I used Teflon cookware for years before I learned about the health risks involved. Since then I’ve been on the hunt for some really high-quality nonstick cookware without Teflon. That’s where Carote comes in. I found this brand being compared to a GreenPan alternative and I was immediately intrigued by the unique granite nonstick coating.
Finding high-quality, nontoxic nonstick cookware can be difficult and expensive but I feel like the Carote Cookware line ticks all those boxes. It’s made from 4 layers of strong aluminum with a granite nonstick coating that, according to the manufacturer, is 10x more effective than regular nonstick while being totally PFOA and PTFE-free. If you take care of these pans and use the right utensils on them they should hold up for years.
Pros:
- Ultra effective nonstick
- Suitable for all cooktops
- Even heat distribution
- More affordable compared to competitors
- Durable 5-layer design
Cons:
- Not dishwasher friendly
- Most pots and pans only available in sets
Is a Carote Cookware Set Right for You?
I like Carote as a brand so I generally recommend their cookware line to anyone looking for high-quality nonstick cookware. The cookware surface has incredibly effective nonstick, which makes cooking and cleaning simple. They are also designed to be stackable so they’ll save you some space in your cookware drawer.
You can choose to buy one pan from Carote, like a really good frying pan, but the most value from this brand can be found in their sets. The sets are extensive and more affordable than other cookware sets of the same size. I recommend these sets for new couples or people just setting out on their own and needing to stock their cupboards with cooking equipment.
Before buying you should consider:
- Whether you need an individual pan or a set
- What material your utensils are and if you would need to buy a set with more suitable silicone utensils
- How many types of cookware do you use on a regular basis
Features & Benefits
Carote Cookware Sets and Options
One of the things I love about Carote, besides the finish and appearance which we’ll get into later, is the great variety available. They have a comprehensive selection of sets as well as individual pots and pans so you can decide whether to invest in a big set all at once or pick and choose a pan for yourself.
Here is a full list of the Carote cookware available:
To buy individually
- 8-inch frying pan with or without lid
- 11-inch frying pan with or without lid
- 12.5-inch, 6qt frying pan
- 1.5qt saucepan with lid
- 1.7qt saucepan with lid
- 4qt Dutch oven with lid
- 6qt Dutch oven with lid
Only available in various sets:
- 9-inch frying pan
- 4.5qt saute pan with lid
- 4.3qt casserole dish with lid
- 2.4qt saucepan with lid and steamer
Besides the regular pots and pans with Bakelite handles, Carote also offers a unique set with removable handles. The whole set comes with 7 pots and pans but only two handles. This makes the cookware infinitely easier to store without having to find space for the pesky handles!
They are also very handy if you are making a dish that requires you to transfer it from the stovetop to the oven. Once it’s in the oven, you can unclip the handle to prevent it from getting hot and replace it once it’s ready to come out.
The following pot and pans are included in the removable handle range:
- 8-inch frying pan
- 10-inch frying pan
- 7-inch, 1.5qt saucepan
- 10-inch deep frying pan with lid
- 8-inch, 2,4qt saucepan with lid
Some of the larger Carote sets come with sets of silicone utensils that match the cookware and are perfect to use on a nonstick surface. This is super handy if you’re buying a whole set to kit out your house for the first time or if you have a lot of metal utensils in your drawers.
Materials and Construction
Carote was established in China in 1992 and all their pans are manufactured there. But they were initially introduced into the Italian market where they grew in popularity before being distributed all over the world.
Carote cookware is made of a very durable, four-layer aluminum design with a “granite”-looking nonstick coating. The 4mm die-cast aluminum base heats quickly and maintains the heat throughout cooking. The pans also have a stainless steel ring set into the base to make the pots induction compatible. The lids are made from tempered glass that allows you to keep an eye on your food while it cooks.
Now I get to share my favorite part of these pans: the nonstick coating. I know it’s been mentioned many times over but it really can’t be over-emphasized how truly great this coating is. The name is slightly misleading since the coating isn’t made of real granite, it merely has the same shiny, strong finish.
