Published on Aug. 24, 2023
I used the Caraway Prep Set to find out whether this 14-piece utensil collection is worth the price. Here's what I thought after slicing and flipping in style for four weeks.
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The best meals begin with the best prep supplies. As Shopping Editor, I’ve tried my fair share of spoons and spatulas from both viral Tik Tok brands and time-honored, trusted companies alike. I also live in a small apartment, meaning that any kitchen tools failing to impress get cut from the cooking lineup. For me, a kitchen tool set worth the counter space offers a few key traits at minimum; they save space, offer impeccable quality and come with all the necessary inclusions for prepping my family’s weeknight meals.
When social media-famous pretty cookware brand Caraway released a convenient prep set, my interest piqued. Sure, the Caraway Prep Set collection is gorgeous and touts itself chock-full of chef-quality tools. But how does it hold up in this home cook’s kitchen? I put the kitchen tool and knife set to the test cutting, slicing and chopping for four weeks in order to see if it’s deserving of a permanent spot on my counter.
Here at Taste of Home, we’re no strangers to Caraway cookware. From ceramic-coated pans that eggs slide off of to durable, oven-friendly storage containers, this non-toxic cookware certainly made a splash on social media. The brand’s selection of premium pans and bakeware is an aesthetic home cook’s dream, and has been since it launched in 2018. In our tests of the cookware, we appreciate the modern look and and PFAS-free performance.
Similarly, the tool lineup and cutting board collection, launched last year, looks lovely on a counter or kitchen island with its modern, clean lines and muted tones. There’s no PFAS, PTFE or PFOA involved in its construction either, meaning that its safer than questionable silicone tools from nondescript brands on Amazon.
Boasting FSC-certified birch wood, German stainless steel blades and BPA-free handles, the set offers a bounty of non-toxic tools that handle most meals. Caraway claims that the knives easily debone chicken, slice up steak or chop veggies for sauces, and the wooden utensils come with a nontoxic coating that protects them from staining and splintering with use.
VIA MERCHANT
Designed for the modern kitchen, Caraway's Prep Set offers a streamlined set of cooking essentials.
Caraway’s prep set includes ten essential knives, shears and utensils. It boasts a set of kitchen shears, a paring knife, bread knife, prep knife and chef’s knife. Made from FSC-certified birch wood, the included knife block offers four slots for the knives to sit.
Because the slots are all the same size, it’s easy to arrange the knives however you prefer. There’s also a designated slot for the shears at the end of the block. German stainless steel blades and BPA-free handles add a nontoxic quality to the knives, making them as easy on the environment as they are on the eyes.
Wooden tools include tongs, a pasta server, spoon, bowl scraper and spatula for flipping eggs and grilled cheese. 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. Utensil slots in the colorful tool holder keep everything organized and close at hand, so meal prep takes up less time and space.
Released in tandem with the Caraway Prep Set, the cutting board set is a trio of non-toxic boards that serve as a perfect starting point for any meal. Large, medium and small sizes provide plenty of prep space for any sized meal. Because each board comes from Eastern European FSC-certified birch, it’s durable enough to last through years of use. Even better, each set comes with a handy board storage organizer that looks pretty and sits right on the counter next to your favorite Caraway mini cookware.
The Caraway Prep Set came in a very heavy box containing the stands, plus two smaller boxes inside which kept the knives and tools secure during shipping. Everything made it to me in perfect condition, and unwrapping the luxe set felt like unwrapping a gift thanks to the sleek packaging and ample protective cardboard bits.
In order to properly test the Caraway Prep Set, I put it to work, using it as my only kitchen tools for four weeks to test its durability. I prefer almost any other material to wooden cooking tools due to staining and splintering and already own a set of Cangshan knives I adore, so this prep set certainly had its work “cut” out for it.
As I mentioned before, wooden kitchen products simply aren’t my cup of tea. But both the quality and lightweight nature of the wooden spatula, spoon, server and scraper has me rethinking my bias. While I typically don’t mind the performance of wood tools, my biggest pet peeve is staining and splintering. I banished all bamboo tools since tend to soak in natural dye, turning the tools into a dirty-looking pink whenever I stir spaghetti sauce or serve a curry.
The Eastern European FSC-certified birch Caraway uses in their utensils comes with some sort of coating that acts as a barrier against stains, meaning that my tomato-y tortilla soup didn’t cling to the spoon as I stirred. After a quick hit with a sponge and some detergent, it looked good as new. It also didn’t noticeably sear or burn, even after leaving it on a hot pot for a full minute.
