I bought Caraway because I’m a sucker for pretty cookware, but also because I’m slowly trying to clean up my kitchen. Think: swapping plastic food storage for glass, paying attention to coatings, and generally trying to avoid the “what even is in this?” vibe.
Also, we’re a high-cooking household. We cook basically all three meals at home most days, so our pots and pans get used hard. If you cook a few times a week, your experience can be very different than mine.
Here’s my real Caraway cookware review so far: what I love, what annoys me, what surprised me on Christmas morning, and whether I’d buy Caraway pans again.
Quick Summary: Do I Recommend Caraway Cookware?
Yes, with a very specific caveat: Caraway is gorgeous, feels high quality, and performs great out of the box, but you should not buy it expecting the non-stick to stay perfect forever. In my kitchen, I noticed the first tiny “okay wait…” moment at about the 2-month mark.
I’ve 34 and have never found a non-stick brand that actually remains non-stick for years and years.
Caraway’s own care guidance also makes it clear these pans want a gentler lifestyle: low-to-medium heat, handwashing, and avoiding aerosol sprays. That all helps extend the coating’s life. If you want a pan you can toss into the dishwasher and cook on high with, this is not one I recommend.
What I Bought: The Caraway Cookware Set Details
If you’re looking at the Caraway Cookware Set, it’s the ceramic-coated set that typically includes:
- 10.5” fry pan
- 3 qt ceramic-coated sauce pan with lid
- 4.5 qt ceramic-coated sauté pan with lid
- 6.5 qt ceramic-coated dutch oven with lid
- Storage organizers + lid holder (this is a big part of the appeal for small kitchens)
Caraway markets the cookware as made without PTFE, PFOA, and PFAS, and notes third-party tested for safety.
What I Love About Caraway
The Design Is So Sleek It’s Almost Annoying
Caraway pots are super sleek and cute, and they stack really nicely. They look expensive on the stove, and the storage system makes my cabinets feel less chaotic. I genuinely love the colors.
This is the first cookware set I’ve owned where I’ve actually cared enough to put it away properly because it looks that good.
It Feels High Quality (And It’s Lightweight)
I’ve tested random Target cookware before (which, in my experience, dies quickly), and I’ve also tested Kana. Caraway feels more premium than the bargain stuff, but it’s also lighter to use than Kana, which matters when you’re cooking constantly and moving pans around all day.
If you’ve ever tried to one-hand a heavy pan while also herding eggs, toast, and your own will to live, you get it.
The Non-Stick Works Really Well… At First
For the first couple months, the non stick performance felt legit. Eggs slid. Cleanup was easy clean. I didn’t feel like I had to baby it to get good results.
Caraway does recommend using a little oil or butter and sticking to low-to-medium heat, and I do think that matters.
The Moment I Had On Christmas Morning
I’ve been using the small frying pan at least once a day for the past two months. Then on Christmas Day, my fried egg stuck to the pan for the first time.
Not stuck-stuck like “ruined pan, ruined life,” but stuck enough that I noticed. It was the first sign that the cooking surface is not going to stay in that brand-new honeymoon phase forever. That’s the reality of non stick cookware for most high-use kitchens.
And honestly, I don’t think I’ve found any pan anywhere that stays perfectly non stick forever. This just happened sooner than I expected for the price.
What I Don’t Love (And It’s Not Small)
The Metal Handles Get Hot
I don’t love the metal handles. They get hot, and I have to touch the ends of them or use an oven mitt, which feels silly for a stovetop situation. If you’re searching specifically for stainless steel handles or steel handles, this is the part where I tell you the truth: the stainless steel handles look beautiful, but the steel handles can absolutely heat up fast in real life.
Caraway literally says to use a pot holder/oven mitt/dish towel when handling hot pans, so it’s not like this is a surprise feature. It’s just a daily annoyance for me and I often forget and burn my hands.
These Pans Want You To Cook Gentler
Caraway recommends low-to-medium heat and handwashing to protect the ceramic coating.
That’s fine, but it’s worth saying out loud: if you’re someone who cranks heat to get dinner done fast, you’re probably going to hate this set.
One person in my Threads community said cooking on lower heat was “super annoying” and that it took forever to cook pasta, plus handwashing felt like a dealbreaker. That’s not my exact experience, but I get the frustration. (Also, yes, I handwash them since I don’t have a dishwasher! Well, we do. It’s my husband).
How Long Does Caraway Stay Non-Stick?
Here’s the honest answer: it depends on how you cook and how often you cook.
My experience: I saw the first sign of stick around 2 months, using one pan daily. It’s still about 99% non stick right now, but it’s not 100% flawless anymore. If you’re googling things like “stick surface,” “stick coating,” or even “stick pans,” this is exactly what I mean: it’s not suddenly ruined, it’s just not brand new, and the surface can start to grab in little spots.
