Caraway vs. Carote: My Tests Reveal the Winner

Are you shopping for new non-stick pans but can’t decide between Caraway and Carote? 

I put both brands through a series of tests to find out which cooks better and lasts longer. 

In this comparison, you’ll see the results of those tests and learn the key differences between these brands. 

You’ll learn how these brands compare in construction, design, durability, performance, and more. 

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Use the links below to navigate the comparison:

• Difference 1: Handles
• Difference 2: Weight and Thickness
• Difference 3: Heat Conduction and Retention
• Difference 4: Non-Stick Durability
• Difference 5: Return Policy
• Difference 6: Colors
• Difference 7: Sets vs. Individual Pieces
• Difference 8: Price
• Bottom Line: Should You Buy Caraway or Carote?

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Difference 1: Handles

Caraway and Carote handles are very different in design and usability.

Caraway pans have riveted stainless steel handles that are 8.1 inches long on the 10-inch pan. The handles are sturdy, stay secure, and provide enough space for a comfortable grip. They don’t wobble, even when the pan is full of food.

Carote uses two types of handles. One collection has wooden handles that screw into the pan. The more popular collection uses detachable Bakelite handles, which are shorter at 6.5 inches.

The detachable handle doesn’t feel secure. Even when properly attached, it still jiggles, which doesn’t give me much confidence when lifting a heavy, hot pan. The spring mechanism it relies on seems like a weak point that could be prone to breaking over time.

Another issue with Carote’s design is that each set only comes with two detachable handles. If you’re cooking with multiple pans, you’ll have to keep switching them. While detachable handles make the pans easier to store, the safety and convenience you lose during cooking aren’t worth it.

Difference 2: Weight and Thickness

Both brands construct their pans with aluminum, a steel induction plate on the bottom, and a ceramic non-stick coating. However, Caraway’s pans are substantially thicker and heavier.

Caraway’s 10-inch non-stick pan weighs 2.8 pounds and has a thickness of 3.9 mm.

In contrast, the 10-inch Carote pan weighs only 1.7 pounds and is only 1.9 mm thick.

Caraway’s thicker construction makes it more resistant to dents and warping. You’re less likely to end up with a wobbly pan bottom after prolonged use. The added thickness also allows Caraway pans to heat more slowly and evenly. This can help prevent hot spots that might burn your food.

While Carote’s lighter weight makes it easier to handle, Caraway’s heftier construction often translates to better cooking results because it retains heat better and does a better job maintaining a consistent temperature.

Difference 3: Heat Conduction and Retention

Speaking of heat retention, I conducted two tests to measure how quickly each pan heats up and how well it retains heat. These factors significantly impact your cooking experience and results.

The thinner Carote pan heated faster. After one minute on medium heat, it reached 307°F, and after two minutes, 428°F.

The thicker Caraway pan heated slower, measuring 225°F at one minute and 310°F at two minutes.

Rapid-heating pans are ideal when you’re in a hurry or boiling water for pasta. However, heat retention is often more crucial for overall cooking performance.

In the heat retention test, I heated both pans to 400°F before removing them from the heat. After five minutes, the Caraway pan was still at 166°F, while the Carote pan had cooled to 102°F.

This superior heat retention in the Caraway pan translates to more even cooking and better temperature stability. When you add cold ingredients or adjust the heat, the pan’s temperature won’t fluctuate as drastically.

With the thinner Carote pan, adding a cold piece of meat can significantly cool the cooking surface, leading to uneven cooking and poor searing. The thicker Caraway pan maintains a more consistent temperature, allowing for better browning and more predictable results.

Difference 4: Non-Stick Durability

To assess the durability of Caraway and Carote’s non-stick coatings, I put both pans through a series of rigorous stress tests designed to simulate months of use in just a few days. Here’s what I did and what I found:.

I started by cooking eggs, cheese, and chicken in each pan to establish a baseline for non-stick performance.

Initially, both pans performed well, with food easily sliding around the surface. However, I noticed an issue with the Caraway pan: eggs tended to slide to the edges of the cooking surface due to a slight dip where the flat bottom meets the sidewall.

Next, I subjected the pans to several stress tests:

I used a 5-pound weighted wooden spatula to scrape each pan 150 times.