While on the smaller side, I actually appreciated the server more than the one I currently use. Because the prongs don’t have rounded edges, I felt that they held onto pasta noodles better than my old ones. Each scoop is smaller, but there’s far fewer noodles falling off of it before it gets to the plate.
Similarly, the spatula spent four weeks turning toast and flipping eggs, and not once did I notice a stray splinter or scratched pan. In fact, the coating stayed put throughout my tests and kept the spatula shining just as it did when I first unwrapped it. Four weeks and counting and there’s not a stray splinter or ugly stain in sight. Because they’re so lightweight, they also don’t give me any discomfort when I hold them for prolonged periods.
For me, the scraper is a bit of a miss. I prefer silicone scrapers since they easily curve around bowl walls and scoop up every bit of frosting or batter. This one is wood, which makes it stiff and less effective than others I’ve used in the past. While I’m sure some folks still find use for it, I personally only found myself reaching for it once or twice in the four weeks I tested the set.
I found the kitchen tongs the least impressive inclusion. They’re rather small and feel far too lightweight for handling heavier foods like steak and slabs of fish. That said, I do appreciate that they’re not made of metal so they don’t scratch up my nonstick pans, and the handy button on the top allows me to lock them without trouble so they take up less space. They also work fine for flipping lighter fare like veggies and breakfast sausage.
As part of testing for the best knife set, I used the Caraway knives for about four weeks worth of meals. Compared to my pricey Cangshan set, the Caraway knives performed surprisingly well. The serrated knife saws through bread without squishing a single piece, and it doubles as a nice slicer for sandwiches and breaking down steaks.
The chef’s knife impresses with its sharp blade and lightweight handle. I love that the premium German stainless steel used is well-secured to the hilt all the way through the handle— it makes the entire set feel so much safer than budget brands.
Surprisingly, I found myself reaching for the paring knife the most. Its small size fits perfectly in my hand and the handy sharp blade works well for peeling apples, chopping through cucumbers and removing the fat from cuts of meat. Even after slicing and dicing through several meals, the paring knife still easily cuts through most foods — no dull blades here! When I eventually have to sharpen the knives, I plan on using the tried-and-true tumbler sharpener to ensure they stay intact.
While the prep knife performed well with cutting, it lacks the dimples that my Cangshan set has. This makes it stick a little to slices when I’m chopping up veggies due to the sheer size and smooth stainless construction, which I found slightly annoying. That said, it’s still super sharp and easily to un-stick any slices that cling to the blade.
Probably the most appealing aspect of the set for me is the modular counter organizer that comes with the tools. A long, rectangular tray offers a magnetic bottom that keeps the knife block and utensil holder in place. It’s a great system to ensure that there’s no accidental tipping, and the clean lines look modern to boot.
While the entire set still takes up quite a bit of counter space in my small kitchen, I much prefer the way it looks to the ugly stainless steel organizer I previously had on display. It’s also just as easy to clean — just wipe it down with soap and water.
Like me, verified purchaser Josh K. was impressed with how the knife set performed in comparison to his tried-and-true set. “Used to own a Wusthof knife set. Key word is ‘used to,'” he writes in his review on the Caraway site. “Amazed by the sharpness of the blades and the ergonomic handles. Very simple with a clean design and I love how the magnets keep them in place and sharp!”
Similarly, verified buyer Hope V. notes that the wooden tools are of excellent quality and look lovely on the counter. “I highly recommend this wonderful Prep Set. First, it is functional and includes all that you need in the kitchen. The knives are excellent, as well as the tools. It also has allowed me to pare back all of my other kitchen ware as it is no longer needed. Second, the Prep Set is aesthetically pleasing. I purchased the Navy and it is just beautiful. What more can you ask for? Function and beauty all in one,” she writes.
While on the pricey side, the Caraway Prep Set offers almost all the tools needed for nearly any kitchen task, from chopping to stirring and flipping to slicing. I find myself reaching for the set more than my previous tools, especially since the convenient narrow footprint lets the entire collection sit next to my stove without hogging all my counter space.
Personally, I would love to see the set include both a whisk and a ladle in order to offer a complete set of tools. As it stands, any chef considering this assortment will have to snag those elsewhere. Additionally, remember that these tools and knives require hand washing, so they’re not the best choice for those who prefer dishwasher-friendly utensils.
The Caraway prep sets are available on Caraway’s website. The Meet the Prep Set retails for $395. On the other hand, the smaller Meet the Cutting Board Set rings up at a more budget-friendly $185. Like the Caraway steamers, we expect these stunning prep sets to become a coveted part of Caraway’s core collection.
VIA MERCHANT
Caraway's 14-piece knife and utensil set is your one-stop shop for chopping, prepping and storing!
