What is a cookware set?

A cookware set is simply a few items of cookware that are purchased as a bundle. They usually include all the basic types of pans you need to do any type of cooking on a stovetop or in the oven. These would be things like a stockpot, saucepan, frying pan, saute pan, and sometimes a dutch oven. The idea is that all the pieces match one another and you save money by buying cookware in a group rather than piece by piece.

What types of material is cookware made of?

There are nearly 15 types of materials that cookware is commonly made out of. The materials used are based on the temperature you're cooking at, how easy you want cleanup to be, and what types of food you're working with. Most often, cookware is made out of either stainless steel, ceramic, teflon, aluminum, glass, cast iron, or copper. Each conducts heat differently and has reasons why they might be the best choice for someone.

How many pieces come in a cookware set?

The amount of pieces in your cookware set depends entirely on what your needs are. Most sets come with at least 3 pieces, but some have as many as 12 or 15. A single college student may need a basic 3-piece set with just a skillet, saucepan, and stockpot, while a mother of 5 who makes most meals from home might want to go big and get the 15-piece set. If you have more pots and pans, you can be making multiple dishes and side-dishes at a time. You also have backups if some are in the dishwasher or ( let's be real here ) "soaking" in the sink waiting to be washed.

Why shop online for a cookware set?

If you want a full variety of cookware sets with a range of colors, sizes, and materials, online is by far the best place to look. You might find a cookware set at your local big box store, but it may be a 5-piece when you really wanted a 7-piece, or they will have limited colors in stock. You just don't easily find a wide variety at a brick-and-mortar store like you can on the internet. Plus, you'll find the best prices online and be able to compare with other brands.

How do I know when to replace my cookware?

Cookware is one of the most frequently used items in some people's homes, so there's a need to replace it every so often. If your pans get loose handles, this is a major hazard and you should discontinue use of them immediately. If the layers start to separate or the non-stick layer of a pan begins to peel, this is an indication that parts of the pan are getting into your food and that's bad on many levels. If your pans are discolored or showing signs of rust, it's time to say goodbye. Don't take risks with the food you're cooking and putting into your body by using old, damaged cookware.

What if I change my mind about my cookware set or it performs poorly?

Most brands allow for returns of their cookware anywhere between 30 and 90 days of purchase for a full refund. These return policies usually state that the products need to be in new, unused condition. If the cookware starts falling apart right away or you run into another quality issue, this would fall under the warranty. Be sure to check the warranty on your cookware set before purchase so you know what it covers.

How can I get the best deals on a cookware set?

If you shop around a major holiday, you'll likely find good deals on cookware sets. You might get a certain percentage off your total purchase or free shipping. You should also check out the sale pages of every brand you're interested in just to see if they have anything that would fit your needs at a discounted price.

What are the major differences between cookware brands?

Most cookware brands take pride in making a certain type of pan or skillet. Some might be best for non-stick cooking while others have a wide array of stainless steel sets. A few brands make high quality, aesthetically pleasing cookware in a range of colors. They are meant not only to make cooking clean and easy, but also to add color and charm to your kitchen in the meantime. These days, cookware isn't just about function. It can be about appearance too.

Caraway Review for September 2026

Item: Caraway Review
Rating: 4.5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Tuesday, September 8th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2026 Cookware Set Reviews

What Brand Makes the Best Cookware Sets? Whether you're moving out on your own for the first time and need your own kitchen supplies, or you've run your cookware into the ground and are ready for a refresh, there are plenty of options online. When it comes down to it, though, there are a lot of factors to take into consideration when you buy a cookware set.

4.4

GREAT

Great

Caraway

Prices from $90 to $1,005
Free shipping on orders over $90
Free returns
30-day free trial
1-year warranty
Beautiful, colorful cookware

GREAT

4.4

On the Caraway website

Caraway makes "kitchenware designed for the modern home cook". Interestingly, the founder of Caraway, Jordan Nathan, created the company after overheating a non-stick PTFE (teflon) coated pan and getting sick with Teflon flu (an illness associated with chills, headache, fever, and raised white cell blood count 4-8 hours after exposure to the thermal byproducts of fluorocarbons). The founder started researching and found that it only takes about 2.5 minutes for Teflon coated pans to heat up to 500 degrees and start releasing toxic chemicals into the air. Eek! Nathan then created Caraway as a safe alternative to non-stick kitchenware that has been so popular for years.

Gorgeous cookware

If you want beautiful cookware, look no further than Caraway. Looking through their online store is so enjoyable because everything is gorgeous, fun, and unique. It will be hard to stop at just cookware sets here. Their cookware is made of a ceramic non-stick material that's free of PFOA, PFAs, lead, cadmium, nickel, and other toxic metals. The pans are naturally slick, so it requires less oil, butter, and scrubbing during cleanup.

Unique, bold color choices

The cookware sets from Caraway come in 6 classic colors including cream, navy, gray, sage, perracotta, and marigold. They also have two iconic colors including black with gold hardware and white with gold hardware. Whichever color you choose is sure to be eye-catching and beautify the space the pots and pans are used in. You have a couple choices for full cookware sets or you can buy the pieces individually.

