You may have heard of Caraway home cookware or at the very least seen pictures of their colorful assortment of nontoxic cookware sets and bakeware sets on Instagram or Facebook. But are they just beautiful cookware and bakeware sets or are they functional as well? I tried them out to see firsthand.
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What is Special About Caraway Home Cookware?
Caraway has become popular for its modern design and non-toxic, environmentally friendly pots and pans that are coated in ceramic enamel instead of teflon, which is known to be harmful and toxic. The ceramic cookware has a non-stick surface, which is great for cooking and baking. It is well-made to last for years, not months like some of the cheaper brands. It offers its cookware and bakeware in several fun colors. Who wouldn’t want to cook in a lovely sage pan?
What Kind of Products Does Caraway Offer?
Caraway cookware offers the basic 4 piece cookware set that you can purchase together or individually. They are not the cheapest ceramic cookware set on the market, though at the time of the writing of this article it was on sale for $395 (from $545) with tons of very satisfied customer reviews. It’s also offered in 7 gorgeous colors. That might be the most difficult part about making a decision as to whether or not to purchase.
The cookware set includes 4 pieces – fry pan, saute pan (my favorite), sauce pan and a dutch oven. It’s much more economical to buy the set as opposed to the pans individually (of course), but if you don’t need another sauce pan then buying individually may be the smarter choice.
As far as bakeware,they have a fairly complete set on sale now for $395 (retail $545). Their bakeware set includes baking sheets, rectangle pan, loaf pan, circle pan, square pan, muffin pan and a cooling rack. These should provide all the basics you need for your home bakery. The bakeware is also offered in 7 different colors. Their colors are soothing and feel fresh and modern.
In addition to their cookware and bakeware, Caraway Home also offers linens – tea towels, oven mites, pot holders and an apron. Their linen set is currently on sale for $135, down from $185.
The Pros and Cons of Caraway Cookware and Bakeware
When I tried heating up some soup in the Caraway saucepan, I noticed that it heated it very evenly. That’s a huge plus. Caraway pots and pans are known to hold heat more efficiently than other traditional pots and pans. But be aware that if you use high heat a lot when you cook, it can wear down the non-stick coating. They recommend using low to medium heat.
You will love how effortlessly your food will slide in the pan or pot. This also means that you can use less oil or butter when you cook. They recommend that you avoid using oil sprays and cooking aerosols in order to preserve the non-toxic ceramic coating.
The pots and pans are made from heavy-gauge aluminum core free of lead, cadmium, and other toxic metals. It has a stainless steel bottom which allows for versatility on gas, electric or induction stovetops.
Since the non-stick coating is in fact, coating. Then they recommend NOT using metal utensils but rather wood, silicone, plastic or nylon in order to preserve the coating. But in my research, I have found that the coating is still very much in tact years later. So, it can take a beating.
The thoughtful design even has a little bump on the underside of the pan’s handle so that you know how far your hand can extend so that you don’t burn yourself. It also acts as a nice point to hold the pot comfortably.
When cooking with the pots, pans and bakeware, the food slips off super easily so clean up is also a breeze. Less cleaning is always a plus in my book. But if you do get food stuck onto the surface, they recommend using 2 Tablespoons of baking soda with 1 cup vinegar and letting it sit for about 30 minutes. You should be able to wipe away the food fairly easily after that. Then wash regularly with mild dish soap and water. They do advise washing by hand vs putting it in the dishwasher but it is dishwasher-safe.
Although Caraway Home started as a direct to consumer brand, it seems like you can purchase at most major home cookware retailers online. The packaging is thoughtful and eco-friendly. No styrofoam or plastic to worry about. Just recycle the cardboard box.
The Final Dish on Caraway
Caraway cookware and bakeware is ideal for almost any kind of cooking. If you want charred, then maybe cast iron is still a better bet but for most everyday cooking, Caraway is durable, well-made, functional, thoughtfully designed, and looks beautiful.
Even heat distribution, non-stick surface, easy clean up make Caraway one of the best ceramic cookware on the market. Most importantly, it’s non-toxic so you know what you are cooking will be toxic-free.
With its thoughtful and nice packaging, it makes a great wedding or housewarming gift, or perhaps a birthday or anniversary.
Want to see for yourself? Check it out here.
Happy cooking!
