Caraway offers vibrant, modern ceramic-coated cookware designed for health-conscious home cooks who prioritize style and non-toxic surfaces. In contrast, Made In creates professional-grade cookware with materials like 5-ply stainless steel and copper, catering to serious chefs who demand performance, durability, and a classic, industrial aesthetic.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right cookware brand for your kitchen.
Caraway: The Modern, Non-Toxic Choice
Caraway is a direct-to-consumer brand that has become popular for its beautifully designed, non-toxic cookware. Focusing on a minimalist aesthetic combined with vibrant color options, Caraway appeals to style-conscious cooks who want kitchen essentials that are as beautiful as they are functional. Their core offering is a straightforward set of ceramic-coated pieces designed for everyday use.
- Product mix: The core line includes pots, pans, and bakeware with a non-stick ceramic coating. They specialize in complete sets that offer a curated selection of essentials: a fry pan, saucepan, sauté pan, and Dutch oven.
- Style/vibe: Bright, clean, and Scandinavian-inspired. Their signature feature is a palette of modern colors like sage, navy, and blush, designed to be displayed rather than hidden away.
- Price point: Mid-range. A complete cookware set starts around $395, with individual pieces typically costing between $50 and $150.
- Quality: Pans feature an aluminum core for even heating and a non-toxic ceramic coating that is free of PTFE and PFOA. Handles are stainless steel and designed to stay cool. The ceramic surface provides excellent non-stick performance but requires care to avoid chipping.
- Warranty: Caraway offers a limited lifetime warranty covering manufacturing defects. The non-stick coating's lifespan will depend on use and care.
- Return policy: The brand stands behind its products with a 30-day trial period, allowing you to test the cookware in your own kitchen.
- Delivery: Free shipping is typically available for orders over a certain value.
If you're looking for stylish, easy-to-clean, and health-conscious cookware for daily meals, Caraway delivers a thoughtful and aesthetically pleasing solution.
Shop Caraway: carawayhome.com
Made In: The Professional-Grade Cookware Brand
Made In was founded to bring restaurant-quality tools to home kitchens, emphasizing professional-grade materials and transparent sourcing. They cater to culinary enthusiasts and serious home cooks who value performance above all else. With a wide range of materials including stainless clad, non-stick, carbon steel, and copper, Made In offers versatile and durable pieces built to last.
- Product mix: Extensive selection of cookware including frying pans, stock pots, and sauté pans in various materials. They also offer specialty items like woks and griddles, catering to more advanced culinary techniques.
- Style/vibe: Timeless, industrial, and utilitarian. The aesthetic is clean and professional, focusing on the quality of the finish, whether it's brushed stainless steel or polished copper.
- Price point: Premium. Cookware sets start around $495, and individual pieces are often priced over $100, reflecting the high-grade materials and construction.
- Quality: Made In is known for superior materials, such as 5-ply stainless steel for excellent heat conduction and durability. Their cookware is engineered for high performance, resistance to warping, and longevity.
- Warranty: Most products come with a lifetime warranty, highlighting the brand's confidence in its durability and construction.
- Return policy: The company offers a straightforward return process and is known for its responsive, knowledgeable customer service team.
- Delivery: Free shipping is available on larger orders within the U.S.
Made In provides the durability and precise performance that serious cooks require, positioning its products as a long-term investment for a high-functioning kitchen.
Shop Made In: madeincookware.com
Caraway vs. Made In Comparison
Price Comparison
Caraway is positioned in the accessible mid-range market. A four-piece set costs around $395, making it an attractive option for someone looking to upgrade their kitchen without a massive financial commitment. This price point delivers both style and function for everyday cooking. Promotions and bundle deals are common, adding to the value.
Made In operates at a premium price point, with basic sets starting near $495. Individual pans can easily exceed $100. This higher cost is a direct reflection of the materials used, like multi-layered stainless steel and copper. It’s an investment in cookware that will likely last a lifetime, offering better long-term value for passionate cooks.
Quality & Materials
Caraway's signature is its non-toxic ceramic coating over an aluminum body. This combination ensures even heating and a slick non-stick surface without the use of PTFE or PFOA, which aligns with health-conscious buyers. While effective, ceramic coatings require careful handling - using wooden or silicone utensils and avoiding extreme temperature changes - to prevent chipping and maintain performance.
Made In’s emphasis is on traditional, high-performance materials. Their 5-ply stainless steel cookware (a core of aluminum layers sandwiched by stainless steel) offers exceptional heat control and retention. Their carbon steel pans are prized for developing a natural non-stick patina over time. These materials are incredibly durable, resistant to high heat, and favored in professional kitchens for their reliability.
