.
- To heat an empty pan without oil at all. If the body of the pan is made of aluminum, the pan can be deformed.
Maintaining granite cookware
Proper maintenance is key to keeping granite cookware in good condition, so it can continue to be used without worry or concern about is granite cookware safe.
Here are some tips:
- It is recommended to wash the pan with warm water and a little detergent before use.
- Do not use metal utensils so as not to scratch the surface. Use wooden utensils or plastic utensils with granite cookware instead.
- It is better to store pans in a suspended position or to put something soft on them if you have to put one inside the other.
- Wait ten minutes before cleaning up after cooking. Do not wash your pots and pans immediately. If you dip a cold surface into hot water, there is a risk that the pan could wrap or damage its surface due to temperature shock, which could destroy the nonstick coating on both enameled glass surfaces.
- When using PTFE cookware, it is important to avoid preheating an empty pan with extremely high temperatures and always use the lowest or medium heat.
Is granite cookware dishwasher safe?
You may see granite cookware advertised as being dishwasher safe. But we strongly recommend not using dishwashers for cleaning your granite cookware.
Such actions can destroy or damage the porcelain enamel. In this case, the granite cookware will become unsuitable and not safe to cook food.
We highly recommend cleaning granite cookware carefully under a stream of warm water. Do not use hard metal sponges or chemicals.
How to wash granite cookware by hands
Here are some ways of washing granite cookware using your hands. Let’s see!
It’s just a cake when it comes to cleaning granite. Start with cold water and mild soap. Submerge the granite cookware in the hot water. Bring the cookware into the warm water, and then wash it with a sponge. Use plenty of warm soap if necessary for cleaning. Repeat this step as needed. Ready!
Is it wise to continue to use granite cookware which has recently been broken by metal utensils?
So we have an answer to that question as well. As we said earlier, granite cookware can be damaged in many ways. If damaged, its top layer deforms and there may be scratches, cracks, and chips.
We strongly recommend you not to use cookware with such defects because there is a chance that pollutants can seep through it and get into your body. Which in turn can cause a variety of different diseases.
What are the signs of safe and good quality granite cookware, and what should I avoid?
First of all, you need to find out what kind of granite cookware you are buying. It can be a PTFE cookware coating, vitreous enamel, or something else. In general, vitreous enamel granite cookware has fewer health problems than Teflon ones, especially when it comes to high-quality granite cookware from well-known manufacturers.
Higher-quality vitreous enamel pots have a thicker layer of enamel. They tend to be stronger and more durable than Teflon pots. In contrast, vitreous enamel does not have high non-stick properties, especially when compared to Teflon enamel.
By using granite cookware with vitreous enamel, you will avoid releasing toxic fumes even if you overheat it.
Try to find cookware with steel bases rather than aluminum bases. So, as aluminum alloys can be toxic even in small amounts.
There is a possibility that there is another type of cookware on the market that is labeled “Granite” cookware. In any case, it would be reasonable to find cookware that clearly states that it does not contain PTFE, PFOA, cadmium, or lead. This does not mean that it is completely safe, but by all means, you will eliminate the most widespread hazards present in the market.
Is it healthy to cook in granite?
There are many questions such as is granite cookware safe or whether is it safe to cook food in it. We will try to answer these questions as simply as possible and dispel all your doubts.
Granite cookware is very popular among those looking for a safe, non-stick surface. It is made with a porcelain enamel coating and does not release any toxic fumes that are dangerous for your health, unlike other non-stick pans.
It is safe to cook food in granite cookware as long as the porcelain coating enamel is not damaged. If you follow the rules for using granite cookware, you won’t risk damaging it. Consequently, such granite cookware will please you for a long time. Just treat it properly, and everything will be fine.
Granite cookware vs. ceramic cookware
Well, now, that you know what granite cookware is, we can look at ceramic cookware and compare them.
All-ceramic cookware and ceramic-coated cookware are the two main types of ceramic cookware.
All-ceramic cookware is made, quite simply, from a kiln-fired mixture of clay and water. Once it is fully cured, it is coated with a glaze that makes it non-stick and gives it a shiny appearance. This coating is also stain-resistant and makes the inside of the product more durable.
