Porcelain Vs. Hard Anodized Cookware

Certain cookware pieces benefit from being coated. Aluminum is a soft, reactive metal that can leech into food if it is uncoated. Cast iron can also leech into food and alter the flavor of acidic foods. Cast iron is occasionally coated with porcelain enamel while aluminum undergoes a process known as anodizing.

Anodizing

Aluminum is anodized when it is placed in an electrolyte bath and charged with an electrical current. A thick layer of oxidation then forms on top of the aluminum.

Benefits of Hard Anodized Cookware

Hard anodized aluminum cookware is stronger than uncoated aluminum. Anodization creates a non-stick surface on the cookware and prevents the metal from reacting with food.

Porcelain Coating

Cast iron and carbon steel cookware are occasionally given a porcelain enamel. Like anodized aluminum, porcelain enamel prevents the cast iron and steel from reacting with food.

Benefits of Porcelain

Cookware coated with porcelain does not need to be seasoned. It is also easier to clean than bare cast iron or steel because soap can be used on the porcelain.

Considerations

Porcelain enamel cookware tends to be very expensive while anodized aluminum is much cheaper. Aluminum is also a much better conductor of heat than steel or iron. Finally, porcelain cookware does not have the non-stick properties that hard anodized cookware does.

References

• Recipe Tips: Types of Cookware
• Real Simple: Hard Anodized Aluminum
• Only Cookware: What is Anodized Aluminum Cookware?