Ceramic cookware is trending massive time within the kitchen class at present. You’ve most likely seen ceramic cookware critiques or demos in your social media feed — however not all ceramic cookware is created equal.
The Two Sorts of Ceramic Cookware
There are two distinct sorts — pure, all-ceramic cookware, like Xtrema Cookware — and ceramic-coated nonstick cookware. And there’s a giant distinction between the 2. Pure ceramic cookware is really pure — crafted from clay, water, and pure oxides. It’s stood the take a look at of time, we’re speaking over 10,000 years, to be precise, and Xtrema Cookware has introduced it to the forefront of at present’s trendy kitchens.
Xtrema’s line of ceramic cookware, featured in our information to the perfect non-toxic cookware, bakeware information, and the greatest ceramic cookware units examined, is flexible and pure – the proper instruments to begin new traditions in your kitchen.
Right here’s What Makes Xtrema’s Cookware Distinctive & Secure
It Doesn’t Have a Coating or Steel Core
Not like different common traces of “ceramic cookware,” Xtrema cookware doesn’t have a silicon coating (or any coating!), or a metallic core (which is often composed of a number of layers of aluminum and or chrome steel). So there’s no want to fret a few chemical-laden coating flaking into your meals, leaching heavy metals, or reacting to acidic meals, like white and purple wine sauces, or these scrumptious tomato bases.
It’s Freed from Without end Chemical substances
Moreover heavy metals, Xtrema ceramic cookware can be freed from harmful “ceaselessly chemical substances” together with PFAS, PTFE, and PFOAs. These poisonous chemical substances are linked to some critical human well being and environmental dangers as a result of they don’t break down within the setting and can acquire in human blood and organs. 1, 2 Yikes.
“I like Xtrema’s pure ceramic cookware for gradual cooking soups, stews and braises. The even, constant, warmth distribution these cookware vessels provide is implausible. And since it’s 100% ceramic, I’m assured there’s no heavy metallic leaching. I additionally love that these cookware vessels can go from stovetop, to oven to dinner desk.”
Laura Klein
It Has Ah-mazing Warmth Retention
Ceramics, like stoneware, are recognized for warmth retention — supreme for low and gradual cooking — which occurs to be considered one of my favourite cooking methods. And Xtrema cookware does it masterfully.
Ceramic naturally heats evenly and might stand up to excessive and low temperatures, cooking meals effectively and evenly. Nonetheless, cooking with ceramic could also be a bit totally different than what you’re used to in the event you’ve been cooking with metallic your complete life.
“Non-stick and metallic cookware are designed for quick and high-heat cooking,” says Rick Bergstrom, Xtrema’s founder. “Xtrema is the exact opposite.”
Utilizing low, gradual warmth with this cookware will assist prepare dinner your meals evenly and protect your cookware.
The Household Behind the Model
Xtrema’s founder, Wealthy Bergstrom, is a veteran of the cookware business. As somebody who’s immunocompromised, Wealthy’s mission is to create the cleanest cookware attainable.
Based on the Xrema Crew, the care trendy customers take with their meals doesn’t all the time prolong to their cookware — but it ought to!
Whereas some consider that cooking with iron skillets is a manner so as to add pure minerals to their meals, Bergman cautions that you could be not really be getting the supposed advantages. He notes the next with regard to the iron that may leach from forged iron when it comes into contact with acidic meals:
“The actual fact is that iron is available in a ferrous and a ferric kind. Our physique was not designed to assimilate the iron (ferric) from forged iron cookware. Because of this iron leaching from forged iron cookware just isn’t bioavailable and it has no worth to our our bodies on the mobile degree.”
At this time the model is run by Wealthy and his household — an genuine family-run firm via and thru.
Based on the Xrema Crew, the care trendy customers take with their meals doesn’t all the time prolong to their cookware — but it ought to!
“In case you care about the place your meals comes from or the dietary worth of the meals you serve,” they write, “then why are you settling by way of the cookware you utilize to arrange meals?” Sufficient mentioned.
