\n<\/p>\n
I<\/span>f you\u2019ve spent any time on social media in the last six years, you might have been targeted with ads for Caraway\u2019s colorful nontoxic, nonstick cookware. Billed as a highly aesthetic and safer alternative to traditional Teflon, the brand\u2019s pots and pans were a bit of an overnight sensation, thanks in large part to influencer-friendly colorways such as sage, marigold and \u201cperracotta,\u201d a mix of millennial pink and terracotta.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Guardian\u2019s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link.\u00a0Learn more.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Since its rise to fame, the brand has expanded to offer nontoxic bakeware, food storage and prep tools, all perfect for Instagram. (Lately, even trash bins.) But pretty often comes at a price \u2013 and I\u2019m not just talking about the high cost of Caraway\u2019s cookware, though there is that too. In this case, pretty means high-maintenance, as the brand\u2019s colorful coatings often require far more caution and care than what you may be used to.<\/p>\n After testing nearly all of Caraway\u2019s products as a writer at Bon App\u00e9tit and Epicurious, my overall takeaway is this: if you like the look of Caraway and you\u2019re very into kitchen colorways or beautifully organizing shelves, most of their stuff is very good. But there\u2019s a better, more durable and cheaper version of nearly everything they make. Of course, durable products are rarely as pretty as Caraway\u2019s, and for many design-minded home cooks, form is just as important as function.<\/p>\n Before you spend your hard-earned money on Caraway, here\u2019s this home cook\u2019s professional review of the brand\u2019s most popular items \u2013 along with tested recommendations for products to buy instead.<\/p>\n For a limited time, you can get 10% off all Caraway products with the exclusive discount code GUARDIAN10.<\/em><\/p>\n Now $112.50, originally $125 at Caraway<\/span>Now $148.50, originally $165 at Caraway <\/span>Now $99, originally $110 at Caraway <\/span>Now $175.50, originally $195 for set of six at Caraway <\/span>Now $202.50, originally $225 at Caraway <\/span>Now $400.50, originally $445 at Caraway <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span> Photograph: Courtesy of Caraway<\/p>\n Every kitchen should have at least one nonstick pan for eggs, quesadillas and the like, and Caraway\u2019s flagship nontoxic, ceramic-coated pans are a much safer \u2013 and prettier \u2013 alternative to traditional Teflon-coated nonstick cookware.<\/p>\n What we loved: <\/strong>These pots and pans are super slick right out of the box, and compatible with gas, electric and induction cooktops. In a test of Caraway\u2019s saute pan, the Filter called it one of best nonstick pans out there, and in a test of induction-safe cookware, the Filter crowned Caraway\u2019s the best overall. I personally would never recommend anyone buy a full set of nonstick cookware, but doing so is the only way to get your hands on Caraway\u2019s clever coordinating storage accessories, including a hanging linen lid holder.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026<\/strong> While no nonstick pan is meant to last forever, Caraway\u2019s is especially delicate. Accidental contact with a metal utensil may immediately result in a nick or scratch on any Caraway pan, and though it has a high heat tolerance (it\u2019s oven safe up to 550F) repeated exposure to high temperatures contributes to the deterioration of all<\/em> ceramic nonstick coating. Unfortunately, even with lots of TLC, Caraway\u2019s nonstick pans can quickly become less slick with regular use \u2013 after I used the fry pan daily for only a few months, certain things started to stick a little.<\/p>\n Like all nonstick cookware, this should never go in the dishwasher, and if you stack it on a shelf or in a cabinet, you should use pads or towels to prevent chips. Caraway\u2019s cookware also made louder-than-usual buzzing sounds on three different induction cooktops I used.<\/p>\n What should I get instead? <\/strong>If you want low-maintenance cookware that will last forever, stainless steel is the way to go. If you want another aesthetically pleasing nontoxic, nonstick pan, I love the GreenPan Reserve line. It\u2019s just as pretty \u2013 and a little less pricey \u2013 than Caraway. In my experience, it\u2019s more durable too. And if you\u2019re OK with spending a bit more, the Made In CeramiClad pan is what I\u2019ve been reaching for at home lately.<\/p>\n Caraway<\/p>\n Baking & Cooling Duo<\/p>\n $99<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/span> Photograph: Courtesy of Caraway<\/p>\n Caraway<\/p>\n Baking & Cooling Duo<\/p>\n $99<\/strong><\/p>\n Like Caraway\u2019s flagship cookware, the bakeware is available in a handful of pretty colors, it\u2019s super slick right out of the box, and if you buy a set, you get handy slim storage caddies so the pieces won\u2019t take up too much space in your cabinets.