TFal Ceramic Cookware Review. All is Revealed

tfal pans oven safe

Nonstick is a great product. It’s easy to use and clean up. However, the look can become a little boring. However, if you’re into healthy cooking, the chemicals in traditional nonstick may concern you.

T-Fal offers an alternative with this attractive cookware set. The T-Fal Initiatives ceramic pots and pans review will help you decide if they are right for you.

This is a fantastic set of ceramic cookware and I highly recommend it. You can also use other options. Continue reading to learn more about them and why I recommend TFal.

What makes great cookware?

When looking at cookware sets, the most important questions that I ask are:

Are there lids that can stop splatter? I prefer transparent glass lids.

Are the pieces that I need in it?

A couple of saucepans

Stockpots (also known as dutch ovens) at least one

If the frying pan can double-duty, at least one frying and saute pan.

A steamer

Is it safe to use in the dishwasher? It’s not a problem with nonstick surfaces that are easy to clean and can be washed by hand.

Are the handles designed to be hung (or stored) easily?

It will work with my stove. Gas can be used with all stoves, but electric stoves require specific pans.

It is so easy to clean up!

Most importantly, I want safe and healthy cookware for my family. While traditional nonstick is acceptable, PTFE-free ceramic is preferred.

TFal Initiatives Ceramic Cookware Set Review

T-Fal, Tefal?

T-Fal is also known in Europe as Tefal. It’s a producer of high-quality nonstick products. Its name is a combination of TEFlon, Aluminium. It’s interesting to see T-Fal ceramic cookware sets, which does not use Teflon.

T-Fal Initiatives is T-Fal’s way to move into ceramic nonstick cookware.

T-Fal Initiatives Ceramic Cookware

Is it possible that this T-Fal Initiatives Ceramic Cookware is a contradiction? It doesn’t seem to be.

Teflon, and other nonstick products that are similar to it, contain PTFE. This chemical is safe for food and I am okay with it being used. However, not everyone is as safe and it’s always a good idea to look into other options. Non-Teflon cookware is a must in my kitchen. Ceramic offers a nonstick surface that is resistant to heat and has a more elegant look.

However, not all nonstick ceramic cookware is Teflon-free. It may be advertised as “PFOA Free”. PFOA was banned in 2015. It’s Teflon-free if it is PTFE-free, which this ceramic nonstick cookware set of cookware is.

This 16-piece set of cookware includes:

• A 7.5-inch and an 11-inch frypan (the former comes with a cover and is more of a saute pot).
• A 1-quart and 2-quart sauce pans with glass lids.
• A 5-quart dutch oven, with lid
• A 10-inch square gridiron
• 6 nylon tools

It’s actually a 10-piece set of cookware if you take out the 6 nylon tools. The 6 nonstick ceramic pots and pans are included if you discount the lids.

Pros

• Glass lids are available for sauce and frying pans as well as saute/frying pans.
• A useful Dutch oven for 5 quarts
• Scratch-resistant
• Genuine Ceramic Nonstick-PTFE(Teflon) and Cadmium free
• The nonstick cooking surface allows for great food release
• Oven safe up to 175degC (350 degrees F)
• Resistance to heat up to 300°C (570°F).
• Heats evenly and efficiently
• It is easy to clean
• Excellent quality, especially when you consider the price
• Uses high quality heavy gauge aluminum

Cons

• Oven safe to 175degC (350 degrees F) isn’t too high!
• You can’t use an induction stove
• Heats up a little slower than traditional nonstick.
• These pans have been reported to stain.
• It’s not difficult to anodize so it isn’t as durable
• Only one pan comes with a lid

Continue reading this T-Fal Initiatives Ceramic Cookware Set Review to learn more

What are you getting for your money?

Oven safe & Heat resistance

Ceramic pots and pans have an advantage in that they are heat resistant. These pans definitely deliver!

They can withstand heat up to 300degC (570°F), which is much higher than Teflon’s 260 degC (525°F) . Although ceramic can go higher than I have seen, it is likely that you will need to use this high-temperature material.

