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After 3+ years of daily use, my Caraway cookware set has seen it all. From weekday dinners to weekend pancakes, I’ve put it through its paces—and I’m here to give you the no-fluff truth. If you’re wondering whether Caraway pans are really worth it (and how they hold up long-term), this updated Caraway pan review is for you.
What Is Caraway Cookware?
Caraway is a ceramic-coated cookware brand known for being:
- Non-toxic (free of PTFE, PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium)
- Non-stick (thanks to a mineral-based ceramic coating)
- Beautifully designed (gorgeous colors + minimalist storage)
The brand has exploded in popularity, but does the quality live up to the hype?
Let’s dive into this honest Caraway cookware review.
Introduction to My Caraway Cookware Journey
We renovated our kitchen a few years ago, and I was ready to invest in a cookware set that was functional and pretty. Caraway checked all the boxes—and while my initial 2 pieces were gifted, I went back and bought a full set with my own money. Here’s why.
What I Love About My Caraway Cookware Set
1. Non-Toxic Ceramic Coating
Caraway pans are coated with a mineral-based ceramic that won’t leach toxins into your food. Unlike traditional non-stick Teflon coatings, these pans don’t release harmful chemicals at high heat.
2. Naturally Non-Stick (at First…)
Out of the box, Caraway cookware is incredibly non-stick. I could fry eggs with zero oil. Most foods wiped right off with just warm water and a soft sponge. No soaking, no scrubbing—just clean.
But…
After about 3 years of regular use, my frying pans started to lose their non-stick magic. The Dutch oven and sauce pan still perform beautifully, but the frying pans just don’t compare anymore.
Pro Tip: If you mainly need saucepans or a Dutch oven, they hold up longer. For frying pans, expect to replace them every few years.
3. Heats Quickly and Evenly
Caraway pots and pans heat up fast. I used to wait 5 minutes for my pans to warm. With Caraway, it’s ready in 60 seconds. Just be careful—the aluminum core means even, high heat, so low-to-medium is usually all you need.
4. Stunning Design + Smart Storage
Let’s be honest: these pans are beautiful. The color options are dreamy, and the sleek design means I don’t mind leaving them on my stovetop.
The magnetic rack and hanging lid organizer are a game-changer if your kitchen lacks cabinet space.
What I Love About My Caraway Cookware Set
1. Non-Toxic Ceramic Coating
Caraway pans are coated with a mineral-based ceramic that won’t leach toxins into your food. Unlike traditional non-stick Teflon coatings, these pans don’t release harmful chemicals at high heat.
2. Naturally Non-Stick (at First…)
Out of the box, Caraway cookware is incredibly non-stick. I could fry eggs with zero oil. Most foods wiped right off with just warm water and a soft sponge. No soaking, no scrubbing—just clean.
But…
After about 3 years of regular use, my frying pans started to lose their non-stick magic. The Dutch oven and sauce pan still perform beautifully, but the frying pans just don’t compare anymore.
📝 Pro Tip: If you mainly need saucepans or a Dutch oven, they hold up longer. For frying pans, expect to replace them every few years.
3. Heats Quickly and Evenly
Caraway pots and pans heat up fast. I used to wait 5 minutes for my pans to warm. With Caraway, it’s ready in 60 seconds. Just be careful—the aluminum core means even, high heat, so low-to-medium is usually all you need.
4. Stunning Design + Smart Storage
Let’s be honest: these pans are beautiful. The color options are dreamy, and the sleek design means I don’t mind leaving them on my stovetop.
The magnetic rack and hanging lid organizer are a game-changer if your kitchen lacks cabinet space.
What I Love About My Caraway Cookware Set
1. Non-Toxic Ceramic Coating
Caraway pans are coated with a mineral-based ceramic that won’t leach toxins into your food. Unlike traditional non-stick Teflon coatings, these pans don’t release harmful chemicals at high heat.
2. Naturally Non-Stick (at First…)
Out of the box, Caraway cookware is incredibly non-stick. I could fry eggs with zero oil. Most foods wiped right off with just warm water and a soft sponge. No soaking, no scrubbing—just clean.
But…
After about 3 years of regular use, my frying pans started to lose their non-stick magic. The Dutch oven and sauce pan still perform beautifully, but the frying pans just don’t compare anymore.
📝 Pro Tip: If you mainly need saucepans or a Dutch oven, they hold up longer. For frying pans, expect to replace them every few years.
3. Heats Quickly and Evenly
Caraway pots and pans heat up fast. I used to wait 5 minutes for my pans to warm. With Caraway, it’s ready in 60 seconds. Just be careful—the aluminum core means even, high heat, so low-to-medium is usually all you need.
