"There was a period of time when everywhere I traveled on the internet, I was met with a Caraway Cookware review. Many of the bloggers I looked to for product recommendations were obsessed, and immediately, I was intrigued.
I can’t count the number of times I clicked through to the Caraway site, reviewed the colors, and even added them to my cart—only to eventually back out. See, the thing is, I already had good cookware. I registered for nonstick pans and a full stainless steel set, which have resided in my kitchen, taking up ample cabinet space.
I didn’t need new cookware. Even so, I was drawn to the Caraway set thanks to all the amazing claims and features.
If you’re not familiar with the main features and claims, here’s a quick rundown:
- Made with non-toxic materials
- Features non-stick cooking surfaces
- Set is easy to clean
- Comes with everything you need in the seven-piece set (includes 10.5-inch fry pan, 3-quart sauce pan, 4.5-quart saute pan, 6.5-quart Dutch oven, and three lids) that can replace most of your other cookware
- Complete set comes with pan and lid storage to clean up your kitchen cabinets or countertop
My wedding gift cookware didn’t meet many of these requirements, so eventually, after a lot of back and forth, I took the leap into Caraway, and after many months of use, I’m ready to share my review.
Cooking with Caraway
While not a professional chef, I do enjoy cooking and prepare meals for my family of four several times a week. When it comes to cooking with Caraway, the pots and pans truly do perform. The non-stick surface is incredible and, really, nothing sticks. I’ve found it’s easier to get an even temperature, and somehow, my food gets to the right amount of crisp without burning. Here are a few things I’ve learned about cooking with the Caraway set.
Simplifying the Cooking Process
I use the pots and pans for nearly everything. Notably, the non-stick surface is incredible for one of the most problematic foods—eggs! I scramble myself a couple of eggs most mornings and they don’t stick. The pot is great for cooking up a large serving of rice and I’ve been very happy with the results whenever I make chicken or fish in the sauté pans.
I also love the simple method of using the pans—heat only on low to medium, and once heated, add your oil. I have a wide range of other cookware and find myself doing a quick Google search to ensure I’m using it correctly and not going to destroy my pans (I’m endlessly confused by what to do with stainless steel versus cast iron).
Easy Cleaning
Believe the hype: Caraway cookware is incredibly easy to clean. Forget scrubbing—all you need are a sponge and a bit of soap, and whatever small ingredients are left on the pan are gone. You really do not have to soak or scrub at all.
This section doesn’t need much more added to it because it’s that simple—cleaning the products is easy as can be.
Using the Storage System
If you have a small kitchen or just want to free up space for other items, the storage system that the Caraway set comes with is great. The magnetic pot and pan holder keeps your small cookware system in place and the lid holder is a great element as well.
Feeling Good About Swapping in Non-Toxic Products
Ever since I was pregnant, I have tried to make my home as clean and healthy as possible. A cookware set is definitely not a solve-all solution, but switching to non-toxic products I use almost daily was an easy change to make. I’d recently been worried, as I noticed small scratches in my other non-stick pans and have since retired them.
Is the cookware set really all you need?
The Caraway Cookware set is fairly small and it really does cover most of what you need. If you’re not getting too fancy with your cooking, I’d bet you would be fully set with the pots and pans.
I’ll admit that I’ve had a hard time getting rid of all my old cookware and have held onto some of it. And though I always want to reach for my Caraway items first, sometimes, I use other things. I’ll still occasionally use a cast iron skillet and sometimes want a pan smaller than the small Caraway pan. However, if I didn’t have those other items, I’d be able to get away with just the Caraway items.
Is the price of Caraway worth it?
It’s hard to say whether or not the price is worth it for everyone, but personally speaking, I think it’s priced very fairly. You get a lot for the price (originally priced at $545, though often discounted to $395).
When comparing it to other cookware sets, it is more expensive than some but also way cheaper than others. You get what you pay for, and in this case, if you spend the money on the set, you’re getting quality items that really will last (if you take care of them).
Any downsides of Caraway?
There are just a couple of things that aren’t ideal. The first is that the items are pretty heavy. I have much lighter cookware, which is easier if you’re flipping things (which I rarely do), but some people do find it a bit heavy to handle.
The only other downside is that you cannot use cooking sprays on the pots and pans. I now only use oils and it’s not a big deal, but if you are a regular user of cooking spray, note that it’s not recommended for the pans.
Would I recommend Caraway?
If you didn’t have the energy to read all of my points above, I’ll make it simple for you: Yes, I highly recommend Caraway! I have been using the items for quite a while and am really pleased with my purchase. They make cooking more of a joy and the cleaning less of an annoyance. I haven’t mentioned this yet, but the set also looks so great. The colors are so fun and add a nice pop to my kitchen.
I honestly do not have any true complaints (even the downsides mentioned above don’t bother me) and I have recommended the cookware to anyone who will listen. For people who have come over and cooked in my kitchen, they always mention how great the Caraway items are. I think it’s rare for someone to compliment a pan, so it is worth mentioning.
It took me a really long time to finally click “buy” on the set, and I have no regrets. If you are like me and are on the fence, maybe this is the final nudge you need to order your own set. Now your only struggle is deciding which color to get.
Shop More Caraway Products We Love
