Have you ever noticed chipping in the coating of your cookware? This is when the coating comes off, and the inner coating is exposed. When this happens, you must be aware of your next steps.
Now you might be wondering which material is safe. Over the years, cookware coating technology has advanced. Thus, companies are using different materials for coatings in cookware.
The consumer must consider a few factors before choosing cookware. So, is granite- or marble-coated cookware safe? In this post, you’ll learn:
- More about your granite and marble cookware
- Safety concerns for granite and marble cookware
- How you should choose the right granite and marble cookware
Contents
What Are Granite and Marble Cookware?
The granite cookware features a metal base with a coating. This coating is usually PTFE or vitreous enamel. If you notice, they have a granite color pattern and a nice frictionless finish.
Marble cookware features a high-temperature ceramic glaze. The inner material of this cookware consists of cast aluminum. While the outer has ceramic marble. Ceramic-coated cookware is safer than other types of coatings.
Metal-based cookware is now available with a granite or marble coating. Which means the cookware is always made of metal.
When granite cookware first came on the market, it contained harmful chemicals. People were unaware of those chemicals. These days, people are more concerned about the safety of cookware.
What Is Granite Cookware Made off?
Different companies use different materials to design granite cookware. But the construction process remains the same. Granite cookware has three main parts:
| Part of Cookware | Function |
| Induction Base | Conducting Heat |
| Metal Core | Retaining and distributing heat |
| Coating | Providing non-stick features |
The induction base consists of durable material. It is present at the bottom of the pan or cookware. This part comes into contact with the heat. Thus, it can withstand wear and tear. This also includes scratches and stains.
The core features metal, and it covers the entire cookware. The main purpose of the core is to store heat. Plus, it also distributes it in an even way throughout the pan. The cores of cookware consist of metals like steel, aluminum, and cast iron.
The non-stick coating is what gives the cookware a granite-like look. The base of the coating is black or gray. Plus, it has speckles on its surface. Besides that, the coating is also available in blue or red.
Is Granite Cookware Safe for Cooking?
To determine whether granite cookware is safe, you’ll have to look at the coating. When you buy granite cookware, check the details of the coating. You can check the information on the certificate for the cookware.
Here are the different types of granite cookware and their safety information:
Teflon or PTFE Granite Cookware
Cookware that features a “mineral coating” is usually the one that has a PTFE coating. Sometimes the cookware indicates that it is PTFE-coated. While other times there won’t be any clear sign.
PTFE, or Teflon granite cookware, has a few health concerns the user must consider. For instance, PTFE releases toxic fumes if heated above 250 degrees Celsius. Most of the time, this temperature is reached during frying in the cookware.
PTFE pyrolysis can also occur at lower temperatures, like 200 degrees Celsius. If PTFE pyrolysis occurs, it’s harmful to consumers and the environment.
PFOA Granite Cookware
PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) is a synthetic chemical used for coatings in cookware. The material gives a slippery look to the coating on the cookware. These coatings provide nonstick surfaces for pans and pots. PFOA is a harmful chemical that can cause cancer and other diseases.
For this reason, PFOA was completely banned in 2008. If you have non-stick cookware manufactured after 2013, it is PFOA-free. PFOA is no longer used in modern granite or any cookware because of its harmful effects.
Vitreous Enamel Granite Cookware
Vitreous enamel Graniteware is also known as porcelain enamel cookware. If you see granite cookware that has the label ‘PTFE’ or ‘PFOA’ free, it means it is vitreous enamel.
This coating looks like a shiny glass material. The good thing about this coating is that it doesn’t produce toxic fumes when heated. The coating is more resistant to damage as compared to the PTFE coating. But chipping of the metal can occur, which can be harmful.
While some manufacturers use lead to improve a few properties of the material, it can prove incredibly harmful if the coating chips away. Thus, it is important to make sure that the coating is lead-free.
Is Granite Marble Coated Cookware Safe?
