Caraway Cookware & Minis Set Review

About Caraway Cookware

Caraway offers premium, chemical-free cookware designed with consumers’ health and safety in mind. In addition to their flagship product, a best-selling line of non-stick ceramic cookware, the brand also offers a collection of stainless steel cookware. Both seamlessly integrate function and style—their high quality materials and smart construction give way to superior cooking performance, and their sleek, modern design ensure that even the most chic chefs will find something they love.

Key Features of Caraway Ceramic Coated Cookware and Stainless Steel Products

Caraway cookware stands out for to its premium materials, durable construction and sleek, modern design, among other things. Here’s a look at how these key features translate into a superior cooking experience:

Non-toxic materials: All Caraway products are free of toxic materials like PFAS, PTFE (such as Teflon) and PFOA, so you don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals leaching into your food.

Durable construction: Caraway’s non-stick cookware features an aluminum core, a ceramic coating and stainless steel handles. Aluminum is a superior conductor of heat and enables the pans to heat quickly and evenly, while the ceramic coating gives the pans their superior non-stick qualities. The stainless steel cookware features an aluminum core surrounded by 5-ply stainless steel. Together, these materials promote superior heat conduction and distribution, and ensure maximum durability. All Caraway cookware is oven-safe up to 550°F and compatible with all cooktops, including induction.

Modern design: Caraway cookware stands out for its sleek and stylish aesthetic. The brand offers one of the largest color selections in a variety of finishes, so there’s something for even the most stylish chef.

Caraway’s Environmental and Social Commitment

Caraway cookware releases less CO2 into the environment during the production process compared to cookware that uses traditional non-stick coatings. The brand’s commitment to reducing environmental impact extends to its packaging as well—all orders are free of single-use plastics, are shipped in packaging made from recycled cardboard, and include biodegradable cork trivets.

Caraway is also ethically manufactured—the brand supports Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) and Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) certified manufacturing partners, which ensure that employees are safe, paid fairly, given benefits and that they work regulated hours.

Caraway Pricing and Availability

One of the most appealing aspects about Caraway is that there’s something for every need and budget. You can purchase a single, 10.5-inch, ceramic-coated fry pan for as little as $95, or a 16-piece cookware and bakeware set with storage for a little more than $1,000. One of the brand’s most popular cookware sets consists of four essential, non-stick pans, and retails for $545. Given the high quality materials and exceptional design, this is an excellent value.

You can purchase Caraway products directly through the brand’s website, or via select third party retailers.

Deals and Discounts

Caraway occasionally offers promotions and discounts that significantly reduce the price of their products, particularly around holidays. Keep an eye on the brand’s website to take advantage of these sales.

Caraway Warranty

Caraway offers a limited warranty, which means they’ll repair or replace any product that is defective in material, construction or workmanship under normal non-professional use, and following instructions for care for a period of one year from the date of purchase. This Limited Warranty is valid only in the United States, and the products must be manufactured by Caraway and purchased directly from Caraway or Caraway’s authorized retailers.

Caraway Return Policy

If for any reason you are not satisfied with your order, you have 30 days from the date of delivery to return your items for a full refund. All original packaging and accessories must be included, and proof of purchase from the Caraway site is required.

Caraway Customer Service

You can speak with a customer service agent via Caraway’s online chat function, or you can email their customer service team at [email protected]. Caraway also offers a helpful and robust FAQ section on their website.

Caraway Cookware Performance

Here’s a look at how Caraway performs across several key areas:

Heating

One of the most praised aspects of Caraway cookware is its exceptional heating capabilities. Both its ceramic and stainless steel products facilitate quick and even heat distribution, and hold heat more efficiently than traditional pans. Just keep in mind that because of their fast and efficient heating, it’s best to use them on low to medium heat to prevent wearing down the ceramic coating.

Durability

One of the only downsides of ceramic non-stick cookware is that it doesn’t tend to last as long as traditional non-stick cookware—the ceramic coating tends to wear down over time. Caraway combats this issue with high quality materials and smart, sturdy construction. The brand also provides detailed care and maintenance instructions since caring for your cookware as recommended will ensure you get the most out of it. Since the more frequently you use your cookware, the sooner you’ll need to replace it, you can extend its lifespan by investing in a set or a few essential pieces, and rotate usage.

As for the brand’s stainless steel cookware, it is 5-ply, which means it is comprised of five bonded layers (3-ply is typical of less premium brands). This, coupled with the aluminum core, ensures maximum durability.

Nonstick Performance

Caraway’s non-stick cookware features a ceramic coating. Ceramic is one of the most effective non-stick materials on the market today. It provides a naturally slick surface that prevents food from sticking to the sides and bottom of the pan and burning during cooking. It also simplifies the cleaning process—you won’t have to do any hard scrubbing since food slides right off. Non-stick pans also promote healthy cooking since they minimize the need for oil or butter during cooking.