Instead, the coating is made from porcelain enamel that has been fused to the surface of the aluminum at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This creates a glass-like surface that is highly nonstick and non-reactive. According to the manufacturer, the surface is nontoxic, PFOA, lead, and cadmium free so it won’t leech any harmful chemicals into your food. These pans are a great safe option if you’re looking to switch away from Teflon.
The handles are made from Bakelite with a wood texture finish. Some sets have ordinary handles– but there are others available with beautiful organically-shaped handles that I’d really like to try next!
But what is Bakelite? Bakelite is a thermosetting phenol formaldehyde resin known for its poor conductivity and heat resistance, which makes them ideal for pot handles. No matter how long they’ve been on the stove, the handles should stay cool to the touch and feel ergonomic to use.
From an aesthetic standpoint, these pans come in four earthy shades with a speckled finish that I think looks great. Having cookware that is visually appealing is obviously not crucial but its a bonus feature that I really appreciate.
Use and Versatility
Simple to Use: At this point in my cooking life, I have no time for finicky pans that come with a bunch of caveats to using them. This Carote cookware is very versatile and is suitable for use on every stovetop, including induction. They are also oven-safe up to 550 F so they’re perfect for those one-pot meals that require finishing in the oven. Like many aluminum pans, Carote cookware is best used on medium or low heat. Using them on high heat regularly can lead to the pans deteriorating more quickly.
Range of Pans in the Set: I think this range is really extensive and I love the addition of the steamer. I would personally love a big stock pot to be included in the set that I could use for soup and boiling pasta, I think this is the only item missing from this range to make it more versatile. Other than this, I think you could cook just about any cuisine using any techniques you like using a full set of these pots and pans.
Stackable: The whole set, especially the removable handle line, is designed to be stackable to save you space in your cupboards. This makes Carote cookware ideal for those of you with smaller kitchens where space is at a premium.
Weight: I find that these pans are a little heavier than regular aluminum because of the 5-layer design but they aren’t as heavy as cast iron. This makes them sit really solidly on the stove, which is safer– but they may be a little harder to maneuver. For this reason, I don’t recommend this set to anyone with mobility issues.
Cleaning, Longevity & Warranty
One significant downside to Carote is that their pots and pans aren’t dishwasher safe. Hand washing can be so frustrating after cooking a whole meal but, luckily, I find that these pots are very easy to clean. The nonstick coating means that any food residue, even burnt bits, will slide right off using a soft sponge. When comparing the merits of these pans against this small inconvenience, I think this cookware is still well worth purchasing.
All the Carote Cookware, including the removable handle range, has a one-year warranty. This is rather short but they do offer a lifetime service option for their cookware, which is a nice touch that you rarely see.
So if you invest your money in these pans today, how long will they last you? Realistically – don’t expect them to last more than a year. Nonstick coatings are getting better and better, but they’ll never have the lifespan of stainless steel. But longevity has a lot to do with how you treat them. Be gentle on them, avoid burning them, and use silicone spatulas on them, and they’ll last much longer than if you abuse them.
Here are a few tips to make your Carote cookware last as long as possible:
- Don’t use metal utensils. I recommend using nylon or silicone instead.
- Avoid heating a pan when it is empty. This raises the surface temperature above what it was ever meant to reach, and this will discolor the inside.
- Try not to cook on high heat, as this can cause damage over time.
- Don’t use cooking spray on the surface.
- Allow the pans to cool before adding cold water to avoid warping.
Where Can You Buy Carote Cookware Sets?
Carote has a website where you can buy some of their products but it is limited to their sets. If you want access to the full spectrum of Carotes cookware options, especially the individual pots, and pans, then you need to head for the Amazon Carote storefront. It has a comprehensive selection of everything this brand has on offer and it’s really reliable.
