# I hate ceramic-coated nonstick skillets **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [April 13, 2026, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243 "2026-04-13T15:01:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/1 "2026-04-13T15:01:14Z")
I’ve tried them twice now and they do a shitty job. The metal is generally thinner and they don’t heat evenly. Eggs film over quickly with a stiff, cellophane-like crust. I’ve always used Oxo pans in the past, but recently they’ve switched over from a teflon type coating to ceramic type coating. I didn’t know, and after ordering and using one of their new pans, I had to return it. Then I went to Home Goods and managed to track down an old-school teflon-lined All-Clad skillet for a bargain price. It performed very well this morning on the eggs. I noted that about 98% of the nonstick skillets on the shelf at Home Goods were the ceramic-lined ones. Is this how cookware is headed? Is everything going to be coated in this ceramic lining in the future? If so, I think I’ll head back to Home Goods and buy up any teflon ones and hoard them against the coming ceramic apocalypse. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/2 "2026-04-13T15:11:01Z")
Some kinda coating will always be offered. But, yeah, the ceramic is crap on a cracker, imo. Worse is that stone looking.coating. I got one sauce pan with it. A mottled grey stone looking thing. I liked it because it had a real wood handle. Which has failed. We’ve come to believe, in this pan, water will stick. It’s just worthless. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/3 "2026-04-13T15:22:34Z")
Ceramic is really a compromise for those who want teflon quality non-stick but a different, and thought of as a healthier, type of non-stick. They generally don’t last as long or non-stick as well as teflon types, so no I don’t see them as where it’s headed unless those properties can be improved. But yes stores like Homegoods do have a lot of them. There are also other pans coming out, micro-finishes to carbon steal come to mind, with so far mixed results but it does show that the industry has recognized the need for better non-stick. They are not cheap, but neither is a decent carbon steel pan. If they can crack that nut we may have high quality long lasting non-stick. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/4 "2026-04-13T16:05:39Z")
I think a lot of it is driven by the supposed health risks of PFAS/PTFE. I did a deep dive on the issue a couple years ago, and came away convinced that modern, PTFE-coated cookware is perfectly safe. But there’s still a lot of fear out there (and IMO, mostly unfounded), which is why ceramic has become more popular. Last year I bought a ten-piece, PTFE-coated set from Circulon, and we’ve been perfectly happy with them. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/5 "2026-04-13T16:13:59Z")
Hmm, Mrs Mouse was determined to ditch the teflon coated (or whether they use now) non-stick pans, so we got a $120 All Clad ceramic skillet a few months ago. It is very heavy compared with our non stick one (also All-Clad). Was very apprehensive about how it would perform, though the salesperson at Williams-Sonoma was very enthusiastic. So far I am very pleased. It’s only three months in, so can’t say anything about durability, but for some purposes it is an absolute dream. I have carmelized onions and browned ground beef in this thing way better than in the non-stick. > **[All-Clad NS Pro® Ceramic Nonstick Fry Pan with Lid](https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/all-clad-ns-pro-ceramic-nonstick-covered-fry-pan/?catalogId=79&sku=2258403&cm_ven=PLA&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Cookware%20%3E%20Fry%20Pans%20%26%20Skillets&cm_ite=2258403_23617611785_pla-1418851104701&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23617611785&gbraid=0AAAAADrs9cFwB8ghDDRs5E-0L58X2BF-K&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqPLOBhCiARIsAKRMPZp5rbXQRRDpz5H0S9z5H-13__3OIMBOdgdXXSX0LOIiqVA0jFxTwFsaAvPyEALw_wcB)** > > Cook healthy meals with the All-Clad NS Pro® Ceramic Nonstick Fry Pan with Lid. Easy to clean, safe, and perfect for daily use on any cooktop. ETA: correct the price and drop in a link ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/6 "2026-04-13T17:31:01Z")
I went back to Homegoods and found two more All-Clad teflon skillets and bought them. One is 12" and the other is 7". I’m going to stash these in the pantry and when our current Oxo 12" and 7" skillets bite the dust, I’ll feel secure that I have a couple of non-ceramic replacements. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/7 "2026-04-13T21:10:26Z")
We had a ceramic-coated pan where the coating had a green color. It was really fantastic for about six weeks, then it lost its mojo and quit being nonstick. Which bothered me for two reasons- one, it didn’t have a very long useful shelf life, and two, what sort of coating quits working after six weeks? What was it putting in the food? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/8 "2026-04-13T21:19:52Z")
I’ve been using Teflon coated pans since I started cooking, so probably 55 years now, and I’m not dead yet. I have no intention of changing to ceramic or any other flavor of the month. Keep the heat under 500F and you’ll be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/9 "2026-04-13T21:30:42Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > I did a deep dive on the issue a couple years ago, and came away convinced that modern, PTFE-coated cookware is perfectly safe. But there’s still a lot of fear out there (and IMO, mostly unfounded), which is why ceramic has become more popular. One of my favorite sales pitches for ceramic and other non-Teflon non-stick cookware is that they don’t have “forever chemicals.” You know, those little bits of Teflon that come off the pan and you eat them and they stay in your body forever. Forever! Scaremongering bastards. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/10 "2026-04-13T22:38:53Z")