Right here’s What Xtrema’s Cookware is Made Of
Constructed from flameware, a more recent sort of ceramic clay, Xtrema cookware is manufactured from easy-to-understand, easy substances (pun supposed!). The completed merchandise are comprised of one hundred pc pure ceramic supplies — crafted from clay, water, and pure oxides, and triple-fired at 2,000 levels. They’re California Prop 65 compliant, non-toxic, and licensed PFAS, PTFE, and PFOA free, which is a giant deal.
Xtrema is Third Celebration Examined
“Xtrema cookware is one hundred pc ceramic — from the ceramic glaze to the ceramic core — to maintain your meals wholesome and flavorful,” says Bergstrom. “Most significantly, each cargo of Xtrema cookware is third celebration examined in accordance with California Prop 65 requirements for lead and cadmium leaching.”
It’s additionally freed from artificial glues, polymers, and dyes. It’s examined and licensed PFOA and PTFE free which is a giant deal. All of this stuff add as much as Xtrema being one of many most secure, if not the most secure, cookware in the marketplace that I do know of in my expertise.
Right here’s The place It’s Made
After looking out the world over, and sure domestically in the USA, for a producer who might produce ceramic cookware to Wealthy’s requirements, he returned to its nation of origin, China. It’s the one nation that’s made ceramics for 1000s of years. I do know what you’re considering, “Yikes, China!” Nonetheless, not all the things that comes out of China is poor high quality.
“It’s surprising what number of pots and pans are thrown out yearly in the USA. Selecting extra sustainable supplies in your kitchen has a direct impact on limiting shopper waste.”
Wealthy Bergstrom, Xtrema Founder
Made by expert Chinese language artisans, each bit is hand made with a course of that takes 20 days from begin to end, with a high-pressure casting mildew and triple-firing at 2,0000 levels for energy and sturdiness.
My Expertise Cooking with Xtrema’s Cookware
I’ve been testing Xtrema ceramic cookware for over 10 years. I’ve cooked with their Signature Skillet, the 10 QT Spherical Dutch Oven (which is ah-mazing for big one-dish dinners together with household soups, stews, roasts, and extra!), and their newest Traditional Oval Dutch Oven at 7.5Qts (you may learn my assessment of that Dutch right here). I like the fashionable design and that it’s lighter than conventional forged iron Dutch ovens).
“The manufacturing course of is vastly cleaner than producing metallic cookware. Our product is hand made by extremely expert artisans, and we use clean-burning pure gas-fired kilns to fireplace our merchandise.”
Wealthy Bergstrom, Xtrema Founder
You do have to regulate the best way you warmth your pot or pan when cooking with Xtrema’s ceramic cookware, although. You need to regularly warmth up the cookware. Consider it like preheating an oven.
You’ll need to begin it on low, to medium-low warmth for the primary 3-5 minutes, then add your required wholesome oil or fats, after which flip up the temperature if desired.
“Once I first learn Xtrema’s declare, I used to be skeptical. In spite of everything, there’s no nonstick coating.”
Laura Klein
In my expertise, Xtrema cookware retains warmth so effectively, that you could be not must prepare dinner dishes at as excessive a temperature as you’re used to, or for so long as you often do.
For instance, I roasted a complete rooster with child rainbow carrots, potatoes, and garlic within the Traditional Oval Dutch Oven with the lid on. The rooster was completed quarter-hour earlier than its typical whole prepare dinner time, which is a big plus for busy weeknights. To complete browning the rooster, I merely turned up the oven to 500 levels Fahrenheit, and it turned out juicy and golden brown.
The Signature Skillet Examined
The Signature Skillet is a favourite of mine. I like cooking my morning eggs in it as a result of they arrive out like baked eggs. I additionally use this skillet to prepare dinner this brunch favourite, shakshuka with feta and cilantro, heat dips like spinach and artichoke dip, and delicate proteins like salmon and rooster dishes and sauteed veg.
Due to their modern trendy design, these pans can go from stovetop to oven to desk fantastically, eliminating the necessity for one more serving dish (which suggests fewer dishes to scrub).
You’ll be able to even use Xtrema’s pots and pans within the microwave, on the grill or take them tenting. They’re fairly darn versatile.
Unique code: Use code OA15 to save an additional 15% off your order at checkout.
Have a query for me about Xtrema or my expertise? Drop it within the feedback and I’ll get again to you!