Unique sets

Caraway's best seller is their cookware set for $395 that includes a fry pan, saucepan, saute pan, dutch oven, and storage that easily slides into a cupboard. Some other fun choices are the "minis" that include a small 8" fry pan and 1.75 qt. sauce pan perfect for 1 or 2 servings. A full 9-piece set of minis sells for $595. If you're a college student, single, or just a married couple who doesn't have a ton of storage space or need for big cookware items, the mini set would be perfect. Caraway also has a "squareware" set that comes with storage organizers, two griddle pans, a double burner griddle, and a roasting pan for $495. If you want to buy individual pieces of cookware, you could expect to spend between $100 and $150 on any given saucepan or skillet. When you spend over $90 you'll get free shipping.

Stainless steel choices

Besides Caraway's gorgeous ceramic cookware, they also have a line of stainless steel pots and pans. Their most expensive set is $1,005 and comes with 9 pieces. Their standard stainless steel cookware set is $695 and includes storage, a fry pan, saucepan, saute pan, and a dutch oven. If you're looking for 100% non-toxic, long-lasting pans, stainless steel is the best option. It takes some getting used to and learning how to avoid your food sticking, but stainless steel is a great choice and it's nice that Caraway offers them.

Put cookware to the test

One of the most unique aspects of Caraway's business model is their 30-day free trial they offer to customers. If for any reason you aren't happy with the cookware you purchase, you can return it for a full refund as long as you include all the accessories and original packaging. The company doesn't explicitly state that the cookware needs to be in unused condition, so we can assume that this trial period means that if you test out their products and aren't impressed, they'll give your money back.

Short warranty

Make sure you're happy with the cookware you buy from Caraway, because unlike many other companies, Caraway only offers a one-year limited warranty on their products. If you need any part of your cookware repaired or replaced due to manufacturer defects, you can submit a claim for evaluation first. The company will decide if your product qualifies and replace or repair your item for free if it does. However, once the year mark has passed from the date of your purchase, no refund or warranty claims will be accepted.

Tens of thousands of reviews

Some of the products from Caraway have over 40,000 customer reviews. Customers first and foremost love the look of these pans. Next, there is great feedback about how easy it is to clean Caraway cookware, how evenly it cooks without sticking, and everything else you'd hope to get from these pots and pans. You can sort ratings by highest, lowest, ones that include photos and videos, newest, and more so that you get the full spread of opinions. This is the best way to learn about Caraway since the Better Business Bureau doesn't have a rating for them and there aren't a lot of customer reviews on third-party sites.

Making positive changes

We highly appreciate companies like Caraway who make healthier, safer options for customers. Not only are these ceramic and stainless steel pans non-toxic, but they are the prettiest cookware we've ever seen. It's the perfect duo! The only thing really missing here is a longer warranty. Be sure to read through their care and cleaning instructions to get the most out of your Caraway pans so they last as long as possible. We like this cookware brand a lot and they've earned one of our best ratings.

On the Caraway website

Continued from above...

What Brand Makes the Best Cookware Sets?

Whether you're moving out on your own for the first time and need your own kitchen supplies, or you've run your cookware into the ground and are ready for a refresh, there are plenty of options online. When it comes down to it, though, there are a lot of factors to take into consideration when you buy a cookware set.

You'll want to think about the look and style, how many pieces it comes with, the price, the sizes, and especially the material it's made out of. With new technology and ways of cooking, there are a surprising amount of materials you can choose from when you're buying cookware. Non-stick cookware is popular because it makes it much less messy to cook high protein-containing foods like eggs, meat, and cheese.

You often don't need to use a non-stick spray and the cleanup is easy-peasy. However, as new knowledge is coming to light about health concerns from teflon coatings on non-stick pans and their inability to handle extremely high temperatures, people are looking for alternative types of cookware like stainless steel. There are lots of pros and cons with all types, so it's good to explore your options.

Most cookware sets come with anywhere between 3 and 12 pieces, so depending on how avid of a home chef you are, you can find a set that fits your needs. For most people, you'll at least want to find a good saucepan, skillet, and stockpot. If you're cooking for a big family or like to make multiple dishes at once, you'll likely be looking for a few saucepans and skillets in different sizes with lids for some or all of the pans. Buying cookware in a set rather than individually saves you money and also ensures that all your cookware matches (for your perfect kitchen TikTok!).

Browsing cookware sets online gives you the ability to compare the prices of similar items between brands, read customer reviews, and see all your options without having to go store-to-store. We also recommend taking the following things into consideration when you're buying cookware sets online:

Selection. Does the company have a good variation of cookware sets with different amounts of pieces, materials, colors, and sizes? Are you able to easily browse the website and compare all your options quickly?
Pricing. How do the prices of cookware sets from one brand compare to another? Is it easy to identify key features of the pots and pans that help you know why they are priced the way they are? Does the brand run any major sales, offer discounts, or provide free shipping?
Return policy. If your cookware set arrives and you change your mind about it, can you send it back for a full refund? What if your non-stick pan doesn't work well or scratches easily? Check if the brand has a satisfaction guarantee and stands behind the quality of their products.

Being able to easily cook food is important, so getting new cookware is exciting and refreshing. There is a wide variety of cookware sets available online today. Some are so pretty you'll want to leave them out as a decoration. We hope this information from our experts at Top Consumer Reviews helps you find exactly what you're looking for, so that you can get to work on your next delicious cuisine creation.

Caraway Review: Cookware Sets

2026 Cookware Set Reviews

Caraway

What Brand Makes the Best Cookware Sets?

Cookware Set FAQ