The Our Place Always Pan and Caraway's cookware fundamentally differ in scope, price, and core value proposition. The Always Pan is designed as a single, do-it-all piece famous for its trendy aesthetic and multi-functionality, while Caraway offers complete sets of premium, non-toxic cookware with a focus on health, sustainability, and a cohesive, minimalist style.
Here's everything you need to know to decide which of these popular kitchen brands is right for you.
Our Place Always Pan
The Our Place Always Pan is an internet-famous piece of cookware designed to replace eight traditional kitchen items. It aims to be the single pan you use for nearly everything, from frying and sautéing to steaming food with its included basket. It’s known for its beautiful design, vibrant color options, and clever features that appeal to home cooks with limited storage space or a preference for minimalist cookware.
- What it is: A versatile 11-inch non-stick ceramic pan designed to braise, sear, steam, strain, sauté, fry, and boil.
- Key features: Comes with a nesting steamer basket and colander, a modular lid, and a wooden spatula that neatly fits onto the integrated handle rest. Its non-stick coating requires very little oil.
- Price: Around $145
- Dimensions: 11-inch diameter with a 2.6-quart capacity.
- Materials/Construction: Features a non-stick ceramic coating over a lightweight aluminum body that ensures fast, even heating. The pan has a stay-cool handle.
- Style: Modern and trendy, with a minimalist shape. Available in a wide array of bold and muted colors from "Spice" and "Sage" to matte black.
- Pros: Excellent space-saver, replacing multiple pieces of cookware. Visually stunning design and colors. Lightweight and easy to handle. Includes useful accessories like a steamer basket and spatula.
- Cons: The ceramic non-stick coating can lose its effectiveness over time if not cared for meticulously. Not designed for high-heat searing or use in the oven. The light-colored interior can show stains over time.
The Always Pan is ideal for individuals or small households living in smaller spaces who value function, style, and simplicity in one eye-catching piece.
Shop this product: ourplace.com/products/always-pan
Caraway Cookware Set
Caraway is a modern cookware brand focused on producing non-toxic, eco-friendly kitchen essentials without sacrificing style. Unlike the singular Always Pan, Caraway's core product is a complete cookware set that includes a fry pan, saucepan, sauté pan, and Dutch oven. The brand emphasizes health and safety by using a ceramic coating free from chemicals like PTFE and PFOA, appealing to conscious consumers ready to invest in a full matching set of high-quality cookware.
- What it is: A complete, non-toxic ceramic-coated cookware collection that includes four essential pieces and a custom storage system.
- Key features: Ceramic coating free of PTFE, PFOA, PFAS, lead, and other potentially toxic metals. The set comes with a magnetic pan rack and canvas lid holder. Oven-safe up to 550°F.
- Price: Around $395 for the core 4-piece set.
- Dimensions: The set includes a 10.5" Fry Pan, 3 qt Saucepan, 4.5 qt Sauté Pan, and a 6.5 qt Dutch Oven.
- Materials/Construction: Aluminum core for even heat distribution, stainless steel handles, and a mineral-based ceramic coating.
- Style: Clean, understated, and sophisticated. The collection is available in a palette of muted, earthy, and jewel tones with a distinctive matte finish.
- Pros: Made with completely non-toxic, health-conscious materials. Incredibly durable construction and oven-safe to high temperatures. Thoughtful storage solution reduces cabinet clutter. Uniform, elegant aesthetic elevates kitchen decor.
- Cons: A significantly higher upfront investment compared to a single pan. Requires committing to an entire set (though individual pieces are sold). The included storage system may not fit all cabinet layouts.
Caraway cookware is for the health-conscious home cook who is ready to invest in a complete, durable, and sophisticated set of non-toxic tools for their kitchen.
Shop this product: carawayhome.com/products/cookware-set
Our Place Always Pan vs. Caraway Comparison
Materials & Construction
Both brands use an aluminum core for even heating with a ceramic non-stick coating. However, Caraway heavily markets that its ceramic is free of PTFE, PFOA, and other potentially harmful chemicals, making it a clear choice for health-focused consumers. The Always Pan's coating is also non-toxic but the marketing focus is less pronounced.
A key difference is durability and heat tolerance. Caraway pans feature a more robust construction and are oven-safe up to 550°F, allowing you to move dishes from the stovetop to the oven. The Always Pan is not designed for oven use, which limits its versatility for certain recipes.