The Pure Nonstick Declare Examined
Now lets talk about their “pure nonstick” claims. Once I first learn Xtrema’s declare, I used to be skeptical. In spite of everything, there’s no nonstick coating. Their web site and packaging instructions inform you to “Warmth the pan on low, to medium, for two-three minutes, then add a wholesome oil/fats to create a naturally non-stick floor.”
So I examined it with considered one of my favourite sticky meals—eggs. I adopted the model’s instructions. I preheated the pan, added my EVOO and let that come to a shimmer, after which I added the eggs. The completed product turned out simply the best way I like them — delicately smooth, but agency, with none bizarre undercooked bits (I don’t like my eggs laborious, or brown).
Shockingly, they didn’t bind to the pan and slid round properly. And the clean-up? A breeze—nothing caught to the pan.
Right here’s How one can Clear Xtrema
Caring for Xtrema is straightforward. Whereas dishwasher protected, hand washing is advisable to protect its life (dishwashers are laborious on cookware and speed up deterioration).
I will be the exception, however I hand wash all of my cookware, nothing ever goes within the dishwasher and it lengthens the lifetime of my cookware. And with a little bit dish cleaning soap, water, and a smooth brush you’d be shocked at how straightforward it’s to shortly clear cookware.
In case you do get caught on meals, use the outdated baking soda and water trick. Add a tablespoon or two of baking soda with water to the pan. Put it over low warmth. Because the pan heats up and involves a low simmer, use the wood spoon to assist take away caught meals. As soon as the meals is eliminated, cool, and hand wash as typical.
Utensil Advices
Xtrema doesn’t advocate utilizing metallic utensils. Use wooden or silicon to keep away from scratches and knicks. In case you stack your cookware when saved, they advocate storing it with a kitchen towel protecting the underside or specifically designed Cookware Protectors to stop chips and breakage. I haven’t used the cookware protectors, however I do use dish towels and it really works.
Take excellent care of your pure ceramic cookware, and it’ll final for years to return.
Longevity
As a result of this cookware is freed from any nonstick coatings, its shelf life is for much longer than ‘ceramic coated’ nonstick cookware. In reality, if cared for correctly it might final a lifetime and will change into your loved ones’s subsequent cookware heirloom, handed right down to generations.
I’ve been testing Xtrema cookware for 10 years now and each bit remains to be in nice situation — fairly unimaginable!
The Xtrema Guarantee and Return Satisfaction Assure
Xtrema provides a 10-year restricted guarantee and a ceaselessly alternative program, which is spectacular! Right here’s what it includes: You merely contact their buyer help, submit a ticket, and comply with their directions for verification. The primary alternative is free! After that, subsequent replacements come at a 30% low cost. I haven’t met one other cookware firm that provides this.
Xtrema additionally provides a 40-day return satisfaction assure. This implies you have got a 40-day trial interval throughout which they settle for returns and exchanges inside the USA.
Xtrema’s Environmental Influence
Xtrema isn’t simply higher on your well being; it’s additionally higher for the setting. Made with clay and water, Xtrema has a much smaller carbon footprint than most different cookware. Additionally there aren’t any PFAS Without end Chemical substances, like PTFE, that must be disposed of that might find yourself in a metropolis’s consuming water provide and, ultimately, the ocean.
“The manufacturing course of is vastly cleaner than producing metallic cookware,” says Bergstrom. “Our product is hand made by extremely expert artisans, and we use clean-burning pure gas-fired kilns to fireplace our merchandise.”
Bergstrom additionally shares, “It’s surprising what number of pots and pans are thrown out yearly in the USA. Selecting extra sustainable supplies in your kitchen has a direct impact on limiting shopper waste.”
In recent times, Xtrema has additionally made strides in enhancing the sustainability of its packaging, phasing out Styrofoam and transitioning to packaging that’s 70 p.c cardboard, 30 p.c EPE foam, and one hundred pc recyclable.
I like Xtrema’s pure ceramic cookware for slow-cooking soups, stews, and braises. The even, constant, warmth distribution these cookware items provide is implausible. And since it’s 100% ceramic, I’m assured there’s no heavy metallic leaching. I additionally love that these cookware items can go from stovetop to oven to dinner desk.