Caraway’s stainless steel cookware is not technically non-stick, but if you use it correctly, food won’t stick to it.

Ease of Cleaning

Caraway cookware is made to last, thanks to its high quality materials and durable design. But to get the most out of your pots and pans, it is recommended that you refrain from putting them in the dishwasher, and hand wash them instead. This is the best way to maintain the integrity of the ceramic coating and to preserve the cookware’s colorful aesthetic. While the thought of hand washing may turn some potential customers off, it really shouldn’t; the ceramic pots and pans in particular couldn’t be easier to clean. The especially slick surface prevents food from sticking, which means it takes very minimal scrubbing to get the cookware clean. Gentle hand washing should be all that it takes. 

You’ll want to allow your cookware to cool before immersing it in water to prevent thermal shock—the cookware can withstand extreme temperatures, but sudden and significant changes can reduce their lifespan, and may even cause them to crack.

How to Store Your Caraway Cookware Set

Many people don’t know this, but how you store your cookware can have significant bearing on its longevity and performance. Stacking pots and pans haphazardly can lead to chipping and can shorten their lifespan significantly. Keeping your pots and pans from coming into contact with one another is the best way to prevent damage.

Many of Caraway’s cookware sets come with free storage solutions, which help keep your cookware organized and prevent your pans from rubbing against one another. Some sets also come with a free Canvas Lid Holder.

Comparing Caraway to the Competition

Here’s a look at how Caraway’s cookware compares to the competition: 

GreenPan vs. Caraway

A pioneer in the ceramic, non-stick cookware space, GreenPan has been serving home and professional chefs since 2007. Like Caraway, GreenPan marries function and aesthetics, with non-toxic, health-conscious cookware that comes in a variety of captivating colors and design elements. Both brands pair aluminum bases with ceramic, non-stick coatings for an easy-to-cook and easy-to-clean cooking surface, and both offer a stainless steel collection. But there are a few key differences between the two collections that may help tip the scales a bit. For starters, all of the Caraway cookware is oven-safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit; GreenPan cookware is oven-safe from 350 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, but it is contingent on the collection. It you tend to cook at higher heat, you may find limited options with GreenPan. In addition, all Caraway pots and pans are induction-compatible. While GreenPan offers several induction-compatible options, many of its aluminum based pans won’t work on induction. One last difference: Greenpan tends to be slightly less expensive than Caraway, although Caraway’s frequent promotions often narrow that gap significantly. Plus, Caraway offers much greater variety in terms of colors and styles, and their products tend to have a more elegant, upscale look. So if aesthetics are important to you, Caraway is probably the better investment. 

We’d also like to note that although one of GreenPan’s primary selling points is that its non-stick cookware is dishwasher-safe, the product manual still recommends hand washing to preserve the integrity of the ceramic coating.

HexClad vs. Caraway

HexClad and Caraway are both popular picks among home and professional chefs alike. They have both been praised for their quick, thorough and even cooking capabilities and their stylish aesthetic. The primary difference between Caraway and HexClad cookware lies in their construction. Whereas Caraway offers separate non-stick and stainless steel collections, HexClad features a hybrid design that is part non-stick, part clad stainless. The purpose is to combine the benefits of a non-stick coating with the protection and durability of stainless steel. While innovative, there are some downsides to this hybrid design, which you won’t find with Caraway’s cookware. One of the most glaring is that the HexClad pans are not truly non-stick, so you’ll have to use more oil or butter to prevent food from sticking to the bottom and sides. This means you’ll be adding calories and fat to your meals. It also means that the HexClad pans can be harder to clean. Another difference is that, unlike Caraway, HexClad’s nonstick layer contains the chemical PTFE. While PFTE is considered safe and stable when used properly, if it is heated to over 500 degrees Fahrenheit, the chemical begins to lose stability. And, if heated to 600 degrees or higher, it may release toxic fumes that can cause physical symptoms when inhaled. It is rare that you’ll need to cook at such a high temperature, but if there’s a chance you might, you may want to avoid this cookware. 

Other differences between these two cookware lines, include: HexClad is dishwasher- and metal utensil-safe (Caraway is not); Caraway offers a far more expansive color and style selection; and HexClad tends to cost a little less although some would argue that its pricing is a bit high considering its not truly non-stick. Plus, Caraway’s frequent promotions narrow that differential significantly.

Bottom Line: Why We Love It 

In a market saturated with low quality, chemical-laden products, Caraway cookware stands out for its premium materials, thoughtful construction, impeccable design and commitment to consumers’ health and safety. We love that they offer both non-stick and stainless steel options, and that their pots and pans are toxin-free. We also appreciate the brand’s dedication to eco-friendly, ethical manufacturing and sustainable packaging. If you’re in the market for new cookware, we highly recommend Caraway.