Xtrema is a truly non-toxic cookware brand that has the testing to prove its products are 100% free of forever chemicals. We tested the all ceramic Xtrema cookware set in our home test kitchen, here is our review.
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Xtrema is one of our top picks for non-stick skillets, ceramic cookware, and all green cookware! Why do we love Xtrema so much? In short, because the products are high quality and totally free of “forever chemicals” like PFAS, PFOA, and PTFE, with the third-party testing to prove it.
Xtrema® Cookware Set
Highlight: All-ceramic, non-toxic, fairly non-stick cookware that is oven-safe, microwave-safe, and dishwasher-safe. Third-party tested for toxic chemicals and fun to cook with!
Xtrema is offering LeafScore readers 10% off their purchase using coupon code LEAFSCORE at checkout!
- Scratch-resistant (ceramic through and through!)
- Truly non-toxic – third-party tested for lead, cadmium, PFAS and other chemicals of concern
- Fairly non-stick (but not great for fragile frying)
- Oven-safe, microwave-safe, and dishwasher-safe
- Silicon handle/sleeve helps with safety
- Lighter than cast iron
- Big pots available!
- Extremely high quality
- Heavier than ceramic-coated aluminum
- Fragile (at high temperatures, for instance)
- Not as non-stick as we’d like (or as other brands – Caraway, for instance)
- Only available in black
- Doesn’t work with induction cooktops
- Doesn’t heat all that evenly
What we like about Xtrema cookware
Xtrema cookware is ceramic through and through, which makes it a great choice for use on gas and electric stovetops and ovens (not induction, though). Because it contains no metal, Xtrema is also a great option if you like to microwave food sometimes.
In addition, because this isn’t just ceramic-coated metal but ceramic all the way through, you don’t have to worry about scratching off the coating and ruining your pan or pot. You can also use this cookware in the microwave and it’s dishwasher-safe too. Xtrema even says the cookware is campfire-safe, but I’d be wary due to the potential for heat shock with pure ceramic.
Ceramic is fairly heavy, but these pots and pans are about 40% lighter than the equivalent sized cast iron. This makes them a decent compromise if you like the simplicity of cast iron but find the weight a struggle.
The company is very transparent about its testing, offering up-to-date (quarterly) test reports on its website. These tests show that Xtrema cookware is truly non-toxic, with no forever chemicals such as PTFE, PFOA, or other PFAS, and no lead or cadmium either. This cookware is Prop 65 approved!
Xtrema is pretty sure you’ll love its ceramic cookware but in case you don’t, it offers a 40-Day Trial. The company also offers a 10-Year Warranty, which is pretty impressive for cookware! Under this warranty, Xtrema offers to replace damaged items for 50% off the full retail price of the product. This covers breakage from thermal shock, i.e., if your cookware breaks while cooking at low to medium temperature.
Further, unlike Caraway, which is non-toxic, but not really built to last, Xtrema cookware, if properly taken care of, can be passed down to the next generation. Xtrema cookware, while not perfect, is beautifully crafted and of the highest quality.
Last, if you’re in the U.S., you can enjoy free shipping over $95 on Xtrema cookware.
We have used Xtrema cookware extensively in our home kitchen on a gas stovetop, and love it. Below, we have included some pictures of members of the LeafScore team (not Leigh, who is Vegan) making chicken curry with the Xtrema Wok.
What could be better about Xtrema cookware
While we love the purity of Xtrema cookware, the all-ceramic nature of the product means it doesn’t work with the most efficient stovetops, i.e., induction. It’s also a lot heavier and not quite as non-stick as some other ceramic-coated products, such as the pots and pans from Caraway.
Xtrema cookware is also more fragile than ceramic-coated metal cookware or the original Pyrex CorningWare. This means you’ll want to be wary of thermal shock. To reduce risk of breakage, don’t put cold Xtrema cookware in the oven or on a hot element. Instead, warm it up gradually.
Similarly, don’t put hot Xtrema cookware under cold water or in a freezer as it may crack.
Xtrema could also do better in its packaging. Unlike Caraway, Xtrema hasn’t taken pains to remove all single-use plastics from its shipping materials. Sure, ceramic is a bit more fragile than metal coated in ceramic, but we’d love to see the company figure out a solution for more eco-friendly packaging.
What types of cookware does Xtrema make?
Xtrema offers a variety of ceramic cookware, including woks, sauté pans, sauce pans, Dutch Ovens, and more. The best value by far is the Xtrema 12-piece Cookware Set. This includes:
- 1.5-Quart Stock Pot with Lid
- 2.5-Quart Stock Pot with Lid
- 3.5-Quart Stock Pot with Lid
- 10-Inch Versa Pan with Lid
- 4-Piece Red Pot Holder Set for Versa Stock Pots
What’s not readily apparent from pictures is the depth of the Xtrema skillet. Home chefs can use the pan for sautéing, frying, or even for boiling a smaller portion of pasta. The depth gives the pan quite a bit of flexibility. If used correctly, these pans are built to last. However, they aren’t as non-stick as some competitors and you will need to add some cooking oil for a true non-stick experience. The reason to buy Xtrema is because of their high level of transparency when it comes to safety and purity, and for longevity. Other, newer brands, like Caraway get the slight edge for pure non-stick function, but it’s likely Xtrema products will outlast them.
All in all, we highly recommend Xtrema cookware. It is a little less robust than cast iron, but arguably more versatile once you’re familiar with cooking with ceramic. If you have an induction stovetop, though, or are thinking of switching to induction in the next few years, check out Caraway’s non-stick pans instead.
Xtrema® Cookware Set
Highlight: All-ceramic, non-toxic, fairly non-stick cookware that is oven-safe, microwave-safe, and dishwasher-safe. Third-party tested for toxic chemicals and fun to cook with!
COUPON ALERT!
Xtrema is offering LeafScore readers 10% off their purchase using coupon code LEAFSCORE at checkout!
Yes, Xtrema’s ceramic cookware is of a higher quality than Caraway in that it will last for years and years if taken care of properly, whereas Caraway, while also non-toxic, is more a product of convenience, both for the user and manufacturer. Xtrema’s pure ceramic cookware will very likely outlast Caraway’s ceramic-coated aluminum pots and pans, however, Caraway products are lighter and conduct heat on all cooktops better than Xtrema.