HexClad vs. Caraway: How Do These Viral Cookware Brands Compare?
Updated: May 01, 2024
Sure, you've seen them both on social media. But we're here to settle the HexClad vs. Caraway cookware debate once and for all.
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Trying to pick the right cookware for your kitchen is a dizzying experience. There are so many factors to consider: durability, nonstick performance, aesthetics and price. Add in the conversations around forever chemicals and heavy metals, and it might be tempting to just order takeout!
“Consider cookware that matches your cooking style, not just your budget,” says Executive Culinary Director, Sarah Farmer. “Ask: Is the cookware compatible with your stovetop? Do you plan to use the cookware for recipes that require finishing in the oven? If so, check the heat resistance. The limit for most nonstick pans is 500 degrees. And if you’re on a save vs. splurge budget, look for the heavier cookware in your price range as it’s more durable and cooks more evenly than lightweight pieces. You might need to shell out a few more dollars, but the splurge is worth it in the long run.”
In recent years, social media has added to the equation with a slew of Instagram-famous cookware brands—like HexClad and Caraway—endorsed by influencers and celebrities. But are these pans the holy grail they claim to be? Or just hype?
Here at Taste of Home, we’ve spent several months trying to answer that question. Our expert product testers have put both HexClad and Caraway through the paces. I’ve also extensively used both brands in my home kitchen. Here’s what we found.
What’s the Difference Between HexClad and Caraway?
HexClad and Caraway both sell nonstick cookware, knives and kitchen gear. While there’s a good chance you’ve come across both brands on social media, that’s where the similarities end.
HexClad focuses on hybrid cookware that combines the durability of stainless steel with the ease of nonstick. It’s meant for rough, rugged performance, holding up to metal utensils and high heat. Plus, it’s backed by a lifetime warranty. (If you’re #TeamStainlessSteel, read up on HexClad vs. AllClad, too).
Caraway offers ceramic cookware and keeps aesthetics top of mind. Their pretty pans require more pampering, with suggested use on low to medium heat and with silicone utensils.
All About HexClad
Marketed as “the only true hybrid cookware,” HexClad has earned accolades from home cooks and professional chefs alike. Most notably, Gordon Ramsay endorses the brand.
Like many viral products, the brand relies on fancy marketing techniques and wow-worthy graphics. The Science page of their website is peppered with snippets about the iconic hexagon design and why it’s the last pan you’ll ever need to buy. While these factoids are interesting, the true test is performance.
I’ve been using HexClad since 2023. I was first introduced to the Dutch oven, followed by a knife set. Most recently, I purchased the brand’s 7-piece cookware set. You’ll also find a HexClad pepper mill and pizza stone in my kitchen. Other Taste of Home writers have tested the hybrid skillet and wok.
Across the board? We’re impressed. HexClad cookware heats up quickly and provides an ideal surface for sauteing, searing, stir-frying and even baking. I’ve used my pans extensively to brown tofu, scramble eggs, mix pasta dishes, bake bread, cook veggie burgers, grill paninis, wilt greens, fajita veggies—the list is endless. And, truthfully, I have yet to find a task HexClad can’t handle.Â
I will say that the nonstick coating is not the slickest surface I’ve used. I still need to grease with butter or oil for eggs and veggies. But if something does stick, it immediately lifts with a nudge of a spatula. Plus, I haven’t noticed a substantial difference in nonstick quality over the life of my pans. HexClad performs just as well after a year as it did on day one.
Cleanup is also a breeze. Any residue lifts away with a few passes from a sponge or a sprinkle of coarse salt. I choose to hand-wash my pans, but they are also listed as dishwasher safe.
KATIE BANDURSKI/TASTE OF HOME
HexClad Cookware
Pros
- Lives up to the “hybrid cookware” hype
- Incredibly versatile
- Safe for use at high heats and with metal utensils
- Durable nonstick lasts longer than other brands on the market
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not the prettiest cookware on the market
- Pricey
Some of My Favorite HexClad Gear
TMB STUDIO
HexClad Fry Pan
This multi-functional pan features HexClad's signature nonstick coating to handle everything from eggs to sauces to proteins. It comes in 7, 8, 10 and 12 inches.
