My #1 choice for healthy cookware, these Xtrema pots and pans are 100% ceramic, through and through–made only from natural minerals, clay and water. No metals are in this ceramic cookware. This lead-free high-tech all ceramic glaze is easy to clean and does not leach lead or any other toxic metals (see lab tests on website). The extremely hard ceramic cooking surface cannot be scratched by metal utensils or steel wool but I recommend wood utensils when cooking with Xtrema. Because the ceramic material holds heat exceptionally well, you can save energy by cooking at lower temperatures. The attractive and versatile cookware lets you take the food from the stove to the table and then to the refrigerator for storing leftovers. This is the cookware I use every day for almost everything I cook. NOTE: This cookware is lightweight and extremely easy to clean, however, I wouldn’t call it “nonstick.” Eggs will stick unless you spray your cookware with olive oil after the pan is heated on a low temperature for 3 minutes (see the video on the web site on How to Cook Eggs).
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Listen to my interview with Ceramcor Founder Rich Bergstrom. |
Hi Debra Lynn,
I’ve been a follower on your website for about seven or eight years now and just wanted to say you are doing a fantastic job with all your research and consumer information.
I also wrote to you about 7 years ago on a post suggesting the XTREMA COOKWARE collection so it’s so nice to see that it is now your #1 recommendation.
Anyhow, I just wanted to drop in and say, “Hi” and to let you know that my husband and I have since started our own YouTube channel to share our story and to let you know that you as well as many others that we have researched and/or dealt with directly are partially to thank for this new journey in our lives. So thank you for that!
I even put together a segment called: Detoxify Your Kitchen | Non Toxic Cookware | Product Review that I thought maybe your readers and yourself might find interesting.
Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SyUbsZXhjc
and here is our story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6xFhQGJDPg
Again, thank you for all that you have done and for making it easier to navigate through all these toxic consumer products. Great work!
Jessica
Hi Debra,
What about “tierra negra “ organic and handmade ceramic cookwear ?
It’s not sold in the USA, as far as I know.
For those of you questioning whether of not to put your trust in a product made in China might I offer you a different alternative from Columbia. The product is called La Chamba and is an all ceramic product available in a variety of sizes. We have been extremely happy with our purchase which we made through Amazon.
OK so the reason I haven’t recommended this product is because I can’t get any information about it.
That a product is manufactured in China doesn’t mean it’s always bad. There is a big difference between a product manufactured in China for a knowledgeable USA company who is familiar with toxics issues and has their final products tested and a product manufactured in China by a person who has no knowledge of toxics and doesn’t care.
Clay can contain toxic elements so the type of clay and it’s toxicity needs to be researched. All clay is not the same.
Hi Debra,
I saw you mentioned the Xtrema silicone steamer was floppy. Can you offer any insight on a quality vegetable steamer?
I personally don’t use a vegetable steamer. I put a little water in the bottom of my Xtreama skillet and put the vegetables in an cook until the water evaporates. Always perfect. Like about a 1/4 inch of water. It takes a little practice at the beginning to learn the right amount of water, but once you get it it’s easy and quick.
Hi Debra,
Just a question about Xtrema – it is manufactured in China. That kind of raises my eyebrows because of all the lead issues, etc. Is that of concern to you or anyone else?
Thanks.
No I’m not concerned. The company is very conscientious about this and has the cookware tested. You can see their test results on their website.
This is a product they are having manufactured in China under their supervision and requirements because of the excellent quality of workmanship.
They are not just buying some unknown product from China.
Hi Debra,
It seems that Xtrema doesn’t offer any basic large, flat baking pans. Nor do they offer any large pots (at least 10 qt) that are taller than they are wide (the closest item is their “dutch oven” that’s 12″ in diameter by 6″ tall).
Other than Xtrema, who can I purchase safe cookware from that might carry these items in their lineup?
Try Graniteware for those sizes. It’s all porcelain enameled steel.
Graniteware large pots for canning
Graniteware Roasting Pans
Hi Debra,
I have been using Xtrema for 2 1/2 years now and I love them. I have chipped a lid, so be careful. I ordered the set with the two short handles on the pots and find them hard to handle if you want to pour into a strainer or something like that. I did order a couple of the long handled pots and they are much better to use, though this cookware is heavy and sometimes even with the long handle, is hard to use. I will use this as long as I can handle it (just turned 60) but can definitely see how it can be too heavy for someone older.
Their website says they have been tested for lead and cadmium… but what about other things? Were do we have the proof that NOTHING leeches into the food from this cookware? I feel like it’s a case of blind trust.
I wrote to the Xtrema manufacturer with your question and here is their answer:
“This is a great question but what leaching material is the customer referring too?
“If they are talking about heavy metals then we publish that report on our website at https://www.ceramcor.com/product-testing. [Scroll to the bottom of the page and you will see many tests.]