Style & Aesthetics
Your choice here comes down to personal taste. The Our Place Always Pan acts as a trendy statement piece, offering bright and unique colors that add a pop of personality to the kitchen. It has a chic, influencer-friendly vibe.
Caraway opts for a more timeless, understated elegance. Its cookware sets come in muted and sophisticated color palettes like "Cream," "Navy," and "Sage," designed to create a cohesive, minimalist look across your entire kitchen. The matching lids and uniform handles provide a clean, organized appearance that the single Always Pan can't offer on its own.
Functionality & Sizing
This is the biggest practical difference. The Always Pan aims to be one pan that does it all. Its 11-inch size and 2.6-quart capacity are great for everyday meals for one or two people, and the steamer basket adds valuable function. However, it can't truly replace a larger Dutch oven for soups and stews or a smaller saucepan for liquids.
The Caraway Cookware Set provides you with specialized tools for the job: a dedicated fry pan, saucepan, sauté pan, and Dutch oven. This is far better suited for anyone who cooks a variety of meals regularly and needs different sizes and shapes for optimal results. The included modular storage racks also give Caraway an organizational edge if you have the space for it.
Price & Value
The Our Place Always Pan is clearly the more budget-friendly option at around $145. For that price, you get a versatile pan and useful accessories, offering solid value for someone who needs one reliable tool. It lowers the barrier to entry for design-conscious cookware.
At nearly three times the price ($395+), the Caraway set is a serious investment. However, you're getting four high-quality, long-lasting pieces plus an entire storage system. Given its non-toxic materials, oven safety, and durable construction, Caraway provides strong long-term value for anyone looking to build a complete kitchen collection.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both of these viral cookware brands offer excellent products, but they are built for fundamentally different types of home cooks and kitchens.
Choose the Our Place Always Pan if:
- You're furnishing a small apartment or have very limited cabinet space.
- You want a single, versatile pan for daily meals and value having an all-in-one solution.
- Your budget is under $200.
- You love a bold, trendy aesthetic and want your cookware to be a colorful statement piece.
Choose Caraway if:
- Health is your top concern and you want cookware that is certified non-toxic.
- You need a complete set built for various cooking tasks, from searing to baking.
- You're prepared to make a higher upfront investment for long-term quality and durability.
- You prefer a sophisticated, cohesive, and minimalist style in your kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Always Pan and Caraway?
The main difference is scope. The Always Pan is a single, multifunctional pan designed to replace several kitchen tools, perfect for small spaces and simpler cooking routines. Caraway offers a full set of premium, non-toxic cookware for those who want a complete, matching collection of high-performance tools.
Is Caraway cookware really non-toxic?
Yes. Caraway's main selling point is its materials. Its cookware is made with a ceramic non-stick coating that is 100% free of PTFE (like Teflon), PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium, ensuring no toxic materials are released into your food.
Is the Our Place Always Pan oven-safe?
No, the Always Pan is not designed to be used in the oven. Exposing it to high oven temperatures can damage the non-stick coating and handle. Caraway pans, on the other hand, are oven-safe up to 550°F.
Which non-stick surface lasts longer?
Both surfaces require proper care, including avoiding metal utensils, abrasive sponges, and high heat. When cared for properly, both can last for years. However, Caraway's more robust construction is arguably designed for slightly greater longevity, while the Always Pan's coating is known to be more delicate.
Can you buy Caraway pans individually?
While Caraway is most known for its comprehensive cookware set, the company also sells its pieces individually. This allows you to build your collection over time or just purchase the one pan you need most, such as their popular Fry Pan.
How do you clean the Always Pan and Caraway pans?
For both brands, hand-washing with a non-abrasive sponge and gentle soap is highly recommended to preserve the life of the ceramic non-stick coating. Allowing the pans to cool completely before washing also prevents warping and damage.
Which one is better for a beginner cook?
The Our Place Always Pan is fantastic for beginner cooks because it simplifies the kitchen. With one tool and an included steamer basket, it takes the guesswork out of which pan to use and is great for learning basic frying, steaming, and sauté preparation methods.
Does a storage solution come with the Always Pan?
The Always Pan does not come with a storage solution, although its single-pan design makes it inherently easy to store. The Caraway set stands out by including magnetic pan racks and a canvas lid organizer that is specifically designed to keep your cookware neat and accessible.
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