Xtrema Cookware - A Consumer Review

I'm always on the lookout for healthy kitchen items that are safe to use in my home and when I found Xtrema Cookware by Ceramcor, I was excited beyond belief to try this new healthy cookware.  Finally, a company has surfaced that has taken the time to create cookware that is not only safe (meaning it doesn't leach any chemicals or metals), but is so versatile in its use. It can be used on the stovetop, in the microwave and in the oven.  I was excited to receive the 10" Skillet & Braiser and to put it to work in my kitchen.

The first thing I noticed was that this is a quality piece of cookware. It is a bit heavy, but it is ceramic.  The lid that comes with it is also ceramic.  I washed it up and realized how quickly it dried too.

First up, we cooked some mahi mahi fish filling for tacos and realized that it not only cooked well, but the non-stick claim definitely holds true and the fish didn't stick to the bottom of the pan at all.

Next up, I cooked up some butternut squash for my lasagna filling.  The orange looked so pretty in the Xtrema skillet. I cooked it on the stovetop using medium heat and then used the ceramic cover.

In twenty minutes, I had perfectly cooked squash.

While I was so excited about my skillet, I had forgotten to boil the lasagna noodles. So, the squash sat in the Xtrema skillet a little longer, with no heat from the stove. However, what amazed me was that the squash was still steaming even five minutes after turning off the heat.  Notice the steam in the photo -- the gas burner was not on and in fact had been off for at least 5-10 minutes as I waited for the noodles to cook.  The Xtrema skillet really does hold the heat well.

We used the skillet to cook up some leeks, another pasta dish and my husband even used it to cook up biryani, an indian dish, that started on the stovetop and then finished in the oven. We never had to cook on high with any of the dishes and cooked using medium heat on a gas stove with just some cooking at medium high heat.

I was really impressed at how well the Xtrema skillet cooked all the dishes we made.  Clean up is a breeze as the company claims and as I mentioned previously, it dries quickly too. When I cooked the pasta dish, I had forgotten about the company's recommendation of not using metal utensils (even though they state it won't scratch it) and I used my stainless pasta tongs to serve.  I scraped the bottom of the pan and was worried I had scratched it, but after cleaning realized it didn't scratch it at all again proving the Xtrema's claim.

One thing my husband mentioned to me was that the skillet was actually made in China. We've been trying to avoid Chinese made products for obvious reasons.  So, I asked the company directly about this and received an e-mail response from Bob Bergstrom, one of the Owners of Ceramcor.
He stated:

"Our Factory is outstanding and all products are Tested in China as well as the USA and all test results are on our website.  The future of our families depends on the success of our product and we have done more testing on our cookware than any other USA cookware company."  He also stated "There is not one company on the USA who could made our cookware.  We do not have the delicate skilled labor."

He also provided a link to manufacturing photos that showed the whole process of how the cookware is made.  Additionally, you can find the test results on the Ceramcor website which proves their statement of providing healthy cookware with no leaching chemicals and metals.

Overall, I was really impressed with the skillet and what this line of cookware represents. I'm already thinking about the baking line of cookware they have and the teapot. It's nice to know there are still companies that not only have the health interest of the consumer in mind, but still want to create a solid, quality product as well. Those companies seem to be few these days. In terms of it being made in China, I feel like the company addressed this head on in a positive manner. I do believe there are a select few companies such as Ceramcor that have the quality control in place over their manufacturing, and the test results to prove it which should put consumer's minds at ease.

If you're in the market for new cookware or bakeware and are concerned about ensuring your food tastes like it's supposed to without any leaching chemical or metals, definitely take a look at Xtrema Cookware.   You're not providing healthy food for your family if your cookware leaches metals and chemicals no matter what you cook.  I can't wait to see what future products Ceramcor comes out with for the Xtrema line of cookware.