Although the parent brand has been around for more than a century, the Tramontina ceramic cookware set is relatively new. It’s priced affordably and offers a lifetime warranty on both materials and craftsmanship, but many buyers wonder how this cookware reviews against competing brands.
We took a closer look at the line to better understand the performance of the nonstick coating, durability, heat distribution and overall design of Tramontina’s pots and pans. We synthesized findings from 10 hours of product research and owner feedback into our Tramontina ceramic cookware reviews.
In This Article
Tramontina Gourmet Ceramica Deluxe Cookware Set
The Gourmet Ceramica collection is constructed atop a heavy-gauge aluminum base which provides excellent heat transfer if you’re using an electric or gas stovetop. While the absence of magnetic metals like iron and steel mean this set isn’t an effective fit for induction cooking, the lightweight aluminum base is light and easy to maneuver about the kitchen.
Design
This cookware set is manufactured in Italy and assembled in the USA. The overall look is black, sleek and simple, which means it won’t clash with most existing kitchen aesthetics.
The ceramic cooksurface is a light cream color, which many owners say provides a helpful visual contrast when monitoring the “done-ness” of a dish. We also like how the cream color matches against the dark metallic porcelain enamel which covers the exterior of each piece, and the stainless steel handles. The enamel exterior also provides some benefit when cleaning spills on the outside of the dish.
This set is equipped with tempered glass lids, which allow you to monitor a covered dish. The lids are equipped with a small steam release eye that can be especially useful when steaming vegetables or rice.
Stainless steel handles are riveted to each pan’s base in a V-shaped joint configuration, which helps prevent some common cases of overheating. Soft grip inlays are applied to each handle to create stability and control while moving a hot dish.
Non-stick Performance
Most of the feedback that we analyzed suggests that owners are generally pleased with the non-stick performance of this cookware set. When compared with many other popular ceramic cookware options, the nonstick on this set is very competitive.
A few notes to keep in mind for prospective buyers. For ceramic pans, nonstick performance will always be best within the first few uses – expect it to lessen over time. If you are switching from traditional PTFE-coated (also known as Teflon) nonstick cookware, ceramic nonstick tends to not be quite as slippery.
You will need some cooking oil to unlock the best nonstick performance of this set. Avoid low-smoke fats, butter and aerosol cooking sprays, which tend to damage the ceramic coating.
Durability
When compared with other brands, Tramontina ceramic cookware is exceptionally durable. Many owners say that if you treat this set with care, it will last longer than 2 years.
For readers who are switching to ceramic pans from a different cookware material, two years may not seem durable.
Durability is a common tradeoff when choosing ceramic cookware. The material is easy to clean, exceptionally affordable, and safe to use. In most cases, with proper care and regular use, we see that top brands typically last 6-18 months.
If identifying a durable ceramic set is among your top priorities, this is one of the best we’ve seen. You might also consider the Starfrit The Rock collection, which can achieve a similar lifespan.
Is Tramontina cookware safe?
The Tramontina Green Gourmet cookware set is PTFE, lead and cadmium free.
PTFE, which is also commonly known by the brand name “Teflon,” has come under great scrutiny over the past few decades for health and environmental issues. Specifically, a compound called PFOA that was used in the creation of professional nonstick pans for decades was linked to severe health issues.
Cookware with a nonstick ceramic interior, like the Tramontina ceramic cookware set, has become increasingly popular as many kitchens look to remove toxins from their cookware and personal supply chains.
Warranty
Tramontina offers a lifetime warranty on materials and craftsmanship. This doesn’t cover normal wear and tear, or use outside of the manufacturer’s care instructions.
The most common issues expressed by owners that voided their warranty was the use of metal utensils. The ceramic interior coating is very sensitive to utensil materials, and you should always use silicone coated utensils.
The product is advertised as “dishwasher safe,” but owner review says that exposure to some detergents or friction against other dishes in a normal dishwasher cycle can damage the ceramic coating. This may void the warranty. Hand washing is recommended.
Does the Tramontina brand have a good reputation?
The Tramontina brand has been around for more than 100 years. It was founded by Valentin Tramontina in 1911, as he started creating iron products in a local mill in Carlos Barbosa, Brazil.
