Updated: Jun. 28, 2024
If you’re debating between Caraway vs. Our Place for your next cookware set, we’re here to break down the differences.
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If you love scrolling through social media for recipe ideas, you’ve undoubtedly come across ads for Our Place pans and Caraway cookware. Both brands have gotten viral attention because of their stunning good looks, but these pans are way more than pretty. They’re also made of high-quality, eco-friendly materials and promise years of service in your kitchen.
These pans are known for being on the pricier side of the cookware spectrum, but as with most things, you get what you pay for. While there are plenty of knock-offs and imitators that offer high-end aesthetics at lower price points, they’re often made with cheaper materials that don’t last. And if you regularly replace shoddy cookware, you’re losing money in the long run!
After thorough, firsthand testing—including a massive ceramic cookware test—Our Place and Caraway impressed us and earned our seal of approval. Both brands are excellent performers in your kitchen, but which one should you bother investing in? We compared them to help you determine which is best for your cooking style.
What’s the difference between Caraway and Our Place?
There are many similarities between Caraway and Our Place. For one, both brands became household names thanks to social media. Their products are just as well known for their good looks as they are for quality and versatility, with colorful, minimalist designs.
However, there are differences. Caraway’s main focus is on eco-friendly, nontoxic cookware. The brand initially became famous for its nonstick ceramic pans and has since expanded to include stainless steel cookware, bakeware, food storage, cutting boards and knives.
On the other hand, Our Place focuses on multifunctional cookware that can replace multiple pots and pans, making it ideal for small spaces. The brands is best known for the mega-viral Always Pan, which combines the functions of 10 different specialty pans into a single design. Our Place has since expanded to offer a wider range of nontoxic cookware, bakeware, tableware and small appliances as well.
All About Caraway
We’ve tested many Caraway products, and every time, we’ve been impressed. Not only are they gorgeous, but they deliver in the kitchen!
The ceramic cookware set includes a Dutch oven, saute pan, saucepan and frying pan with corresponding lids. In our Caraway cookware review, we were surprised to discover exactly how nonstick these pans are. Almost nothing stuck, making them a breeze to clean. They work on induction, gas and electric cooktops and are oven safe up to 550 degrees.
In our tests, fried eggs easily slipped around the pan, even without oil! Meats browned beautifully, though we did notice the pan heats unevenly, with the center of the pan getting hotter than the edges. One of our editors who uses Caraway at home had to replace her frying pan after three years of everyday use when the nonstick ceramic coating began to chip away from the underlying aluminum core. However, she chalked this up to ignoring the manufacturer’s instructions and frequently using metal utensils or harsh scrubbers. She is still happily cooking with her replacement pan. (And using nonstick-safe silicone tools.) You can read more about her experience in our HexClad vs. Caraway analysis.
The Caraway mini cookware duo—which has all the wonderful qualities of its regular-sized counterparts—is also a winner. Coming in at 8 inches, the mini fry pan is only 2.5 inches smaller than the regular size, and it holds 1.05 quarts compared to the full-size pan’s 2.7 quarts. These are great for small kitchens or beginner cooks who just need the basics.
I personally tested Caraway’s bakeware set, and over two years later, I’m still using it in my home kitchen. I never need to use parchment paper to prevent food from sticking, and it takes little more than a light sponging to get everything clean. Even after regular use when roasting at high oven temps and stints beneath the broiler, the sheet pans have remained perfectly flat without a trace of long-term warping.
We also liked the Caraway prep set, which includes a paring knife, bread knife, prep knife and chef’s knife, all crafted from sharp German stainless steel. It also comes with wooden tools including tongs, a pasta server, a spoon, a bowl scraper and a spatula for flipping eggs and grilled cheeses. Because they’re made from FSC-certified birch wood, the tools are light and easy to use and won’t scratch or mar ceramic pans like metal tools would.
All of Caraway’s products are ethically manufactured by certified manufacturing partners that ensure safe working conditions for employees with fair compensation. They also ship all their goods in eco-friendly packaging without any single-use plastics.
Pros
Incredibly beautiful cookware available in multiple modern colors
Durable products
Sturdy construction
BPA- and toxin-free
Offers a wide range of kitchen gear in addition to cookware
Cons
Nonstick coating doesn’t last if you use metal tools
Not suitable for use on high heat
Not dishwasher safe
Pricey
Some of our Favorite Caraway Products
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All About Our Place
Our Place is most famous for its multifunctional Always Pan, which replaces eight pieces of cookware with just one pan. It functions as a frying pan, sauté pan, steamer, skillet, saucier, saucepan and nonstick pan. Its cooking surface features a nonstick ceramic coating for a smooth, slick design, a mesh strainer fits neatly inside for easy steaming, and a lid keeps items warm and steam locked in. A clever knob on the pan’s handle acts a spoon rest, and two spouts on the pan make for easy pouring with minimal mess.
Out of the box, this cookware is as stunning as it appears on Instagram, and is sustainably packaged, too. Fried eggs cooked easily both with and without oil, gliding around the pan with a swirl of the wrist. Though not dishwasher safe, the nonstick surface makes cleaning astoundingly easy. One of our editors has been using an Always Pan at home for years, and loves recommending it for people who need plenty of functionality despite being short on space.
In addition to the Always Pan, Our Place now offers traditional multi-piece cookware sets, all made with the same nontoxic, nonstick ceramic they’re known for. They also offer cast-iron pieces, bakeware and tableware. The company has recently expanded into making small appliances that are as beautiful as its cookware, including rice cookers, personal blenders and the 6-in-1 Wonder Oven, which air-fries, toasts and bakes with the option of adding steam.
Pros
Products are as pretty as their pictures
Available in multiple colors
Well-made and durable
BPA- and toxin-free
Offers cast iron pans in addition to nonstick ceramic
Truly nonstick cookware and bakeware
Cons
Nonstick coating doesn’t last if you use metal tools
Not suitable for use on high heat
Not dishwasher safe
Pricey
Some of our Favorite Our Place Products
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The Bottom Line
In the matter of Caraway vs. Our Place, you really can’t go wrong with either brand. They’re both top performers that are built to impress and live up to the hype. And there’s no reason why you can’t have pieces from both in your kitchen!
When deciding which brand to invest in, consider your cooking style and the size of your kitchen. If you have a tiny apartment kitchen like I do, or if you’re only cooking for one or two, you may prefer the versatility of Our Place’s Always Pan. It makes it easy to prep a wide array of recipes without the need for a large set of cookware. Alternately, if you have plenty of space and like having multiple things going on the stove simultaneously, you may consider a full set of Caraway pots and pans.
The best place to buy both brands is directly from their websites, especially if you want to score a deal. Our Place and Caraway run frequent sales, so keep your eyes peeled for discounts and special promotions.
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