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Is enamel cookware safe to use?

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Eco-friendliness and health go hand in hand. If a product isn’t safe for consumers, can it be considered eco-friendly? After all, we – humans – are part of this planet too.

And when we talk about healthy choices, we rarely think about how our cookware might affect the safety of the food we eat. Yet, the cooking process can lead to us ingesting more than just the ingredients we placed into the pot!

So, when it comes to preparing food safely, what’s the best pot to put on the hob? Is enamel cookware worth the hype? 

What is Enamel Cookware?

enamel cookware

Most of us would easily recognise enamel cookware if placed before us. The classic is of course the big red pot, simply waiting to be filled with a tasty casserole or chili. 

But what is enamel cookware made of? 

Mostly it’s what’s known as porcelain or vitreous enamel cookware. This is where glass is heated up to coat a metal base, usually steel, cast iron or aluminium. 

This blend has the benefits of marrying the heat conduction properties of the metal, with the non-stick properties of the porcelain. 

Today enamel cookware has acquired a certain fashionability, meaning many people use it not just for cooking but for the presentation of their food as well. 

Pros & Cons of enamel cookware

Pros

Non-stickWhat attracts most people to enamel cookware is its non-stick properties, making it easier not to burn food onto the inside of the pan. It’s also a great – healthier alternative to Teflon that may release toxic gases in your food when overheated. 
DurableEnamel coated cookware is also very durable, with higher quality brands easily lasting a lifetime, and potentially even being passed down the generations. 
AttractiveSince its invention, the range of colours and designs enamel cookware is available in has grown exponentially. It’s not just vintage cookware anymore. 
Holds heat Enamel cast iron cookware holds heat well, making it suitable for transferring to and from the oven.  
Wide range of optionsToday there is a wide range of enamel dishes available. From quaint Scandinavian enamel teapots to heavy-set enamel saucepans and frying pans, to the classic enamel casserole dish. 

Cons

WeightCast iron enamel cookware can be heavy, and difficult to handle. However, enamel coated steel cookware is often much lighter and easier to use.  
Heats slowlyWell, it depends on the base. Although it retains heat well, enameled cast iron cookware takes a longer time to heat through (you shouldn’t start on high heat with cast iron anyway). By comparison steel enamel cookware heats more quickly. 
CostCompared to most stainless steel cookware, enamelled cookware is still expensive. However, this in part reflects both its popularity and its longevity. 

Benefits of enamel against other cookware

Enamel coating vs cast iron

cast iron pot

Traditionally many people used cast iron where they now use enamel cookware. 

Cast iron is still used by many people because of its heat retention properties – no need to reheat food between two servings! However, because it is made of unprotected metal, it releases a certain amount of iron into the food being cooked on it. 

For some people this may be beneficial, particularly if they are anaemic. However, for others the excess iron can be harmful. 

Also, many say that you can’t cook acidic food in a cast-iron pan because cast iron reacts to the acidity in foods like tomatoes, releasing more iron into your food.  

(Note that in reality, as long as your cast-iron pan is well seasoned, you’re probably safe to cook acidic food in your cast-iron pan for two reasons. First, the leached metal molecules are not harmful, and second, the metallic taste will only appear after a certain amount of cooking time).

Finally, in order to prevent the metal from rusting it needs to be regularly seasoned, by heating oil in the pan, a smoky and time-consuming process.   

Enameled alternatives, by comparison, don’t suffer from any of these problems, as the non-reactive surface coats the metal, protecting it from corrosion and stopping the release of iron. 

Enamel coating vs Teflon or silicone

Enamel can also be an environmentally friendly alternative to many other non-stick options such as Teflon or silicone. 

Teflon’s coating can flake off over time, due to wear and damage, leading to ingestion or to it being washed down the plughole. 

Over time the non-stick ceases to work, meaning a new pan must be acquired.

Silicone cookware too can become easily damaged or cracked, leading to more waste in the landfill. 

Enamel by comparison is hard wearing and can last decades if treated correctly.   

Is enamel cookware safe?

There have been a number of articles to do with enamel cookware health concerns. 

Largely this has to do with the use of heavy metals such as cadmium and lead within the colours in enamel cookware. 

So is there an enamel cookware health risk? 

We don’t think so!

  • Because of the high temperatures that the enamel is made at, these metals will not be released by cooking. 
  • All brands sold within the UK are tested to ensure they are food safe. However, more local brands in countries with less stringent testing should be avoided. 

Take care of your enamel cookware

enamel cookware

There are a number of things to keep in mind in terms of enamel coated cookware safety. 

Firstly, because the coating is made largely of glass there is a risk of chipping or damaging this coating if you hit or drop it or change the temperature too quickly. 

For this reason, it’s important not to run a hot pan under a cold tap. 

It’s also advised not to use metal implements on enamel, such as cutlery for stirring or wire wool for cleaning, as this could scratch the surface. 

Enamel cookware on glass top stoves can also potentially cause problems if the base is not enamel, as the cast iron can scratch the glass.  

And finally, if a chip does appear on the interior surface of a pan it’s best not to use it for cooking, as the chip could get larger, causing pieces of enamel to flake off into your food. 

Vintage enamel cookware can be very popular and is a very environmentally friendly way of purchasing your cookware. However, if these are internally damaged it is best to avoid using them. 

So they don’t go to waste, you could repurpose them as a flower pot, or a decorative fruit bowl. 

How to clean enamel cookware

As cleaning your enamel cookware can be a key way in which it can get damaged, it’s good to know how to clean discoloured enamel cookware safely and in an environmentally friendly way.

The simplest method is to use an eco-friendly washing up liquid, a sponge, and a bit of elbow grease, to gently scrub away at any food remnants on your pot. 

If the enamel is still stained you can try putting the pot back on the hob, with some soapy water inside. Simply boil the water to loosen the stains and then scrub after.

Another way to remove stains from enamel cookware is to use bicarbonate of soda. 

You can either put two tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda in with four cups of water and boil it in your pot, or you can mix a paste, apply it directly to the stains and then scrub or wash it off. 

How to repair chipped enamel cookware

If the damage is to the outside of the item, this is not a big concern as if it does break off again it will not mix with your food. But when it comes to damages related to the enamel surface in contact with your food, most manufacturers do not recommend continuing to use a damaged enamel cooking item.

If the damage is minor and you’re crafty, there are ways to fix it, though! 

You can repair chipped enamel by using an enamel repair kit. This means, first filling the hole with epoxy and waiting for it to harden and set.

Then, press a piece of baking paper to the surface before it dries to flatten it out. 

Once dried, you can sand it down to the same level as the surrounding surface and then paint it with a food-safe enamel paint.

Alternatives to Enamel

Not sure enamel cookware is the right choice for your eco-friendky kitchen?

This non-stick, durable and fashionable cookware is certainly well worth considering. However, it still has its downsides, whether it’s the inconvenience of a heavy pot or the weighty price tag (still shop around and you might well find a bargain tuck away at your local charity shop).

If enamel doesn’t feel right for you, there are other eco-friendly options.

  • Glass and ceramic cookware have very similar properties, though they are not suitable for induction hobs. 
  • Stainless steel pots and pans have many of the benefits of heat conduction that enamel pans do, however they largely lack the non-stick benefits. 
  • If you want to be really traditional why not go back to cast iron. Note that it’s important to avoid this option if you already have high levels of iron in your blood.  

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Jonathan Davies

Jonathan Davies

Content manager @ beeco. Raised in the countryside, you can find me near water, whatever the weather.
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