Caraway vs Our Place: Which Non-Toxic Cookware Should You Buy?
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Caraway and Our Place are the two best-known “non-toxic” ceramic cookware brands. Both are PFAS-free and look great. The real difference is how many pans you need.
Quick verdict: Caraway for a full kitchen and a family. Our Place for one or two people who want as few pans as possible.
At a glance
- Winner: full kitchen: Caraway 12-Piece Ceramic Cookware Set
- Winner: small kitchens: Our Place Always Pan 2.0
- Middle ground: Our Place Home Cook Duo
Caraway vs Our Place compared
| Caraway | Our Place | |
|---|---|---|
| Coating | Ceramic, PFAS-free (per Caraway) | Ceramic “Thermakind”, PFAS-free (per Our Place) |
| Oven-safe | 550°F | 450°F (Always Pan 2.0) |
| Approach | Full set + storage | Few multi-purpose pieces |
| Induction | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Families, full kitchens | Small kitchens, 1–2 people |
What both share
Both use ceramic nonstick coatings made without PFAS, both work on induction, and both have the same weakness: ceramic release fades over a few years of daily use. Cook on low to medium heat and hand-wash to make either last longer.
How we judged these: we compared manufacturer specs, verified owner reviews and independent test data. We did not hands-on test every model — where a claim comes from the manufacturer, we say so. Product boxes show live Amazon prices. Our methodology →
Caraway vs the Always Pan: what people are actually comparing
Half the searches for this comparison use the wrong names, so here is the map. Our Place is the brand; the Always Pan is its famous product — a deep, ceramic-coated pan with sloped sides, a steamer basket and a spatula, sold as a one-pan kitchen. Caraway is the rival brand, and it does not sell a single hero pan: it sells a matched set of a fry pan, a sauté pan, a saucepan and a Dutch oven in the same ceramic finish.
So “Caraway vs Always Pan” is really a question about strategy. Do you want one clever pan that replaces several, or a colour-matched set that covers the whole stove?
| Always Pan (Our Place) | Caraway | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | One deep 10.5-inch pan plus steamer basket, spatula and lid | A set: fry pan, sauté pan, saucepan, Dutch oven, with storage |
| Coating | Ceramic non-stick, PTFE-free | Ceramic non-stick, PTFE-free |
| Shape | Deep with sloped sides — good for braising and frying in one pan | Conventional shapes, each pan optimised for its job |
| Oven safe | Lower rating, check your model | Usually higher, lids included |
| Storage | One pan, no problem | Comes with a magnetic rack and canvas lid holders |
| Best for | Small kitchens, one or two people, replacing three worn pans | Setting up or replacing a whole kitchen at once |
| Weak point | Ceramic wears whether you use one pan or five, and here it is the pan you use every day | You pay for pans you may not need |
The part neither brand puts on the box: ceramic non-stick is a consumable. Owner reports for both converge on two to three years of easy release with daily use before food starts to stick, and no ceramic coating can be re-seasoned back to new. Budget for replacement, keep the heat at medium or below, skip aerosol sprays, and never put either in the dishwasher no matter what the listing says.
Decide like this: if you are replacing one tired non-stick pan and cook for one or two, the Always Pan is the better buy. If you are kitting out a kitchen and want matching pieces that cover every job, Caraway’s set is the better value per pan. If you want the coating to last five years instead of three, buy neither and read our ceramic vs non-stick vs stainless guide first.
Our picks
Caraway 12-Piece Ceramic Cookware Set
Who should buy it: Households that want a complete matching ceramic set with storage.
- 4 core pots & pans + lids
- Storage organizers
- Oven-safe to 550°F
- Induction
What makes it different: A full set plus a storage system for pans and lids.
What we like
- Covers every everyday job
- Higher 550°F oven rating
- Tidy storage
Watch out for
- Higher total price
- Takes more space than one pan
✓ Worth ItPick Caraway if you’re outfitting a whole kitchen.
Check price on Amazon →
Our Place Always Pan 2.0
Who should buy it: Singles and couples with limited storage.
- 10.5″, 2.6 qt
- Oven-safe to 450°F
- Steamer basket + spatula
- Induction
What makes it different: One multi-purpose pan with a steamer and nesting spatula.
What we like
- Saves space
- Very versatile for small batches
Watch out for
- Too small for family cooking
≈ DependsPick the Always Pan if you only want one pan.
Check price on Amazon →
Our Place Home Cook Duo
Who should buy it: Small households that also need a pot for pasta and soup.
- Always Pan 2.0 + Perfect Pot
What makes it different: Adds the pot the Always Pan can’t replace.
What we like
- Covers most small-household cooking
Watch out for
- Still limited for families
✓ Worth ItThe sensible Our Place purchase.
Check price on Amazon →The verdict
Caraway wins for full kitchens thanks to more pieces, a higher oven rating and storage. Our Place wins for small spaces. If you want pans that last decades instead, look at stainless.
Full reviews: Caraway and Always Pan.
Frequently asked questions
Is Caraway or Our Place better?
Caraway is better for outfitting a full kitchen. Our Place is better if you want one or two versatile pans for a small space.
Are Caraway and Our Place non-toxic?
Both say their ceramic coatings are made without PFAS, including PTFE and PFOA.
Which is oven-safe to a higher temperature?
Caraway is rated to 550°F. The Always Pan 2.0 is rated to 450°F.
Do Caraway and Our Place last long?
Like all ceramic nonstick, expect a few years of best performance with daily use. Gentle care extends that.
Is Caraway or the Always Pan better?
The Always Pan is better if you want one deep pan to replace several and cook for one or two people. Caraway is better if you are buying a whole set at once and want matching pieces for every job.
Is the Always Pan made by Caraway?
No. The Always Pan is made by Our Place. Caraway is a separate brand that sells full ceramic cookware sets.
How long does ceramic non-stick last on Caraway and Our Place pans?
Owner reports for both brands converge on about two to three years of easy release with daily use. Keeping the heat at medium or below, washing by hand and avoiding aerosol sprays extends that.
Can you put Caraway or Always Pan cookware in the dishwasher?
Do not. Dishwasher detergent is abrasive and strips ceramic coatings quickly, which is the fastest way to turn either pan into a sticky one.
