Ditch Forever Chemicals With These Non-Toxic Ceramic Cookware Pieces From OXO, GreenPan, Tramontina, and More

I was recently streamlining my too-large cookware collection when I noticed a decades-old Teflon-coated saucepan lurking in the back of my cabinet. I haven’t used it in years, which is a good thing, since we now know that the coating can contain harmful “forever chemicals” like PFOA and PFTE. Thankfully, much of my current kitchen arsenal is made up of ceramic cookware, which has a nonstick coating that’s not only better for me, but is also better to cook with; its slick surface helps food glide easily out of the pan. 

If you’re ready to say ta-ta to Teflon and switch to ceramic, I found fantastic options under $50, including a GreenPan skillet, a Tramontina multipurpose pan, and a Carote sauté pan that’s on sale. And now, I’m off to toss my Teflon saucepan in the trash.

The Best Ceramic Cookware Under $50

There are so many fantastic ceramic cookware options to choose from, like a tough OXO pan and a complete 5-piece set of pots and pans for just $38. Check out some of the best ceramic cookware picks below. 

GreenPan Lima 8-Inch Hard Anodized Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan

An 8-inch frying pan is the perfect size for frying eggs and smaller portions if you’re cooking for one person. This GreenPan skillet is made from recycled aluminum and has a nonstick ceramic coating that’s free of PFOS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. It’s “better for my body and for the environment,” a shopper said of the pan, which is oven-safe up to 600°F. While one reviewer said they had no issues with food sticking to the pan, many customers recommend using a dab of butter for an easier release and cleanup.

Blue Diamond 2-Quart Ceramic Nonstick Saucepan

We love saucepans because they can make so many things: risotto, gravies, and even boxed macaroni and cheese. Blue Diamond’s saucepan has a tough-as-nails chemical-free ceramic coating that earned a rave review from one shopper who had a cooking mishap. “I burned up some noodles in this pot and it didn’t look like it did anything,” they said. The nonstick saucepan is oven safe up to 600°F, features a sturdy base designed to prevent warping, and can go in the dishwasher for easy cleanup. “This is my favorite saucepan,” said a reviewer. “Perfect size and durable.”

T-Fal Refresh 12-Inch Ceramic Frying Pan

Because of its large surface area, a 12-inch skillet is well suited for cooking larger meals, bigger portions of meat, or stir-frying. This nonstick ceramic one from T-Fal is made from recycled aluminum, is oven-safe up to 350°F, and comes in pink, blue, green, gray, and granite, making it a colorful addition to any kitchen. “The nonstick ceramic coating works beautifully,” a customer said of the T-Fal pan. “Nothing sticks, and cleanup is super easy.” 

Tramontina Fiora 4.25-Quart Multipurpose Ceramic Nonstick Pan

Like a Dutch oven, Tramontina’s multipurpose pan is a kitchen workhorse: It’s oven-safe up to 400°F and can sauté, braise, sear, stir-fry, and roast. “Definitely, one of the best pot/pans I have ever owned!” said one reviewer, while another praised its slick ceramic coating. “Nothing sticks and it’s super easy to wash,” they said. The multipurpose pan is especially good for “those recipes that require you to move your cooking apparel from the stove to the oven and back to the stove,” said another pleased shopper.

RedChef 5-Piece Ceramic Nonstick Pots and Pans Set

An entire ceramic cookware set for $38? Yes, it’s possible. This one comes with a 2.5-quart saucepan, an 8-inch frying pan, a 10-inch large frying pan, an 8-inch silicone-rimmed glass lid, and a detachable handle that works with all three pans. Each pan has a coating that’s free of cadmium, lead, and PFAS, and performs like a champ despite its low price. “These exceeded my expectations,” said a reviewer. “Truly nonstick and easy to clean, and the handle holds well.” Another shopper said the set is ideal for any meal-prep task, whether making eggs or reheating food. “I didn’t need a million pieces, so this 5-piece set was perfect.”

OXO Agility 10-Inch Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan

OXO’s 10-inch ceramic frying pan has a PFAS-free ceramic coating reinforced with diamonds to resist scratches and help food slide out — without any residue left behind. Oven safe up to 600˚F, the pan is just the right size for prepping meals for two people. “Exactly what I wanted in a fry pan,” said a reviewer, who found that they “Almost don’t need any oil.” One shopper thought it was so nice they purchased it twice. “Super nice quality. I love this pan,” they said. “It is the second one I have bought.” 

Gotham Steel 5-Quart Multipurpose Ceramic Pasta Pot

This ceramic stockpot is actually three tools in one. It comes with a straining lid that eliminates the need for a colander, has twist-and-lock handles that cool enough so you won’t need pot holders, and of course, there’s the 5-quart pot, which has an ultra-nonstick ceramic coating that contains no PFOA, PFOS, lead, or cadmium. One shopper called the oven-safe pot their go-to cookware in the kitchen. “It’s the perfect size for soups, stews, pastas, and one-pot meals,” they said. “The nonstick ceramic coating is amazing — nothing sticks, and cleanup is a breeze.”

GreenLife 7-Inch and 10-Inch Nonstick Ceramic Skillet Set

If you want a great deal on a set of ceramic skillets, this GreenLife duo is the way to go. You get 7-inch and 10-inch frying pans that can be used for small or large jobs, and the pans come in eight colors that will add a pop of color to your kitchen. Each pan is oven-safe up to 350˚F and has a coating that’s free of PFAS, lead, and cadmium for safer cooking. “We use them at least once a day, if not more,” a shopper said, adding that the pans heat evenly. Another shopper confessed that they’re in love with the pans and are “never going back to Teflon”: “Nothing sticks, and they clean up so easily. Ceramic is my new go-to for frying pans.”

Carote 10-Inch Nonstick Frying Pan with Lid

Carote makes great affordable cookware, including this deep ceramic skillet with a glass lid. It has a heat-resistant synthetic handle, a large base that prevents hot spots, and a die-cast construction that resists warping and chipping. “Pan performance is superb!” said a reviewer, who added that “the nonstick, easy-release claims are true.” Another shopper said it was their husband’s favorite pan. “It cooks and holds heat well due to its quality. Very sturdy and scratch resistant,” they said. “Would buy again.”

GreenPan Rio 5-Quart Ceramic Sauté Pan with Lid

Stews, bacon, burgers, steaks — GreenPan’s ceramic sauté pan can do it all, thanks to its 5-quart capacity and superior heat conduction. “I like the durability, weight, and thickness,” a shopper said of the pan, which includes a lid and is oven-safe up to 350°F. “It cooks evenly for me and is a great size.” Another customer loved that the sauté pan has higher sides than a traditional skillet. “It just fits so much more in it, and I spill less when stirring,” they said. But perhaps the biggest compliment came from this shopper, who said, “Nothing beats a GreenPan, and this sauté pan is a superb piece.”

Sensarte 9.5-Inch Nonstick Ceramic Grill Pan

The bestselling Sensarte ceramic grill pan keeps grill season going all year round, but it can also be used for sautéing vegetables, baking chicken, broiling fish, braising ribs, or frying bacon. “The size perfectly fits my stove and easily accommodates four large chicken breasts,” said a reviewer. “Very even heating across the griddle top, and it creates beautiful grill marks.” Another shopper said the pan performed so well that they’re planning to buy the complete cookware set. “It’s ceramic, so there are no toxins,” they said. “I would recommend this brand to anyone looking to upgrade their cookware.”