Our Place vs. Caraway: Which Should You Buy? Here’s Our Honest Review

In the last five-ish years, home cooks saw a major change in available cookware, both in terms of form and function. What was previously just a sea of gray pots and pans coated in a questionable nonstick finish suddenly became much more colorful and safer to use, and home cooks were displaying their cookware on their stovetops or countertops almost like status symbols. 

Our Place and Caraway have been leading this category of cookware since 2019 with Instagram-worthy pans, made without harmful chemicals, that sell out quickly, and they even have limited-edition launches, as if the pans were collectibles. They’ve expanded into bakeware, accessories, and in the case of Our Place, even small appliances. 

Ahead, we take a look at the two brands as well as their best-selling products, comparing them side by side to help you make the right choice for your kitchen — especially as Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals start to heat up.

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Our Place launched in 2019 as a direct-to-consumer kitchenware brand that perfectly tapped into the millennial aesthetic with multipurpose cookware and bakeware, nonstick finishes free of harmful chemicals, and Instagram-friendly hues. The signature Always Pan became an overnight hit, and the brand gained a following for celebrating the cooking styles of cultures from around the world with items like wooden steamer baskets and even a frying set to celebrate Diwali.

Since launching, the brand has improved on its Always Pan with a 2.0 version, and has added titanium and cast-iron versions. It’s also expanded into small appliances like toaster ovens and multi-cookers. 

Currently, Our Place is hosting a Black Friday sale with up to 40% off throughout its site, dropping bestsellers like the Always Pan 2.0 down to just $95.

• Versatile cookware that is free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever” chemicals 
• The most popular line of nonstick cookware uses a nontoxic and nonstick ceramic coating 
• Thoughtful design features, like scratch-resistant finishes, built-in spatula rests, and condensation-catching lids
• Cookware, bakeware, appliances, and even accessories are designed to work with each other 
• Colorful pieces are meant to go from stove to oven to table, and back again 

Caraway, which also debuted in 2019, made a name for itself as “Non-Toxic Cookware Made Modern.” It quickly became known for its sleek and colorful cookware free of harmful chemicals, and attracted tons of attention on social media and in the kitchens of home cooks.

In the past five years, Caraway has expanded its cookware collection to include stainless steel and enameled cast iron, and has also added bakeware, accessories, a tea kettle, and even mini versions of its best-selling cookware.

Currently, Caraway’s Black Friday sale features discounts up to 20% off sitewide. Its popular Fry Pan is down to $85.50 from the usual $95.

• Colorful cookware made without harmful “forever chemicals,” specifically Teflon (also known as polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) 
• Most popular collection features a ceramic nonstick interior for easy cooking and cleaning, while aluminum and stainless steel bottoms ensure quick and even heat distribution 
• Cookware is sold individually, or in curated sets that include various sizes for versatility
• Wide range of classic and punchy colors, some of which are limited edition

Both Our Place and Caraway offer cookware made with nonstick ceramic, enameled cast iron, and more. One notable difference is that most Our Place pans are oven-safe up to 450℉, while most Caraway pans are oven-safe up to 550℉. Certain pieces vary, and the use of a lid also affects this, so be sure to double check the max temp on the pieces you’re adding to your shopping cart. 

Given that these brands initially attracted attention for their design, shoppers may prefer one look more than the other. But both brands offer cookware in multiple colors that is meant to be displayed on the stove (and on social media). The biggest difference might just be in the finish — Caraway’s cookware has a glossy exterior while Our Place is more matte — and the pricing — on average, Caraway’s starting prices are lower than Our Place’s. However, both sites have solid sales and great discounts, especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

The most popular items from Our Place include the Always Pan 2.0, the Perfect Pot, and the Bakeware Set. Caraway’s most popular items include the Cookware Set, Bakeware Set, and Dutch Oven.

Our Place’s Always Pan 2.0 and Caraway’s Fry Pan are arguably the brands’ respective signature pieces of cookware, and they have more similarities than differences. Both are fast-heating aluminum and stainless steel pans with nonstick ceramic surfaces. Both come in the brands’ respective wide ranges of colors. Both are also available as part of curated sets — Our Place offers the 4-piece Cookware Set Pro and Caraway has the Cookware Set.

The major differences are the visual look of the pans and the fact that Our Place’s pan is oven-safe up to 450℉, while Caraway’s is oven-safe up to 550℉.

Multiple editors at The Kitchn have tested the brands’ signature cookware. Contributor Danielle Centoni loved how slick her Caraway fry pan was, while food editor Patty Catalano loved the versatility of her Always Pan.