Yes, marble-coated cookware is safe. Marble-coated cookware features a marble layer. This coating not only looks beautiful but is also very durable, non-porous, and scratch-resistant. Marble cookware provides even heat to the food, so there are no hot spots inside.
Without using any harmful or toxic materials, marble cookware can be very functional. Because of its properties, marble is one of the best alternatives to Teflon cookware. These are the main features of marbled or ceramic cookware:
- No harmful chemicals
- PTFE and PFOA free
- Non-stick in nature
- Scratch-resistant
- Heats in a uniform way
Manufacturers use cast aluminum to construct marble cookware. Cast aluminum retains heat very well and has excellent properties for cookware. A marble coating covers the cast aluminum to give it a non-stick characteristic.
Granite Cookware Dangers
The dangers of granite cookware depend on the type of coating. So, is granite stone cookware non-toxic? It is non-toxic only if it doesn’t contain lead, PTFE, or PFOA. Without these, the granite cookware is safe to use. These are the main dangers or disadvantages of granite cookware:
1. Presence of PTFE or PFOA
Granite manufacturers sometimes add PTFE as an inner coating to their granite cookware. This helps the cookware maintain its non-stick properties. The PTFE coating is safe until the coating comes out. Once the coating peels away, the chemical fumes of this compound might enter your food. This way, prolonged use can be harmful.
2. Not Good for High-Temperature Cooking
There are better choices than granite cookware for high-temperature cooking. This can be a hassle for those who use it to stir-fry or boil food. The cookware conducts heat but doesn’t store it very well. For this reason, this cookware isn’t recommended for foods that need high heat for cooking.
3. Chipping Enamel
Granite cookware starts chipping due to wear and tear, and the coating might enter your food. This can be problematic, especially if the coating contains PTFE, PFOA, or lead. Due to chipping, these chemicals escape and might enter your body through food.
Disadvantages
1. Tendency to Crack and Chip
One big disadvantage of granite cookware is that it can crack and chip. Especially if you use it a lot, its enamel coating gets damaged. The coating suffers due to sharp metal utensils and high temperatures.
2. Non-Stick Properties Limitations
Unreliable and cheap granite cookware brands may not have non-stick properties. With such cookware, you’ll often notice food sticking to the pan. The quality of a granite pot or pan depends on the manufacturer, too.
3. Not Safe for Oven Use
For safety reasons, it is not recommended to use granite cookware in the oven. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions before using the cookware. Granite cookware is not designed for use in the oven. This leaves you with limitations when using this type of cookware.
4. Expensive
Another disadvantage of granite cookware is that it is more expensive. If you get a cheap one, you’ll have to compromise on the quality.
Granite Cookware Health Benefits
The main reason people use granite cookware is that it is non-stick and durable. The following are the main benefits of granite cookware:
- Durable and long-lasting
- Oven and dishwasher safe
- Lighter than cast iron
- Easy to clean
- Doesn’t rust
- Cooks food with less oil
- Heat proof
- Beautiful appearance
FAQs
1. Which granite and marble cookware are safe?
Granite and marble cookware that is free of PTFE or PFOA is safe. You can find this information in the product description provided by the manufacturer. Also, make sure that it is lead-free. Porcelain or enamel coating is safer to use than Teflon-coated cookware. So, granite cookware that is PFOA and PTFE-free is safe to use.
2. Are granite pans safer than Teflon cookware?
Teflon is a brand that uses a PTFE coating that provides a non-stick surface. It is popular for cookware as it provides a frictionless surface for cooking. But this compound is harmful if it’s exposed to cookware. If a granite pan is PTFE-free, it is safer to use than Teflon.
Wrap Up!
So, is granite cookware safe? Marble-coated cookware is completely safe to use. So, granite cookware is safe if it doesn’t contain PTFE or PFOA.
Some granite cookware brands use PTFE or PFOA; avoid them as they are toxic. The health risks associated with these chemicals include cancer and liver disorders.
Besides cast iron, stainless steel cookware is safe as it releases no chemicals. Stainless steel is durable, non-toxic, and good for cookware. But you should avoid cooking acidic foods in it.