A friend’s experience: hers stopped being non-stick around 6 months in.
My Threads community feedback: multiple people told me variations of “beautiful but not worth it” and “not non-stick for very long,” with one person estimating 6–8 months for mostly non-stick with gentle use a few days a week. I also got a blunt “they suck” reply, and someone raised skepticism about “ceramic” marketing. That debate has been showing up more in broader conversations lately, too.
Separately, ceramic non stick coatings are known for losing their slickness over time, especially with heavy use, heat, and wear. Even brands who love ceramic cookware still emphasize that overheating and harsh treatment shorten lifespan.
So if you cook like I do (constantly), I’d go in assuming you may replace your most-used pan sooner than you want. Personally, that’s something I know going into buying new pots and pans. These aren’t like a leather coat I can wear for years even when it gets worn. I expect to replace my gear every few years.
Is Caraway “Non-Toxic”? What That Actually Means Here
Caraway says its cookware is made without PTFE, PFOA, and PFAS and shares third-party testing details.
That’s a big reason I was interested, because I’m trying to move away from plastics and questionable coatings in my kitchen. Also, I’m not trying to spiral, but the general PFAS conversation in cookware is getting louder, including proposed policy moves in states like California.
One note for context: there’s a lot of marketing noise around “non toxic” and “ceramic,” and it’s smart to stay skeptical and look for testing transparency.
Also, for anyone wondering why people care about PTFE: some organizations warn that overheating PTFE-coated pans can release fumes at high temps (the stuff that gets called “Teflon flu”), and it can be especially dangerous for pet birds.
I’m not here to fearmonger. I’m here to tell you why I personally wanted to try ceramic-coated cookware in the first place.
My Caraway Food Storage Containers Mini Review
Quick side note because I mentioned it in my notes: I also love Caraway food storage containers. They’re sleek, they feel sturdy, and they’ve been leak proof for me. As someone who’s actively swapping plastic for glass, they’re one of the few purchases that made me feel instantly more put together.
Also yes, I like that this product line makes it easier to keep my kitchen clean and my leftovers less chaotic, and anything that reduces “mystery container smell” feels like value to me.
How I’d Make Caraway Last Longer (If You Buy It)
This is what I’d do if you want the best shot at keeping the non stick coating performance strong:
- Cook on low to medium heat most of the time
- Use minimal oil or a little butter (don’t go fully dry-pan)
- Skip aerosol cooking sprays (Caraway specifically says avoid them)
- Handwash with a soft sponge and let the pan cool first
- Avoid metal utensils if you can (I’m careful here)
Will that make them last forever? No. Will it likely help? Yes.
Caraway Vs Kana (And Cheap Target Pans)
- Caraway vs Target cookware: Caraway feels nicer, looks nicer, and performed better for me. The random budget cookware I’ve used tends to “expire” fast.
- Caraway vs Kana: I like Caraway better because it’s lighter and easier to use daily. If I were buying again, I’d pick Caraway over Kana for that reason.
So… Would I Buy Caraway Again?
Yeah, I would. But I’d buy it with my eyes open.
I’m happy with the look, the organization, the cooking experience, and the fact that it fits into my slow “less plastic in the kitchen” era. I just wouldn’t buy it expecting some magical non stick ceramic coating that stays brand new for years and years, especially if you’re cooking three meals a day like we do.
If you want cookware you can absolutely abuse and keep forever, you might be happier investing in stainless steel (or even fully stainless steel cookware) or cast iron for your daily drivers, and saving Caraway ceramic pans for the meals where you want easy cleanup and a pretty stove moment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Caraway Cookware
Is Caraway Cookware Worth It?
Short answer: it depends on how you cook.
For me, Caraway cookware is worth it for the design, storage system, and clean cooking materials. I love how it looks in my kitchen, how neatly everything stores, and how enjoyable it is to cook with when the pans are newer.
That said, if you’re expecting a non stick surface that performs perfectly for years under heavy, daily use, you might be disappointed. In my high-use kitchen, the non stick performance started to fade a bit around the 2-month mark on my most-used pan. It’s still very usable, just not flawless.
If you cook a few times a week, use low to medium heat, and treat your pans gently, I think the value is much higher and the cookware will last longer. If you cook all three meals at home daily like we do, I’d go in expecting eventual replacement of your most-used pans.
Is Caraway Cookware Safe?
Based on the information Caraway provides and the research I’ve done, Caraway cookware is positioned as a safer, non toxic option compared to traditional non stick pans.
Caraway says their ceramic cookware is made without PTFE, PFOA, PFAS, lead, or cadmium, and that it’s third-party tested. That’s a big reason I wanted to try it. I’m actively trying to reduce plastics and questionable coatings in my kitchen, and this felt like a reasonable step in that direction.