But Carote is also available at these retailers:
Real Carote Cookware Reviews from Buyers
Whenever I go to buy cookware, my final decision always comes down to what other customers have to say about it. I especially value it when a customer shares their experience after owning the pans for a while so I know how they fair in the long run. I’ve dug deep into the internet and found some really positive reviews that make me believe that this set is well worth a purchase.
Most Amazon customers pointed out how well these pans last over time and gushed about how incredible the nonstick is.
Check out the video below from Social Family Reviews where he shows off how effective the nonstick is by frying an egg without any oil! This is very rare to achieve, even with the best nonstick surfaces so this had me very impressed.
Here are some reviews from some very happy Carote customers:
Alternatives
Although I’m pretty sold on Carote as a cookware brand myself, it’s always a good idea to compare similar products to make sure you’re making the right decision. When looking for alternatives, I was on the lookout for other high-quality cookware with PFOA-free nonstick coatings because that’s a huge selling point for Carote as a brand.
Here are three alternatives for you to consider:
GreenPan Ceramic Nonstick Cookware
GreenPan cookware is a leader in the industry with its trademarked Thermolon ceramic nonstick coating. This nonstick is very effective but requires medium heat and a little oil to work, when compared to the Carote pans that don’t require any fats at all.
As a brand, GreenPan has a very extensive range with the same coating so you are guaranteed quality through the products. They have great sets but all of their cookware is available to buy individually, which is a huge plus point. They also have a variety of ranges in different colors so you can choose the classic black or go for something a little more decorative.
One place where GreenPan falls down compared to Carote is in price. Carote is far more affordable for individual pans and for sets while having a superior nonstick. I would check out GreenPan if you are looking for a very specific pan that Carote doesn’t have available individually.
- Ceramic effective non stick but not as good as the “granite” Carote ceramic.
- GreenPan is more expensive than Carote.
- Carote has a smaller product range than GreenPan.
- Carote mainly sells sets while all GreenPans products are available individually.
Calphalon Oil Infused Ceramic Cookware Set
Calphalon Oil Infused Ceramic line is a very effective and, most importantly, nontoxic cookware collection that uses a unique ceramic coating. The ceramic nonstick is oil-infused to extend the life of the coating and make it super nonstick with just a little oil.
When compared to Carote, this range is more expensive and they must be well preheated to work effectively. Calphalon does have a range of regular ceramic nonstick cookware but I don’t think it’s nearly as effective as the oil-infused line. I suggest checking out this range for their extensive sets of stackable cookware that is great for small spaces.
- Carote “Granite” nonstick is more effective than ceramic
- Calphalon is more expensive than Carote.
- Calhalon’s other ranges aren’t as effective as the oil-infused range.
Tramontina Enameled Cast Iron and Ceramica Nonstick Cookware
Tramontina nonstick cookware is a range that I always recommend for beginners and those on a slightly tighter budget that still want a good nonstick pan. The pans are made from tr-ply aluminum, which allows even heat distribution and retention.
The coating is called Ceramica and its a porcelain coating that is PFOA-free, lead, and cadmium free so its super safe for a bargain price. This brand also has an enameled cast iron range that is nonstick and a great dupe for Le Creuset. But – and this is very important to note – only the Tranmontina cookware labeled as enameled cast iron and Ceramica are PTFE-free. The brand has an extensive selection of nonstick cookware but this is basically a cheaper, off brand version of Teflon so you may want to avoid that.
- Tramontina is best for when you’re on a tight budget
- Tramontina pots and pans are available individually
- Carote Granite nonstick is more effective than Ceramica
- Carote has a larger range of nonstick options
Conclusion
Finding high-quality, affordable nonstick cookware that is nontoxic can be difficult but Carote Cookware meets all these needs. This unique cookware uses a powerful, nonstick so-called granite ceramic-type finish that is so effective you can even fry an egg on it with no oil and it won’t stick. These pans are durable and can reasonably last 1-3 years with careful use.
Click here to check out Carote’s extensive range and find your new favorite nonstick pan.
