Let’s be actual — if you happen to’re nonetheless cooking on scratched-up Teflon pans, it’s time for an intervention. During the last handful of years, a quiet revolution has been occurring in kitchens throughout America. Well being-conscious foodies are ditching their typical PFAS nonstick cookware quicker than you may say “endocrine disruptor” and embracing one thing way more enduring: ceramic.
Pure ceramic cookware isn’t simply one other passing wellness pattern. It’s a back-to-basics strategy that conjures up you to decelerate and be extra conscious, not nearly your meals but in addition the cookware you cook dinner it in. I personally have been utilizing Xtrema pure ceramic cookware for over 10 years, and I’m an enormous fan. It seems, I’m not the one one.
“Like most inexpensive choices, comfort reigns in a single regard, however there’s a sacrifice in one other. My emotions about nonstick cookware went from ease of use to unwell relaxed instantly after I examine endlessly chemical compounds.”
— Ciara, Xtrema Buyer
We caught up with three Xtrema converts who lately made the swap from poisonous PTFE pots and pans, and so they couldn’t be happier about their resolution.
Meet Michelle, whose 12-year battle with chemical sensitivity had her basically homebound (assume pandemic lockdown, however for 4 years); Ciara, a younger skilled navigating her wellness journey one kitchen improve at a time; and Renay, a full-time RV dweller who’s proof that you just don’t want a large kitchen to commit to scrub cooking. Right here’s what they needed to say about their expertise with Xtrema pure ceramic cookware.
Need extra high picks? Join the publication for extra well-researched, non-toxic dwelling steering and good wellness recommendation.
The Considerations That Prompted the Swap to Ceramic Cookware
Nothing ruins a scrumptious, home-cooked unfold like the belief that your cookware may be including a aspect of PFAS (in any other case often called ‘endlessly chemical compounds’) to your favourite meals. These three residence cooks weren’t having it anymore.
“Nonstick pans weren’t even an choice for us due to the chemical compounds concerned. It felt like it doesn’t matter what we selected, there was all the time a ‘however.’ Xtrema was the primary cookware that didn’t go away me second-guessing or worrying.”
— Renay, Xrema Buyer
Q: Had been there any particular well being or security considerations that pushed you to change out of your earlier cookware to Xtrema ceramic cookware?
Michelle: “I had beforehand been utilizing some nonstick cookware that was very scratched, regardless that I solely use picket utensils. I’d learn that endlessly chemical compounds have been launched into meals from poisonous cookware and eaten, which is what prompted my seek for a more healthy cookware choice. I began studying about stable ceramic cookware from Xtrema. And if I used to be going to spend cash on cookware, I needed the actual deal, not ceramic-coated cookware.”
Ciara: “I used to be frightened in regards to the scratches on my nonstick-coated pans. Additionally, as a result of most of them usually are not made to final, it was getting costly to exchange my pans each different yr (as a substitute of three to five years like they declare). We don’t even have chrome steel utensils to scratch them up — they’re simply that poorly made.
Renay: “We’re extraordinarily intentional in regards to the issues we enable into our kitchen as a result of they find yourself in our our bodies. I turned an increasing number of involved about nonstick coatings, aluminum, and even forged iron leaching chemical compounds or metals into our meals. We work onerous to supply clear components, so it didn’t make sense to cook dinner them in one thing that might undo that. Discovering a cookware choice that’s really non-toxic — with no metals, coatings, or endlessly chemical compounds — was actually essential to us, and that’s what led us to Xtrema.”
How Xtrema Differs from Their Earlier Cookware Experiences
We get it — shopping for new cookware is hard. When confronted with a mountain of cookware analysis (or focused Instagram advertisements), it may be tempting to stay together with your typical pots and pans and name it a day. However shopping for those self same previous low cost, poorly made, nonstick pans is finally hurting your well being, and also you’re not even saving cash in the long term!
Plus, spending extra doesn’t all the time imply getting extra, both — even costly cookware can use poisonous nonstick PFAS coatings. Listed here are a number of the different cookware choices these three ladies have been utilizing earlier than making the swap to Xtrema.