“Our ceramic cookware does not contain metal, that is why it is called Xtrema 100% ceramic cookware. We are the only cookware company that has tested our cookware for heavy metal leaching and this heavy metal testing is done by us but it is not required by the FDA. What is amazing is that the government does not require metal cookware companies to report their heavy metal leaching tests.
I just bought a Farberware steamer because my old steamer broke. My husband questioned the fact that it’s stainless steel because of the leeching problem, so I came to your site to see if you had anything to say about Farberware and ran across this piece on Xtrema. I have some Xtrema skillets and use the smaller one all the time, but figured they would not have a steamer. Just went to their website and found they have a silicone steamer to fit their 2.5 qt saucepan. Have you used the Xtrema silicone steamer? Does it work OK, or is it floppy like their red handle covers which would make it hard to pick up? Thanks!
It’s floppy.
Hi Debra,
I have neck and shoulder problems and need to use lightweight cookware. The Xtrema is tempting but some of the average size pots weigh 5 lbs or more. That’s too heavy for me to use as my every day cookware. What do you suggest for someone like me who needs lighter weight pots and pans and wants something less toxic than much of what’s out there? Thanks!
That’s a really difficult quesiton. Xtrema is just head and shoulders above all other cookware in terms of health. But I understand. The other night I couldn’t lift my big Xtrema skillet full of food. I had to call Larry to come lift it.
I just don’t know of a lighter weight cookware I can recommend.
Hello Debra,
I have a question that also concerns the lightweight problem:
Do you think that good Enameled metal cookware would be as inert and food-safe as Xtrema?
I believe that the glass coating is inert and Ceramic Glazing & Enameling are a comparable techniques.
I would be happy for your opinion about “Riess Porcelain Enamel”
Thank you very much
I like porcelain enamel, but you should call Reiss and ask them specifically about their enamel. I’ve checked some other brands and there was nothing toxic in them that I could identify.
For many years I didn’t recommend porcelain enamel because in my experience it was easy to chip (it is, after all, glass). But I’ve since learned that my earlier experience was with cheap pots. My Le Creuset has no problem with chipping and I love it. But it is heavy.
There are a couple of important benefits to Xtrema over any other cookware (in my opinion).
One is that the company’s primary mission is to provide NONTOXIC cookware. It doesn’t happen to be nontoxic, it’s intentionally nontoxic.
And the other is that it is ceramic through and through. It’s not a porcelain finish over metal, it’s all ceramic. And that gives and entirely different cooking experience.
Hi Debra. I just bought an Xtrema skillet and will be trying to make it work for frying eggs in butter or lard because we don’t cook with olive oil. But I see that metal utensils are not recommended for use with Xtrema. What kind of spatula do you use for eggs? My wooden spatulas are too thick. I see Xtrema sells nylon utensils and am surprised to see they don’t sell silicone. Is nylon better than silicone? Any other recommendations? Thanks!
I don’t know why they sell nylon. I don’t fry eggs, I scramble my eggs, so I use a wooden utensil or a silicone spatula. I also like hard-boiled and poached eggs, which don’t require fat or stick.
I emailed Ceramcor about a week ago to see why they sell nylon utensils for use with Xtrema instead of silicone, but no one replied. Just left a voice message for someone named Bob…maybe he will reply. I’ll post the answer if someone explains. On their website they say nylon is “100 percent safe and…will never scratch or leach harmful chemicals into your food.” Is nylon a non-leaching plastic? Thanks.
I emailed Ceramcor and got the reply that the recommend nylon because “Nylon is an inert material that will not leach during the cooking process.”
They also sell wooden utensils.
Nylon is a plastic. It is very stable and used for things like toothbrush bristles.
Hmmm…… Bob from Ceramcor called me back and said they had nylon utensils made for them because nylon was cheaper. He said they will no longer sell the nylon ones when their inventory is all gone. When I asked about safety he said nylon is just as safe as silicone…that I should just go to Bed Bath and Beyond and choose what’s cheaper. But then he said not to buy cheap ones. Kinda weird answers.
I just use my own wooden utensils with my Xtrema cookware.
Hi, Debra can you suggest a cookware that isn’t expensive, but better than what I’ve previously used? Thank you!
I don’t know what you previously are using. But I can tell you the best value is Xtrema. I’ve had my pans since they started making them (don’t remember when that was, at least 5 years) and they are like new. In the same period of time, other pans, like Green Gourmet have worn down and are worthless. If you don’t break them, I imagine they would last for years and maybe even could be handed down to another generation.
Just Love your knowledge and Quality of products.. It is nice to finally associate with someone that seeks out the best of the alternate realm. I am actually looking for some cookware, I do enjoy my old cast iron… But this looks much more appealing. Thank you Debra!
Hi Debra,
So grateful for your knowledge! Are you familiar with Scanpan? From what I have read the pans are made from recycled aluminum and coated with a ceramic-titanium coating. Trying to advise a young woman but I was unfamiliar with them until her question came up.
Thanks so much.
Warmly,
Kim Schuette
Take a look here for my answer: debralynndadd.com/q-a/scanpan-cookware