The Best Ceramic Cookware Set for Every Cook, According to Our Tests

Our Favorite Ceramic Cookware Set 

The Caraway Cookware Set checks all our boxes: it’s pretty, functional, and versatile. This set earned a nearly perfect score in every category and through the gamut of trials and tribulations we concocted. It deserves its title as our favorite ceramic cookware set for its design and efficacy. It doesn’t hurt that it suits a cook at any level or experience. All-in-all, it’s a beautiful set built to last.

How We Tested Ceramic Cookware Sets

We’re nothing if not thorough. Our rigorous testing included a trial by fire (literally) of 19 separate ceramic cookware sets. Three stages of testing were run.

• Heating Ability: We began with the ultimate basic: boiling water. In each set’s stock pot or Dutch oven, we recorded how long it took for water at 72°F to boil (212°F). This provided a glimpse into how well the pots conducted heat and allowed us to observe whether the bottom of each pot was discolored after its initial use.
• Performance: We heated every skillet (sauté pans and frying pans) over medium-low heat and fried a single undisturbed egg for three minutes. We used a metal turner for those pans designated as compatible with metal utensils and noted any scratching on the surface. This allowed us to measure the ceramic’s nonstick capabilities and the evenness and speed of surface heating. We also logged how difficult it was to wash and dry each skillet by hand.
• Design: We scrambled rather than fried. We wanted to note two things: how nonstick each sauté pan/coating is and the ease of use related to each pan’s design. For this, the delicate nature of scrambled eggs is a perfect test. Scrambling eggs (particularly the Frenchy technique where outer edges are pulled slowly to the middle of the pan) requires far more wrist movement and manipulation of the pan. This test is a fast indicator of poor design.
• Nonstick Test: we needed to see if these nonstick pans retained their nonstick nature for longer cooking times. We made rice pilaf in each saucepan. First, we boiled liquid, then cooked rice before holding the hot pilaf for a set period off the heat without discoloring the food that had direct contact with the pan.
• Ease of use: We also rated the sets on design. This meant utility more than aesthetics — after all, the average set has good looks going for it. The best pots and pans were designed for easy maneuvering and pouring without spilling. We looked for handles that were comfortable to hold and that didn't get too hot. The overall size and weight of the pieces also mattered; anything that felt awkward to lift and move lost points.
• Value: To choose our favorites, we had to get more subjective and consider the value of the sets, too. After testing 19 ceramic cookware sets, some stood out for quality and performance that, in our opinions, matched higher price tags of even $1000. Others seemed fair at around the average price point of $272; others seemed overpriced. Value factored into our overall ratings.

Factors to Consider

Material

The ceramic aspect of this kind of cookware is typically a coating layered onto another material. The internal part of the pan is usually made of stainless steel, aluminum, or a combination of the two. Fully aluminum and aluminum-cored pans heat more evenly and conduct heat better overall. If the core is aluminum, an additional complication can be that the pot or pan can’t be used on an induction cooktop. Stainless steel, while versatile enough to be used on any stovetop, doesn’t conduct heat as well as aluminum.

What the Set Includes

Some sets are made up of a few skillets, while others are more comprehensive and have a more extensive variety of pieces. The number of pieces you need depends on what you tend to cook and how stocked your kitchen is. A smaller set will suit your needs if you own several other pans or don’t cook often. If you’re starting with nothing or looking to make a switch, a more extensive set is better, especially if you frequently cook for family. James Beard semi-finalist and chef-owner of Stages at One Washington, Evan Hennessey, advises that “...you need to think about yourself before selecting the right pans for you. My first suggestion is to piece-meal your collection.”

Induction Compatibility

If you have an induction stove, you already know that not all cookware is compatible with its unique technology. Induction burners use magnets to detect cookware, so non-magnetic surfaces don’t activate the burner. Aluminum is the most common material found in pans incompatible with induction. But if you have induction burners, you can still reap the benefits of aluminum as long as it’s clad with another induction-friendly material, typically stainless steel.

Ease of Cleaning

No one loves to do dishes. A significant advantage of ceramic cookware is that its slippery, nonstick surface requires low effort when tidying up. If dishwasher-safe is important to you, be sure to shop for a set that fits that requirement.

Other Ceramic Cookware Sets We Tested

Strong Contenders

Zwilling J.A. Henckels Vitale 10-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set ($450 on Amazon)

This set performed well but not notably better than many of its cheaper counterparts. Considering the price is close to a splurge, this set was demoted for its price.

Blue Diamond Ceramic Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set ($85 on Amazon)

This is a good set for a first apartment. We worry about its longevity, but the low price and performance make us confident that this is a solid cookware set for beginners.

CAROTE Granite 10 Piece Nonstick Cookware Set ($150 on Amazon)

Another decent starter set at a reasonable price; we wish it were oven-safe. We loved the construction of the handles, however — very comfortable!

Frieling Black Cube Quick Release 7-Piece Cookware Set ($450 on Frieling)

This set showcased perfectly even heating, but food stuck to its surface occasionally. Considering the price, we expected a perfect nonstick experience that paralleled our other frontrunners.

Farberware Ecovantage Ceramic 13-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set ($120 on Amazon)

A simple but varied selection of pots and pans boasts a classic design. This cookware would also suit a newer cook — nothing but the basics.

What Didn’t Make the List

Though we loved and would recommend many of the sets we tested, some fell short in our testing. A few other sets from GreenPan left more to be desired in the performance and cleaning departments. In addition, sets from KitchenAid, Cuisinart, T-fal, Farberware, and Gotham Steel were among the others that left us less-than-impressed.

Our Expertise

• Christa Glennie has been a freelance writer and food editor for nearly 20 years. She is also the author of two cookbooks and specializes in food and drink trends, agriculture, the regional foodways of Western New York, and the restaurant business. Her respect for simplicity and uncluttered counters in the kitchen ultimately fuels a desire to find and own well-designed, multi-purpose, best-in-class kitchen tools. For this piece, she used Food & Wine testing insights and spoke to a professional chef for further insights. 
• We interviewed Evan Hennessey, a James Beard semi-finalist and the chef-owner of Stages at One Washington, for advice on cooking with ceramic cookware.
• Nick DeSimone, also contributed to this piece. They have spent nearly a decade working in professional kitchens. A Food & Wine staff writer, Nick is a lifelong vegetarian and former restaurant chef who spent nearly a decade working at vegan restaurants in Olympia, Washington, and Philadelphia. As a writer, their work has appeared in Allrecipes, USA Today, Eater, and many other publications
• Dillon Evans, Updates Writer at Food & Wine made updates to this article. He used long-term testing data, personal ceramic cookware testing experience, and editor testimonials to incorporate new performance notes in our evaluations of these products. Dillon is a lifelong home cook and baker whose work can also be found in EatingWell.