“Xtrema fully modified my cooking expertise! The items are simple to make use of, and I now not need to stress about coatings flaking off into our meals.” — Michelle, Xtrema Buyer
Q: Are you able to describe your expertise with different cookware you’ve used previously?
Michelle: “We had bought a Breville Wok, Zojirushi Rice Cooker, not precisely low cost items. These are what had the nonstick coatings that have been being scratched by picket spoons. The aim was to cook dinner wholesome meals for me and my husband, however we couldn’t try this with peeling coatings.”
Ciara: “I’ve used largely conventional nonstick cookware my complete life. It’s largely been low cost, simple, and never a lot fuss. However I began to get frightened when articles within the mainstream media began throwing out titles mentioning endlessly chemical compounds. Like most inexpensive choices, comfort reigns in a single regard, however there’s a sacrifice in one other. My emotions about nonstick cookware went from ease of use to unwell relaxed instantly after I examine endlessly chemical compounds.”
Renay: “Earlier than switching, we used forged iron, glass, and chrome steel. Forged iron was fantastic for some time, but it surely requires loads of upkeep. Even when it’s well-seasoned, there are nonetheless limitations (like with acidic meals). Chrome steel appeared like a greater choice at first, however I later realized it may well nonetheless leach nickel and chromium, particularly when cooking for lengthy durations of time.
Nonstick pans weren’t even an choice for us due to the chemical compounds concerned. It felt like it doesn’t matter what we selected, there was all the time a ‘however.’ Xtrema was the primary cookware that didn’t go away me second-guessing or worrying.”
How Ceramic Modified The Approach These Residence Cooks Cook dinner
Gradual cooking is the unique mindfulness follow. Who wants a meditation app when you’ve dinner to make with recent components? These three have turned their cooking routines into one thing near kitchen remedy, proving that typically, the wellness business’s subsequent massive factor is definitely returning to one thing people have been doing for 1000’s of years.
“It’s truthfully made life simpler and extra peaceable. I don’t need to babysit my pans or take into consideration what I’m cooking in them.” — Renay, Xtrema Buyer
Q: How has cooking with Xtrema ceramic cookware modified your each day cooking expertise?
Michelle: “Xtrema fully modified my cooking expertise! The items are simple to make use of, and I now not need to stress about coatings flaking off into our meals and poisoning us. It’s fantastic cooking with fully wholesome cookware items for each stovetop, broiling, or baking want I’ve. Even our Tea Kettle! It stays on our entrance burner 24/7, so now we have sizzling water for tea anytime we would like it.
I additionally use citrus marinades extra typically now with Xtrema, with out the concern of it reacting like it might with steel cookware.”
Ciara: “Utilizing Xtrema has slowed my husband and I down in the absolute best means. It was, admittedly, an annoying adjustment. My husband and I seasonally work lengthy hours, which suggests we fell into the ‘fast and straightforward’ cooking routines loads. However after we modified our meals from quick to home-cooked, we began to decelerate.
And switching to ceramic cookware means slowing ALL the way in which down. This, nonetheless, has been a internet optimistic. We consciously select what we’re going to organize, and as a result of nature of ceramic cookware wants, we now slowly and consciously cook dinner the meals we’ve chosen for the week.”
Renay: “It’s truthfully made life simpler and extra peaceable. I don’t need to babysit my pans or take into consideration what I’m cooking in them. And with out a dishwasher, hand scrubbing pots and pans might be burdensome. Xtrema reduces the variety of dishes I would like to clean as a result of I can go from stovetop to oven now with out a second thought.
Plus, clean-up is a lot easier. It’s given me one much less factor to fret about in a life the place I already spend a lot time deliberately sourcing and making ready our meals.”
Why Ceramic Was the Proper Alternative
Q: What elements have been most essential in your resolution to decide on ceramic cookware on your meals?
Michelle: “I needed pans that didn’t include endlessly chemical compounds. I made a decision on ceramic, after which I discovered Xtrema as a result of I most well-liked stable ceramic to ceramic-coated merchandise.”