Ceramic-coated cookware is any metal pot or pan coated with a ceramic glaze. It is much more common than all-ceramic cookware.
The main advantage of ceramic cookware is that it does not contain PTFE and PFOA. It also does not contain harmful chemicals, conducts well, and retains heat.
Their biggest disadvantage is that they are not suitable for cooking at very high temperatures and are very fragile. As a consequence, the coating chips off easily.
So, as you can see, both cookware is non-stick, easy to wash, non-reactive, and stain resistant.
Both are quite fragile and require special care to last longer. The materials used to make each conduct and retain heat well.
However, ceramic vessels cannot be used at high temperatures, whereas granite cookware, which does not contain PTFE, can. Ceramic vessels also do not heat up quickly, unlike granite vessels. This is the main difference between them.
Is granite cookware better than non-stick?
Granite coating gives cookware some significant advantages over Teflon, a very thin and sensitive pan, and fragile ceramic pans. Granite cookware is considered more environmentally friendly than Teflon and more durable than ceramic, thus representing a middle ground.
Is granite non-stick healthy?
There is a very common question is granite cookware safe and healthy? The trend toward healthy food and eco-friendliness has done its job. Thanks to these trends, the most environmentally friendly coating, granite coating, since it does not contain PFOA, which is dangerous to health, has been developed.
It has excellent non-stick properties, has a long lifespan (about 6-7 years according to some consumer reviews), and is resistant to damage.
Granite cookware can be safely used for cooking your favorite dishes. A nice bonus of granite cookware is – food is cooked without oil and does not stick.
What cookware is healthiest to use?
A healthy lifestyle involves not only eating foods that are rich in nutrients, but also following all the rules of heat treatment during cooking and usage of the healthiest cookware. To do this, it is important to buy quality cookware. Today it is presented on the cookware market in a huge range and differs in the material of manufacture, design, and price.
Granite cookware is made from various materials, including aluminum, carbon steel, cast iron, copper, granite, and stainless steel. Let’s have a detailed look.
Stainless steel
Cookware made of this material is considered the most multipurpose and practical to use because you can cook absolutely anything in it. Stainless steel products can be heated to any temperature and cleaned with any cleaning detergents.
Aluminum or carbon steel
Other cookware materials are aluminum or carbon steel. Characterized by low usability, but resistant to sudden temperature changes and does not burn. In addition, aluminum cookware is light in weight, and it can be washed using any method.
However, at the moment on the market you can come across some unsafe cookware with low-quality that cost cheap, that cannot be used to cook food. Since such dishes are produced mainly from recycled aluminum alloys that contain arsenic, lead, and other harmful chemicals, they are extremely dangerous materials. It can also react with acidic foods.
S0, If you see some cookware set marked as “Aluminum”, first look at the certificate/etiquette to see if there’s more info about its coating.
Copper
Unlike steel and glass, this material is much more expensive. In addition, experts believe that the most delicious and healthy food is cooked with copper cookware. The copper surface heats up quickly, so the time of cooking food in such pots and pans is reduced.
What do I need to know about coatings?
A huge role in the choice of kitchen utensils plays not only the material, but also the coating. Now on the market, you can find a huge range of products, and different types of coating, each of which has its performance characteristics. Here are the most common types of coatings.
Enameled coated cookware
Modern types of enamel are characterized by increased resistance to acids, and salts, they are non-toxic, which allows dishes with such a coating not only to cook but also to store dishes in the refrigerator.
The advantages of enamel coating include durability and safety of operation, and affordable price.
As for the disadvantages, if the dishes are mishandled, chipping can appear on their surface, which is dangerous to health (there is a risk of swallowing food together with the enamel particles).
Ceramic-coated cookware
Ceramic cookware is characterized by antibacterial properties, aesthetics, and environmental friendliness. Cookware with this coating is used not only in the home, but also in the dining room.
The main disadvantage of products is considered short-lived and unstable to sudden changes in temperature – if you take a dish in a ceramic pot out of the fridge and immediately put it on a hot stove, then you can throw the product in the trash.
As for the advantages, the purchase of ceramic cookware can afford everyone.
Porcelain-coated cookware
Porcelain coating is applied using a process called frit molding. In this process, porcelain powder is melted and then applied to the cookware. The porcelain coating is then fused to the metal surface of the ware in a high-temperature firing process.