I dropped a 2-pound steel saucepan on the surface 20 times from a height of about 1 inch.

Using a stand mixer, I scraped the surface with a coated beater for 2 minutes.

I simulated months of washing by attaching a sponge to a stand mixer and scrubbing both pans for 5 minutes.

Finally, I conducted a thermal shock test by heating the pans to 400°F and submerging them in 65°F water.

After these tests, I repeated the cooking experiments to measure any changes in non-stick performance.

The results were revealing. Caraway’s thicker construction showed better resilience overall. While its non-stick properties slightly declined, it still performed reasonably well. The egg test showed some sticking, but not significantly more than before the stress tests. The issue with eggs sliding to the edges persisted.

Carote, on the other hand, showed a more noticeable decline in performance. The thinner construction of the Carote pan made it more susceptible to damage from the stress tests. After the tests, eggs required more force to move around the pan, indicating a degradation of the non-stick coating.

It’s worth noting that neither pan completely failed the post-stress cooking tests. Both still released cheese and chicken without issues. However, the egg test, being the most challenging for non-stick surfaces, revealed the differences in durability between the two brands.

Difference 5: Return Policy

Carote gives you 15 days from receiving your product to initiate a return if you’re not satisfied. The product must be in its original packaging and include all accessories to be eligible for a refund.

Caraway offers a 30-day return window, allowing more time to decide if you’re happy with your purchase. However, they reserve the right to limit or reject returns if they suspect policy abuse or fraudulent activity. Additionally, bulk or wholesale purchases from Caraway are considered final sale and can’t be returned.

Difference 6: Colors

Caraway offers a much wider range of colors compared to Carote. Caraway pans come in eight shades, including cream, navy, grey, sage, marigold, pink/coral (referred to as Perracotta), black, and white. 

Carote, on the other hand, has fewer options. Their pans are available in just two colors: white and dark red. 

Difference 7: Sets vs. Individual Pieces

One significant difference between Caraway and Carote is how they sell their cookware.

Carote only offers their pans and pots in sets, so you can’t buy individual pieces. This can be limiting, especially if you don’t need a full set of non-stick cookware.

Non-stick is ideal for fry pans when cooking eggs or delicate foods like fish, but it’s unnecessary for larger saucepans and stockpots where you mostly cook liquids. A non-stick coating on these types of pans unnecessarily shortens their lifespan.

Caraway, on the other hand, offers more flexibility. You can purchase complete sets or individual pieces, allowing you to pick and choose the pans you actually need. This makes Caraway a better option if you want to avoid buying non-stick pots that you’re unlikely to use regularly.

Caraway’s individual offerings include a fry pan, saucepan, sauté pan, Dutch oven, mini fry pan, mini saucepan, rondeau, stir fry pans (similar to a wok), stock pot, square grill pan, square griddle pan, double burner griddle, and roasting pan.

Difference 8: Price

Caraway pans are significantly more expensive than Carote. In fact, the cost of a single Caraway fry pan is higher than some complete Carote cookware sets.

This price difference reflects the quality of the construction. Caraway pans are sturdier, with thicker material and riveted handles that provide better durability and a more premium feel.

To see the latest prices and compare options, check CarawayHome.com for Caraway pans and Amazon for Carote sets.

Bottom Line: Should You Buy Caraway or Carote?

After thoroughly testing both brands, the clear winner is Caraway. It’s thicker, heavier, and retains heat significantly better. 

Although neither brand will last forever, Caraway is less likely to warp, and its non-stick coating held up better in my stress tests. Plus, the sturdy, riveted handle won’t break or detach unexpectedly. 

Carote became viral in 2024 because it’s cheap and was one of the first cookware brands on TikTok shop. But I’ve tested dozens of brands and can confidently say that Carote isn’t worth buying, even at its low price point. Unless you’re on a tight budget and price is your number one concern, avoid Carote.

If you go with Caraway, it’s important to know that the beautiful and colorful exterior looks great out of the box. But over time, it will chip and flake. Here’s a look at a brand-new pan and a pan that’s over three years old.

Read more reviews and compare prices at CarawayHome.com and Amazon (Carote).