While many people know Tramontina for their cookware line, the company also manufactures appliances, outdoor equipment for yard maintenance, and other products. The company now distributes 18,000 products to over 120 countries. It is headquartered in the United States.
Today, Tramontina cookware is made in Italy and assembled in the USA.
We weren’t able to uncover any notable brand controversies in our digging, although after a century in business we wouldn’t be surprised if Tramontina found bad press at some point in their history.
In January, a Florida federal court ruled in favor of Tramontina after the company was sued by Wolfgang Puck for allegedly interfering with Puck’s attempts to secure a sales deal with Costco. That sounds like standard big business to us, not a reason to find another brand.
How does Gourmet Ceramica compare with Tramontina’s other lines?
Tramontina also makes a variety of stainless steel, cast iron, clad and traditional nonstick cookware. Most of these products are priced on the “affordable” end of the market when compared to similar products.
This cookware is the only line of PTFE and PFOA free cookware made by Tramontina, so if you want to avoid noted toxins this set is a great option.
If you aren’t concerned about PTFE and need to outfit a small kitchen, then you might consider one of Tramontina’s well-known nesting nonstick sets. The pots and pans are designed to stack easily without damaging the nonstick coating, so they will fit easily into small storage spaces.
A Detailed Look At The Line
Let’s take a closer look at the Tramontina line, starting with the individual pieces. All of the pieces are made of heavy gauge aluminum, the same interior coating, enamel exterior and shatter resistant lids.
Fry Pan (8″, 10″, 12″)
The fry pan is suitable for use on gas, electric and ceramic glass cooktops. The aluminum base is responsive and will heat both quickly and evenly.
With that said, the ceramic cooking coating on this pan (and the entire set) is intended for cooking at low and medium temperatures. It should not be used as a high-heat surface, so if your intention is to blacken chicken or sear a steak consider using a different pan.
If you are purchasing an individual fry pan, rather than the set, size the pan to fit your burner. The 12 inch fry pan may be a good fit if you have many mouths to feed, but for most kitchens the 8 inch or 10 inch version may be a better fit for your stove top element.
Covered Sauce Pan (1.5-Qt, 3-Qt)
The sauce pan is great for heating or reheating liquids in small portions, and the long handle with soft grip inlay makes it quite easy to maneuver compared to a stock pot. Just don’t overfill and then boil since this can be dangerous to your safety.
Most ceramic interiors are somewhat porous, which means it’s common for some staining to occur in lightly colored dishes if you cook dark acidic food. Red tomato sauce is a common example of when this dish might stain. The duration and cooking temperature will greatly influence if the saucepan will stain.
Be sure to use a soft sponge and non-abrasive soap when cleaning tough spots, to avoid scratching the surface.
Covered Dutch Oven (5-Qt)
This isn’t a dutch oven in a traditional sense, though it is made of heavy gauge aluminum and oven safe. According to the manufacturer’s instructions, this dish is only oven safe to 350 F, which is limiting.
A traditional covered dutch oven is made from a thick cast iron vessel and lid, and intended to hold a consistent high temperature for long periods of time. The aluminum construction of this dish will make it more responsive to changes in temperature than cast iron.
The materials and features of this dish make it a good fit for rice, stews, and stocks. If you are looking for a traditional dutch oven at an affordable price, consider the Martha Stewart Dutch Oven instead.
Stock Pot (6-Qt)
For quick boiling, you’ll want the pot diameter to match your burner diameter closely. The diameter at the base of the stock pot is 7.5 inches, which means it should fit easily atop most home burner sizes. If the pot is too wide for your burner, then it may take a long time to rise to a boil.
The nonstick quality of the set is probably less essential for a stock pot compared to other dish-types, but it still can come in handy with rice or pasta which can be hard to remove when they are fused at high heat to the surface of the cookware. Always use soft silicone utensils with the stock pot to maximize the life of the ceramic coating.
Deep Skillet (11”)
Unlike the other frying pans in this set, the deep skillet comes with a lid of its own. This pan is 11 inches across and 3.1 inches deep. The deep skillet will hold a volume of 4.5 quarts, and comes equipped with a durable dual handle set-up which you will want.
