Caraway Cookware Review: Should You Buy It Or Not? [2023]

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In fact, Caraway’s cookware is so attractive that you’ve probably seen it everywhere on Instagram, whether in advertisements or in posts from your friends. Of course, you shouldn’t buy everything you see on social media, so our team put the brand to the test.

In the past, cookware tended to be more practical than fashionable. However, brands like Caraway, a somewhat new direct-to-consumer cookware line, are challenging that idea with pots and pans in gorgeous hues and svelte shapes.

I outline the benefits and drawbacks of Caraway cookware in this review.

You’ll learn:

I’m not rating Caraway a month after taking it out of the box, in contrast to most reviews. Over a two-year period, I’ve used it almost daily.

So, if you’re considering Caraway when shopping for new ceramic-coated cookware, keep reading.

What is the Cookware Made Of?

Aluminum with a smooth ceramic coating makes up Caraway’s cookware. In comparison to many other nonstick pans on the market, the mineral-based finish is said to prevent toxins from leaking into your food and release 60% less CO2. Some people overlook ceramic pans because they don’t tend to be as nonstick as conventional Teflon, but we discovered that Carway is a reliable option for smooth pancake and egg flips. Plus, the ceramic coating can stand up to higher heats than the average nonstick coating. These pots and pans can be used in the oven up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about as hot as most common ovens will get.

Also important to note is the business’ commitment to sustainability. Zero plastic is used in the shipment of their entire collection.) made with low impact print dies. Every purchase also comes with a trivet made entirely of biodegradable cork for easy serving at mealtime.

Cooking Performance

You’ll like how simple these pans are to use in the kitchen. Let me run down a few pros and cons:

Cooking Performance Pros

• Non-toxic coating is safe
• You don’t need much oil; eggs slide around the pan effortlessly (at first)
• Heats fast and evenly
• Walls are tall to prevent spills
• Oven safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit
• Compatible with all cooktops, including induction
• Handles are comfortable and designed to disperse heat
• Simple cleanup with warm soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge or dishcloth

Cooking Performance Cons

• Not the best option for browning or searing because of the slippery surface (opt for cast iron, carbon steel, or stainless steel instead)
• No flared rims for pouring and sliding delicate food to the plate
• Not broiler safe
• When oil or food spills over the sides, it sticks to the exterior and pulls the paint off when you clean

Paint coming off Caraway pan

Among many other meals, I’ve cooked eggs, chicken, peppers, onions, and grilled cheese in order to test this pan. These cookware pieces heat up quickly and uniformly, and the heat test results do not lie. It is incredibly simple to clean and food never sticks to the surface.

I have no complaints about the cooking performance other than the fact that it won’t sear a steak as well as a cast iron pan (which is true of all non-stick cookware). All things considered, Caraway cookware is dependable, adaptable, and incredibly simple to use and clean.

ONE-YEAR UPDATE: The non-stick coating is beginning to show signs of wear after using Caraway for cooking for approximately a year.

Eggs no longer move and release as easily as they did at first due to scratches on the surface.

To prevent sticking, I must add a lot of oil or butter and cook on medium. The non-stick coating is deteriorating, making it much more difficult to use this pan for delicate foods.

Food sticking is inevitable after a few months of use on ceramic-coated non-stick pans because they don’t last as long as conventional non-stick pans.

Downsides of Caraway Cookware

Caraway has many positive aspects, but it also has some drawbacks. What bothers me is this.

Interior Scratches

Similar to the exterior, interiors are relatively vulnerable to dents and scratches. To avoid scratches, you must exercise extreme caution. Avoid overheating, using metal utensils when cooking, and using the dishwasher for cleaning.

Straight Sides

Although the pans’ straight sides help to keep ingredients contained, the lack of flared rims makes it more difficult to pour liquids and transfer food from the pan to a plate. Depending on how you intend to use the pan most frequently, this might be a pro or a con.

Not Broiler-Safe

There are no broiler-safe pots or pans available from Caraway, so if you intend to broil, you will need to use a different kind of pan.

Not Healthier

Caraway is one of many ceramic cookware manufacturers that promotes their products as healthier and safer by using out-of-date information and scare tactics.

The fact is that since 2013, all trustworthy non-stick cookware brands have complied with FDA and Consumer Health guidelines and manufactured their pans without the use of PFOA or other toxins.

So, yes, Caraway cookware is safe, but it’s no safer than any other non-stick pan unless you seriously overheat the pan.

Not More Environmentally Friendly Than Other Non-Stick

Compared to conventional non-stick coatings, Caraway’s manufacturing process emits up to 60% less CO2 into the atmosphere.

