I Love Caraway’s Nonstick Cookware, but Does Its Cast Iron Hold Up? I Tested the Dutch Oven to Find Out

Aesthetically, I love the Caraway cast iron Dutch oven’s appearance. It looks smaller than it is; it’s deceptively deep. It also comes in six sleek colors that will look dreamy on your stovetop (I opted for light mist). But my favorite part of the pot’s design is how surprisingly easy it is to lift and move. Despite being made of cast iron, which is notoriously heavy, it was no chore to shuffle the pot around my kitchen, or even to lug it to my partner’s place full of ropa vieja. In other words, moving it from the stove to the oven is a breeze.

There are a few downsides. The handles on the lid and pot get hot (which is typically the case with cast iron) and it’s not dishwasher friendly. In my experience cooking with it, I found that it heated up very quickly compared to my other cast iron pieces, so I needed to strategically lower the heat while the stew was cooking to keep it from burning. (It was also tough to tell if things were burning because the interior is black, but that goes for all dark cookware.)

Above all, the cost—$265—is a bit steep compared to other Dutch ovens on the market. As far as enameled cast iron Dutch ovens go, Greenpan and Lodge offer comparable options for under $100, while popular brands like Great Jones keep theirs under $200. For a few dollars more, you can treat yourself to the 7-quart Staub equivalent. However, the Caraway model is still significantly cheaper than Le Creuset’s. That said, this can be a one-and-done investment that will last you virtually forever if you maintain it as instructed.

Fast Facts

• Capacity: 6.5 quarts
• Weight: 13.4 pounds
• Dimensions: 6.8 inches high by 10.5 inches wide
• Max Temperature: 500°F
• Induction: yes
• Colors: six

The Bottom Line

This pot is effective, pretty, easy to use (and clean) and great for cooking big-batch recipes. It’s not the cheapest option in its category, but it also isn’t the most expensive. If you don’t use a Dutch oven that often, you could choose a cheaper alternative. But if you trust yourself to use it as the brand instructs, it’ll last for the long haul and will be well worth the splurge.