If your Instagram feed is anything like mine, chances are you've come across numerous posts showcasing the attractive pots and pans from Caraway. This direct-to-consumer brand, established in 2018, has gained recognition for its visually appealing cookware, bakeware, and food storage sets, thanks in part to the extensive range of stunning colors available.

Considering the immense popularity of Caraway's top-selling cookware set, we were compelled to personally experience how these pots and pans perform in real-life situations, going beyond the realm of social media. For nearly three years, our team of analysts in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute have diligently tested and evaluated Caraway products. Additionally, our panel of consumer testers and food editors (including myself!) have thoroughly put them to the test in our own homes. Here, we present our candid review :

What is the Caraway Cookware Set all about?

Caraway's Cookware Set offers customers the option to buy individual pieces on its website. However, for those seeking a comprehensive collection, the Cookware Set provides a diverse range of pots and pans in different sizes and colors. 

The color palette spans from timeless shades like cream, navy, and sage to more striking options such as black, white, and silt green. In addition to the assortment of cookware, each complete set includes a 10.5-inch fry pan, a 3-quart sauce pan, a 4.5-quart sauté pan, a 6.5-quart Dutch oven, as well as matching lids and a convenient storage system.

You have the option to buy a Deluxe Cookware Set, which comes with a small fry pan and a small sauce pan.

PROS

• Come in an array of eye-catching colors
• Distributes heat evenly, for the most part

CONS

• Heavier than many other nonstick options
• Lid handles get hot

The cookware pieces from this brand are designed to be compatible with gas, electric, and induction cooktops, and they can also be safely used in the oven at temperatures up to 550°F. However, it is important to note that they are not suitable for broiling.

All of the pans included in this cookware set are coated with ceramic, which provides some nonstick properties and makes cleaning up relatively easy. Caraway takes pride in using only safe materials in their cookware, ensuring that no potentially toxic substances such as PTFE, PFOA, PFAS, and heavy metals are present.

To elaborate further, PTFE, also known as Teflon, is a commonly used material in nonstick cookware. In the past, it was often made with PFOA, a compound from the PFA family that has been associated with certain health concerns. However, the use of PTFE in cookware has been phased out in the United States. It is worth noting that the replacements for PTFE have not been extensively studied yet, so their potential health effects are not fully understood, as stated by the American Cancer Society.

Many individuals seeking alternatives to Teflon have chosen ceramic-coated cookware as a substitute. However, it has been observed that the nonstick properties of ceramic-coated cookware tend to diminish more quickly. Moreover, it is challenging to verify the bold assertions of being "toxin-free" as there is currently no regulation by government bodies like the FDA.

How we tested the Caraway Cookware Set

Over the past eight years, the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliance and Innovation Lab have conducted extensive testing on more than 115 cookware sets, and even more before that! These tests encompassed a wide range of cookware materials, including stainless steel, ceramic, and carbon steel, among others. Therefore, when it came to evaluating the Caraway Cookware Set, our experienced professionals employed their well-established testing protocols to thoroughly assess its performance and user-friendliness.

Our analysts rigorously tested each component of the cookware set on gas stoves, preparing a variety of dishes such as steak, eggs, and sauces. They then compared the results with other pots and pans currently available in the market. During the evaluation process in our Lab, our analysts focused on the following aspects of the Caraway Cookware Set:

1. The speed and uniformity with which each pan heated up.
2. The even distribution of heat across the pans.
3. The nonstick properties of each pan, specifically their ability to release food effortlessly.
4. The ease of cleaning for each pan.

Rest assured that our comprehensive testing ensures that you receive accurate and reliable information about the Caraway Cookware Set's performance.

In addition, the Lab also distributed the pans to a selection of our GH consumer product testers. These testers had the opportunity to utilize the cookware in their own households and subsequently provided feedback. The data collected from their experiences was then carefully analyzed and incorporated into the final scores.

Meanwhile, I personally made a switch in my kitchen and utilized the Caraway Cookware Set for the majority of my meals over a period of two months. Throughout this time, I experimented with a variety of recipes to thoroughly evaluate the cookware's performance, durability, and convenience in real-life scenarios. This included preparing dishes such as scrambled eggs, pancakes, frittatas, soups, pastas, sauces, fried rice, chicken, tacos, and many more.

Our honest review of the Caraway Cookware Set

In our comprehensive review, we provide an in-depth analysis of the Lab's findings, along with practical testing data gathered from our team of consumer testers and my personal encounter with the Caraway Cookware Set.

Performance

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In the heat distribution test conducted by our Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, our analysts discovered that the pans heated evenly for the most part. However, they did notice that the pans tended to heat darker in the center compared to the handles. When it came to testing the pans' ability to sear a steak, our analysts found that the steak browned fairly evenly on both sides, although one side did brown more consistently than the other.