<\/p>\n What we loved: <\/strong>I absolutely love the Large Baking Sheet (which is technically a half sheet) for sheet-pan dinners. It browns food beautifully with a 550F oven tolerance, which is higher than most other baking sheets, and it\u2019s easy to hand-wash. And the coating on the baking sheet is so slick that when I baked cookies on it in a test of various coated and uncoated models, the dough spread out and the edges of the cookies crisped up much more quickly than with any other sheet \u2013 think Tate\u2019s Bake Shop texture. (This may be a pro or con, depending on your preference.)<\/p>\n I use the sheets most frequently, but I also really like the round cake pans as well as the muffin tins (my mini, crustless quiches pop out of them so easily).<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>Just like with nonstick cookware, the nonstick coating on Caraway\u2019s bakeware will deteriorate with regular use. It will go even quicker if you stick it in the dishwasher or use metal utensils (I had to replace my first Large Baking Sheet after my ex-husband carved our Thanksgiving turkey on it). I don\u2019t bake often, which is a big part of the reason my current Caraway bakeware has retained its super-slick, nonstick coating for years.<\/p>\n What should I get instead?<\/strong> If you want high-quality nonstick but don\u2019t need the pretty colors and don\u2019t want to spend $120 on two baking sheets, a set of Oxo Nonstick Pro sheets is a third of the price and just as slick. There are also plenty of ways to prevent food from sticking to uncoated aluminum \u2013 which is much more affordable and durable for long-term or heavy use.<\/p>\n Caraway <\/p>\n Enameled Cast-Iron Dutch Oven<\/p>\n $220.50<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/span> Photograph: Courtesy of Caraway<\/p>\n Caraway <\/p>\n Enameled Cast-Iron Dutch Oven<\/p>\n $220.50<\/strong><\/p>\n Enameled cast-iron cookware can last for decades with proper care, and the quality of Caraway\u2019s enameled cast-iron Dutch oven is backed up with a lifetime warranty.<\/p>\n What we loved: <\/strong>This roomy pot is deep enough for simmering soups and stews, and the slightly textured black interior enamel is great for browning and releasing foods cooked at high temperatures. That textured enamel is meant to perform like well-seasoned raw cast iron, but doesn\u2019t actually require seasoning, so this is a fairly low-maintenance piece (though it should still be washed by hand to preserve the integrity of the enamel).<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>Currently, Caraway\u2019s enameled cast-iron Dutch oven comes in two sizes: a round 6.5qt oven and an oval 8qt oven. Both might feel too big if you\u2019re not roasting big cuts of meat or making big batches of stew. The handles are also weirdly designed and feel too small for the substantial pot; the loop isn\u2019t quite big enough to wrap any fingers around, but there\u2019s just enough room that I worried I might get a finger stuck in it (a problem easily solved with oven mitts!).<\/p>\n What should I get instead? <\/strong>Caraway\u2019s Dutch oven is a high-quality piece of cookware, and you\u2019ll likely be very happy with it. However, if you\u2019re ready to invest in a piece of heirloom-quality cookware, I much prefer Made In\u2019s comparable 5.5qt Dutch oven, which has more substantial handles and an everyday capacity for smaller meals and households.<\/p>\n Caraway <\/p>\n Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set<\/p>\n $175.50<\/strong><\/p>\n Caraway\u2019s new mixing bowls are pretty, and their stainless steel can survive a drop on to a hard floor. But they\u2019re very expensive, and the materials make them far less versatile than other mixing bowls on the market.<\/p>\n What we loved: <\/strong>All mixing bowl sets should nest and come with lids, and Caraway\u2019s mixing bowl set delivers on both fronts. The three bowls have convenient capacities for large and small jobs (2qt, 4qt and 6qt). Though they aren\u2019t entirely leakproof, the gaskets on the sleek, clear glass lids are secure enough that I can shake up a salad and put soup in the fridge without splatters or spills. And like everything Caraway makes, they sure are nice to look at.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>I really wanted to love these mixing bowls, but I don\u2019t because I can\u2019t put them in the dishwasher \u2013 which I assume is due to the colorful exterior enamel. Since you generally don\u2019t cook in them, mixing bowls shouldn\u2019t be a big deal to hand-wash. But if I\u2019m doing something that requires a mixing bowl, I probably have a whole lot of other dishes to do too, and I hate that I can\u2019t toss these in the dishwasher while I\u2019m cooking to at least get them out of the way (though I still do that sometimes when I\u2019m desperate for counter space, but then take them out before I run a cycle).<\/p>\n What should I get instead? <\/strong>A basic or aesthetically pleasing glass Pyrex mixing bowl set is a fraction of the cost, and the glass can go in the microwave while all parts can go in the dishwasher. If you\u2019re set on steel, this set from Cuisinart is a great, dishwasher-safe option. Hell, even a set of three nesting, insulated mixing bowls with lids from the infamously pricey outdoor gear brand Yeti costs less than the Caraway bowls \u2013 and all of the Yeti parts are dishwasher-safe.<\/p>\n What we loved:<\/strong> Before I discovered Anyday\u2019s containers (more below), Caraway\u2019s ceramic-coated glass food storage containers were my best option for airtight fridge storage that could also go into the microwave or oven. I also appreciate that they come with vertical organizers, which save space in my cabinets.