A Cookware Set That’ll Make You Fall in Love With Cooking Again
It’s fun to use and as a bonus, storing pots and pans won’t turn into a game of Jenga.
It’s fun to use and as a bonus, storing pots and pans won’t turn into a game of Jenga.
Lately, I’ve found myself coming up with reasons to host dinner or consider moonlighting as a galloping gourmet, which is nowhere near my norm. My culinary skills haven’t quite matured to my liking (I’d much rather receive ready-made meals than prepare them). However, now that the Caraway Cookware Set is in my life, my relationship with cooking is beginning to blossom after a dormant period.
I’ve sautéed, fried, and boiled stuff in everything from a shoddy but beloved off-brand iron frying pan and Eva Longoria’s Risa Cookware Set to a 4-piece set from Our Place, each experience bringing me different levels of food prep satisfaction. Each of these former loves had distinct qualities that initially appealed to me, from handles that allow you to perfectly prop utensils to brilliant colorways. But there’s just something about the way a fried egg slides off the surface of the Caraway pan that tells me I won’t probably won’t be relying on those other pieces as much. Read on it to find out why.
Caraway Cookware Set
The 4-piece set comes with non-toxic and non-stick, ceramic-coated fry, sauce, and sauté pans and a Dutch oven, a canvas lid holder, and a set of magnetic pot racks that work for countertop or cabinet storage depending on your space. It’s available in Classic, Monochrome, and Iconics. Choosing between Tan France’s newly released Moss set and the Iconics in black with gold hardware felt impossible (both shades are equally rich and soothing), but I went with the latter. At $745 (currently on sale for $595), it’s the most expensive of the three options, something you may want to keep in mind when choosing a color.
No smoke and mirrors here…
The cookware does not disappoint—it looks just as beautiful and well-made in person as it does online. In the couple of months that I’ve owned it, it fetches nonstop compliments from anyone who sees it sitting on my counter. When removing the set from the box, I immediately noticed how much heavier it was than my other cookware. Each piece has a steel base which adds to the heft, but doesn’t make it too challenging to lift. The gray interior is extremely smooth and provides a nice contrast against the darker exterior. The mirrored stainless steel hardware offers the same contrasting effect while giving the set a luxe appearance that feels subtly showy without looking gaudy. The hardware feels well-secured and sturdy—so far, I’ve detected no wobbly attachments.
The (easy) setup and storage
The inclusion of a canvas lid holder and pot racks suggests that at least one person on the Caraway team has been the victim of one too many cookware cabinet crashes. I truly appreciate the security that comes with storing a pot or lid in my cabinet or on the countertop and confidently walking away knowing that they’ll stay put. Even with scant cabinet space, it appears that those days of playing Jenga: Cookware Version are permanently behind me.
The (even easier) cleanup and maintenance
After using the set to fry and scramble eggs, make soup, spaghetti, chicken parmigiana, and numerous other meals, cleanup has been equally easy across the board. As someone who mostly whips up quick, one-pan meals, I’ve taken a particular liking to the frying pan, with the sauce pan coming in a close second. Another nice feature is the fact that the Dutch oven lid can be used on the frying pan (we love a multi-use accessory). So far, I haven’t encountered any issues with food sticking, a testament to its non-stick surface. And I can usually rinse any food remnants away with a gentle sponge wipe-down.
The verdict, so far…
Because this cookware set is officially a precious personal commodity, I’ve been extremely careful when handling it. That said, I’ve yet to notice any exterior chipping or markings on the steel base. However, I’ll need a few more months with the cookware set to see how it holds up under extreme duress (the holidays are coming) but as it stands, I have no regrets. Thanks to capitalism, Caraway, the desire of wanting pretty things, or some combination therein, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to not enjoy cooking. In fact, this set makes me want to cook more (a literal miracle that simultaneously serves as a promising sign). To quote the Barefoot Contessa, how easy is that?
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