Caraway’s ceramic-coated pans strike the ideal balance between nonstick function and striking style. Maintaining that smooth surface and avoiding scratches means being mindful of what utensils touch these high-performing pots and pans. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the best (and worst) utensils to use with Caraway cookware.
Table of Contents
The Golden Rules of Utensil Use
To preserve Caraway’s nonstick coating and prevent surface damage, follow these fundamental rules:
- Don’t Use Metal Utensils as they can scratch ceramic coating
- Use Wood, Silicone or Plastic Instead for stain & scratch-resistant options
- Always Use Soft, Gentle Pressure whether mixing, scraping or serving to avoid scuffing
- Don’t Cut Food Directly Inside Cookware use a cutting board to protect the surface
Follow those principles and you’ll keep your Caraway cookware looking pristine for the long run.
Best Utensil Materials for Caraway Pans
Caraway recommends using plastic, wood or silicone utensils to provide just the right blend of versatility and gentle surface contact:
Silicone Utensils
Made from flexible, heat-resistant polymers, silicone utensils are ideal for Caraway pans providing:
- Nonstick qualities rivalling the ceramic coating
- Heat resistance up to 600°F
- Stain resistance against spices, oils and sauces
- Easy, seamless mixing and folding
- Soft but firm enough to stir thick mixtures or flip foods
- Prevent greyish streaks sometimes caused by wood
Quality silicone utensils are affordable, and hygienic and offer the ideal level of control when cooking.
Wooden Utensils
Carved from hardwoods like beech, olive and maple, wood is another fitting choice featuring:
- Dense grain that won’t penetrate the ceramic coating
- Ability to withstand temperatures up to 350°F
- Light colours that won’t bleed onto cookware
- A slight surface grip is helpful when stirring
- Soft surface not causing scratch damages
Naturally antimicrobial wood brings and clean sensibility while avoiding abrasiveness.
Plastic Utensils
High-heat plastics like nylon, polyamide or ABS can also safely tend to Caraway cookware providing:
- Moulded edges with no danger of scratches/chips
- Heat resistance around 390-430°F
- Tough polymer construction resisting wear
- Textured surfaces for improved grip
- Affordable cost for replacing as needed
Reliable plastics lend everyday functionality able to perform most cooking tasks.
Utensil Features to Look For
Beyond the actual material, also evaluate:
- Comfortable handle avoiding hand strains
- Sturdy, well-balanced design for stability
- BPA-free assurance when involving plastics
- Blunted cutting edges on spatulas preventing incidents
- Proper length keeping hands away from heat
- Hanging holes for tidy storage solutions
Utensils to Completely Avoid
On the flip side, these notoriously abrasive utensils have no business ever touching Caraway cookware:
- Metal spatulas or spoons with sharp cutting edges that scratch
- Forks able to puncture the ceramic coating
- Wire brushes or scouring pads are too abrasive for the surface
- Oven mitts risking fabric snags
- Flame tamer inserts blocking heat transmission
No matter the temptation, keep these utensils far away from your ceramic cookware.
Best Utensils for Every Caraway Piece
Wondering which utensils work best for different pots and specific cooking tasks? Here’s a handy guide:
Caraway Saucepan
Best Utensils: Silicone spoon, wood spoon, plastic ladle, silicone whisk
Ideal Uses: Making sauces, boiling pasta, warming leftovers
Caraway Sauté Pan
Best Utensils: Silicone turner, silicone spatula, wooden spoon, plastic tongs
Ideal Uses: Searing meats, frying eggs, sautéing veggies, braising stews
Caraway Stock Pot
Best Utensils: Silicone ladle, plastic skimmer, wood spoon
Ideal Uses: Cooking big batches of chilli, pasta, soups, and stocks
Caraway Fry Pan
Best Utensils: Silicone turner, silicone spatula, wooden spoon
Ideal Uses: Frying eggs, pancakes, meats, stir-fries, curries
Additional Handy Utensils
Rounding out your utensil selection, these bonus tools nicely complement Caraway cookware:
- Slotted spoons for straining foods from hot liquids
- Curved spatulas are ideal for turning and pressing burgers
- Precision tongs are helpful when tossing greens or pasta
- Angled mess-free ladles for easily serving soups
- Flexible whisks that bend to fully incorporate ingredients
- Heat-resistant rubber gloves protect hands
Having the right assortment means having the perfect utensil handy for any recipe.
Caring for Your Utensils
To extend useful life, properly care for utensils using these best practices:
- Hand wash only to prevent potential warping or fading
- Promptly dry to avoid moisture damage promoting mould
- No soaking which can encourage wood splitting or wear
- No microwaving plastics causing partial melting
- Store hanging to alleviate tip bending during drawer storage
- Quickly wipe spills preventing stains
With some basic care, quality utensils used gently can last for years assisting all your favorite Caraway meals.
Recommended Caraway Utensil Sets
Rather than piecing together utensils, Caraway offers curated sets matching the aesthetics of their ceramic cookware:
The Essentials Set – $45
- 10” Silicone Turner Spatula
- 10” Silicone Spoonula
- Stainless Steel Slotted Spoon
The Complete Set – $145
- 10” Silicone Turner Spatula
- 10” Silicone Spoonula
- 9” x 3” Silicone Basting Brush
- Stainless Steel Slotted Spoon
- Stainless Steel Ladle
Both options provide a complimentary range of must-have utensils to stir, mix, lift and serve anything from Caraway cookware while protecting the surfaces.
Do’s and Don’ts Using Metal Utensils
We’ve hammered avoiding metal utensils to prevent scratching and damaging Caraway’s ceramic coating. But if you must use metal tools, follow these precautions:
✅ DO:
- Use metal sparingly just for brief tasks
- Hold the tool perfectly perpendicular to the cookware
- Always move gently and straight back/forth
- Apply even, light pressure when stirring
- Remove food immediately after manipulating
❌ DON’T:
- Cut or chop food inside the cookware
- Tap roughly against the cookware sides
- Scrape bits aggressively stuck to the surface
- Gouge sharp tool edges into the coating
- Leave metal sitting inside the cookware
While still risky, exercising extreme care with metal can work minimally when required. Ideally, still, avoid it whenever possible.
Caring for Caraway’s Coating
No matter how careful, with repeated use, subtle scratches and scuffs may eventually emerge on Caraway’s coating. Here are some tips to cover:
- Season regularly by rubbing with oil then heating to polymerize into the pores providing a protective barrier.
- Avoid extreme heat which can liquefy coating polymers allowing deeper scratches.
- Replace heavily damaged pieces like excessively scraped pans; deep scratches risk flaking coating into food over time with use.
- Use scratch repair kits which use sanding pads and lacquering solution to buff out and reseal minor scratches.
While Caraway’s ceramic coating resists scratches better than typical nonstick pans, no surface is fully impervious. But applying sound practices keeps marks minimal so you can keep savoring these pans for the long run.
The Bottom Line
Caraway’s beautiful, high-performing cookware warrants equally exceptional care and handling. By matching Caraway pots and pans with compatible utensils gently used, you can protect the coveted nonstick properties. Treat ceramic surfaces with proper diligence and this cookware can continue delivering gourmet results for years on end. Give these pans the utensils they deserve and they’ll give you a lifetime of delicious cooking memories.
