2023 Caraway Cookware Review – Is it worth the money?

What is so special about Caraway cookware?

If you’re completely new to the Caraway Home brand, they specialize in making ceramic coated cookware and bakeware that is both functional and thoughtfully designed. Their brand mission is to make cookware products that are easy to use, encourage you to cook for a healthy lifestyle, and perfect for beginner cooks.

All of their products are designed in New York and made in China. Their website states that all vendors are carefully vetted and “adhere to our strict ethical manufacturing practices and maintain the required standards for BSCI or SMETA.”

In a nutshell, the Caraway Home cookware brand strives to be ethical, eco-conscious, useful and pretty enough to leave on the stove 24/7! But does the quality live up to it’s name?

Is Caraway Cookware Really Healthy?

In short, YES. Caraway’s non-stick coating is safe and compatible with a health-conscious household and lifestyle.

All of their non-stick is made with ingredients that are FDA approved and made without dangerous chemicals such as PTFE, PFOA, PFAS, Lead, and Cadmium.

How Much Does the Caraway Cookware Set Cost?

The Caraway Cookware is not the cheapest on the market, but it is relatively affordable and on par compared to other high end cookware.

If you purchase the full cookware set, it retails at full price for $545, but regularly goes on sale. The Caraway Cookware set includes:

• 10.5″ Fry Pan
• 3 qt Sauce Pan with lid
• 4.5 qt Sauté Pan with lid
• 6.5 qt Dutch Oven with lid (you can use this lid on the fry pan, too!)
• Magnetic storage racks
• Canvas lid holder
• 2 Cork trivets

You can also purchase the individual pots and pans separately for the following prices:

• Fry Pan | $95
• Sauté Pan | $145
• Sauce Pan | $115
• Dutch Oven | $135

Caraway also recently released new mini cookware ideal for single-serve or meals for 2!

• Mini Fry Pan | $90
• Mini Sauce Pan | $110

What I love about the Caraway Cookware Set

• It’s actually nonstick: I have been testing this cookware set extensively for the last few months and am constantly impressed with how nonstick it is. The food quite literally slides right out of the pan. There have been several instances where I’ve used the cookware, plated the food, and the pan is so clean it looks like I didn’t even use it.
• Great for oil-free cooking: If you have transitioned to a plant-based diet for health reasons, it may be important to you to cook with low oil or no oil at all. If that’s the case, THIS POTS AND PANS SET IS A MUST BUY. You can cook with no oil in the Caraway Cookware without any sticking at all.
• Compatible with induction cooktops. This isn’t the case with all cookware, so this is a huge plus for Caraway!
• They are lightweight. One thing I hate about my cast iron cookware is how heavy it is. I find cast iron pans very difficult to hold with one hand, especially if they have food in them. This is no concern with the Caraway cookware. It’s very lightweight and easy to pick up one handed!
• Oven safe. Each piece in the cookware set is designed to be oven safe up to 550 degrees F. This is convenient for recipes that start on the stovetop and end in the oven. Less dishes, less work!
• Attractive. This pot and pan set is as pretty as it is useful. You can even pick from 10 colors to ensure your cookware set matches your kitchen aesthetic. I leave my set on the kitchen counter 24/7!
• They’re non toxic: There are several cheaper ceramic cookware sets out there, but they almost always contain toxic chemicals. I love knowing that I don’t have to worry about any unhealthy ingredients leaching into my family’s food.
• Extremely convenient storage racks! I actually leave this cookware set out on my countertop using these storage racks, but you could also store them in a cabinet with them as well. With this design they are very easy to grab and go!
• My husband has been cooking more. The only cookware we had before the Caraway Cookware set was cast iron. And although cast iron is as long lasting as cookware gets, it’s not the most friendly for beginners. My husband has never enjoyed cooking, but has been cooking for himself noticeably more with the Caraway set. In his words, it is easy to use, easy to clean and makes cooking stress-free. If you ask me, this is a major plus.

What I don’t love about the Caraway Cookware Set

The biggest con of any ceramic cookware, Caraway included, is it is much more delicate and requires more care.

• Cannot use with medium-high, high heats. This cookware is meant to be used at low or medium stovetop temperatures. Using it at higher temperatures can cause the nonstick coating to deteriorate at a much faster rate. In my extensive testing, I found it did not perform as well as my cast iron pans for getting a good crispy sear on foods like Beyond Meat, tofu, or vegetables. I definitely would not plan on frying anything in these pans either.
• Cannot use metal utensils. Ceramic cookware coating are very delicate and will scratch easily. Silicone utensils are best to protect the pans.
• Shouldn’t spray with aerosol cooking sprays. Caraway says that these cooking sprays can damage the coating and should be avoided. Instead, they recommend pouring a small amount of oil in the pan and rubbing it all over the inside of the cookware with a paper towel or clean tea towel.
• Cannot go in the dishwasher. Putting your pots and pans in the dishwasher will deteriorate their coating and damage the pans. This really is true of any cookware, however. For best care, always wash by hand.
• Will eventually stop being nonstick. As with any ceramic, nonstick cookware set, it will eventually lose its nonstick performance and need replacement. For the price point, this point may make it difficult to invest the money. With that being said, with proper care and careful use, these pans can last for years. My mom has owned the sauté pan for over two years now and she says it is still her favorite pan and is more nonstick than anything else in her kitchen.

The Bottom Line

In my opinion, the Caraway Cookware set is well worth the money. There are many more pros than cons, and while they are a higher price point cookware item, they are really beautiful and will last for years with proper care. For the current sale price especially, you really can’t complain!

Still Deciding? Read More Caraway Cookware FAQs:

Is Caraway Cookware sold in stores?

Yes! If you’d like to see the Caraway cookware sets in person before purchasing they have recently been carried in Target stores across the United States. Check your local Target for stock!

Can you boil water in Caraway pans?

Yes. Boiling water is the one exception to using your Caraway pans at high heat. Feel free to boil water in your Dutch oven to make pasta, rice, and additional grains.

Who owns Caraway Cookware?

The founder and CEO of Caraway is Jordan Nathan.

How do I clean the bottom of my Caraway cookware?

As with the interior of the pots and pans, use a gentle detergent with a scratch free dishcloth or sponge and warm water to clean the bottom of your pots and pans.

Do the handles on Caraway pots get hot?

Yes, the handles on the cookware do get hot. Although I find that they take much longer to get hot than my cast iron cookware. I almost never needed an oven mitt to pick up the pots or pans after cooking.