Style & Aesthetic
The visual appeal of Caraway is central to its brand identity. The pans come in a range of contemporary, muted colors that are designed to be shown off. With a smooth, minimalist design, this cookware fits perfectly into modern, Scandinavian, or design-forward kitchens where aesthetics are just as important as function.
Made In has a more classic and industrial look. Their brushed metal finishes and sturdy, riveted handles project competence and durability. This style doesn’t follow trends, instead, it looks at home in any kitchen, from a professional restaurant setup to a home kitchen focused on high-quality culinary tools. It’s a timeless look that signals serious cooking.
Product Selection & Sizing
Caraway simplifies the shopping process by offering a well-curated but limited selection of essentials. Their standard set is designed to cover the core needs of most everyday home cooks. While this prevents decision fatigue, it may lack the specialized or larger sizes that more advanced chefs might require for specific recipes or large-format cooking.
Made In provides a much wider assortment of products. You can find multiple sizes of frying pans, saucepots, and stockpots, along with specialty pieces like sauciers, woks, and griddles. This extensive range allows cooks to build a customized collection tailored to their exact cooking style.
Shopping Experience
Both brands offer an excellent direct-to-consumer online shopping experience. Caraway's website is visually driven, colorful, and user-friendly, highlighting the lifestyle aspect of its brand. The 30-day trial is a major benefit, removing the risk of investing in a new set.
Made In's website is more educational, focusing on the technical details of its materials and manufacturing processes. It provides a level of transparency that appeals to knowledgeable consumers who want to know exactly what they’re buying and why it performs well. Their customer support team is known for its product expertise.
Sustainability & Ethics
Caraway builds its sustainability mission around non-toxic materials and mindful business practices. Their cookware is made without potentially harmful chemicals, their manufacturing process releases less CO2 than traditional non-stick production, and they use recyclable, plastic-free packaging.
Made In’s approach to sustainability is rooted in durability and longevity. By creating products that last a lifetime, they reduce the need for replacements and minimize waste. They are also transparent about their sourcing from multi-generational factories in the USA, Italy, and France, who adhere to high environmental and labor standards.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both brands offer fantastic products, but they are built for different types of cooks with distinct priorities.
Choose Caraway if:
- You prioritize a non-toxic, easy-to-clean cooking surface.
- Kitchen aesthetics are important to you, and you love modern, colorful designs.
- You are an everyday cook who needs reliable essentials for daily meals.
- You’re furnishing a new home or looking for a stylish, all-in-one cookware upgrade.
Choose Made In if:
- You are a passionate home chef who values cooking performance and heat control.
- You want to invest in durable, long-lasting cookware that mimics what professionals use.
- You prefer the reliability of stainless steel, carbon steel, or copper.
- You need a wide range of sizes and specialty pans for various cooking techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caraway or Made In cheaper?
Caraway is considerably cheaper upfront. With a full set priced around $395, it is more accessible for most buyers. Made In is a premium brand with sets starting closer to $500 and higher for more extensive collections.
Which has better quality cookware?
This depends on how you define "quality." Made In has better objective quality in terms of raw materials and construction, using 5-ply stainless steel and other durable metals designed for longevity and professional-level performance. Caraway's quality is centered on its effective non-toxic ceramic coating and stylish design for everyday use.
Is Caraway cookware actually non-toxic?
Yes. Caraway's cookware is coated with a ceramic non-stick layer that is free from chemicals like Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and other PFAs.
Is Made In cookware worth the high price?
For serious cooks, yes. The price reflects high-grade materials, superior heat conduction and retention, and extreme durability. If you cook often and value precision, Made In cookware is a worthwhile long-term investment that can last a lifetime, unlike many non-stick pans.
How long does Caraway's non-stick last?
With proper care (avoiding metal utensils, high heat, and dishwashers), Caraway's ceramic non-stick surface can last for several years. However, like all non-stick coatings, it will eventually wear down with heavy use.
Can you use metal utensils on Made In cookware?
On their stainless steel and carbon steel cookware, yes. These materials are very durable and can handle metal utensils. On their non-stick versions, it is still recommended to use wood, silicone, or nylon to prolong the life of the coating.
Which brand is better for a beginner cook?
Caraway is generally better for beginners. Its simple, curated set and foolproof non-stick surface make cooking and cleanup very easy, which can help build confidence in the kitchen.
What are Caraway's pans made of?
Caraway pans have an aluminum core, which is excellent for conducting heat quickly and evenly. This core is coated with their proprietary non-toxic, non-stick ceramic layer.
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