They are not heat resistant enough to be used in the oven. They are oven-safe, but not to 175°C (350°F). The handles are made from a material that is not very heat-resistant.

I do not transfer pans from the stovetop directly to the oven. This is a great feature and cookware sets that have good handles won’t work well at high temperatures in the oven are a nice thing to have.

The Tfal Stainless steel cookware set is for you if you need to bake at a higher temperature. However, it is more expensive and not nonstick at the time this article was written.

Safety

Is T-Fal Initiatives ceramic cookingware safe? Traditional nonstick, like Teflon, uses a chemical called Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is food safe. There were once some dangerous chemicals in the manufacturing of PTFE, but these are gone.

I believe Teflon today is safe. But not everyone is convinced and some may be skeptical of PTFE. T-Fal ceramic nonstick has no PTFE.

Is T-Fal Initiatives ceramic cookerware safe? It’s safe, it’s reputable, doesn’t contain any known toxic substances, has a ceramic coating and doesn’t include Teflon. These pots and saucepans are safe.

Nonstick

Nonstick is a great tool that makes your life easier. Nonstick is necessary if you want to flip a pancake. Nonstick pancakes can be folded in half, which is what I do.

This is possible with the T-Fal Initiatives ceramic pan and griddle. To flip pancakes, you can use one or the other. It is now up to you to avoid them folding!

T-Fal has created a ceramic coating that has genuine nonstick propertieshere. This set would be a great alternative to my nonstick pans.

Thermospot

T-Fal’s trademark thermopot heat indicator is actually on this cookware set. This is the red and black area in the center of the pan. The Thermospot will turn red when the pan reaches the right heat. This indicates that the pan can be used for food.

What makes this Thermospot so useful? It’s easier for food to stick to a cold pan if it’s not already. Non-stick pans can also be used. You can see the heat indicator to tell you when your pan is ready. To avoid overheating, add oil to the pan before heating.

Heat indicators are not something I use, but it is useful to get an idea of when the pan is being read. The Thermospot can be used as a training wheel but is not a complete tool.

Fast and even heating

T-Fal claims that their ceramic pans and pots evenly distribute heat. They do this evenly thanks to the ceramic coating. This makes it easier to cook food in hotspots.

Some users have reported that ceramic cookware takes a bit longer to heat than nonstick.

It is resistant to staining and scratches

T-Fal claims this ceramic cookware set is stain and scratch resistant. The scratch resistance is also not recommended for metal utensils. I’m a little skeptical.

T-Fal is right to say that these pans won’t scratch easily if you stick with wood, nylon, or plastic utensils. Nonstick cookware is scratch resistant to metal.

There are mixed reports on stain resistance. Although it is difficult to determine why certain cookware sets stains, overheating might be the culprit (see How to maintain nonstick). Although it doesn’t impact functionality, staining can be unsightly on white ceramic interiors.

Dishwasher safe

This T-Fal Initiatives Ceramic nonstick cookware set is dishwasher-safe.

Let me assure you, T-Fal is serious about dishwasher safety. My T-Fal pan is dishwasher safe.

Dishwashers can sometimes ruin nonstick cookware and the dishwasher will wear nonstick faster over time. This could be caused by abrasive detergents or the dishwasher putting nonstick surfaces in direct contact with metal.

If you do not:

• Be careful with how your dishwasher is set up. Do not put the ceramic nonstick surface in direct contact with any object.
• Don’t use abrasive detergents.

Hand washing is the best option for nonstick cookware. Nonstick cookware is supposed to be simple.

Heat Base

An even heat distribution is important in cookware. This helps to avoid hot and cold spots. This is a problem for stainless steel, however.

These pots and saucepans have an even heat base that will ensure great results.

Durability

This set is durable for nonstick, and can be used for many years if it is properly cared for.

Heavy gauge aluminum is a good quality. However, heavy gauge aluminum may not be as strong as hard-anodized aluminum.

