MadeIn creates professional-grade cookware with a focus on durable materials like multi-ply stainless steel and carbon steel, targeting serious home cooks who prioritize performance and longevity. In contrast, Caraway designs modern, non-toxic ceramic cookware with a stylish aesthetic, appealing to health-conscious consumers who value user-friendly features and easy clean-up for everyday cooking.
Let's compare everything you need to know to choose the right cookware for your kitchen.
MadeIn: The Professional-Grade Powerhouse
MadeIn is a direct-to-consumer brand that has quickly earned a reputation for its professional-quality cookware, knives, and bakeware. By partnering with generational artisans in the USA and Europe, MadeIn delivers cookware that meets the demands of restaurant kitchens while remaining accessible to passionate home cooks. The brand's core philosophy is built on performance, durability, and a dedication to craft.
- Product mix: A comprehensive lineup including 5-ply stainless clad cookware, non-stick frying pans, carbon steel pans, enameled cast iron Dutch ovens, and professional-grade knives.
- Style/vibe: Sleek, functional, and industrial. The design prioritizes performance over flashy aesthetics, resulting in a timeless look that feels at home in a serious kitchen.
- Price point: Mid-to-high range investment pieces. A 10-piece stainless steel set can run around $600, while individual frying pans start near $100.
- Quality: Exceptional construction designed for longevity. Their cookware features multi-layered metals for even heat distribution and responsiveness. The stainless steel and carbon steel pieces are built to last a lifetime with proper care.
- Durability/Warranty: Built to withstand heavy use in both home and professional settings. Most of their core cookware comes with a lifetime warranty.
- Sustainability: Focuses on responsible manufacturing partnerships in the US and Western Europe. Their emphasis on creating generational products also reduces waste compared to disposable cookware.
- Sales: Key sales events occur around major holidays, offering significant discounts on sets and individual pieces.
MadeIn cookware is for those who view cooking as a craft and are willing to invest in high-performance tools that will last for decades.
Shop MadeIn: madeincookware.com
Caraway: The Modern, Non-Toxic Choice
Caraway emerged as a solution for home cooks seeking stylish, functional, and health-conscious cookware. The brand centers its collection on ceramic-coated cookware that is free of potentially harmful chemicals like PTFE (Teflon), PFOA, and heavy metals. Caraway pairs its non-toxic mission with a minimalist aesthetic and clever storage solutions, making it a favorite among design-savvy and health-minded consumers.
- Product mix: Focused on essential cookware and bakeware sets. This includes fry pans, saucepans, sauté pans, and a Dutch oven, all with a non-toxic ceramic coating.
- Style/vibe: Modern, minimalist, and very colorful. Caraway cookware comes in a variety of soft, contemporary colors like Sage, Cream, and Perracotta, designed to be displayed on stovetops.
- Price point: Affordable luxury. An all-in-one four-piece Cookware Set is typically priced around $395-$495 and includes a magnetic pan rack and canvas lid holder.
- Quality: Features an aluminum core for even heating, coated with a durable, naturally slick ceramic surface. While ceramic non-stick doesn't have the same lifespan as stainless steel, it is well-regarded for its performance and safety.
- Sales: Caraway often offers savings through bundled sets and runs promotions during major shopping holidays.
- Sustainability: Caraway ships products in recycled and biodegradable packaging with no single-use plastics. Their manufacturing partners release fewer emissions compared to traditional PTFE cookware producers.
- Fit/Sizing: Caraway sets are optimized for everyday use and space-saving organization, making them ideal for small to medium-sized kitchens. Each set is designed for neat storage and easy access.
Caraway is best for the everyday cook who wants an easy-to-use, non-toxic pan that looks as good as it performs.
Shop Caraway: carawayhome.com
MadeIn vs. Caraway Comparison
Price Comparison
There is a clear distinction in pricing between the two brands. MadeIn positions itself as a premium investment, their full cookware sets can cost over $600, reflecting the complex manufacturing and high-grade materials used. It's built for those who won't need to buy another set for decades.
Caraway is more accessible, falling into the "affordable luxury" category. Their popular four-piece set for around $495 offers an entire cookware solution for a reasonable price, particularly when considering the included storage system. While it's not cheap, it provides strong value for consumers who prioritize a non-toxic surface and modern design over lifetime durability.
Quality & Materials
MadeIn is a clear winner in terms of raw durability and professional-level performance. Their 5-ply stainless steel construction offers outstanding heat control, retention, and evenness, while their carbon steel is beloved for its heat responsiveness and seasoning ability. These are heirloom-quality materials designed for precise cooking techniques like searing and sautéing.
