Our Place is a design-forward brand known for its stylish, all-in-one Always Pan, while Caraway focuses on premium, coordinated cookware sets with a strict emphasis on non-toxic materials. Meanwhile, GreenPan offers a wide variety of affordable, accessible non-stick cookware, appealing to budget-conscious shoppers who still want a safe, ceramic option. The main difference comes down to concept: Our Place offers a single, versatile piece for minimalists, Caraway provides premium, durable sets for health-conscious homes, and GreenPan delivers value-driven variety.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right cookware brand for your kitchen.
Our Place: The Stylish Multifunctional Cookware
Our Place became an internet sensation with its flagship product, the Always Pan - a thoughtfully designed pan meant to replace eight traditional pieces of cookware. The brand appeals to young professionals and city dwellers by combining minimalist aesthetics, clever space-saving features, and vibrant color palettes. Ideal for smaller kitchens, Our Place focuses on creating a few beautiful, hyper-functional items rather than a large collection.
- Product mix: Their core product is the Always Pan, built to braise, sear, steam, strain, sauté, fry, and boil. The line has since expanded to include the Perfect Pot, bakeware, and various kitchen tools designed to complement their primary pieces.
- Style/vibe: Modern, minimalist, and very Instagram-friendly. Their cookware is known for a curated selection of matte, statement-making colors like "Spice," "Blue Salt," and "Sage."
- Price point: Mid-range premium. The original Our Place Always Pan retails for around $145, placing it as an accessible investment piece.
- Quality: The pans feature a non-toxic, PFOA-free ceramic non-stick coating over a sturdy aluminum body for even heating. Maintaining the surface requires non-abrasive tools and hand-washing to prolong its life.
- Sustainability: The brand uses responsibly sourced materials, 100% recyclable and biodegradable packaging, and has a transparent, ethical production process.
Our Place is the perfect choice for anyone who values design and function equally and wants a single, versatile piece that can do a bit of everything beautifully.
Shop Our Place: ourplace.com
Caraway: The Health-Conscious Premium Set
Caraway is dedicated to crafting high-quality, non-toxic ceramic cookware for the health-conscious home chef. The brand markets itself as a solution for those looking to avoid chemicals like PTFE (Teflon), PFOA, and lead, which can be found in traditional non-stick pans. Their signature offering is a complete cookware set that includes a fry pan, saucepan, sauté pan, and Dutch oven, along with a clever magnetic pan rack and canvas lid holder for storage.
- Product mix: Primarily sold as a comprehensive four-piece cookware set, but individual items are also available. They also offer bakeware, prep sets, and kitchen linens.
- Style/vibe: Understated, clean, and elegant. Caraway uses a palette of modern, complementary colors like "Cream," "Navy," and "Perracotta" that lend a sophisticated, uniform look to a kitchen.
- Price point: Upper mid-range. A full cookware set starts at around $395, positioning it as a significant kitchen investment.
- Quality & Durability: Caraway cookware has an aluminum core for quick, even heating and a mineral-based ceramic coating. The construction feels substantial and built for longevity, backed by a lifetime warranty.
- Sustainability: They are committed to ethical manufacturing, recyclable packaging designed to avoid single-use plastics, and ship their products carbon-neutral.
If your top priority is a complete, non-toxic, and durable set of cookware with a polished aesthetic, Caraway is an excellent choice.
Shop Caraway: carawayhome.com
GreenPan: The Affordable Ceramic Pioneer
As one of the originators of ceramic non-stick cookware, GreenPan's mission is to make healthy cooking accessible to everyone. They were one of the first brands to introduce a PTFE-free coating called Thermolon. Because of their head start and scale, GreenPan offers the widest variety of styles, sizes, and price points, making them a fixture in major retail stores and a go-to for families and budget-minded shoppers.
- Product mix: Extensive. They offer every imaginable piece of cookware and bakeware, from small egg pans to large stockpots, grill pans, and woks, sold both individually and in sets.
- Style/vibe: Highly varied. While some collections have a clean, modern look, they also offer more traditional designs and a broad range of colors, from classic black to vibrant turquoise and red.
- Price point: The most budget-friendly of the three. Individual pans can be found for as little as $20, and complete sets typically range from $50 up to $200.
- Quality: GreenPan provides reliable, everyday performance. Their Thermolon coating is free from PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. While durable for daily cooking, the coating on some lower-priced lines may wear faster than more premium alternatives, especially with heavy use.
- Shopping Experience: Extremely accessible. You can buy GreenPan products directly from their website or find them at retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart.
GreenPan is the ideal option for anyone seeking proven, safe ceramic non-stick cookware without a hefty price tag or for someone building their kitchen piece by piece.
