{"id":1727744,"date":"2021-12-16T14:46:29","date_gmt":"2021-12-16T19:46:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=1727744"},"modified":"2025-01-26T06:25:19","modified_gmt":"2025-01-26T12:25:19","slug":"our-place-pan-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/our-place-pan-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Place Always Pan Review: We Tried the Famous Pan To See if It Lives up to the Hype"},"content":{"rendered":"You know those sponsored products that pop up on your social media feeds again and again, tempting your impulse purchase self-control? They\u2019re always stylish, with excellent branding and thousands of likes and positive comments. For me, the trending kitchen item\u00a0I kept wanting to investigate is the Our Place Always Pan<\/a>.\r\n\r\nSimilar to Caraway ceramic cookware<\/a>, the pan is more gorgeous than any essential kitchen tool<\/a> has the right to be\u2014but I worried that the strong aesthetics prove it\u2019s more show than substance. When I was offered the opportunity to write an Our Place Always Pan review, I jumped at the chance to see if the viral gadget<\/a> could perform in the kitchen and not just on Instagram.\r\n

What is the Our Place Always Pan?<\/h2>\r\n\"Always\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe Our Place Always Pan<\/a> claims to replace eight pieces of cookware with just one pan. It functions as a frying pan, saut\u00e9 pan, steamer, skillet, saucier, saucepan and nonstick pan. Plus, it includes a spatula and built-in spoon rest. It's 10.5 inches in diameter, with a 2.8-inch depth and 2.6-quart capacity\u2014enough room for small family meals.\r\n\r\nThe pan\u2019s aluminum body is lightweight for easy maneuvering. And its cooking surface features a nonstick ceramic coating for a smooth, slick design. A mesh strainer fits neatly inside for easy steaming, and a lid keeps items warm and steam locked in. The beechwood spatula stays put, thanks to a clever knob on the pan\u2019s handle, so you can rest the spatula mess-free when you\u2019re not using it. Finally, two spouts on the pan make for easy pouring with minimal mess.\r\n\r\nUpon pulling it out of the box, I was immediately in awe by the pan's appearance. It really looks as good in real life as it does in the ads. My small kitchen<\/a> is basically out of functional storage space<\/a> (especially for organizing pots and pans<\/a>), so I was pleased that I can proudly display this pan on my stove full-time. It actually adds to my d\u00e9cor! The blue shade I chose is soothing and eye-catching, and the other shades are similarly on-trend.\r\n

Always Pan 2.0 Product Features<\/h2>\r\nThe\u00a0Always Pan 2.0<\/a>\u00a0is a follow-up to Our Place\u2019s ever-successful Always Pan 1.0. It has a recycled aluminum core and ceramic nonstick coating that\u2019s free of toxins.\r\n\r\nThe kitchen workhorse is exceptionally multi-functional thanks to its masterful design. It\u2019s fairly deep, with a 2.6-quart capacity and 2.8-inch sides. Additionally, it has a 10.5-inch diameter and weighs about 3 pounds.\r\n\r\nPerhaps what has made the pan so popular, though, is its appearance and accessories. Like the 1.0 before it, the Always Pan 2.0 is an Instagram dream, with a matte exterior that comes in trendy colors with enticing names like Char, Spice or Steam. (See more\u00a0social media products<\/a>\u00a0that are worth their salt!)\r\n\r\nMoreover, the purchase doesn\u2019t just get you the\u00a0nonstick skillet<\/a>. With the pretty pan comes add-ons, including a beechwood spatula, a domed lid and a steamer basket, making the three-figure purchase feel like a steal.\r\n\r\nThe 2.0 is touted as having 10 primary capabilities (compared to the 1.0\u2019s eight). It fries, boils, roasts, strains, sautes, sears, braises, serves, bakes and roasts. The last two functions are the most noteworthy because the 1.0 cannot go in the oven.\r\n\r\nIn addition to being oven-safe up to 450 degrees, the Always Pan 2.0 is sustainably made. The aluminum core is now comprised of 100% certified post-consumer waste. (See more\u00a0sustainable kitchen items<\/a>.) Furthermore, the patented Thermakind nonstick ceramic coating is intended to last 50% longer than that of the 1.0. It\u2019s made of toxin-free materials, including alcohol, water and a sand derivative.\r\n\r\nThe beloved details of the 1.0 that remained in this second version are the heatproof handle, built-in spoon rest, easy-to-use pour spout, steam-release lid, included beechwood spatula and steamer, and gorgeous colorways. As the saying goes, why fix what\u2019s not broken?\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"We Tried It\" product_name=\"Our Place Always Pan\" short_description=\"A 10-in-1 bestselling cookware system that does it all.\" image=\"1998564\" image_credit=\"TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"Our Place\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffromourplace.com%2Fproducts%2Falways-essential-cooking-pan\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Our Place\" retailers_2_name=\"Amazon\" retailers_2_url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Our-Place-2-0-10-5-Inch-Toxin-Free-Lightweight\/dp\/B0C6SPHV19\/?tag=tohmke-20\" retailers_2_display_text=\"Shop on Amazon\" retailers_3_name=\"Nordstrom Rack\" retailers_3_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nordstromrack.com%2Fs%2Four-place-always-pan-2-0-set%2F7359531\" retailers_3_display_text=\"Shop on Nordstrom Rack\" retailers_4_name=\"Bergdorf Goodman\" retailers_4_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bergdorfgoodman.com%2Fp%2Four-place-always-pan-2-0-blue-salt-prod180310202\" retailers_4_display_text=\"Shop on Bergdorf Goodman\" \/]\r\n

