Since we received and listed our Ibili Granite Pan for sale, we’ve received plenty of questions about its unusual light-grey appearance – the Granite non-stick coating that Ibili pans are famous for. And with all the publicity and attention that organic and healthy cooking has been getting lately, this is the perfect opportunity to consider some of the materials that we cook with every day, and whether they are really as safe (or unsafe) as many would have us believe. As the exclusive South African importers of Ibili Granite Pans, we are thrilled with the Ibili range. Not only is the granite surface beautiful, it is also very effective when it comes to its non-stick properties, and guaranteed 100% safe to use every day!
But what about those other pans lurking in your cupboard? Are those metal or Teflon surfaces dangerous? That’s what we’re trying to find out in our brief exploration into the various pan surfaces you probably have in your own home.
Teflon
Teflon pan coatings are some of the most common out there, and have good non-stick qualities. Recent research, however, has shown that Teflon and similar non-stick surfaces can release potentially harmful fumes into the air when overheated. Most people who have ever accidentally used a sharp metal utensil in a Teflon pan know that it can flake easily, and dangerous or not, nobody wants to see specks of Teflon instead of black pepper in their omelette.
Stainless Steel
Although the jury is divided, stainless steel is generally accepted to be a very safe option for cookware, and much better than aluminium, which is known to leach easily into food, especially acidic foods and dishes cooked for hours and hours. Stainless steel is affordable and generally very reliable, but is definitely not non-stick, so you may want to use your Ibili Granite Pan instead for those perfect omelettes.
Ceramic
Loved by purists and vegans alike, ceramic, being made from nothing other than pure, harmless clay, is thought to be one of the safest options out there. As well as being beautiful and versatile, ceramic pots do have drawbacks. Many cannot be used on the stovetop without breaking, and are better suited to the oven. They are also quite delicate when compared to metal, and so are certain to break at some point due to rough handling.
Cast Iron
Cast Iron and enamelled cast iron are accepted as safe for everyday use. They can also have some surprisingly good non-stick properties. This also applies to the beautiful and colourful enamelled cast iron pieces that are all the rage at kitchen stores these days. The theory is that iron is such a strong and heat-proof metal, that no chemicals whatsoever can leach into the food in the pot.
While all of the pan surfaces above have pros and cons, both in terms of their level of established safety and their practicality of use, Ibili has it all rolled into one. The Ibili Granite Pan has incredible non-stick properties to rival those of Teflon, it’s strong and warp-resistant as cast iron, as beautiful as enamelware and as safe as ceramic! Drop into our store or browse the Ibili range on our website to learn more about these exquisite pans and how you can get your hands on one today!