KATIE BANDURSKI/TASTE OF HOME
Damascus Steel Knife Set
With sharp, durable blades and ergonomic handles, this 7-piece knife set is high quality enough to last a lifetime.
ALLISON ROBICELLI FOR TASTE OF HOME
HexClad Wok
A powerhouse on the stovetop and oven safe up to 500 degrees, this wok will make quick work of stir fries and more. Plus, it's dishwasher safe!
All About Caraway
Been on Instagram in the past few years? I can all but guarantee you’ve come across Caraway cookware.
This viral brand aims to set a new kitchen standard by creating products that utilize nontoxic ceramic rather than forever chemicals. These pans sure look pretty, but are they practical?
I’ve been using Caraway cookware since 2021. I started with the Dutch oven and saute pan, and though both pieces have since retired from my kitchen, I am still using a frying pan from February 2024 and the Caraway food storage set. Other Taste of Home editors swear by the mini cookware and prep set.
Right out of the box, Caraway is a showstopper. I was shocked at how sturdy (and heavy!) each piece was. Oh, and that color? Truly stunning. This is cookware that’s meant to be displayed. The saute pan quickly became my go-to for cooking rice dishes, browning veggies, boiling one-pot pasta and frying eggs.
For several months, this pan was my right-hand man in the kitchen. But over time, I started deviating from the pan’s specific care instructions. I got impatient while cooking dinner and turned up the heat or I accidentally grabbed my metal tongs when my silicone-coated pair was dirty. This abuse began to eat away at the pan’s nonstick coating until I was left with permanent brown spots that even rigorous scrubbing couldn’t lift away. After three years, I retired the pan entirely.
In the name of science, I ordered a new Caraway frying pan. This time, I’ve been very careful to follow the instructions to a tee—and so far, so good. Fresh out of the box, this pan offers one of the slickest coatings I’ve experienced. It’s perfect for scrambling eggs or cooking delicate proteins.Â
To clean, I simply wipe away any residue with a paper towel or run under warm water. While I prefer to hand-wash my pans anyway, Caraway cookware is not suitable for the dishwasher.
KATIE BANDURSKI/TASTE OF HOME
Caraway Cookware
Pros
- Incredibly beautiful cookware available in multiple colors
- Very nonstick right out of the box
- Sturdy construction
- Nontoxic ceramic
Cons
- Nonstick coating doesn’t last unless you use extreme caution
- Not suitable for use on high heat or with metal utensils
- Not dishwasher safe
- Pricey
Some of My Favorite Caraway Gear
MADI KOETTING/TASTE OF HOME
Caraway Ceramic Fry Pan
This 10.5-inch pan is a thing of beauty, no matter which of the eight color options you choose. Suitable for everyday sauteing with a dreamlike nonstick coating and oven-safe capabilities, this will quickly become your go-to pan.
KATIE BANDURSKI/TASTE OF HOME
Caraway Food Storage Set
This 14-piece set of nontoxic glass containers is both functional and stylish enough to go straight from the fridge to the table.
via merchant
Caraway Bakeware Set
For avid bakers and beginners alike, this 11-piece bakeware set has all the essentials for baking cakes, muffins, cookies and more. And it comes in all of Caraway's iconic colors.
The Bottom Line
To settle the HexClad vs. Caraway debate, you need to first consider your priorities. Both brands make quality products but for different types of consumers.
HexClad is a good fit for anyone who doesn’t want to think twice about using their cookware. If you like to sear steaks on high heat or scramble eggs with a metal whisk directly in the pan, this sturdy cookware is up for the task. I am notoriously hard on cookware, and this is the brand I prioritize in my home kitchen.
If you’re a gentler cook, there’s a lot to love about Caraway. The heavy, solid construction proves these pans can last if properly cared for. I’ve yet to find a pan that’s better at cooking fried eggs than my Caraway fry pan. Plus, those pops of pretty color are hard to beat. This is cookware that’s not afraid to show off.
Originally Published: May 01, 2024