Ciara: “I needed cookware that was each sturdy and straightforward to look after. I really like that these pans can stand up to meals that takes time to make and might be transferred from the stovetop to the oven. I additionally love a pan that takes properly to each soaking within the sink but in addition might be put within the dishwasher if wanted. It’s the most effective of each worlds.”
Renay: “Well being was primary. I wanted to know certainly that our cookware wasn’t secretly harming my household. Sturdiness was subsequent — if I’m going to spend money on one thing, I need it to final. And eventually, versatility. Residing and touring full-time in an RV, we’d like instruments that may multitask so we aren’t carrying round 1,000,000 totally different cookware items. The truth that Xtrema works on the range and within the oven makes it an ideal match for our life-style.”
Does Meals Style Totally different?
Bear in mind when everybody began carrying chrome steel water bottles, swearing they might style the distinction of their water? Seems they may have been onto one thing. The cookware equal of these water bottles is alive and properly in these kitchens.
Q: Have you ever observed any variations within the style or high quality of meals ready with Xtrema ceramic cookware?
Michelle: “I’m a tea drinker, and have observed water from the kettle tastes cleaner than water from the Breville Tea Maker we used to make use of.”
Ciara: “I haven’t observed any taste variations, however I do know that my meals cooks extra evenly total due to the fabulous warmth distribution and retention.”
Renay: “Sure! Meals simply tastes clear — there’s no metallic or chemical aftertaste that you just typically get with different cookware. I additionally really feel like the way in which it heats extra gently and evenly brings out higher taste, particularly in issues like sauces, stews, and sautéed veggies.”
Different Compelling Causes to Swap
Q: Past well being issues, have been there different elements (environmental, sturdiness, aesthetics) that influenced your resolution to decide on Xtrema?
Michelle: “I appreciated that it was stable black. After I obtained my first piece, I appreciated the burden of the merchandise. I additionally just like the substitute program. They get very slippery when moist, so I’ve needed to exchange one piece resulting from a dish-washing mishap.”
Ciara: “I selected Xtrema as a result of the corporate genuinely believes in its merchandise and the common shopper’s potential to make use of them. I investigated SO MANY manufacturers that have been ‘skilled grade,’ however they made me really feel like I wasn’t sufficient of a chef to make use of and look after them.
Xtrema touts skilled efficiency, however is notably designed for ‘actual individuals,’ because it states on their homepage. I felt like I used to be getting a excessive performing product with out having to be a high-performance chef. It’s fantastic to buy from an organization that believes within the shopper of their merchandise.”
“Meals simply tastes clear — there’s no metallic or chemical aftertaste that you just typically get with different cookware.” — Renay, Xtrema Buyer
Renay: “Completely. Sturdiness was large — I don’t wish to preserve rebuying cookware each few years. I additionally recognize that Xtrema’s merchandise are higher for the planet. They’re designed to final; they received’t simply change into landfill waste a yr from now. Plus, they’re lovely!
I really like that one thing so simple as cookware can look timeless and stylish whereas additionally being fully useful. I really like sharing our meals and cooking experiences on social media and with health-minded purchasers. Displaying off our lovely cookware is so enjoyable, and everybody all the time asks the place we received it!”
Fan Favorites: Most-Used Xtrema Merchandise
Transfer over, forged iron cult — there’s a brand new cookware obsession on the town. For those who’re contemplating taking the plunge, listed below are some stand-out items to start out your assortment. (P.S. My favourite is Xtrema’s Dutch Oven — you may learn all about why I like it in my detailed evaluation!)
Q: Which Xtrema merchandise do you employ most often, and for what varieties of cooking?
I like to make use of the Grill Pan to heat up bread, pastries, and meat — it’s a really versatile piece! The 7-inch Skillet is ideal for omelets and scrambled eggs.”
Ciara: “We primarily use the 11-inch Signature Skillet and the 12-inch Versa Pan. Because it’s solely my husband and I, we make primarily ‘one pot’ meals for the week.
For instance, we make dishes like beef stroganoff, kielbasa pasta, and on the weekends, sausage gravy for biscuits and gravy.”