During the egg test, our experts fried three eggs in a row without using any grease. They found that the first egg was relatively easy to flip, but the subsequent eggs started to stick and became increasingly difficult to flip with a spatula, leaving behind residue. (Ideally, the best egg release tests should result in eggs that are effortlessly flipped, sliding off the pan smoothly.)

Now, let's consider the opinions of our consumer testers. In terms of functionality, the pans received high scores from our in-home testers for their ability to distribute heat and cook food evenly. However, some testers found that achieving the best results required cooking at lower temperatures, which proved to be a source of frustration for them and even for myself. (As someone who appreciates a perfectly seared steak, I understand the importance of reaching higher cooking temperatures.) Nevertheless, this issue can easily be resolved by investing in a reliable stainless steel skillet in addition to this cookware set. (It's worth mentioning that Caraway will soon be releasing a stainless steel set, which we are eager to test.)

Lastly, while this cookware set falls into the medium-weight category, these pans are slightly heavier compared to other nonstick options available. Additionally, in our Lab tests, we observed that the slim lids with flat handles became noticeably hot during cooking, and the lids collected condensation. It is advisable to keep a kitchen towel or pot holder nearby as a reminder to use one when lifting the lid.

Cleaning

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The brand strongly advises against using the dishwasher for these pans, recommending instead a gentle scrub with warm, soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge. Our Lab experts agree, emphasizing that hand-washing is essential for maintaining the longevity of nonstick cookware, as dishwasher detergents can cause the coating to deteriorate more quickly.

Following our Lab's rigorous testing, it was found that the pans required some scrubbing to clean effectively. During the scorch test, where pasta sauce was simmered for 30 minutes, the pans were easy to clean afterwards, although the inside of the pan turned pink temporarily, but this disappeared after a few washes.

Regarding overall cleanup, our Lab experts observed that while the pans' exterior did become stained with use, these stains could be easily removed with Barkeeper's Friend. However, as the team continued to cook with the pots and pans, it became more challenging to remove exterior stains.

To maintain the optimal condition of your pans and extend the lifespan of the nonstick coating, our Lab Tip advises against cleaning with aerosol sprays, using metal utensils, cooking over high heats, and subjecting the pans to drastic temperature changes (such as rinsing a hot pan under cold water).

On the other hand, consumer testers gave the pans high marks for easy cleaning. I personally found that the fry pan required minimal effort to clean after cooking scrambled eggs at home. However, it should be noted that the inside of the pot had the potential to stain relatively easily (as mentioned earlier, the saucepan's interior turned red during the Lab's sauce test, but this stain eventually faded over time).

Storage

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I have noticed that many cookware sets come with an excessive number of pieces, which can be overwhelming for those living in small apartments with limited kitchen space. However, this particular set has just the right amount of pots and pans, in my opinion. The sizes of the cookware are also very convenient. Although I usually cook for two people, I didn't find it stressful to cook for four or prepare a large batch of soup occasionally.

Our team of consumer testers also appreciated the fact that the set includes a storage system. One tester even exclaimed, "I absolutely loved the lid storage system!" Another tester mentioned that the "sleek lid storage sleeve" was one of her favorite features. However, some testers did mention that the rack took up too much space in their kitchens, and our experts in the Lab agree that it can be quite bulky. Personally, I found that the magnetic rack fit perfectly in the corner of my kitchen and made it easy to store all the pots and pans without worrying about them getting scratched.

The bottom line: Is the Caraway Cookware Set worth it?

Nicole Papantoniou, director of the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, describes the Caraway Ceramic Cookware Set as not only beautiful but also requiring a bit more care compared to other cookware. While they cannot be used over higher temperatures and may stain easily on the exterior, these pans are still a great addition to any kitchen. 

The nonstick coating may not last long, but this is a common issue with ceramic cookware. The Lab has recognized the Caraway Ceramic Cookware Set as one of the best ceramic cookware sets, specifically highlighting its stylish design. Personally, I will continue to use these pots and pans in my own home, appreciating their aesthetic appeal while preparing delicious meals like soup or frittatas.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

This article was authored by Trish Clasen Marsanico, the deputy food editor of the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen. With over ten years of experience writing about food for various publications such as GH, Women's Health, Prevention, Redbook, Woman's Day, The Daily Meal, and Food Network, Trish is a seasoned expert in the field.

Trish collaborated closely with Nicole Papantoniou, the Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, to create this review. Nicole, who is an accomplished product tester and recipe developer, oversees all of GH's kitchen gear content and testing, including cookware. The Lab has been rigorously testing Caraway's Cookware Set for nearly three years and continues to assess the brand's products for their long-term performance.