Review of Cuisinart GreenGourmet ceramic-based nonstick

[entrancedbymyGCC]

I did post a topic about this cookware, but our fearless leader wants a real review, so here goes.

Product: Cuisinart GreenGourmet nonstick cookware

Description: This is a line of cookware featuring a new ceramic based nonstick coating called Ceramica. It is PTFE-free (that's the "bad" ingredient in Teflon-type coatings). The cookware comes in two styles, one with hard-anodized exterior and one with stainless steel exterior. It is somewhat pricey with the 12-piece set of hard-anodized pieces listing at $249 (Although I believe Amazon has the same set for about 20% less). I contacted the manufacturer and they stated that this product has been tested to be essentially emission free.

The line contains a range of skillet, saucepans and a grill pan. The stainless line has an electric skillet.

Availability: I know you can find it at Bed Bath and Beyond and on Amazon.com and probably a number of other mainstream retailers

Performance: I have two pieces of this cookware, a large skillet and a small saucepan. The skillet has become my go-to pan for any cooking process where nonstick is a benefit. The release performance is excellent -- I would say even better than the best PTFE-based nonstick pans I have used in the past. This is great for oil-free sauteing and eggs which will slide right out with no resistance and very little residue. As with other nonstick products, it is not as good for cooking processes where you want to get a good sear on the surface -- for that you want a bit of "stick" and stainless steel outperforms the GreenGourmet. The saucepan is excellent for lowtemp delicate sauces like hollandaise. The cookware is easy to clean, although it does require handwashing (as does most conventional nonstick). It is not dishwasher safe. I am also careful to let the pans cool before washing them as I think this coating may be more likely crack with rapid temperature changes because it is a ceramic rather than a plastic. As with other nonstick cookware, it is recommended that one use plastic nylon or wooden utensils to avoid scratching the surface. And, again like other nonstick, it is not recommended for use at high heat (it is oven safe to 400°F, but should be used at medium heat on the range) -- so if you want to turn your Viking high burner up to full, use your stainless. So far the product seems quite durable when used as I have described, although I have only had it for about 3 months so the long term wear is unknown.

In addition the hard anodized pans are high quality, heavy bottomed cookware with good heat distribution properties and are altogether high quality pots and pans.

Pros: It is bird safe. It works at least as well as any other nonstick for "slidey" cooking applications. It is attractive and it is high quality cookware.

Cons: It is somewhat expensive (although not out of line for cookware of similar quality). It has all the same drawbacks as traditional nonstick -- limited heat tolerance, need to avoid scratching it, not dishwasher safe.

Bottom line? I give it two thumbs up.

Now if I don't go MAKE dinner my husband will kill me.

[pchela]

Thanks for the awesome review! I just received a set of Earth Pans with Sandflow nonstick. I haven't used them yet but I'm hoping for good things!

[bmsweb]

Thanks for the great review . . but I have to ask, What's for dinner

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Truth told, we wound up with delivery from Guido's. But I hasten to add that this week I have made quesadillas, tacos, osso buco and a whole Thai Snapper in a salt crust...

[bmsweb]

Rocket Scientist and great cook who loves parrots! What a combination

BTW: I'm hungry now

[USMC Wifey]

Hi! I'm a new bird owner and need to purchase new cookware. (We haven't cooked with our nonstick since purchasing our birds) While we'd love to purchase this collection, it's too expensive

I was looking at this stainless steel set from Amazon ....

WearEver Cook & Strain Stainless-Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set
http://www.amazon.com/WearEver-Strain-S ... 039&sr=1-6

I know stainless steel is definitely bird safe but in the product features it says:

18/10 stainless-steel construction; impact-bonded aluminum bases for even heat distribution

Is this okay? Any help is much appreciated

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Yep, that should be fine. Most stainless has an aluminum bottom or core. Anodized aluminum is good, too, but very "sticky" (and a lot of anodized also has a nonstick coating so you have to be sure it's really 100% anodized aluminum).

The main drawback to the set you picked is that it is only oven safe to 350° so it is of limited use in a stove-to-oven preparation.

[Michael]

Personally I hated cooking on stainless steel and found cast iron to work much better and eventually develop non-stick capability. Here's an article I wrote about my experience with Cast Iron.