Features of Our Place’s Always Pan 2.0

• A versatile 10-in-1 pan that’s available in three sizes and more than six colors
• Includes a steamer basket, beechwood spatula that nestles into the pan handle, and a lid 
• Aluminum body heats quickly and evenly, while the nonstick interior means that food releases easily 
• Compatible with all cooktops, including induction 
• Oven-safe up to 450℉ 

Features of Caraway’s Fry Pan

• A versatile nonstick pan that can go from the stovetop to the oven to the table
• Glossy nonstick interior requires little oil when cooking 
• Aluminum and stainless steel bottoms heat quickly and distribute heat evenly 
• Compatible with all cooktops, including induction 
• Oven-safe up to 550℉ 

Both Our Place and Caraway have great bakeware, as tested by food editor Patty Catalano and contributor Erin Cavoto. Catalano loved that the ceramic nonstick on her Caraway set was super-slick even after more than a year, and Cavoto raved about the versatility of her Our Place set for easy weeknight dinners.

Both brands sell the usual baking sheets, and square and rectangular baking pans. Our Place also stocks accessories like oven mitts, baking mitts, and roasting racks, while Caraway offers additional cake, muffin, and brownie pans.

Our Place’s bakeware is made of stoneware, while Caraway’s set is made of steel. Both are coated in nonstick ceramic, and most of the bakeware features tabbed handles. Because of the larger size, the handles on Our Place’s Main Bake and Side Bake have looped handles for easy maneuvering. 

Our Place’s bakeware is oven-safe up to 450℉, while Caraway’s can go up to 550℉. Some of Our Place’s bakeware is dishwasher-safe, but all of Caraway’s bakeware is hand-wash only. As you’d expect, neither brand of bakeware should be used with metal utensils or abrasive scrubbers to avoid chipping and scratching.

Features of Our Place’s Bakeware Collection

• Available as a individual pieces, a five-piece set, or a nine-piece set that includes baking trays, oven mats, and more
• Bakeware is made with chip-resistant stoneware with a ceramic nonstick finish that is oven-safe up to 450℉ 
• Griddle pan is hand-wash only, but the bakeware and oven mats are dishwasher-safe.
• Available in six colorways 

Features of Caraway’s Bakeware Collection

• Available as individual pieces, a five-piece set, or an 11-piece set that includes baking sheets, baking pans, storage caddies, and more 
• Bakeware is made with a steel body and coated with a ceramic nonstick finish that is oven-safe up to 550℉ 
• Available in nine colorways

Outside of nonstick cookware, both Our Place and Caraway offer a collection of enameled cast-iron cookware. Our Place’s signature cast-iron piece is the Cast Iron Always Pan, while Caraway’s is the Enameled Cast Iron Skillet. The pans are hefty, durable, and excellent at retaining and evenly distributing heat.

Neither brand’s pans requires the seasoning or special care associated with cast iron, which made contributor Erin Cavoto feel more confident when using her Our Place cast iron and convinced assistant shopping editor Britt Franklin to finally give her Caraway cast iron a try.

Both brands also offer enameled cast-iron Dutch ovens and grill pans, which editors have also tested and raved about.

Features of Our Place’s Cast Iron Collection

• Includes an Always Pan, Perfect Pot, and Hot Grill with a black enameled cast-iron interior that doesn’t need to be seasoned
• Pieces are available individually or as sets 
• Perfect Pot and Hot Grill are both safe for the oven and broiler up to 500°F
• Always Pan is safe for the oven up to 425°F with the lid, and safe for the oven and broiler up to 500°F without the lid
• Compatible with all cooktops, including induction
• Available in seven colors

Features of Caraway’s Cast Iron Collection

• Includes a skillet, Dutch oven, braiser, and grill pan with scratch-resistant enameled cast-iron interior that doesn’t need to be seasoned before using
• Cookware is available individually or in sets 
• Compatible with all cooktops, including induction, and oven-safe up to 500°F
• Available in six colorways that are a departure from the brand’s signature bright and poppy shades 

Both Our Place and Caraway make high-quality nonstick ceramic cookware and bakeware, as well as durable enamel cast-iron cookware. The brands are extremely similar, with small differences between them that come down to personal preference and cooking habits. 

Our Place and Caraway both offer colorful cookware that’s meant to be displayed, so shoppers may be drawn to one brand over the other based on aesthetics.

One main difference as it relates to performance is that most Our Place nonstick cookware is oven-safe up to 450℉, while most Caraway nonstick cookware is oven-safe up to 550℉. The popular enameled cast iron collections from both brands are heat-safe up to 500℉, though Our Place’s Always Pan is only heat-safe up to 425°F with its lid.

Another difference is in the bakeware — Our Place’s is stoneware, while Caraway’s is steel. Both are still oven-safe for high temps and conduct heat evenly, so your bakes won’t deflate with either option. 

All this being said, you can’t go wrong with cookware or bakeware from either one — they’re both high-quality, picture-perfect cookware brands that deserve a spot on your stovetop.