You may have noticed more cooking shows showing chefs using black or dark gray cookware. Have you ever wondered what kind of cookware that is?

You may have also noticed the commercials for ceramic cookware that show eggs dancing around on the pan. You probably wondered if that cookware is any good, also.

The chefs are using hard anodized cookware and if you wondered how it compares to ceramic cookware, this is the right place!

We have collected all the information so you can have a good comparison of hard anodized cookware vs ceramic cookware. Keep reading to find out the pros and cons of each one.

We'll even let you see which one is best for you. 

What is Hard Anodized Cookware?

Anodized cookware has grown in popularity and is a favorite among chefs and home cooks. The aluminum base gives great cooking performance and the treated cookware has a very strong and nonstick surface.

The Treatment Process

Hard anodized cookware manufacturers make it by submerging the aluminum into a special acid bath. The material is then placed under electrical charges that cause the oxidation of the surface.

The treatment causes the surface to become harder than stainless steel! It develops a non-toxic surface that is nonstick and has a smooth finish. The overall surface retains heat well but is still responsive to heat adjustments.

Names Matter

When looking at cookware, understand that there is a difference between anodized and hard anodized. Anodized cookware receives treatment in the chemical bath and has an electric current, but it is for a shorter time. 

Hard anodized means the treatment uses a higher voltage and lower temperature. This creates a stronger, more protective layer in your cookware. You want to make sure you look for the term hard anodized for the best type.

What Is Ceramic Cookware?

Ceramic cookware often comes in two categories: pure ceramic cookware and ceramic-coated cookware. Most cookware advertised is ceramic-coated cookware because it is more affordable than pure ceramic.

Ceramic-Coated Cookware

The ceramic-coated cookware often includes aluminum pans with a ceramic type of coating on it. This gives a non-stick surface and allows the pans to come in multiple of colors.

The coating is not a true ceramic coating. The coatings are created from silicon that is sand-derived and processed through a treatment called sol-gel. This is a natural type of nonstick surface.

The Sol-Gel Process

Ceramic cookware sets are created when the pans are either dipped or sprayed with the sol-gel solution. Then they are put through a curing process by exposing them to high heat.

The pan develops a glassy ceramic finish that is solid with no microscopic pores. This causes the surface to be nonstick. The surfaces are marketed as natural toxin-free surfaces. 

Hard Anodized Cookware Pros

Home cooks and chefs have been singing the praises of hard anodized cookware for years. The list of benefits is long and getting better as more companies offer them.

Slick Surface

The powerful electromagnetic process the cookware goes through creates a strong protective layer. This layer protects the pan and helps food not get stuck on the surface. 

Light and Strong

Aluminum is lighter and responds to heat faster than cast iron. You won't have to worry about hurting your back by picking up one of your pans! It is also more rust-resistant than cast iron and stronger than stainless steel.

Heat Retention 

The thick surfaces of hard-anodized pans make them ideal for holding heat. This gives you more surface availability for your cooking. The aluminum also allows you to adjust the temperature quickly so you don't overcook your food.

Easy to Clean

Since the pans don't react and have a slick surface, they are much easier to clean. You won't have to soak pans like stainless steel so your kitchen cleaning will not take as long.

Safe

After the hard-anodized process, the surface is PFOA and PFOS-free. You will have peace of mind knowing that your surface is FDA-safe and non-toxic. Plus, the hard surface doesn't chip as easily as ceramic-coated cookware. 

Oven Safe

One of the positive benefits you receive with the hard-anodized cookware is its ability to withstand high temperatures. Most cookware can be placed in the oven with temperatures up to 425 degrees. 

You want to make sure your manufacturer has created your cookware with handles that can handle the heat also. Each company should tell you what the oven-safe temperature is for your product. 

Ceramic Cookware Pros

Ceramic cookware sets have become extremely popular with home cooks. Many choose them for their non-stick surface and pretty colors.

Non-Stick Surface

Ceramic provides a very slick surface for your cooking. Food won't stick to your cookware and your pans won't react to acidic food. This makes it a popular choice for people who don't cook a lot so they want something easy.  

Some people ask, "Is ceramic cookware safe?" It is safe and completely non-toxic. Many people choose it as a "natural" alternative to other nonstick surfaces. 

Easy Cleaning

The surface of ceramic cookware makes it very easy to clean. A little hot water and a soapy sponge are all you need to handle most cleaning scenarios for you cookware.

Lightweight

Depending on how it is made, most ceramic cookware is on the lighter side. It is much lighter than cast iron and stainless steel and a little lighter than hard-anodized pans.

