If You Hate The Upkeep Of Cast Iron, The Caraway Grill Pan Is A Game-Changer

Reviewers say they’re “very impressed” and call it the “best investment.”

As much as I love traditional cast iron skillets, I just can’t get behind the labor and upkeep they require — if that makes me a bad home cook, so be it! Luckily, I remain as devoted as ever to ceramic cast iron cookware.

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It’s a great alternative because it conducts heat similarly — I find it to be just as effective at efficiently cooking all manner of delicious food quickly and evenly without the clean-up slog required of cast iron. It’s long-lasting, strong, and surprisingly versatile, making it a great financial investment and extremely aesthetically pleasing.

I’ve tried several brands, including affordable alternatives to luxury cast iron cookware collections. But I regret to inform you that nothing is as good as Caraway’s cookware, specifically the brand’s square grill pan, which has become my weeknight cooking hero.

Whether you’re a passionate cook or just starting to dip your toes in the cooking waters, possessing even just one or two high-quality pieces of cookware can inspire you to get in the kitchen while making cleanup easier and your food tastier. The Caraway square grill pan is one of these must-have pieces.

It’s available in eight colors, two considered “iconic” hues and come at a slightly higher price point. I own it in the classic cream shade and find it pretty darn close to perfect. It features a slick ceramic-coated cooking surface that is so smooth you barely need to use cooking oil. It’s compatible with all kinds of stoves, from gas to induction, and is oven-safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit.

As a city-dweller with limited space, I love how the grill lines give all my food the perfect barbecue-like sear marks, regardless of whether I’m cooking up burgers, vegan sausages, veggies, or more. You’d never know I don’t have a grill!

The pan is designed with what Caraway claims is a “non-toxic” coating that is free of materials that can be harmful, like PFOA, PTFE, lead, and cadmium. So you can enjoy the benefits of a non-stick coating without stressing about ingesting potentially harmful chemicals.

Take a peek at a few other glowing reviews and pick one up for yourself. It would almost make a great gift for the cooking enthusiast in your life! It’s worth every penny.

Promising reviews:

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"You need the right tools in the kitchen, and Caraway makes amazing pans. This is my second Caraway pan and I love it. It is ceramic coated and doesn’t have any toxic metals which I am trying to get away from. It’s quite a hefty pan, nice weight to it. My husband loves Wagyu, but it can be tough to cook outside on the grill, especially hamburgers. This pan cooks them beautifully, providing a nice seer, but no grease fires. It makes easy work of grilled sandwiches as well. This pan will last a long time. I highly recommend it." —Leah S.

"This is a really nice grill pan. It is sturdy and well made. The heat distributes really well on this pan leaving no real cool spots. It is perfect for cooking up fish, chicken, pork, chops, and even burgers. Want some grilled veggies but it's raining? NO problem at all break out this awesome pan and cook indoors. A great addition to my kitchen." —David I. Williams

"The little grill works well for cooking meat on the stove or for sandwiches. It will heat up buns and will grill vegetables. I have paired this with a grill press and it works very well with it. Keep the heat on the low side for best results. It has an easy clean surface and everything slides right off. This easy to use and a good size for one or two people." —Cheryl R.

"Caraway honestly reigns supreme when it comes to cookware. Their products are every millennials dream pieces. The color palette has grown over the years. This white and gold combo is a dream come true. These products are easy to clean but you do have to be gentle with them. Do not use any harsh cleaning products or you may ruin the integrity of pan. I recommend handwashing the piece for a longevity. What’s great about this pan is that it can go on the stove top or in the oven. It creates the perfect grill marks on your meat without having to be outside." —Alexandria

Get it from Amazon for $145+ (available in eight colors).

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.