My High Favourite Xtrema Cookware Product Picks
The Signature Skillet Set
Xtrema’s Signature Sequence assortment might be my favourite set. In case you are seeking to begin with a small skillet set, I like to recommend their 3-piece assortment that comes with a 7, 9, and 11-inch skillets. If you wish to begin with one piece to check it out and see if it’s best for you, I like to recommend beginning with this Skillet (select your most popular dimension 7, 9, or 11-inch) and select the 9 or 11 inch.
A bigger skillet offers you extra floor space for cooking and makes it simpler to brown meals in a single layer (which provides texture and extra layers of taste to meals). In case you stack your meals, you’ll create steam in your pan, which prevents browning and promotes watery texture and taste. Nonetheless, in case your objective is to steam your meals, that’s okay, too. I additionally love that it cleans simply.
There’s additionally the Signature Saute Set which incorporates 2 pans, a 9 and 10-inch with a lid, so if you need a lid get this one. I like the 10-inch giant outsized pan for big meals for family and friends, and batch cooking Sundays. There’s additionally a Signature Sequence Set (9-piece cookware set) that comes with 1, 1.5, 2.5 Quart saucepans with lids and one 9-inch signature skillet and two a hundred percent natural cotton deal with potholders.
Use it for: On a regular basis eggs or frittatas (like our mushroom, zucchini, and goat cheese frittata), and since they will go proper into the oven, prepare dinner up casseroles or issues like shepherd’s pie.
Signature Skillet Set Consists of:
- 11-Inch Signature Skillet
- 9-Inch Signature Skillet
- 7- Inch Signature Skillet
Unique code: Use code OA15 to save an additional 15% off your order at checkout.
Worth: $385.04 (at time of publish)
The Traditional Oval Dutch Oven
Put together a feast match on your crew with the Xtrema Traditional Oval Dutch Oven. This 7.5-quart trendy magnificence isn’t simply fashionable (because of the textured, fluted exterior!). It additionally boasts a fantastically designed lid that locks in taste and an oval form for even warmth distribution.
Use it for: Sunday roasts, a complete rooster (sure, actually), hearty soups, crusty artisan bread — this Xtrema Cookware heirloom-quality pan will enable you to create meals for generations to return.
Specs:
- Size: 16.5
- Width: 10″
- Peak: 6.3″
- Capability: 7.5qt
Unique code: Use code OA15 to save an additional 15% off your order at checkout.
Worth: $314.99 (at time of publish)
Tea Kettle Set
This tea kettle set screams (or whispers in a peaceful, tea-soothed voice) “I take my tea significantly.” The two.5-quart Retro Tea Kettle pairs completely with the matching 18 oz. traditional mugs. It’s a super set to make your personal home made ginger tea, or your favourite matcha or turmeric latte. Due to the wonderful thermal retention, these ceramic mugs excel at conserving your brew cozy heat.
Specs:
- Tea Kettle Capability: 2.5-quarts
- Traditional Mug Capability: 18 oz (set of 4)
Unique code: Use code OA15 to save an additional 15% off your order at checkout.
Worth: $226.09 (at time of publish)
The Pie Plate (It Doubles as a Fairly Serving Dish for Dips and Extra)
Ditch the soggy crusts and bake sensible. Xtrema’s 100% ceramic pie plates (in 7 & 9-inch sizes) are designed for even cooking and baking bliss. These baking beauties go from oven or grill proper to the desk, trying nearly as good as your culinary creation tastes.
Use it for: Pies, like our panna cotta pie with recent berries, tarts, and gratins like this horny cauliflower gratin. We additionally find it irresistible for serving dips both sizzling, like our plant-based spinach and artichoke dip, or chilly like this garlic lemon butter bean dip.
Specs:
- 7” (8” vast by 2” top)
- 9” (10” vast by 2” top)
Unique code: Use code OA15 to save an additional 15% off your order at checkout.
Worth: $47.69 (at time of publish)
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Sources:
1: https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/contaminant.php?contamcode=E207
2. https://www.cancercenter.com/group/weblog/2021/09/does-teflon-cause-cancer
