Albeit expensive, there’s no doubt that Caraway is a brand that can easily seduce you to splurging. It generally has good reviews and absolutely looks gorgeous displayed in your kitchen.
But if you have an induction cooktop, its suitability might give you pause from spending money on it. Does Caraway work on induction?
Let’s find out!
Does Caraway cookware work on induction?
The best nowadays comes from non-stick cookware that doesn’t require much elbow grease while cleaning. And while the market floods you with many options, finding one brand that can check your list of standards may be challenging.
Until, of course, Caraway enters the competition.
Caraway is a brand that focuses on good-looking, health-safe, planet-friendly, and convenient kitchenware.
Everything is ethically manufactured and comes in sustainable packaging. If you feel skeptical about its mission statement, let’s dissect how Caraway delivers its promise.
Aesthetically-pleasing
If looks can easily sway your heart, then Caraway doesn’t have to do anything but sit and look pretty.
With bold and striking colors like the classic cream and navy to their iconic rose quartz and sapphire, your kitchen will not stay dull for long.
Non-toxic
More than the allure of looks, Caraway also boasts kitchenware free from PFAS, PTFE, PFOA, and “other hard-to-pronounce chemicals” that other non-stick cookware may have adopted.
Instead, they use ceramic-coated aluminum cookware to create a naturally slick surface. The ceramic coating also prevents aluminum and other harmful chemicals like lead and cadmium from making their way into your food.
Eco-conscious
Caraway products release less carbon dioxide into the environment than traditional non-stick products. Moreover, they have recyclable packaging that does not utilize single-use plastics.
Convenient
When you think of convenience in cookware, you may only think of simplified designs and ease of cleaning. Caraway goes beyond meeting those standards and produces stovetop-agnostic cookware.
Yes! Caraway can work on all cooktops, including induction!
Aluminum ensures even heat distribution, so it only requires low to medium heat to achieve a satisfying cooking performance.
The steel base makes it induction-compatible, so you don’t have to look for other alternatives that don’t check your standards as Caraway does.
Can Caraway be used with an induction cooktop?
The induction cooktop has gained the reputation of being picky with what works with it. Sometimes, you’d have something that apparently works with it, but it costs you more time than expected!
To appreciate how the Caraway design allows it to work on induction, you’d have to know first the science behind induction cooktops.
Unlike your traditional gas stovetop, you won’t see flames, letting you know that you are cooking. So what do you see instead?
Well, nothing!
Induction works based on a ferromagnetic material’s reaction with a fluctuating magnetic field.
When you turn on your induction, an alternating current flows through a copper coil underneath the cooktop’s surface.
The current produces a changing magnetic field which makes the iron atoms in your cookware vibrate. When this happens, they release energy in the form of heat.
Essentially, you will see no heat transfer but feel the cooktop heat itself!
It’s wise to emphasize that ONLY ferromagnetic cookware works like this or at least those with magnetic bases. Otherwise, it will remain cool even if you crank the power up.
Iron is an excellent example of a ferromagnetic material. Steel, an alloy of carbon and iron, may also work. Cast iron, enameled cast iron, and magnetic stainless steel should be your go-to if you have an induction cooktop.
However, note that some stainless steel has less iron than advertised. Hence, the cookware may either not work as efficiently or at all.
To test if your cookware is induction-suitable, perform the magnet test. Try to stick a magnet at the bottom of your pot and pans.
If it sticks well, you have induction-ready cookware!
But if it barely sticks, you may have difficulty heating your pan. And if the magnet slides off, it may be time to shop for an alternative.
Copper, aluminum, and ceramic do not work on induction.
Caraway has a stainless steel base which allows the bottom to heat itself.
And since aluminum is an excellent thermal conductor, it will work as efficiently as having cookware made entirely of stainless steel.
In theory, that is.
It’s only wise to be a bit more skeptical before buying Caraway since it’s on the expensive spectrum ($400 for seven pieces in a cookware set). Research in the form of a caraway induction review found online will definitely help.
A Reddit user posted that their Caraway pots and pans seem to have difficulty boiling water on their induction stove. While one may say it could be the induction cooktop’s fault, other Reddit users agreed with the observation.
A user even commented on the post that the cookware dances on the verge of barely working into giving up entirely.
Moreover, Caraway warns against using high-temperature settings since it may degrade the ceramic coating gradually. So you’re stuck waiting for it to heat to your desired temperature.
The reason behind this might be the quality of the stainless steel base. The stainless steel used might have low iron content, thus, the inefficiency.
On the other hand, the majority of the commentary on the mentioned Reddit post only had a problem with boiling. One thing to remember is that water has a high specific heat capacity.
What does that imply?
Consider this: You boil water in your Caraway pot in a low or medium setting. Having a high “specific heat capacity” means that water absorbs a lot of heat before it gets hot and eventually boils. The pot may not exceed 100 C or 212 F (boiling point of water) for a long time.
So while Caraway recommended keeping it at low to medium settings, boiling water may be an exception. For frying, sautéing, and pan-roasting, it’s best to keep to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Aside from induction complaints, several users also had problems with how easily it loses its non-stickiness. Chipping and stains are also common drawbacks that users observe within a few months of regular use. They require careful storage and need to be replaced after a few years.
Caraway isn’t heirloom quality, so don’t expect it to be as durable as cast iron. Ceramic cookware generally loses its nonstick appeal over time, so consider it if you plan to buy Caraway products.
Is ceramic cookware good for induction?
Ceramic cookware amassed its following from those who want a “healthier” lifestyle. With the fear of toxic chemicals leaching into food, it’s no wonder ceramic coating is more desirable than traditional non-stick.
Disclaimer: FDA has banned the use of PFOA and only allows some PFAS on food-contact products. According to the American Cancer Society, there are no proven risks associated with PFAS in the non-stick coating.
In terms of induction compatibility, ceramic cookware with no magnetic bases does not work on induction. Most ceramic-coated products in the market have gauge aluminum bases, so best to ignore them if you want cookware that matches your induction.
Aside from Caraway, many brands have already kept up with advancing technology. The following brands offer induction-suitable cookware sets.
- Cuisinart Elements 10-piece set
- Bialetti Aeternum 10-piece set
- Ozeri ZP1-3P Green Earth Pan 3-piece set
- Greenlife Soft Grip 15-piece set
- Greenpan Valencia Pro 11-piece set
- Kenmore Arlington 12-piece set
- Blue diamond stackable 7-piece set
Among these, Greenpan remains a strong contender regarding induction-friendly ceramic-coated cookware. Their patent Magneto technology (magnetized base) ensures that you don’t have to wonder about its suitability for induction.
If you don’t want to buy another cookware set, use a converter disk instead. A converter disk is a magnetic stainless steel plate that you can put between your non-induction pan and your cooktop to facilitate heat transfer. It’s that easy!
Here is some advice you’d want to follow to make your ceramic cookware last.
- Wash with warm soapy water and a soft sponge. Avoid abrasive materials.
- Use wooden, plastic, or silicone utensils to prevent scratches on the surface.
- Though non-stick, adding a little oil, butter, or margarine is a good habit. Avoid cooking sprays at all costs.
- Only use low heat to lessen the deterioration of non-stick coating and avoid extreme temperature changes.
- Don’t store food in your pan, especially acidic foods. Leave that to proper containers!
- Store your pans and pots carefully and properly.
Ceramic cookware, including Caraway, does not advertise durability. Instead, they offer healthier and more convenient options for the homebody who doesn’t have the time to worry about chemicals and pre-seasoning the pan.
If you are about that life, go for ceramic cookware!
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