Shop GreenPan: greenpan.us
Our Place vs. Caraway vs. GreenPan Comparison
Price Comparison
There are clear pricing tiers among these three brands. GreenPan is the most affordable entry point, with individual pans starting around $20. For those looking for function over design prestige, it offers outstanding value.
Our Place sits in the middle with a premium "lifestyle" price for its $145 Always Pan. You're paying for the innovative all-in-one design, thoughtful features like the built-in spoon rest, and unique aesthetic.
Caraway is the most expensive, with its flagship set starting around $395. This price reflects a complete, coordinated system that includes premium cookware and custom storage solutions, backed by a strong warranty.
Quality & Durability
All three brands use aluminum construction for heat distribution and a non-toxic ceramic coating. However, durability can differ. Caraway positions itself as the most durable, with a substantial build and a lifetime warranty that inspires confidence for long-term use.
Our Place's cookware is well-made, but its multi-functional design means the non-stick surface might see more wear and tear if used for every single cooking task. Careful maintenance is key. GreenPan's durability often correlates with price, their higher-end lines hold up very well, while their more basic lines are suited for casual to moderate use.
Style & Aesthetic
This is a major differentiator. Our Place is for the trend-conscious cook, with bold, matte colors designed to be displayed on the stovetop. It has a playful, contemporary vibe.
Caraway offers a more restrained, sophisticated look. Its clean lines and muted, complementary colors are perfect for minimalist, modern, or Scandinavian-inspired kitchens where a calm, coordinated look is desired.
GreenPan offers the most stylistic diversity. With dozens of collections, you can find everything from classic stainless-steel handles and black pans to vibrant-colored sets, making it easy to find something that matches your existing kitchen decor without committing to a single look.
Product Selection
GreenPan is the clear winner on variety. Their catalogue is massive, covering cookware, bakeware, grilling accessories, and electrics. If you need a very specific piece, like an 8-inch crepe pan or a 12-quart stockpot, they likely have it.
Caraway focuses on offering a complete, essentials-only set that covers the vast majority of home cooking tasks. Their approach is about curation, providing everything you need and nothing you don't. Our Place began with extreme minimalism - one pan to do it all - and is slowly expanding its lineup with other multi-functional pieces like the Perfect Pot and bakeware.
Which One Should You Choose?
All three brands offer excellent non-toxic choices, but they cater to very different types of cooks and kitchens.
Choose Our Place if:
- You're furnishing a small apartment or have limited cabinet space.
- You value aesthetics highly and want your cookware to be a decor statement.
- You cook for one or two people and appreciate a minimalist, all-in-one approach.
- You want clever, built-in features like a steamer basket and nesting spatula.
Choose Caraway if:
- Your primary concern is cooking with non-toxic, healthy materials.
- You are looking to buy a complete, high-quality set that will last for years.
- You appreciate included storage solutions to keep your kitchen organized.
- You prefer a clean, elegant, and minimalist look.
Choose GreenPan if:
- You're shopping on a budget.
- You need to buy individual pans to fill gaps in your existing collection.
- You value a veteran brand with wide availability and a proven track record.
- You need a broad selection of shapes, sizes, and colors to choose from.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which brand is the cheapest cookware: Our Place, Caraway, or GreenPan?
GreenPan is by far the most affordable, with individual frying pans often priced between $20 and $50. Our Place holds the middle ground with its signature pan at $145. Caraway is a premium investment, with its multi-piece sets starting around $395.
Which cookware is the most durable?
Caraway is generally considered the most durable due to its premium construction and lifetime warranty, which makes it an excellent long-term investment. While strong, Our Place and GreenPan require more diligent care (like avoiding metal utensils and high heat) to maximize the lifespan of their non-stick surfaces.
Are all three brands non-toxic?
Yes. A core selling point for all three brands is their commitment to non-toxic cooking surfaces. They all use ceramic non-stick coatings that are free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium, making them a safe alternative to traditional non-stick pans.
Which pan is best for saving space?
The Our Place Always Pan is the uncontested winner for saving space. It's expressly designed to replace eight different kitchen tools, including a frying pan, steamer, and saucepan, making it ideal for minimalist kitchens with limited storage.
Are the pans from these brands oven-safe?
Caraway and GreenPan cookware are typically oven-safe, usually up to 500-550°F, making them versatile for recipes that start on the stovetop and finish in the oven. The Our Place Always Pan is oven-safe up to 450°F without the lid.
Which brands are easiest to buy?
GreenPan is the most accessible, available widely at stores like Target, Crate & Barrel, and Amazon, as well as on their own website. Our Place and Caraway primarily sell directly to consumers through their own websites, building a direct relationship with their customers.
Should I hand-wash ceramic cookware?
Yes. To maintain the integrity and longevity of any ceramic non-stick coating, hand-washing with a soft sponge and mild soap is always recommended. Dishwashers use harsh detergents and high heat that can degrade the non-stick surface over time.
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