Consider this, 4.5 quarts of water weighs almost 10 lbs. You probably won’t fill ingredients and cook to the brim of this vessel, but there is a good chance you’ll be using this pan to prepare heavier food items. The second handle makes it easy to move quickly without spilling oil if you accidentally overheat or need to cool the dish.
Grill Pan (11”)
The square grill pan is intended to simulate the experience of outdoor grilling, atop an indoor element. This dish features ridges on the interior cook surface, which provide a similar heating effect as a grill grate.
It is equipped with a small pouring spout on one side which can be helpful for removing liquid. This piece may come in handy if you are cooking fatty food such as a beef patty or bacon that requires grease be removed periodically.
Many kitchens use the grill pan as a fry pan, though the internal ridges may be less convenient to cook eggs or other sticky soft dishes that are best scooped from a flat surface. The pan is 1.5 inch deep, which means that removing solid items is not hard.
Stir Fry (11”)
A stir fry, also commonly called “wok,” is typically intended to saute food at a high heat. Unfortunately, the whole set is intended for low or medium heat settings only.
Some owners say the stir fry isn’t as tall as they hoped, but many found it useful to create sauces or saute foods at low temperature in preparation for stove-to-oven dishes like lasagna.
Tramontina Gourmet Ceramica Deluxe Cookware Set, 8-Piece
This is an excellent starter cooking set for someone on a budget that wants non-stick, easy to clean pots and pans.
It does not include the 12 inch frying pan, so if you have many mouths to feed consider sizing up. The 8-piece set does not include a stock pot, but does come with a 5-Qt Dutch Oven which fills many of the same purposes.
This set is priced on the “affordable” end of the market when compared to competitor brands, and carries a lifetime warranty from manufacturer defects in materials and workmanship.
Things to consider before buying ceramic.
If you’re sticking to ceramic, our Tramontina ceramic cookware reviews say this is a good set. But if you’re still on the fence if ceramic cookware is the right fit for you, here are a few more questions you should ask about the pros and cons of this material.
Why buy ceramic cookware?
A non-stick cookware set can be incredibly convenient. Most people explore this category because it makes cleaning easier.
Non-stick pans are generally built atop an aluminum base which provides even heat distribution, and functions effectively on gas, electric or ceramic glass cooktops. Although this set is not induction compatible, you can find some brands that are.
Compared with traditional non-stick options, ceramic cookware is made free of PTFE and PFOA materials which have controversial health and environmental impacts. This set is also lead and cadmium free.
What are the drawbacks of ceramic cookware?
While a ceramic cookware set is probably the most affordable cookware category you can buy, one common owner complaint is durability issues. Most ceramic cookware should last 6-18 months after regular use and proper care. The more durable brands may last in excess of 2 years.
The non-stick performance of ceramic is slightly less slippery than PTFE, which is among the slickest substances known to man. Ceramic coating also tends to be more prone to damage in the dishwasher and when used with metal utensils.
How does ceramic compare with other cookware types?
In many cases you can purchase a full ceramic set for the same price as a single clad or cast iron dish. The affordability is virtually unmatched, though you should be sure to budget for replacement within a few years.
Our Verdict
We like the Tramontina ceramic cookware set as an affordable option to outfit a kitchen. Compared with other makers of ceramic cookware, this set has good durability and is compatible with gas, electric and ceramic glass cooktops. Do not buy this set if you plan on using an induction cooking surface – it won’t work.
We appreciate the black exterior with shatter resistant tempered glass lids, and stainless steel handles. It’s a classy look, and the light color on the cook surface provides good visual contrast against food.
The 8-piece set comes with two covered sauce pots, but not a full stock pot. The covered dutch oven works well in place of a stock pot, but if you are looking for a quality traditional dutch oven then buy cast iron instead. The stir fry is another piece we wouldn’t buy because it isn’t suitable to high-temperature saute as you would do with a traditional wok.
The crux of our positive cookware review is that this set is very affordable and durable compared with the ceramic competition. Similar to other ceramic cookware this set is also PFOA, PTFE, lead and cadmium free.
Click here to see more details and the latest pricing.
