- Aluminum body
- Ceramic (sol-gel) coating
- Stainless steel outside
- Aluminum core
- Stainless steel cooking surface
| Maker statement | Ceramic nonstick | Stainless steel |
|---|---|---|
| Products we list | 58 | 70 |
| Works on induction (maker says) | 32 of 58 | 68 of 70 |
| Dishwasher allowed by the maker | 43 of 58 | 36 of 70 |
| Metal utensils allowed | 23 of 58 | 29 of 70 |
| Needs seasoning | 0 of 58 | 0 of 70 |
| Pan oven limit | 350–850°F (56 of 58 state one) | 350–1050°F (64 of 70 state one) |
| Lid oven limit | 350–450°F (25 of 58 state one) | 400–450°F (5 of 70 state one) |
What each one is
A ceramic pan here means a ceramic (sol-gel) nonstick coating over an aluminum body, the kind GreenPan, Caraway and All-Clad's HA1 Ceramic sell. It is not solid ceramic. Clad stainless is bare steel around an aluminum core, with no coating at all.
Living with them
A ceramic pan is cooked on low to medium heat, never heated empty, used with wooden, silicone or nylon tools and washed by hand; All-Clad calls high heat the number one cause of early wear, and GreenPan says to skip cooking spray. All-Clad rates its ceramic pans to 450°F in the oven against 600°F, broiler included, for its stainless. Stainless has no coating to wear off, so it takes searing heat, metal utensils and a scrub with cleanser paste, though All-Clad keeps high heat for boiling and warns that an empty pan left on a hot burner can be damaged. Made In says a stainless pan lasts for decades with basic care.
Which one to choose
Choose ceramic for eggs, pancakes, fish and quick weeknight cooking with little oil, and expect to replace it when food starts sticking after a deep clean. Choose stainless for searing, pan sauces, oven finishing and a pan that, with basic care, lasts for decades. A common pairing is one ceramic or nonstick skillet for eggs and stainless for everything else.
How these comparisons are made
Questions about this choice
Is ceramic or stainless better for eggs?
Ceramic: eggs slide off a coated pan with a little butter. Stainless can cook eggs well, but only once the pan and fat are properly hot.
Can ceramic pans go in the dishwasher?
Some makers allow it, but GreenPan says to hand wash even pans labeled dishwasher safe, and All-Clad says its ceramic pans should not go in the dishwasher at all.