4. Stunning Design + Smart Storage
Let’s be honest: these pans are beautiful. The color options are dreamy, and the sleek design means I don’t mind leaving them on my stovetop.
The magnetic rack and hanging lid organizer are a game-changer if your kitchen lacks cabinet space.
Caraway Pan Performance After 3+ Years
Here’s a breakdown of how each piece held up:
| Item | Performance |
|---|---|
| Frying Pan | Lost non-stick ability after 3 years |
| Sauce Pan | Still works beautifully |
| Dutch Oven | Holds up great, even after heavy use |
| Lids | No issues, easy to clean |
I replaced my frying pans with new Caraway ones because nothing else matched the quality—even Ninja’s ceramic set didn’t compare.
Real Talk: Caraway Cons
1. Frying Pans Wear Out
This is the biggest downside. I don’t use high heat or metal utensils, and mine still lost their non-stick over time. That said, I’ve had cheaper pans fail after just 6 months—so I still think it’s a worthwhile investment.
2. Handles Get Hot
The stainless steel handles look sleek, but they heat up quickly. Keep a pot holder nearby.
3. Smaller Sizes Cost Extra
The original set didn’t include smaller pans (like a mini fry pan or tiny saucepan). Caraway now offers a “Minis” collection—but it’s a separate purchase.
How to Make Caraway Last Longer
To get the most out of your Caraway pans:
- Avoid high heat: Cook on low to medium. This is where most people go wrong. These pans get HOT much more quickly than your traditional frying pan, so anything higher than a medium heat will burn your food and make it stick to the pan.
- Skip metal utensils: Use silicone, wood, or nylon.
- Hand wash only: Never use the dishwasher.
- Use a non-abrasive scrubber: A non scratch sponge is great when food gets stuck and needs. In an emergency? Bar Keeper’s friend will get it ALL off – just make sure you wash it really well before putting food back in there.
Are Caraway Pans Worth It?
If you want gorgeous, non-toxic cookware that makes your kitchen feel elevated, Caraway is a great option. Just go in with realistic expectations—especially about the frying pans.
For me? I’d absolutely buy them again (and have!).
Caraway Cookware Pros & Cons
Pros
- Beautiful design
- Non-toxic ceramic coating
- Heats quickly and evenly
- Easy to clean (at first)
- Smart, space-saving storage
Cons
- Minis sold separately
- Fry pans lose their non-stick over time
- Handles can get hot
think that caraway cookware is right for you?
Order today and get 10% off site wide with my code JENNA10
Frequently Asked Questions
No. They must be hand-washed with a soft sponge.
Yes! They’re compatible with gas, electric, and induction stovetops.
Yes—up to 550°F.
Yes, especially if you value safe materials and aesthetics. Just expect to replace frying pans after a few years.
Final Thoughts
Caraway cookware is beautiful, functional, and (mostly) long-lasting. While the frying pans may need replacing after a few years, the Dutch oven and sauce pans have held up extremely well.
If you’re looking for the best ceramic cookware that’s both non-toxic and stylish, I think Caraway is still one of the top contenders.
Hi Jenna!
After sitting on the fence about the Caraway I have decided to jump off & make a purchase! My main concern is getting stains like people have mentioned…I wanted to get the Stanley Tucci set but the reviews were not very favorable which is a shame because I love him & his cooking show in Italy & now in a new country which is escaping me at the moment…I would love to be able to save an additional 20% and tried your link a few times and it keep showing an error message with an explanation which I didn’t read…It’a 4:15 am where I am in Pennsylvania & I should be sleeping instead of listening to my Spotify tunes with my new ear buds my son bought me! Anyway if you are still providing a 20% off can you please share it with me? I just went to your instagram account & am now following you so I will check out your profile at normal daytime hours…Andie~
I enjoyed your article. One question, are these pans oven safe, have you used them in oven? Website says they are safe to 550 degrees. Thanks
Excellent review and thank you for sharing. I recently received a set for my 50th birthday and I too share a lot of the same views, so I won’t be redundant. These pans live up to the hype. I’ve had my set for approx 2 months, and my biggest con to add is that Caraway does not(hopefully yet) offer a larger pan. Pan searing salmon for a family of 5 in their largest 12″ pan just isn’t cutting it. Being too cramped, I must end up using the second 10.5″ that I have in order cook them at the same time. This ends up taking up another burner and its another pan to clean. My previous cook set, I had a 14″ pan with a semi-straight walled to a slight flare out. The larger size made it not feel so cramped and I was able to move them around with the tongs. I’ve expressed this concern with Caraway, so fingers crossed that they eventually come out with the larger pan, great help for larger families. Thank you for listening.
Have you seen the squareware pans? This might solve your problem!