Porcelain coating is harder than ceramic and more resistant to scratches and stains. It also has better non-stick properties, making it a better choice for everyday cooking.
Teflon-coated cookware
Teflon pans have resistance to corrosion, which usually appears under the influence of chemical detergents, and salty and acidic products. It is safe to cook food in “Teflon” cookware.
In addition, it is a strong and durable material. Using modern technology, the manufacturers have achieved that Teflon coating can protect cookware against scratches.
Plastic-coated cookware
There are also granite pans that come with a plastic coating. This type of coating is less durable than ceramic or porcelain, but is still resistant to scratches and staining. Plastic coatings also have good nonstick properties, making them ideal to cook food such as eggs.
Best granite pans
Almost every manufacturer has a line of granite cookware. There are even manufacturers that have created a special line of granite-coated cookware for induction hobs. Such cookware is more expensive than cookware designed for other types of hobs.
Fissman, Black Cosmic 4367
The Black Cosmic line from the Danish manufacturer of quality kitchen utensils and cookware is designed for use on all types of cooking surfaces, including induction hobs.
The pans are made of aluminum, which is coated with several layers of Platinum granite spray.
The handle is made of bakelite with a “soft touch” coating. The range includes frying pans with removable and nonremovable handles. Models with removable handles are allowed to be used in the oven. The slightly porous coating of this model guarantees a crispy brown crust.
VARI Pietra
Among the cast frying pans with a decorative “stone” coating, one of the most interesting offerings is the VARI Pietra series (Russia). They have a solid body with a thick bottom, Whitford Quantanium non-stick coating in two color options, and a bakelite handle with a “soft-touch” coating.
Berlinger, Haus Metallic Line
Hungarian pans from the Carbon Metallic Line collection are made of forged aluminum with a three-layer granite non-stick coating, have an induction bottom, and are equipped with an ergonomic “soft touch” handle.
The collection includes various diameter pans with and without lids, grills, woks, pancake cookers, as well as sets of several items.
ViTESSE Greystone
The ViTESSE Greystone pan (China) has quite competitive technical characteristics – good thickness, a good Whitford Quantanium non-stick coating, a combined handle of stainless steel and silicone, and an induction bottom.
But in terms of price, it’s probably a bit pricey. Although this is a common trend, due to the fall of the euro against the dollar, quality cookware made in Southeast Asia is increasingly more expensive.
Scovo, Stone Pan st 005
A multipurpose frying pan in a beautiful gray with white inclusions from the famous Russian manufacturer out of Stone Pan collection has a non-removable bakelite handle in the tone of the pan. This combination looks very stylish.
Quantum 2 stone non-stick coating meets modern quality and safety standards: it does not contain PFOA, lead, and cadmium; therefore it does not harm your health.
The bottom thickness is not suitable for use on induction hobs. It can be washed in dishwashers.
Kukmara, “Marble”
TM Kukmara is known for high-quality cookware for home and tourism. The “Marble” line has a wide range of aluminum cast thick-walled pans, granite pots, roasters, cauldrons, saucepans, and baking forms. The frying pans of this line are available in different sizes, shapes, and colors.
Greblon non-stick coating is the safest and strongest. The two top layers, including extra hard marble particles, are responsible for the durability of the coating.
The range offers a choice of pans for any purpose, complete with or without a lid, with or without a removable handle, and in any color: pistachio, light, coffee, or dark marble.
As you can see, there is a lot to choose from, and at absolutely affordable prices. Since the release of the granite cookware, many people are finally breathing a sigh of relief that they’ve found proper cookware. With a nice design, the ability to cook food and not spend a huge amount of effort on it.
It is high time to try granite cookware for those who have been disappointed in all the existing kinds lately.
Conclusion
As you can see, the significant advantages of granite cookware, long service life, and environmental safety speak for themselves. They are not cheap, but it is worth it.
We hope that now you know all the features of the choice of models of granite cookware and will be able to buy a truly high-quality item.
Have you already bought granite cookware, or are just looking for the right model? Read about 12 Best 14-Inch Frying Pan for 2023 in a new article
Leave a Comment