Nowadays porcelain enamel kitchenware makes a beautiful impression in kitchens all over the word. Porcelain enamel indeed seduces both food enthusiasts and design lovers because combines performance and aesthetics. But… which is the difference between enamel and porcelain enamel?
As many of you may know, porcelain is a type of ceramic that is composed mostly of a white clay called kaolin with the addition of feldspars, quartz, steatite and other substances. The whole compound is cooked at 1300-1400 degrees. As well as clay and glass ceramics, porcelain may be glazed or not.
The porcelain enamel cookware is made by melting the porcelain together with a stronger metal component. That’s why the enamel porcelain is characterized by high hardness and low porosity. And that’s why porcelain enamel kitchenware is at once strong, durable and lightweight.
The first advantage of porcelain enamel cookware is its safety compared to teflon, cast iron and aluminium pots and pans; the teflon pans, indeed, scratch themselves after an intense use and release toxic chemical materials. Cast iron and aluminium pots, on the other hand, react with acid ingredients such as vinegar, lemon and egg yolks. That is why porcelain enamel is recommended by the Weston A. Price Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to educating the public about healthy foods and cooking.
It is important to buy high quality porcelain enamel cookware, so that the coating remains always in good condition, without scratches and cracks, also after an intense use.
In cooking, the enamel porcelain kitchenware is ideal to prepare tasty dishes while, at the same time, helping you to stay in good shape; indeed, just a small amount of fat (butter, oil etc.) is needed to prevent food from sticking to the pan. If you are on a diet, consider buying some porcelain enamel pots that will help you to reduce cooking fats and oils!
Furthermore porcelain tends to distribute homogeneously the heat, allowing you to cook rapidly and efficiently. This will benefit the quality of the food you eat, by making it tender and uniformly cooked while preserving its organoleptic properties. As a result, porcelain enamel cookware is ideal for preparing meat and fish dishes.
Chefs use porcelain enamel to cook a wide variety of different foods because, unlike most of the nonstick cookware, it can go both in the oven and in the microwave. Imagine using your porcelain enamel casserole to prepare a delicious truffle lasagna, or your enamel pot to cook creamy soups and sauces.
Another advantage of the porcelain enamel cookware is that it is easy to clean: you just need a quick wipe with a dish sponge & detergent to clean it fast and properly! The advantage is twofold: on one hand, you will be able to use less detergent and thus avoid polluting the environment; on the other hand, using less hot water will allow you to save precious money on your bills.
A porcelain enamel pot does cost more than other nonstick pots like those in aluminium or teflon, but unlike them it is an heirloom piece that you can pass on to your sons and daughters.
We at DishesOnly propose you a striking line of porcelain enamel kitchenware by a company with over 450 years of experience in enamel cookware and bakeware.
The manufacture of all their premium porcelain enamel products is a carbon neutral process, thanks to the use of green energy from their hydroelectric power plants.
1. natural materials and CO²-neutral 2. suitable for induction and all types of cookers 3. cut- and scratch-resistant 4. easy to clean and anti-bacterial 5. healthier and energy-saving cooking 6. flavour-preserving 7. enamel surface heat-resistant till 450°– recommended operating temperature maximum 220°C 8. long-lasting if treated properly 9. big variety in colours and designs 10. recyclable in scrap metal.
You may want to include both types of cookware in your kitchen. Consider stoneware for classic baking pans in a 9×9” or 9×11” size. Stoneware pans are also a suitable choice for pies. Dutch ovens and skillets work best in enameled cast iron, allowing you to start a stew, cassoulet or frittata on the stove, then finish it in the oven.
Enameled cast-iron cookware consists of a cast-iron core surrounded by porcelain enamel. This combination produces a durable piece of cookware that can be used on the stove or in the oven. The colors are often vivid and the surface can be cleaned easily. Enameled cast-iron cookware heats evenly, conducts heat well, and can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
Stoneware, on the other hand, is made of clay fired at very high temperatures. While earthenware is commonly used for dishes, canisters and other items, stoneware is made to be heat-tolerant. Stoneware is a stronger and harder clay. When unglazed, stoneware will be a buff or terra cotta hue with a rough texture. It is oven-safe, but cannot be used on the stove top.
Between 2 and 4 coats of enamel are applied to the cookware. The first coat is colorless ground porcelain enamel that is fired in a kiln at 840°C. The colored enamel coats are then applied, air dried and vitrified (altering atomic structure with heat). It is more common to find pans with 2 coats of enamel, but some major retailers carry models with 4 layers. -– ehow.com/about-stoneware-vs-enameled-castiron-cookware
Both stoneware and enameled cast-iron cookware work well in the oven, providing even heating when baking treats and casseroles. Either can also be used to serve at the table, providing a colorful presentation for a family meal. Stoneware is more tolerant of high oven temperatures. You should use enameled cast iron at temperatures less than 475°F and keep heat on the stove to low or medium.
The first advantage of porcelain enamel cookware is its safety compared to teflon, cast iron and aluminium pots and pans; the teflon pans, indeed, scratch themselves after an intense use and release toxic chemical materials. Cast iron and aluminium pots, on the other hand, react with acid ingredients such as vinegar, lemon and egg yolks. That is why porcelain enamel is recommended by the Weston A. Price Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to educating the public about healthy foods and cooking.
In cooking, the enamel porcelain kitchenware is ideal to prepare tasty dishes while, at the same time, helping you to stay in good shape; indeed, just a small amount of fat (butter, oil etc.) is needed to prevent food from sticking to the pan. If you are on a diet, consider buying some porcelain enamel pots that will help you to reduce cooking fats and oils!
The manufacture of all their premium porcelain enamel products is a carbon neutral process, thanks to the use of green energy from their hydroelectric power plants.
A porcelain enamel pot does cost more than other nonstick pots like those in aluminium or teflon, but unlike them it is an heirloom piece that you can pass on to your sons and daughters.
Another advantage of the porcelain enamel cookware is that it is easy to clean: you just need a quick wipe with a dish sponge & detergent to clean it fast and properly! The advantage is twofold: on one hand, you will be able to use less detergent and thus avoid polluting the environment; on the other hand, using less hot water will allow you to save precious money on your bills.
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron vs Stoneware | Which Is Better For You?
FAQ
Is enameled the same as ceramic?
Is enamel coated cookware safe?
What is the disadvantage of enamel cookware?
What is the difference between enameled cast iron and stoneware?
What is enamel cookware?
Enamel is a type of ceramic stoneware made from powdered, melted glass. It is applied to a base, often cast iron, and baked to a hard, durable finish. Probably the most popular example of enamel-coated cookware is the Le Creuset Dutch oven. Good quality enameled cast iron is some of the most durable cookware made.
What are the different types of enameled cookware?
The most common kinds of enameled cookware are Dutch ovens and skillets, but you can also find enameled baking dishes, casserole dishes, and pie pans. The enamel coating is made of fused glass particles that are melted down and sprayed onto the cookware’s cast iron or steel surface. It gives the cookware a smooth, glazed appearance.
How much does enameled cookware cost?
Enameled cookware comes in a wider variety of prices, and the core material of the pan determines the cost. Enameled steel cookware is more budget-friendly than enameled cast iron options. Enameled cast iron cookwares are often hundreds of dollars, whereas enameled steel cookware tends to stay in the $100 range or below.
What is the difference between enameled cast iron and enameled steel cookware?
Enameled steel cookware is more budget-friendly than enameled cast iron options. Enameled cast iron cookwares are often hundreds of dollars, whereas enameled steel cookware tends to stay in the $100 range or below. Pricing will also vary by brand and where it’s made.