Porcelain enamel is a highly durable glass. When mixed with coloring oxides and other inorganic materials, it can then be fused to metal at extremely high temperatures. It was first used in the kitchen as a decorative finish for wood-burning stoves and cast iron utensils. Later, with advancements in technology and techniques for applying it to sheet steel, it became a standard coating for coffee pots, roasting pans, and other cookware.
During the manufacture of kitchen cookware, porcelain enamel is applied once the metal is formed into its final shape. It can then be applied to carbon steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and cast iron. Better grades of porcelain cookware are seamless; or are designed with thicker metal and or a greater number of coats of porcelain. These factors affect the price differences in cookware designed with a porcelain enamel finish.
Being one of the most versatile finishes, porcelain enamel can be manufactured in a large variety of colors that include many shades of bright reds, greens, blues, yellows, and orange. Earth tones and porcelain decals are also available. The decorative porcelain decals are mechanically applied and have the same scratch and stain resistant qualities of regular porcelain coating.
Today’s cast iron cookware are far superior to those of even the recent past and are made of iron alloys that give them additional strength. Many of these cast iron cookware feature colorful porcelain enamel exterior and interior finishes. Other advantages of porcelain cookware are their ease of cleaning and you don’t have to season and constantly re-season the pan. Another plus, is that unlike uncoated cast iron cookware, porcelain cookware is a non-reactive surface so that you can cook acid based foods like tomatoes, without concern; and the enamel coated cookware will not rust.
Ceramic cookware are clay-based and applied to metal in much the same way as porcelain. A ceramic finish can be applied to steel, aluminum, stainless steel or cast iron, but only after the particular cookware has been completely formed. Ceramic cookware also offers a hard, brilliant finish that will not normally scratch, rust, fade or peel. However, if you should drop the pot or pan, it may chip, which will expose the underlying cast iron, which will then rust.
If you are trying to decide between ceramic cookware or porcelain cookware, I hope this will help to answer at least some of your concerns. Remember cooking is fun!