That said, I always encourage people to read brand testing details themselves and decide what feels right for their home. No cookware is completely indestructible or maintenance-free, and even ceramic coatings can degrade over time with heat and heavy use.
For me, Caraway felt like a safer option than traditional stick pans, especially when used as directed.
Where To Buy Caraway Cookware
You can buy Caraway cookware directly from the Caraway website, which is where you’ll usually find the full color selection, bundle options, storage systems, and occasional sales.
Buying direct also makes it easier to access their care instructions, warranty information, and full product details. I personally prefer ordering cookware directly from the brand so I know exactly what I’m getting and how to care for it properly.
If you’re price shopping, it’s worth keeping an eye out for seasonal promotions or bundle discounts, especially if you’re considering a full cookware set instead of a single pan.
Who Should Buy Caraway Cookware (And Who Should Skip It)
This is the part I wish more reviews were honest about, because Caraway isn’t bad cookware, but it’s also not for everyone. Knowing which camp you fall into will save you money and frustration.
You’ll Probably Love Caraway If…
You care about how your kitchen looks and functions together. The design, colors, and storage system genuinely make daily cooking feel calmer and more intentional.
You want ceramic cookware that’s positioned as non toxic, especially if you’re trying to move away from traditional non stick coatings, plastics, or mystery materials.
You cook on low to medium heat most of the time and don’t mind adjusting your habits slightly to protect the ceramic coating.
You like cookware that’s easy clean when treated well, and you’re fine with handwashing instead of tossing everything in the dishwasher.
You cook a few times a week or rotate your pans, instead of using the same fry pan every single day.
You value storage. The lid holder, canvas lid system, and pan organizers make a real difference if your kitchen cabinets are tight or chaotic.
You Should Probably Skip Caraway If…
You want a pan you can absolutely crank the heat on without thinking. High heat will shorten the life of the ceramic coating, and that’s just not what this cookware is designed for.
You expect non stick performance to last perfectly for years with heavy, daily cooking. If you cook three meals a day at home like we do, the stick surface will eventually show wear.
You hate handwashing cookware or know you’ll throw pans in the dishwasher “just this once.” That “once” adds up.
You want cool-touch handles. The stainless steel handles and steel handles get hot, and needing an oven mitt for stovetop cooking might drive you nuts.
You prefer ultra-forgiving cookware like cast iron or fully stainless steel that improves with abuse rather than needing gentler care.
You don’t care about storage systems or aesthetics. A big part of Caraway’s value is how it looks and stores. If that doesn’t matter to you, the price may feel harder to justify.
My Honest Take After Daily Use
Caraway makes sense if you treat it like a lifestyle cookware set, not an indestructible workhorse. I enjoy cooking with it, I love how it looks in my kitchen, and I appreciate the move toward cleaner materials.
I just think people get disappointed when they expect it to behave like cheap stick pans or restaurant-grade stainless steel. Once you adjust expectations, the experience makes a lot more sense.
My Bottom Line
If you’re landing here because you searched “Caraway cookware review” or “Caraway cookware”, this post is specifically about my early experience with Caraway ceramic cookware at home, including the fry pan, sauce pan, and the dutch oven.
A few more product details people look for:
- Oven safe: Caraway says the cookware is oven safe up to 550°F, which is great if you like going from stove to oven.
- Lid holder: The set includes a lid holder setup (Caraway calls it a canvas lid holder), and it’s genuinely useful for keeping lids from turning into a chaotic cabinet pile.
- Ceramic coating and cooking surface: The ceramic coating is what gives the non stick feel early on, but with enough cooking and heat over time, you can start to notice tiny stick spots on the cooking surface (that “stick surface” feeling I mentioned above).
- Non toxic: Caraway positions the set as non toxic and free from PTFE, PFOA, and PFAS, which is a big reason many people consider switching to ceramic cookware.
- Easy clean: When the coating is happy, it’s very easy clean. As the non stick surface coating wears, it can still clean up well, it just might need a little more patience than day one.
I’m also including this because it matters for real-life expectations: no cookware is “free” from wear. Even expensive pans change over time. For me, the question is whether the look, the clean-up, the storage system, and the cooking experience of these non stick pans are worth it for your kitchen and how often you cook.
In the end, Caraway is pretty, practical (especially the storage), and genuinely enjoyable to cook with. The non stick is great at first. In my high-use kitchen, I noticed the first sticking sign around 2 months, and based on other feedback I’ve heard, that drop-off is common.
If you buy Caraway, treat it like a nice coat. Wear it often, take care of it, don’t expect it to look new forever, and you’ll probably be happier.
