Even though I'm a passionate home cook, I'm not ashamed to admit that Postmates rises to the occasion when I'm in a cooking rut and don't have it in me to whip up a unique meal. Recently, though, I became aware of Caraway, a line of cookware that fuses non-toxic materials with non-stick surfaces to create modern, well-designed products. Their aesthetically pleasing cookware was enough inspiration to get me back in the kitchen and get my creative juices flowing again.
Aside from their contemporary designs being splattered all over TikTok and Instagram, Caraway provides a healthier alternative to traditional non-stick pots and pans that are made with harmful chemicals. The brand's mission is to give home chefs a healthier way to cook, offering ceramic-coated aluminum cookware made without "forever chemicals" — that is, chemicals that the Environmental Working Group has said don't break down in the environment or take decades to leave the body.
After realizing that I was unable to escape the Caraway pots and pans on my social media feed, I finally decided to put the line to the test. I tried the basic Cookware Set (which retails for a whopping $395, though it's a $545 value) that comes with three pans and a Dutch oven — here's what I thought.
What makes Caraway stand out?
All Caraway products are made without the use of toxic materials including PTFE (known as Teflon), lead, cadmium, or other hard-to-pronounce chemicals. Instead, they're made with a mineral-based non-stick coating that won't find its way into your food. The cookware promises to heat evenly, eliminating the risk of cool spots and unevenly cooked food. It's also meant to perform well no matter your cooktop thanks to its stainless steel plate on the bottom (though if you have a gas range with metal grates, you'll want to be careful maneuvering the pans to prevent the ceramic exterior from chipping).
If you're looking to add color to your kitchen, Caraway offers its products in an array of colors from sage to marigold (or, if neutrals are more your speed, the cream and gray options fit the bill). Besides having a good-looking aesthetic and being made with healthier materials, Instagrammers and TikTokkers are loyal to the cookware due to the naturally slick surface that makes cooking (and cleaning up) a breeze.
Different uses for Caraway cookware
While you can purchase each product individually, the complete cookware set is a good option if you're looking to start fresh. It comes with a 10.5-inch frying pan, a 3-quart sauce pan with lid, a 4.5-quart sauté pan with lid, and a 6.5-quart Dutch oven with lid. Though the products boast a minimalistic design that you'll be proud to display, the set comes equipped with a storage solution — four magnetic racks to store the cookware upright along with a hanging canvas holder for the lids.
The pans are hefty and quite heavy (only the Dutch oven and the sauté pan feature dual handles for easy carrying), but you can use a variety of different cooking techniques with the cookware. Eggs slide around smoothly, chicken cutlets brown evenly, onions sauté quickly, and food never sticks to the surface. (Even the thick, dense chili I made in the Dutch oven didn't stick.) The cookware is also oven safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, eliminating the need for bulky cast iron skillets in your kitchen. But be careful of the stainless steel handles — they heat up quickly and you'll need an oven mitt to avoid burns.
Though they're known for their cookware, Caraway also has a line of bakeware and linens to accompany their pots and pans.
Is the Caraway cookware set worth it?
If you spend a lot of time cooking in the kitchen and are looking for new cookware that's free of harmful chemicals, offers even heat distribution, and is easy to clean, Caraway is definitely worth it.
It's easy to cook a variety of different foods thanks to the cookware's truly non-stick surface. I found myself using way less oil than I usually do while cooking, and cleanup took literal seconds even though the cookware isn't dishwasher safe. The pans are durable, too — I haven't experienced any chipping or staining on the ceramic coating, nor has the interior of the pan gotten scratched (though I'm careful to always use wooden utensils).
If you're new to the brand and are unwilling to shell out the money to see if their cookware is worth it, Caraway offers a 30-day trial where you can try out their products and return them for a full refund if you're unhappy with them.