Renay: “We use our 12-inch Versa Pan and lid actually day-after-day. It’s our go-to for every little thing from browning floor beef to sautéing greens.
We love that we will make one-skillet meals that begin on the stovetop and end within the oven. Sourdough Dutch infants are a favourite as properly! It’s really the workhorse of our tiny RV kitchen!”
Cleansing and Upkeep
Q: How simple is Xtrema cookware to scrub and keep?
Michelle: “Xtrema may be very simple to scrub! If my pans have caked-on residue, a soak softens it. I exploit baking soda to scrub greasy pans, and it additionally works properly as a scouring powder with an natural Bambu scraper for baked-on residue.”
Ciara: “Approach simpler than you assume! Their merchandise are dishwasher-safe and might be soaked. ALL of their merchandise additionally include detailed cleansing directions within the package deal, or you may look them up on Xtrema’s web site. We ordered these items realizing they might be an funding, so we observe the care directions to a T and have had no issues thus far.”
Renay: “A lot simpler than I anticipated. I used to be somewhat nervous at first, however truthfully, clean-up is normally only a fast spray earlier than a soap-up, or typically a short soak. No fancy cleaners, no particular methods. And since nothing is flaking off or carrying down, it stays lovely and useful over time.”
Favourite Dishes to Put together With Xtrema Cookware
Q: What’s your favourite dish to organize utilizing Xtrema cookware?
Michelle: “My favourite dish to make is a marinated, roasted complete rooster within the Versa Pan.”
Ciara: “Our favourite dish to make is kielbasa pasta — kielbasa, egg noodles or bowtie pasta, rooster broth, tomatoes, heavy cream, and spices are the primary components. All of it matches within the 11-inch Signature Skillet or 12-inch Versa Pan.“
Renay: “It’s onerous to choose only one, however I’d say sourdough Dutch infants within the Signature Skillet. I begin them out on the stovetop after which toss the skillet within the oven to complete.
Inside half-hour we’ve received a powerful and mouthwatering breakfast we will high with blueberry compote and a selfmade whipped cream. It’s easy, nourishing, and hits the spot each time.”
Recommendation for These Contemplating the Swap
Q: For those who might share one piece of recommendation with others contemplating a swap to ceramic cookware, what would it not be?
Michelle: “My one piece of recommendation can be to take the leap. Attempt buying only one piece of Xtrema cookware to expertise what it’s like.”
Ciara: “Contemplate investing in your kitchen, as a result of it’s an funding in your well being.’ Your kitchen is the place a lot love is infused into your life — meals fuels your life and household.
For those who’re utilizing cookware that breaks down and always wants changing, your well being will endure regardless of making wholesome meals. For those who begin together with your cookware, your meals high quality and nutrient retention will enhance, which instantly advantages your physique and well being. It’s a long-term funding that may reap long-term advantages. That’s an everlasting type of love I can provide to my household and pals.”
Renay: “Don’t overthink it. For those who care about your well being and your loved ones, investing in non-toxic cookware is among the easiest and most impactful modifications you may make. It’s an upfront funding, but it surely’s one you’ll be ok with each single time you cook dinner a meal. Prioritize your well being!”
The Backside Line
What emerges from these conversations is a transparent image of why persons are making the swap to pure ceramic cookware. Whereas the preliminary motivation is usually health-related — considerations about chemical compounds leaching from conventional cookware — the explanations individuals stick with ceramic lengthen far past that.
For these three prospects, Xtrema’s pure ceramic cookware represents extra than simply pots and pans; it symbolizes a dedication to intentional dwelling, to creating meals with care, and to investing in merchandise that align with their values. Cookware is an extension of our life-style selections, whether or not meaning having fun with scrumptious clear tea, slowing down to understand the method of cooking, or having the flexibility wanted for all times on the street.
Because the dialog round “endlessly chemical compounds” continues, extra customers are looking for alternate options that supply peace of thoughts. Pure ceramic cookware, with its non-reactive, non-toxic properties, is positioning itself as not only a pattern, however a elementary shift in how we take into consideration the instruments we use to organize our meals.