Ceramic Cookware from Other T-Fal Initiatives

T-Fal Initiatives Ceramic Nonstick Pan

A complete cookware set is not necessary for everyone. It’s the one pan that I use most in my kitchen. This Tfal frying pan will appeal to you if you feel the same. It shares the same ceramic interior with the Initiatives set.

It’s quite large though at 11.5 inches. It’s large enough to use 60-70% of the time. It is heavy and can get messy if there are other foods on the stove.

In a Nutshell

• If you have one pan, this is a great pan
• It will wear out from constant use
• Affordable pricing
• Non-sticky, healthy and high quality
• T-Fal Initiatives ceramic nonstick cookingware line

Amazon Price Check

If you don’t need a pan but are interested in other options, then my review of Teflon-free Pans or my roundup ceramic frying pans might be of interest to you.

Tfal G918SE64 Initiatives Ceramic Cookware set

T-Fal Initiatives offers similar cookware sets in gold and blue if you prefer a little color in your cookware.

These sets come with a different combination of pans and are more expensive. The “blue” set of cookware was slightly more expensive than the “gold” set. It is worth checking the current price to determine if it is worthwhile. I wouldn’t pay a high price for a color that might fade.

These sets appear to include an additional pan. There are three total. However, only one lid is included. Two nylon utensils are also available.

In a word:

• Prices can be slightly higher or much lower than the others.
• There are two colors available (blue and gold).
• Different pan combination
• The same ceramic nonstick material in the same quality
• T-Fal Initiatives ceramic nonstick cookingware line

Alternatives

You can find additional ceramic cookware from other manufacturers in my ceramic cooking guide or see some alternatives below.

GreenLife Ceramic NonStick Cookware Set

GreenLife offers a great set of ceramics, including more cookware, but at a slightly higher cost. A steamer is included as an added bonus.

T-Fal as well as GreenLife produce high-quality ceramic cookware. This set from GreenLife comes in a variety of gorgeous colors. Although it looks great, there is the possibility of discoloration.

The small, one-egg wonder frying pan is a great addition to my kitchen. It’s adorable, and I like the small fry pan that allows me to quickly prepare food.

A brief summary:

• Slightly more expensive
• Similar quality
• Ceramic coatings made without Teflon
• Additional frying pans and a steamer are included
• Amazing range of colors available
• Induction cooktops are not compatible
• 3 frying pans

T-Fal E918SE Ultimate Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set

Are you still not convinced by ceramics? Consider a T-Fal set of nonstick cookware. T-Fal cookware in general is excellent and this nonstick cookingware works well for my needs.

Although this set is more expensive, it offers more pans and a steamer.

In a nutshell

• Classic nonstick – You know what you’re getting
• Is PTFE food-safe?
• Additional pans and a steamer
• There are no utensils
• Price significantly higher
• Induction cooktops are not compatible

Nonstick Cookware

Nonstick is generally easier to maintain than cast iron. While it won’t last forever, it can be maintained with care for many years. Ceramic might sound harder, but it is possible to make ceramic nonstick.

• The heat should be kept low to medium. For gas, I recommend only using medium burners. Keep it at 8 on electric.
• You should never heat the pan without any liquid in it. Use at least a small amount of oil. You can tell when it is hot enough to cook and how much oil you need.
• Before you place food in the pan, heat it first.
• You should not allow any metal objects, such as utensils to touch the interior of the pan. This also applies to the dishwasher. Be careful with how you arrange nonstick ceramic cookware.
• Hand washing is preferred, even if cookware is labeled as dishwasher-safe.

Verdict

Ceramic is a good choice if you don’t like PTFE or prefer beautiful cookware.

For me, the most surprising thing is how much cookware and quality you can get for your money. This is not only the case for T-Fal but also other products such as the GreenLife Ceramic NonStick Cookware Set.

This is still a high-quality, nonstick, quality cookware set at an affordable price.