These pans must be replaced much more frequently, which increases production and waste because they lose their non-stick qualities quickly and have shorter lifespans than conventional non-stick surfaces.

What Does a Caraway Cookware Include?

The best value is Caraway’s Cookware Set. It costs $395 (a $495 value) and comes with a 10.5-inch fry pan, a 3-quart sauce pan with a lid, a 4.5-quart sauté pan with a lid, a 6.5-quart Dutch oven with a lid, and useful storage (a magnetic pan rack and canvas lid holder).) Eggs, pancakes, and quickly reheating leftovers are all common uses for the fry pan. The sauté pan, on the other hand, will remain on your stovetop as a coveted Jack-of-all-trades, handling everything from family-sized risottos to flawlessly seared seafood. Fans of one-pot meals will adore the portable Dutch oven’s strength and light weight. The sauce pan is the ideal vessel for sauces, grains, and your kids’ favorite mac and cheese because it heats a can of soup seemingly instantly.

What Sets Caraway Cookware Apart from Other Non-stick Competitors?

One of Caraway’s biggest selling points is that it’s a non-toxic version of the non-stick skillets and saucepans you’re used to cooking with. (One tagline the brand uses is “cookware without the chemicals.”) What does that actually mean? To cut a long story short, Teflon, also referred to as PTFE or polytetrafluoroethylene, was once the industry standard for non-stick cookware. But after the FDA learned that overheating could cause toxic chemicals to leak into your food, it was gradually phased out.

To create a smooth surface, Caraway uses a ceramic coating instead. This is advantageous for several reasons, including the fact that it is not only more eco-friendly than Teflon but also healthier than Teflon because it releases less carbon dioxide as it heats up. Furthermore, until temperatures of about 800°F are reached, it won’t start to degrade. (Caraway asserts that it can safely reach 550°F.)

TBH, we take “clean” marketing with a grain of salt, but since we’ve tried other ceramic-coated cookware in the past, we were curious how With continued use, caraway would endure.

How is Caraway Cookware Sold?

You can buy Caraway cookware individually or as a set, which includes a 10.5-inch skillet, a 3-quart saucepan, a 4.5-quart sauté pan and a 6.5-quart Dutch oven, two recycled cork trivets, four magnetic pan racks that can be assembled into different configurations, a canvas lid holder, and more—more on those later. The prices range from $95 to $395 for the whole shebang. A sample of the entire set in the color navy was given to us.

Large recycled cardboard box with the cookware inside of it. It was enormous, for real, but thankfully it didn’t include any packing peanuts, Styrofoam, or plastic baggies!

How Does Caraway Cookware Hold Up over Time?

Investing in any cookware begs the question, will these pots and pans last? About 18 months later, we’re still regularly using our Caraway pieces in the kitchen. We’re mostly satisfied with how they appear after all that deterioration.

A few minor surface dings from using metal utensils feistily (oops) remain, but nothing major enough to make us feel uneasy using them for cooking.

Our house uses the 10.5-inch skillet the most, and it has some discoloration—likely from heating the pan at excessively high temperatures. The outer surface cosmetic stains are fairly well concealed by the dark blue color, but lighter colors might not maintain their pristine appearance over time.

Are Caraway’s New Products as Good as the Cookware?

Since launching non-stick cookware in 2018, Caraway has expanded its selection with everything from bakeware to a tea kettle and a new food storage line. We’ve personally tried the Half Cookware Set, which includes two baking sheets, a muffin pan and a rectangular baking pan in the brand’s signature enameled finish, plus a cabinet organizer. Is it replacing our go-to sheet pans? No, we can’t give up basic aluminum for cookies, but if you’re looking for something else, it works well and looks great.

How to Store the Caraway Set?

The Caraway set’s unique modular pan rack and lid holder are among its best features. The company advises using the under-sink cabinet for the Canvas Lid Holder because it works best on a wall or cabinet without a middle shelf.) For Instagrammable horizontal organization, Magnetic Pan Racks work well in pull-out cabinets or as a drying station on your counter top.

Who Should Buy Caraway Cookware?

A lot of home cooks will fit perfectly with Caraway’s cookware set. Eco-conscious families, newlyweds in need of new cookware, and first-time homebuyers (or renters!) in search of adding a fresh pop of color to their kitchen will all love Caraway’s adaptability, vibrant style, and clever organization. It makes sense that their goods are in high demand and frequently sold out. We strongly advise purchasing a set as soon as you see it if it is available in the color you are pining for. It’s likely that it will sell out once more soon.

Read about Misen Chef Knife Review

FAQs

If you have any quick questions about Caraway Cookware, check out the list below.