Our Honest Review of Caraway's Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Caraway has one of the most recognizable cookware sets on the market. There was a time when you couldn’t go on social media without seeing one of the brand’s famed, beautiful cookware sets in colors like bright yellow, peachy pink and deep sage. The brand claims to use high-end nontoxic materials to create cookware with impeccable build quality and nonstick properties when creating its nonstick ceramic cookware set, which has sold out more than a dozen times. Caraway has been redefining nontoxic cookware and bakeware since the launch of their brand and has now released a highly anticipated stainless steel set that’s making its own waves in the market. We test drove the set to see if it lives up to the hype and determine who should buy it.

What Should You Use Stainless Steel Cookware For?

While Caraway’s famous nontoxic, nonstick cookware has obvious advantages, specifically in how easy it is to use and clean, nonstick cookware can be somewhat limiting. Because nonstick cookware has coatings that help to maintain its nonstick properties, only certain utensils and heat levels can be used. And even with Caraway’s top-quality build and materials, the cookware can still degrade over time if not properly used and cared for. Stainless steel cookware is more durable, more versatile, and more high-heat friendly than nonstick. Caraway was able to take all the things we already love about their nonstick cookware and apply it to a set of stainless-steel cookware that comes in all the same pieces of their original set, making it perfect for anyone ready to add stainless steel cookware to their cooking repertoire.

What’s Included in the Caraway Stainless Steel Cookware Set?

This set includes four pieces of cookware and three accompanying lids, which includes a 6.5-quart Dutch oven, 4.5-quart sauté pan, 3-quart saucepan and a 10.5-inch fry pan. Plus, the set comes with storage for the pots and pans as well as hanging storage for the lids like Caraway’s other cookware. This versatile, induction-friendly cookware set is the perfect combination of pieces to give the greatest number of cooking possibilities without being weighed down by any single-use pieces or excess clutter. Each piece is made of heavy-duty, 5-ply stainless steel, is free of toxic chemicals and is designed in a way that maximizes heat retention and distribution. The components and quality make this set a standout in the realm of high-end stainless steel, even though it’s not the most expansive set on the market.

Is Stainless Steel Cookware Nontoxic?

Caraway made their name in the cookware market by using exclusively nontoxic materials (that are also environmentally friendly) in all their products. Stainless steel cookware is naturally nontoxic, made of inert metals that do not react with food. Unlike most nonstick cookware, stainless-steel cookware is free from coatings and finishes that could potentially chip or wear off into the food. Caraway takes all the nontoxic benefits of stainless steel a step further by ensuring that the cookware is free of any potentially harmful or reactive metals, as well as avoiding any forms of hard anodization.

How We Tested the Caraway Cookware Set

Before getting into different types of food, we put several of the pieces through heat retention tests by bringing water to a boil and then tracking how the temperature dropped over time. Then, we moved onto testing a combination of simple foods and complex recipes. In the Dutch oven, we slowly caramelized onions, paying attention to how the heat distribution in the pot affected how quickly the onions were cooking. In the frying pan, we made rounds of pancakes and then hamburgers, noting the browning and how much each stuck to the pan. In the saucepan, we made a recipe for simple stovetop mac and cheese, evaluating how easy it was to perform each of the different steps, from boiling the pasta to finishing the final dish. In the sauté pan, we wilted a whole bag of baby spinach and made several rounds of shallow-fried chicken cutlets to evaluate how even the heating was over time. Following each test, we evaluated how difficult it was to clean each piece of cookware and get it back to looking new. On top of these targeted and specific tests, we used the cookware in our daily cooking routine for several weeks to better understand how they performed with daily, continuous use.

What We Think About the Caraway Cookware Set

Performance

• From the first test to the last, we were consistently impressed by the performance of these pans. In tests that really showed the heat distribution through browning, like the pancakes, burgers and chicken cutlets, the coloring was perfectly even. There were clearly no cold spots, even when the pan had only been on the heat for a short time. We were able to use small amounts of butter and oil when cooking without having any issues with sticking but all while still getting a great sear. Over longer tests, we loved how consistent the heat stayed; the performance was consistent with what you’d expect from cast iron. Because the heat distribution in these pans is so efficient, we never had to bring the heat up higher than medium to get great results. Every single test confirmed that these were not just average stainless-steel pans; they were built not only to last but also to make cooking with stainless steel easier.

Cleaning

• We all know that cleaning stainless steel cookware is not quite like cleaning nonstick cookware. Naturally, you’re going to have some food bits that are going to take a little more work to get off. Luckily, we really didn’t have any problems cleaning these pans, even after cooking things like burgers and chicken cutlets that left a lot of grease. Based on the cleaning instructions, we used a soft sponge and gentle cleanser, which worked perfectly for almost all circumstances. Anything more difficult to clean off simply required a slightly harder scrub and more concentrated dish detergent. These pans shouldn’t go in the dishwasher or be used with abrasive cleaning agents to preserve their quality and shine.

Appearance

• This set is undeniably beautiful. Each piece looked sleek sitting on the stove, with the shiny metal of the lid handle and pot handles contrasting the brushed finish of the outer pot/pan. When treated properly to avoid stains and scratches, this set will continue to look good for a long, long time. It’s important to know that sharp utensils like knives and pointed metal spatulas should never be used in the cookware to avoid scratches.
• A note about mineral buildup: Hard water tends to leave a white “cloudy” look on the surface of stainless-steel cookware. Not to worry, though — a little distilled white vinegar and water helps get that cloudiness right off.

Value

• There’s no doubt that this set is on the expensive side. With a base price of $845 (currently on sale for $695), getting this set into your kitchen is going to cost you a pretty penny. This price range is not out-of-the-norm for high-end cookware, though, especially 5-ply stainless-steel cookware from a company committed to using nontoxic and environmentally safe materials. In addition to all the benefits of the cookware itself, the set comes with a limited lifetime warranty to guarantee that you’ll be searing and sizzling for years to come. Longevity in any style of cookware can only come from being treated properly; to ensure you’re getting the proper life out of your cookware sets, closely follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to use and care for the cookware. Luckily, Caraway’s Care and Cleaning page details exactly how to use the stainless steel set to guarantee it lasts a lifetime.

Bottom Line: Who Should Buy the Caraway Stainless Steel Cookware Set?

If you’ve been waiting to invest in a high-quality stainless steel cookware set that’ll bring toxin-free cooking to your kitchen for years to come, this Caraway set is the set for you. This set is complete with the perfect combination of pieces to maximize versatility without feeling bogged down by excess pans and lids, making it perfect for someone looking to add just the right amount of stainless-steel cookware to their lineup. Boasting high-quality materials, a superior build designed to maximize heat efficiency and an all-around top-notch performance, these pans are sure to keep you impressed from the first use, on.