The forever chemicals that are the problem aren’t necessarily in the final product but instead the cheapest and easiest way to create teflon creates a bunch of intermediary forever chemicals. There’s a (very) comprehensive Veritasium video about it. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/SC2eSujzrUY/maxresdefault.jpg "How One Company Secretly Poisoned The Planet") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC2eSujzrUY) ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/11 "2026-04-13T22:50:16Z")
Kinda surprised on the hatred - I quite like my ceramic-coated nonstick skillet for its non-sticky qualities (I actually particularly like mine for scrambled eggs). I’ll admit to not being a big cook and not having any sort of high-end skillet at any point in my life. ---
**Author:** ![cieskokid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cieskokid/32/5374_2.png) [@cieskokid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cieskokid)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/12 "2026-04-13T23:16:19Z")
I’ve never felt comfortable with ANY coating on my pans and will 2my dying day swear by the rigorous durability of the non-stick cast\*iron skillet! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/13 "2026-04-13T23:20:44Z")
Cannot agree more. Cast Iron was the first non-stick(if you season properly) skillet. Love mine. There’s a care concern. But what item do you pay for to use daily would you not care for? I ain’t above Teflon, Silverstone, or enameled pans. They all have their uses. Glass pans can suck eggs. ---
**Author:** ![cieskokid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cieskokid/32/5374_2.png) [@cieskokid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cieskokid)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/14 "2026-04-13T23:30:43Z")
Roger to all that. As long as one properly seasons the cast iron with the right kind of oil (grapeseed, canola or even Crisco) and NEVER washes it with soap of any kind these skillets will last a LONG time: I’ve had mine for 17yrs, use it practically every day and have never been disappointed with the culinary results, ‘specially omelettes! ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/15 "2026-04-13T23:35:57Z")
I wouldn’t want a cast iron skillet just because of the weight. A carbon steel pan might work as an alternative. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/16 "2026-04-13T23:43:46Z")
I have my Granny’s skillets. I doubt they were new to her. I’ve had them at least 20 years. I don’t know anything I couldn’t cook in it. I prefer no tomato stuff in it. But I can work around that. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/17 "2026-04-13T23:44:05Z")
A couple of our observations, from switching away from Teflon skillets to ceramic nonstick skillets: - Even when brand-new, a good ceramic skillet may still not be as slick/non-stick as a Teflon one. - It’s pretty easy to scratch (even at a microscopic level) the surface of a ceramic surface; as those scratches pile up, the surface becomes less and less non-stick, because ceramic skillets rely on being (close to) perfectly smooth to be non-stick. Also, high heat can apparently degrade the surface. By scrupulously avoiding ever using a metal cooking utensil on the skillets, avoiding using the abrasive side of the dishwashing sponge on them, and never using them at anything above medium-low heat, we were able to keep our skillets effectively non-stick for about four years, but the gradual wear and damage have finally started to degrade the surface enough that some things do stick now. Regarding @bump 's experience: did you avoid ever using anything metal or abrasive on those skillets, and not use high heat? I agree, six weeks is an absurdly short service life for such a skillet. > **[The Dos and Don’ts of Maintaining Ceramic Cookware](https://madeincookware.com/blogs/ceramic-cookware-maintenance)** > > Prevent ruined coating (and heartbreak) with this simple guide. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/18 "2026-04-14T01:33:33Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I wouldn’t want a cast iron skillet just because of the weight. Yeah, me too. Cast iron cookware is bloody heavy. Maneuvering my dutch oven in and out of the oven is a workout unto itself. I bought a ceramic-coated skillet several years ago, and even though I treated it gingerly, the coating pretty promptly discolored and started to stick. I threw it away and vowed never to buy another, but accidentally bought this most recent one from Oxo, never guessing that they’d go the ceramic route. I don’t abuse my skillets, but I’m damned if I’m going to only cook at low/medium heat, and never use our delicate scrubby sponge on them. Well, I’m stocked up now with All-Clad and hope this set will last me the rest of my days. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/19 "2026-04-14T01:54:54Z")
Hah: I found a [youtube video](https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=atk+ceramic+skillets&sei=GprdadvqF7i-0PEPrK_qgQY#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:c4499431,vid:WlbpP0OFn5A,st:0) of the ATK crew discussing the differences between the two surfaces. Everything I don’t like about ceramic was confirmed, even down to the weirdly browned egg and the fact that Oxo doesn’t make conventional teflon skillets anymore. ---
**Author:** ![cieskokid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cieskokid/32/5374_2.png) [@cieskokid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cieskokid)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243/20 "2026-04-14T02:05:54Z")
Hmm, a valid point on the mega-weight of the ol’ cast iron; I’m 6’ 2’’, though, work out a bit with weights, etc. so not a issue for me. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-ceramic-coated-nonstick-skillets/1029243.md?page=2)