Medium Heat 

Cookware with a ceramic coat is best for medium-heat cooking. This is why you don't see it used in restaurants. The high heat is not ideal for it, but for a person at home who cooks once in a while, it will do well.

Multiple Colors

You will notice that many ceramic pots and pans come in an array of different colors. Ceramic allows the manufacturer to paint the outside of the cookware with multiple colors. This means it can match your kitchen color selection.

Layers of Ceramic

Some of the best ceramic cookware has seen the problem of the ceramic layers wearing out too fast. They have tried to counter this problem by adding multiple layers of ceramic. This makes the cookware last a little longer. 

Hard-Anodized Cookware Cons

Hard-anodized cookware isn't perfect and there are a few things you have to look out for. Most of the problems in it come down to how it is manufactured and by whom.

Weight

Because of the strong makeup of hard anodized cookware, it is on average heavier than ceramic cookware. This is a benefit for longevity but if weight is a problem for you, you will want to know this.

The Name Trend

Because of the popularity of hard-anodized cookware, many companies are making a "version" of it. You want to be careful to look at how it is made and who is making it.

The best way to tell the quality of the cookware is to look for a good warranty. Quality cookware should have a long warranty, even a lifetime warranty. If it doesn't have a good warranty, it probably isn't made very well.

Induction

Aluminum does not work well with induction cooktops. If you have an induction cooktop, some hard-anodized cookware won't work for you. Make sure any version you look at has a stainless steel base so it will work with induction.

Color

Anodized cookware will often come with two choices for color: black or gray. This comes from the process the hard-anodized pieces go through. It also provides the strength of the surface even though it lacks color options.

Price

Quality hard-anodized cookware will come at a higher price than ceramic. There is a range of prices depending on the manufacturer and the quality, but the prices are often higher than ceramic.

You want to do your investigation on any hard anodized sets you are looking at. The price is higher up front, but often the sets last years longer than ceramic cookware. 

Ceramic Cookware Cons

Ceramic cookware has many benefits for cooking at home. However, there are some things you do want to know up front before purchasing a set.

Cracking and Chipping

Ceramic surfaces can develop cracks or chips with prolonged use. You don't want to use hard metal utensils with them because they will break down the ceramic coating over time.

Longevity

Ceramic cookware has a non-stick surface, but eventually the non-stick does wear out. This along with the problems with chipping can cause you to need new cookware sooner.

If your cookware has multiple layers of ceramic, it may last longer, but it depends on usage. If you cook often, ceramic will not last as long as hard-anodized cookware.

Scratches

A benefit of ceramic-coated cookware is the ability to paint the outside of the cookware. This can add a pop of color to your kitchen, but with regular usage, the colors can get scratched and scorched.

This can happen by accident even if you are trying to be careful. Nicks and scratches can make the cookware not look as pretty for you to display in your kitchen. 

Thinness

Ceramic-coated pans are often made with a thin aluminum base. The ceramic coating will stick to it, but the thin aluminum will not retain the heat as well as the average hard-anodized pan. 

Which One to Pick?

Picking the right cookware is a very personal thing. It often comes down to the type of cook you are and what is most important to you.  

Occasional Cook or Regular Home Cook

If you only cook once in a while and mainly cook the same regular things, a ceramic set will probably work for you. If you cook more often and like to try new recipes, a hard-anodized set would work better for you.

Longevity or Matching Colors

If longevity is important to you, you do want to pick a hard-anodized set. The reason they are so popular with professional chefs is their ability to stand up to all kinds of environments.

Ceramic cookware has the advantage with colors because the hard-anodized sets are black or dark gray. If you want cookware that looks colorful on your wall, a ceramic set would fit that desire better.

Warranties Matter

This is a tip for picking either cookware. Look at the reputation of the brand and the warranty they offer. Many companies can tell you their product is great and it may look great in a commercial.

However, you want to buy your pots and pans from a manufacturer with a good reputation. The way you can usually pick is by looking at their warranties. Longer warranties will often mean better quality.

Price Comparisons

The price of hard-anodized cookware will on average come in higher but you should take longevity into consideration. If you have to purchase ceramic cookware every couple of years, is it really cheaper?

You want to think about how long your cookware will last. The longer it lasts the less money it will cost in the long run.

What Type of Cook Are You?

Deciding between ceramic cookware and hard-anodized cookware will come down to the type of cook you are. As you read through the comparisons, think through how often you cook or how often you plan to cook.

At Legend Cookware, we have taken hard-anodized cookware to another level with our Legend Slick brand. This long-lasting, healthy, and super nonstick cookware has many rave reviews.

Look over the Legend Slick 10-piece set and discover the power of Legend's forever warranty.