<\/p>\n Caraway <\/p>\n Food Storage Set<\/p>\n $202.50<\/strong><\/p>\n What I love the most about this set is not the containers themselves, but the optional, add-on Dot and Dash containers that I use to store garnishes and small snacks. They nest inside the larger containers, and the biggest one is the perfect size to hold a stick of butter.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>Though the pieces I held on to have grown on me a bit, I absolutely hated this system when I first tested it a few years ago. The stackable ceramic-coated glass containers are bulky and heavy, and the \u201cair release technology\u201d is basically a really strong gasket that makes it very difficult to remove the lid, especially after it\u2019s been in the fridge. Given the annoyingly tight lid, it\u2019s a shame that these containers aren\u2019t leakproof enough to transport liquids. And while the containers themselves are safe for the dishwasher, the lids are not.<\/p>\n What should I get instead? <\/strong>Unless you\u2019re trying to outfit your entire kitchen exclusively with Caraway gear, opt for Anyday\u2019s glass or silicone line. They\u2019re meant for storage and<\/em> cooking, and they weigh less, leak less and cost less than Caraway\u2019s pieces. They\u2019re also safe to use in the freezer, oven, microwave and dishwasher.<\/p>\n Caraway<\/p>\n Prep & Serve Butcher Block Set<\/p>\n $265.50<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/span> Photograph: Courtesy of Caraway<\/p>\n Caraway<\/p>\n Prep & Serve Butcher Block Set<\/p>\n $265.50<\/strong><\/p>\n What we loved: <\/strong>I was really excited when Caraway released the Prep & Serve butcher blocks. The reversible boards are thick, feature a juice groove all the way around the perimeter of one side, and if you buy a set of two, you get a vertical storage accessory. They\u2019re made of sustainably sourced end-grain wood and pre-treated with food-safe wax and oil (and they ship with a sample of board oil for maintenance). Though sturdy, they\u2019re not too heavy, and the rounded corners feel modern yet timeless (the 12in square block feels uniquely so).<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>The butcher blocks may be the only Caraway product I\u2019d consider to be flawless \u2013 if you don\u2019t mind the price, that is. I\u2019d also recommend passing on the original cutting board set, which has thin boards that are bound to warp with repeated exposure to moisture.<\/p>\n What should I get instead? <\/strong>Though Caraway\u2019s butcher blocks are great, you can get a comparable Boos cutting board \u2013 the gold standard of wooden butcher blocks \u2013 for half the price.<\/p>\n Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian\u2019s guide to buying fewer, better things:<\/strong><\/p>\n Explore the Filter<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you\u2019ve spent any time on social media in the last six years, you might have been targeted with ads for Caraway\u2019s colorful nontoxic, nonstick cookware. Billed as a highly aesthetic and safer alternative to traditional Teflon, the brand\u2019s pots and pans were a bit of an overnight sensation, thanks in large part to influencer-friendly<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":50408,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[24780,15456,1725,613,7948,859,15828,888,6790,3982,637],"class_list":{"0":"post-50407","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health","8":"tag-caraways","9":"tag-cookware","10":"tag-food","11":"tag-heres","12":"tag-influencers","13":"tag-ive","14":"tag-nontoxic","15":"tag-tested","16":"tag-trendy","17":"tag-wont","18":"tag-years"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=50407"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50407\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/50408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=50407"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=50407"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=50407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}The most popular Caraway items at a glance<\/h2>\n
Caraway\u2019s nonstick cookware<\/em><\/h2>\n
Caraway Fry Pan
<\/span><\/h2>\nOur alternative pick: GreenPan Reserve Pro Ceramic Nonstick 8in Frying Pan
<\/span><\/h2>\nCaraway\u2019s nonstick bakeware<\/em><\/h2>\n
Caraway Baking & Cooling Duo
<\/span><\/h2>\nOur alternative pick: Oxo Nonstick Pro Sheets
<\/span><\/h2>\nEnameled cast-iron Dutch ovens<\/em><\/h2>\n
Caraway Enameled Cast-Iron Dutch Oven
<\/span><\/h2>\nOur alternative pick: Made In Round Enameled Cast-Iron Dutch Oven
<\/span><\/h2>\nStainless steel mixing bowls<\/em><\/h2>\n
Caraway Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set
<\/span><\/h2>\nOur alternative pick: Cuisinart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set
<\/span><\/h2>\nGlass food storage containers<\/em><\/h2>\n
Our alternative pick: Anyday 2-Cup Glass Round Dish Multipack
<\/span><\/h2>\nWooden cutting boards and butcher blocks<\/em><\/h2>\n
Caraway Prep & Serve Butcher Block Set
<\/span><\/h2>\nOur alternative pick: John Boos Chop-N-Slice Maple Cutting Board
<\/span><\/h2>\n