We've Used Caraway Pans for Years, and Still Love Them

After more than three years of testing, we still swear by Caraway's nontoxic cookware line.

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Updated on March 01, 2024

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Photo by: Lauren Seib

Lauren Seib

Chances are you've seen Caraway pans on Instagram or in a friend's home by now. The brand was launched in 2019 as a modern nontoxic ceramic cookware line that you'd be happy to have in your home. Caraway originally launched with just four of the Classic colorways and a cookware set of pots and pans. Since it's founding, the brand has come to include bakeware, linens, food storage and more in a wide range of colors at various retailers including Amazon and Crate & Barrel.

We tested our fair share of nonstick and ceramic cookware and it’s safe to say that Caraway’s Cookware Set is a top performer. In fact, it's claimed our best nontoxic cookware's "best overall" title for three years running. Modern silhouettes, easy clean-up and a solid assortment of pots and pans to tackle most cooking needs has given the direct-to-consumer ceramic line an edge against the competition. It’s no wonder they have stacked up an average 4.8-star rating on their site, thanks to 42,000 reviews and counting. So is Caraway right for you? We put the cookware to the test to find out.

What We Like
  1. Heats evenly
  2. Oven safe up to 550 degrees F
  3. Induction compatible
What We Don't Like
  1. Pans can be heavy for some cooks
  2. Limited pot and pan sizes
  1. Number of Pieces 9
  2. What's Included 10.5" fry pan, 3-quart saucepan with lid, 4.5-quart sauté pan with lid, 6.5-quart Dutch oven with lid, magnetic pan rack, canvas lid holder
  3. Material Aluminum with stainless steel base
  4. Finish Type Ceramic nonstick interior, matte enamel exterior
  5. Dishwasher Safe No
  6. Induction Compatible Yes

For a limited time, Food Network readers can get exclusive pricing on Caraway's Cookware & Minis Set by shopping the link below. The discount will be automatically applied in your cart.

Photo by: Lauren Seib

Lauren Seib

Most Importantly, How Do Caraway Pans Cook?

Caraway’s pans with even and efficient heating will sauté vegetables, fry eggs and braise pork butt in a flash — without the need for a ton of oil or butter. Every pot and pan is oven safe up to 550 degrees F, however, the brand recommends keeping your heat on low to medium when cooking on the stovetop and using soft wooden, silicone, plastic or nylon utensils when cooking. Both overheating and rough edged spatulas/turners can wear away the nonstick coating, shortening the life of your Caraway pans.

The comfortable stainless steel handles are the perfect weight, making every pot and pan easy to handle. Plus, each one has a convenient knob for your index finger, which act as a “danger zone” gauge to keep pesky burns at bay. Come cleanup time, a gentle scrub with soap and water is all you need. Fair warning: The dishwasher will simply shorten the lifespan of your cookware, so we recommend handwashing whenever possible.

What's Included in the Caraway Cookware Set?

Caraway’s Cookware Set is the best bang for your buck. For $395 (a $495 value) it includes a 10.5-inch fry pan, 3-quart sauce pan with lid, 4.5-quart sauté pan with lid, 6.5-quart Dutch oven with lid and convenient storage (a magnetic pan rack and canvas lid holder.) The fry pan is a go-to for eggs, pancakes and a quick reheat of leftovers. The sauté pan, on the other hand, will live on your stovetop as a coveted Jack-of-all-trades, tackling everything from family-sized risottos to perfectly-seared seafood. One-pot meal fans will adore the lightweight-yet-durable Dutch oven. And the sauce pan? It heats a can of soup seemingly instantly so it's the perfect vehicle for sauces, grains and your kiddos’ beloved mac and cheese.

Recently, Caraway launched a Cookware and Minis Set that features all of the pieces in the standard cookware set, plus a smaller sauce pot and pan for anyone looking to make smaller meals or save space. That set retails for $595, but is a $745 value.

Photo by: Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel

What Colors Do Caraway Pans Come In?

Caraway pans come in a wide array of colors to fit any kitchen style. Cream, navy, sage, gray, perracotta, marigold are part of the Classics collection and the Iconics collection, which is a bit pricier, offers white and black colorways with gold hardware. Crate & Barrel also carries exclusive colors (pictured above) of the Carway cookware set with gold hardware: silt green, rose quartz, cream and gold, and sapphire.

How To Store the Caraway Cookware Set

One of the biggest perks of the Caraway set is that it comes with a unique modular pan rack and lid holder. The Canvas Lid Holder does best on a wall or cabinet without a middle shelf (the company recommends the under sink cabinet.) The Magnetic Pan Racks are great in pull-out cabinets or as a drying station on your counter top for Instagrammable horizontal organization.

Photo by: Lauren Seib

Lauren Seib

What Are Caraway Pans Made Of?

Caraway’s pots and pans are made of smooth ceramic-coated aluminum. The mineral-based finish claims to keep toxins from leaching into your food while releasing 60 percent less CO2 than many other nonstick pans on the market. Some ceramic pans are snubbed because they tend to not be as nonstick as traditional Teflon, but we found Carway is a solid bet when it comes to slick flips of pancakes and eggs. Plus, the ceramic coating can stand up to higher heats than the average nonstick coating. You can put these pots and pans in the oven up to 550 degrees F, which is about as high as most standard ovens will go.

The company’s dedication to sustainability is also worth mentioning. Their entire collection is shipped in recycled cardboard (zero plastic!) made with low impact print dies. Each purchase also includes a 100 percent biodegradable cork trivet for simple serving come mealtime.

Bottom Line: Caraway's ceramic cookware is a great fit for a variety of home cooks and lifestyles.

Caraway's cookware set is a great fit for many home cooks. Eco-conscious families, newlyweds looking for a cookware overhaul and first-time home buyers (or renters!) in search of adding a fresh pop of color to their kitchen will all love Caraway’s versatility, colorful design and clever organization. It’s no wonder their products are in high demand and often sold out. If you see a set in the color you're pining for, we highly recommend buying it when you see it. There's a good chance it will sell out again soon.

Editorial Note: Since this article's original publish date, we have also tested Caraway's sheet pans and steamer baskets. We found both to be top-quality products.

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