Ceramic Cookware Dangers

While, most of us are conscious about safety of the food we eat, many of us are ignorant about the possible dangers posed by certain types of cookware. The history of cookware can be traced to the period of development of pottery. Earlier to that, people used utensils made of stone and other materials. But, once pottery was invented, earthen cookware gained momentum and even today, such cookware are said to be safe for human use. However, with the advent of ceramic and ceramic glaze, safety concerns about this type of cookware has become rife. Undoubtedly, ceramic pots and pans with a glazed finish can be beautiful additions to the kitchen, but, still the doubt remains that whether these utensils are fit for cooking. Let us take a look at the possible ceramic cookware dangers.

Ceramic Cookware

As mentioned above, ceramic cookware can be beautiful additions to your kitchen. These cookware can be of two types - glazed and unglazed. Unglazed ones are porous in nature, and are prone to get damaged easily. The other type is brightly colored with a glazing finish. You may also get extensively decorated ones too. So, this type of ceramic cookware are glazed so as to make it more waterproof. The material used for glazing these utensils is a form of glass. The same glaze is applied to metal utensils, so as to produce enamelware.

Apart from improving the looks drastically, glaze also serve the purpose of protection against wear and tear. So, glazed ceramic cookware are very tough and are resistant to corrosion. Another advantage is that these cookware can be subjected to very high heat, and are also microwave safe. As they retain heat for a longer time, these cookware are perfect for storing food. Being stylish and colorful, ceramic cookware are also used for serving food. They can be used to store food in the refrigerator and are also very easy to clean. Most of them are dishwasher safe too. In short, you can cook, store and serve in the same glazed ceramic container. However, you must know about the concerns regarding ceramic cookware and health safety.

Ceramic Cookware Dangers

Ceramic cookware dangers are mainly associated with the glazed version, due to the material used for glazing and decorating. In other words, the materials used for glazing and decorating ceramic cookware contain lead, cadmium and other pigments that may get released to the food, once heated. So, long-term exposure to lead may lead to lead poisoning. Even cadmium and other pigments in these materials can be harmful to humans. However, the harmful effects, like, lead and cadmium poisoning occur, only when these things are released from the cookware to the food. This is prevented and controlled through specialized manufacturing techniques. This is why certain manufacturers of ceramic cookware certify their products as safe for cooking food and lead free. It has also been suggested that long-term use of glazed ceramic cookware may cause wear and tear in utensils. In such cases too, there are chances of lead contamination of food. Wear and tear of ceramic cookware may also be caused by dishwasher cleaning.

In short, ceramic cookware dangers are associated with the glazed versions. However, such dangers can be avoided to some extent, by using ceramic cookware from trusted manufacturers. Go for those that are certified to be safe. It is also advisable to avoid cheaper versions and imported ones. Avoid use of dishwasher for cleaning such utensils. Make sure to discard those that have developed cracks and abrasions. So, if you are interested in buying glazed ceramic cookware, go for those with safety certifications and use them properly. You may also refer to some ceramic cookware reviews beforehand. You may also refrain from cooking in these utensils, for the sake of your health.