Caraway's quality focus is on health and usability. The ceramic coating provides an excellent non-stick surface without the need for controversial chemicals. Underneath is an aluminum core that heats evenly. While fantastic for everyday cooking and easy cleanup, its ceramic surface requires careful maintenance (no metal utensils, avoiding extreme thermal shock) and will not last as long as a well-maintained stainless steel or cast iron pan.
Style & Aesthetic
Style is where the brands diverge most visibly. MadeIn has a commercial-kitchen chic: polished steel, riveted handles, and a look that says "I mean business." It’s a classic, pragmatic aesthetic that puts function first and will never go out of style.
Caraway, on the other hand, leads with design. Its cookware is part of the kitchen's decor, offered in an array of muted, trendy colors. The smooth lines, modern matte finish, and cohesive look are perfect for contemporary, Scandinavian, or minimalist kitchens where cookware might be left on the counter or an open shelf.
Product Selection
MadeIn offers a more expansive and specialized range of products. Beyond the essentials, you can find specialty items like woks, sauciers, roasting pans, and a diverse knife collection. This allows serious cooks to build out a complete, high-performance kitchen toolkit with pieces tailored for specific tasks.
Caraway's selection is more tightly focused. They offer a core set of cookware pieces that cover the vast majority of everyday needs, as well as complementary bakeware. This simplified approach is great for those who want a matching, comprehensive set without being overwhelmed by choice.
Sustainability & Ethics
Both brands take sustainability seriously, but they approach it from different angles. MadeIn's strategy is centered on longevity - creating products that last a lifetime eliminates the waste of replacing cheaper pans. Their manufacturing in the USA and Europe also adheres to stricter environmental and labor regulations.
Caraway's focus is on material health and manufacturing processes. By using a mineral-based ceramic coating, they avoid PTFE and its associated chemicals. Their process also releases up to 60% less CO2 into the atmosphere compared to traditional players. They complete their eco-friendly mission with plastic-free packaging.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right cookware brand for you depends entirely on your cooking habits, values, and kitchen style.
Choose MadeIn if:
- You are a serious or passionate home cook who wants restaurant-quality results.
- You prioritize lifelong durability and performance over non-stick convenience.
- You enjoy cooking with stainless steel or carbon steel and know how to properly use and maintain it.
- You see cookware as a long-term investment and are willing to pay a premium for quality.
Choose Caraway if:
- You prioritize a non-toxic, chemical-free cooking surface for health reasons.
- A sleek, modern design and choice of colors are important to your kitchen aesthetic.
- You want frustration-free, easy-to-clean cookware for daily meals.
- You appreciate clever design details like the included pan and lid storage solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MadeIn or Caraway cheaper?
Caraway is generally cheaper upfront. Its all-in-one cookware set offers a complete cooking solution for under $500, whereas a comparable collection from MadeIn would be considerably more expensive. However, MadeIn's pieces are designed to last a lifetime, potentially making them a better value over the very long term.
Which cookware has better quality?
They both have high quality, but it's defined differently. MadeIn has superior build quality, using multi-ply metals that offer incredible performance and durability suited for professionals. Caraway's quality is found in its effective non-toxic ceramic coating and thoughtful, user-centric design that combines aesthetics with practical function.
Can MadeIn pans go in the oven?
Yes, most of MadeIn's stainless steel and carbon steel cookware is oven-safe to very high temperatures (often up to 800°F or more), making them extremely versatile for searing on the stovetop and finishing in the oven.
Can you use metal utensils on Caraway pans?
No, you should avoid using metal utensils with Caraway cookware. To protect the ceramic non-stick coating and ensure its longevity, it's recommended to use wood, silicone, or nylon utensils.
Do I have to season MadeIn pans?
You do not need to season MadeIn's stainless steel pans. However, their carbon steel and cast iron products require seasoning - a process of baking oil onto the surface - to build up a naturally non-stick patina.
Which is better for induction cooktops?
Both MadeIn and Caraway cookware are compatible with induction cooktops, giving you flexibility no matter your kitchen setup.
Which brand is better for a beginner?
Caraway is often easier for beginner cooks. Its non-stick surface is more forgiving, requires less oil, and is extremely easy to clean. MadeIn's stainless steel cookware has a steeper learning curve for temperature control to prevent sticking.
Does Caraway's non-stick coating last forever?
No non-stick coating lasts forever, including Caraway's. With proper care (low-to-medium heat, non-abrasive cleaners, no metal utensils), the coating can last several years. This is a shorter lifespan compared to MadeIn's stainless cookware, which can last indefinitely.
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