Are premium pans worth the price? Recently, I decided to find out by testing a budget-friendly Martha Stewart pan I found at Burlington against a Caraway pan from Amazon. The Martha Stewart pan was only $8, while the Caraway set me back a hefty $90. Both are 8-inch, ceramic, nonstick, and claim to be non-toxic, but I wanted to know: is the Caraway really ten times better? Here’s what I found after putting both through a series of cooking tests.
Where to Purchase
Below are links where you can purchase the pans featured in this review.
- Caraway Pan
- Martha Stewart – I currently only see the 10″ version online.
Unboxing and First Impressions
Martha Stewart Pan: The Martha Stewart pan had minimal packaging—just a tag and a sticker awkwardly placed on the nonstick surface. Its simple design wasn’t flashy, but it seemed solid for the price, with a surprisingly good finish and a lightweight feel.
Caraway Pan: In contrast, the Caraway pan arrived in premium packaging, complete with a care kit and a handle notch designed to show you where it stays cool. It felt more substantial in weight (about 11 ounces heavier than the Martha Stewart), which suggested it might distribute heat better. Caraway also included detailed instructions about usage and care, while Martha Stewart’s pan came with almost none. A good sign for the premium choice?
Round One: The Egg Test
With Oil: Starting with eggs, I tried cooking them in each pan with a tablespoon of oil. Both performed well; the eggs slid easily in each pan, with no sticking issues. The Caraway did feel slightly more even in its heating, but overall, both pans passed this test.
Without Oil Things got more interesting when I tried eggs without any oil. The Caraway pan released the eggs slightly better, while the Martha Stewart showed a few burned spots. Both handles stayed cool during cooking, but the Caraway’s special notch added a little convenience by marking where the handle would start to heat up.
Round Two: Pancake Time
I moved on to pancakes, cooking one round with no grease and another with a little butter. Without any grease, both pans performed surprisingly well, releasing pancakes easily and producing a nice golden color. With butter, both pans again worked well, but the Caraway showed slightly more even browning. Both handles stayed cool, although Martha’s handle seemed even cooler than Caraway’s during the test.
Round Three: Melted Cheese
For this test, I sprinkled Parmesan in each pan to see if it would stick. Both pans melted the cheese nicely, and when I tried to lift it out, they both released with minimal effort. It was an impressive performance from both pans, considering melted cheese is notoriously sticky.
Round Four: Turkey Patties
Cooking turkey patties added more of a challenge. Both pans heated up well, and both released the patties without sticking. However, during cleanup, the Martha Stewart pan showed its first real weakness. It retained some residue that required extra scrubbing and developed minor discoloration on the surface. Caraway cleaned up a little easier but still left behind some stubborn residue on the edges.
Round Five: Searing Steaks
For the final test, I tried cooking steak in each pan. Both pans handled the task well, producing a good sear on each side and releasing the steaks with ease. However, once again, cleanup was tougher on the Martha Stewart pan, where discoloration was more noticeable. Caraway’s heavier build also kept its temperature more stable, while the Martha Stewart ran hotter, cooking the steak faster than expected.
Final Thoughts: Is the Caraway Pan Worth the Extra $80?
So, what’s my verdict? While both pans performed similarly across most tests, the Caraway pan edges ahead in durability, ease of use, and heat distribution. The Martha Stewart pan is a solid performer, but it may require more frequent cleaning and care to avoid residue buildup and discoloration.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly pan that does the job well, the Martha Stewart pan is a great option. However, if longevity, even cooking, and easy cleanup matter most to you, the Caraway could be worth the extra investment. I’ll be using both pans over the next year to see how they hold up, so stay tuned for an update! If you’ve tried either of these pans, I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below.
Video Review
Below you can watch my full comparison of these two pans.