Caraway vs Our Place: Which One Should You Buy?
In this comparison of Caraway vs. Our Place, you’ll learn how their cookware differs in performance, design, materials, price, and more.
Can’t decide between the trendy Our Place pots and pans and the versatile Caraway cookware set? We put both to the test to help you pick the non-toxic cookware that’s right for your kitchen. Check out this detailed review highlighting the pros and cons of each.
Caraway vs Our Place: The Main difference?
Caraway leans more traditional, while Our Place delivers innovation with its 10-in-1 design.
Caraway’s approach is much more traditional. They sell several different pots and pans, and each serves a purpose. Our Place wants you to buy one pan and use it for everything.
Caraway’s main offering is its ceramic non-stick cookware collection, which includes a frying pan, saute pan, saucepan, and Dutch oven. You can buy each piece individually or buy all four as a set.
The Always Pan’s claim to fame is that it’s a ten-in-one skillet that’s meant to replace a number of cookware pieces (so in theory, it can save you storage space). This pan can braise, sear, steam, strain, sauté, fry, boil and bake, and it can work its magic on the stove and in the oven. Bonus? The domed lid features a steam-release vent and self-bastes your food to keep it moist, two features we love.
Which Cookware Is Right for You?
After testing both (details below), I found the Our Place Always Pan and Caraway perform equally well in non-stick performance, with Caraway having just a slight edge in heat distribution – though the difference is barely noticeable in everyday cooking. The real deciding factors come down to their design philosophies.
Ultimately, your choice should depend on your cooking habits and kitchen space. Let’s break it down:
1, For Small Spaces or Simple Meals
Our Place Always Pan shines here.
- Perfect for: Tiny kitchens (studio apartments, dorm setups) or cooking for 1-2 people.
- Why it works: Replace 8+ pieces with one pan. Steam veggies, sear proteins, and even serve straight from the stove—no bulky cookware sets needed.
- Bonus: Lightweight, easy to store, and comes in trendy colors that double as kitchen decor.
2. For Family Dinners or Cooking Enthusiasts
Caraway’s Essentials Set is your go-to.
- Perfect for: Households of 3+ or anyone who loves multitasking (think simmering pasta while sautéing veggies).
- Why it works: A curated 4-piece set (fry pan, sauté pan, saucepan, pot) lets you cook entire meals fast without waiting for a single pan to free up.
- Bonus: Ceramic nonstick coating is oven-safe and cleans effortlessly—no scrubbing after busy weeknights.
Still Deciding?
Ask yourself:
- 🕒 Do I prioritize speed and space-saving? → Our Place.
- 🍳 Do I cook complex meals regularly? → Caraway.
Both brands are non-toxic, stylish, and built to last—so you’re choosing quality either way.
Caraway vs Our Place: Detailed Differences
Caraway Offers Better Transparency, Giving You Greater Peace of Mind
Caraway Home is very responsive and largely transparent when we’ve asked about third-party testing of its cookware. The company has given us a whole slew of test reports and all show the cookware passes with flying colors: No PFAS, and no heavy metal leaching, as well as no heavy metals in the actual coating.
Our Place? Not so much.
Our Place says it makes cookware without PFAS (including on PTFE), lead and cadmium, but it doesn’t offer test reports.
When I asked the company for test reports on background, it balked, saying this would reveal proprietary information. This is pretty disappointing given that they could easily conceal super sensitive information and still confirm that the pots and pans pass toxicity tests.
The primary reason to choose ceramic nonstick cookware is its enhanced safety compared to traditional nonstick products. While Our Place’s lack of transparency doesn’t necessarily indicate issues with their quality, brands that prioritize openness tend to build stronger trust with users. If absolute peace of mind is your top priority, Caraway stands out as the more reliable choice.
Cooking Performance: Both Deliver Equally Impressive Nonstick Results
Like I do with every cookware brand I review, I put Caraway and the Our Place Always Pan to the test.
I used both to cook eggs, pancakes, vegetables, ground beef, steak, fish, pasta, and many other dishes. I cooked with both pans for several months (Caraway for over two years) to understand how they perform over time.
The truth is, they perform about the same. Both heat up fast and evenly, and the non-stick properties are excellent. Eggs slid around like a hockey puck, and flakey fish released easily with zero sticking.
Honestly, their nonstick performance is so similar, it’s hard to pick a winner.
Caraway has slightly better heat conductivity.
Based on my tests, Caraway pans heat faster than Our Place, but the difference is minimal. Both brands heat evenly.
My Test Result
| Pan | Time to First Bubbles | Time to Boil |
| Caraway | 1 minute and 53 seconds | 2 minutes and 26 seconds |
| Our Place Always Pan | 2 minutes and 2 seconds | 2 minutes and 48 seconds |
The bubbles in both pans were uniform across the cooking surface, indicating even heat distribution.
Since their performance is so similar, you likely won’t notice a difference in everyday use. I wouldn’t consider this a deciding factor when choosing between them.
Caraway handles oven heat better — perfect for bakers
Caraway cookware is oven-safe up to 550°F, including the lid.
The original Always Pan (ceramic non-stick version) is not oven-safe. Always Pan 2.0 is oven-safe up to 450°F, and the enameled cast iron Always Pan is safe in an oven up to 500°F without the lid.
If oven use is important to you, Caraway is the better choice. Its higher maximum safe temperature reduces the risk of cookware damage.
Caraway is more affordable than Our Place
The price difference between Caraway and Our Place varies by product, but, in general, Caraway is less expensive and a better value.
For example, Caraway’s 4.5-quart saute pan costs the same as Our Place’s 2.6-quart Always Pan, and Caraway’s 6.5-quart Dutch oven costs less than Our Place’s 5.5-quart Perfect Pot.
You could argue that you get more with Our Place because each pan comes with a wooden spoon and a steamer basket, but those items are cheap — you could buy them at any home goods store for a nominal amount.
Compare the current prices of both brands at the links below.
Should You Buy Caraway or Our Place?
When deciding which brand to invest in, consider your cooking style and the size of your kitchen. If you have a tiny apartment kitchen, 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.
For most households—especially larger families, I would not recommend buying an all-in-one pan like the Always Pan. Instead, invest in a small set of essentials (fry pan, saute pan, saucepan/saucier, stock pot). Multiple pots and pans will take up more room, but you’ll need more than one pan to cook an entire meal.
