Caraway Cookware Honest Review 

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You've seen them all over Instagram, but do these picture-perfect pans stand up to daily use?

Melanie Fincher is a Birmingham, Alabama–based food writer who covers everything from cooking techniques to gadget reviews. She has nearly 7 years experience writing news and lifestyle content.

Direct-to-consumer cookware is taking over. From fan-favorite Made In to cult cookware brand Great Jones, the so-called "little guys" are edging out the competition.

One of these DTC brands, Caraway, has been all over my Instagram ads (and if it hasn't been all over yours, it probably will be now that you're reading this story, whoops!). It's even gained a celebrity following, like that of Mindy Kaling who uses the cookware in her Instagram cooking demos.

But does all this internet attention mean the cookware is worth buying? I switched my pots and pans to Caraway Cookware for three months to see if the brand lives up to the hype. But first, here's a little background on the brand and its products.

Caraway's tagline "Quality Cookware, Without Chemicals," tells you a lot about the brand's philosophy. It's touted as being a healthier, more environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional nonstick cookware made with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commonly known as Teflon.

For years, Teflon was made with a compound known as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which was linked to numerous health issues and environmental concerns. In 2006, the compound was banned from being used in cookware materials and has been completely phased out since 2015.

Although today's nonstick coatings are PFOA-free and generally considered safe, there still is some concern over using them on high heat. When heated at 500°F or higher, the coating will begin to lose its nonstick abilities and it may even release toxic fumes known to cause flu-like symptoms. These health effects can be avoided by not using your nonstick pans on your stove's highest setting, and by never heating an empty pan. However, some may choose to increase their comfort level by opting for ceramic nonstick finishes instead.

Caraway Cookware's pots and pans have an aluminum core that is coated with a ceramic nonstick coating, a mineral-based coating that is gaining popularity as an alternative to traditional PTFE coatings. The handles are made from stainless steel. All of the pans are oven-safe up to 550°F and safe to use on induction, gas, and electric stovetops.

Caraway

Let's get this out of the way: The cookware is stunning. Each piece has a glossy, sleek finish that's smooth to the touch. It just looks like food wouldn't stick to it. I was quite impressed when the package arrived at my door. Everything came well-packaged, and several handy accessories came with the kit. It doesn't feature as many actual cookware pieces as some competitor sets, but how does it perform?

It really is as slick as it looks. Food slides from pan to plate with just a slight tilt of the wrist, and when it comes time for cleanup, all visible food residue is gone with a single wipe around the rim. Caraway recommends only hand-washing the cookware, which isn't a surprise considering traditional nonstick cookware is usually hand-wash only as well. Even as someone who throws nearly everything in the dishwasher (and has ruined some perfectly good cookware as a result), I didn't mind washing these pots and pans by hand because they really were so easy to clean.

As far as heating goes, I found these to heat evenly and retain heat very well. In the Caraway saucepan, three cups of water came to a boil in almost half the time it took my stainless steel saucepan. And although you won't achieve the same sear as say, cast iron, I was still able to get a nice sear when browning ground beef.

Lastly, can I just say that the magnetic pan racks are awesome? With any sort of coated cookware, I worry that just stacking them on top of each other will lead to scratches, which will then lead to a loss in nonstick capability. The modular racks provide a separate home for each pot, and each rack links up with the next to keep everything in place.

Many of the reviews I read online said that the nonstick coating was prone to chipping with time. I did not have this issue over three months of use, but it's worth noting that I have a smooth, electric stovetop, so you may need to exercise caution if you have a gas stovetop with metal grates.

Another common complaint online was staining. I did experience some light staining on the bottom of my saucepan, which was impossible to remove with a good scrub. This leads me to believe that after a year or so of use, you're bound to end up with some gnarly tomato sauce stains, so it may be a good idea to opt for a darker color (I have the gray, for reference).

The handles definitely can get warm to the touch, especially the closer you get to the pan, so be sure to have oven mitts on hand when moving things from the stovetop to the oven, off the burner, etc. However, there is a handy notch on the underside of the handle that indicates where it gets hot.

And last but not least: Is it worth the money? Priced at nearly $400 for just seven pieces, this set is definitely on the pricier end when compared with traditional nonstick cookware sets and other ceramic-coated cookware sets. Although it comes with fun accessories like the pan rack and lid holder, I would like to see a few more pieces for the price, such as a small fry pan and a small saucepan.

Caraway

Allrecipes commerce editor Katherine Gallagher tested the Caraway 14-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set in her own kitchen, praising the collection for its design and functionality. Not only do they look beautiful and come in a variety of trendy colors (she opted for the dark navy blue hue), but they also create an incredibly airtight seal that kept her food fresh—whether it was homemade granola in the cupboard, fresh strawberries in the fridge, or chopped spinach for smoothies in the freezer. Thanks to this efficient design, she tossed less wasted food in the compost bin, and it helped save money in the long run.

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The glass-ceramic combination is a big win for sustainability-minded cooks, though it does make the containers themselves a bit heavier than others. Likewise, the material around the glass lid did experience some light scuffing and scratches after a while, which took away from some of the initial aesthetics. She particularly loved the smaller Dot & Dash inserts for individual portions of sauces and dips. Designed to fit into the ceramic containers, they help create a perfect bento-style lunch box for taking on the go (if you don’t mind the weight).

This set is pricey, but if you have the budget, it may be worth it—considering that you won’t have to supplement with any more containers, and they’re bound to last a long time. You’ll also get a handy, modular organizer that adapts to fit different types of cupboards, keeping everything tidy and within reach. The set includes three magnetic organizers, one large container, two medium containers, two small containers, four inserts, and two container straps. If you don’t want to commit to the price of the entire 14-piece set, Caraway also sells the large containers (10 cups), medium containers (6.6 cups), small containers (4.4 cups), and inserts individually.

If you are looking for pans with an exceptionally nonstick surface and an attractive look, Caraway's Cookware Set is an excellent option. The pots and pans really were a delight to cook with, and I will continue to use them long after this review. However, if your pots and pans tend to take a heavy beating, online reviews, and my own experience, suggest that these pans are not the most durable option. If you don't want to commit to the whole set, but you are looking for an alternative to traditional nonstick, I would suggest going for just the fry pan for cooking delicate foods like eggs, fish, pancakes, or anything that tends to stick to the pan and tear.

When it comes to storing all the meals and leftovers you made using your cookware set, the Caraway 14-Piece Food Storage Set offers a stylish yet functional option. With see-through lids, airtight seals, and sturdy ceramic construction, the containers keep food fresh and accessible. The set works equally well in the fridge, cupboard, and freezer, and the included organizer is designed to fit comfortably in your kitchen cabinets.