How We Tested the Our Place Always Pan<\/h2>\r\n\"Our\r\n\r\nWhen creating my Our Place Always pan review, I wanted to use not only my own experience as an amateur home cook, but also the expertise of Taste Recipes\u2019s<\/em> own Executive Culinary Director, Sarah Farmer<\/a>. She\u2019s been using the pan for over a year and has been seriously impressed by its performance in the kitchen.\r\n

Sarah's Always Pan Review<\/h3>\r\n\u201cThe Always Pan<\/a> is completely display-worthy. It\u2019s so much more than just a pretty pan. It\u2019s got both style and substance; it is form and function,\u201d Sarah says. \u201cFrom eggs (which still don\u2019t stick to the pan even after more than a year of use and cleaning) to pancakes, pork chops, ground beef, grilled cheeses and more, this pan truly is always<\/em>\u00a0in use at my house.\u201d\r\n\r\nAfter testing, Sarah's a devotee. \u201cHonestly, the Always Pan is a part of my kitchen now. In fact, I\u2019m such a fan, I gave one to my parents last Christmas,\u201d she says. \u201cThis Christmas, I\u2019ve got one on order for my sister!\u201d\r\n

My Always Pan Review<\/h3>\r\nIn my own humble home cook opinion, I\u2019m just as impressed as Sarah is. The Our Place pan\u2019s surface is so nonstick that I\u2019m often tempted to saut\u00e9 without oil<\/a>, and it\u2019s incredibly easy to clean. It heats quickly and evenly, and feels sturdy yet still lightweight in my hand. The built-in spatula holder is a genius detail that leaves my kitchen counters much cleaner<\/a> than usual. The pan\u2019s handle stays room temperature, so it\u2019s easy to maneuver without feeling the heat.\r\n\r\nAnd, of course, the Always Pan looks absolutely gorgeous in my kitchen. It stays on my stovetop full-time, and I\u2019ve consistently received compliments on it. In fact, I\u2019m strongly considering purchasing the matching Our Place Perfect Pot<\/a> and the Our Place mini cookware<\/a>, too.\r\n

Always Pan 2.0 Test<\/h3>\r\n\"Bottom\r\n\r\nWhile I was impressed with the first iteration of the viral Always Pan, I couldn't wait to test out the 2.0 version to see how they compare. I\u2019ve been cooking with the Always Pan 2.0 for about a year because I wanted to get a real read on its performance in all<\/em> capacities. I\u2019ve used it to make breakfast, dinner and \u2014 yes \u2014 dessert.\r\n

Stovetop Test<\/h3>\r\n\"Always\r\n\r\nI most often use the pan to make scrambled eggs\u2014it\u2019s almost a daily occurrence. Although there\u2019s a nonstick coating, the directions recommend using a liquid oil, so I always turn to my trusty\u00a0Kosterina olive oil<\/a>\u00a0to ready the surface for eggs. I heat the pan for about 90 seconds and swirl around the oil until it\u2019s hot before pouring in the liquid.\r\n\r\nI cook my eggs by constantly running a spatula, sometimes the provided wooden one and sometimes a rubber one, along the bottom of the pan until they\u2019re solid. In the first couple of months, I ran into very little trouble with sticking. Of course. there were some crispy bits left behind, but I wasn\u2019t wrestling with the eggs when trying to stir or flip them.\r\n\r\nLately, though, I\u2019ve noticed the nonstick surface has weakened in some spots, so more egg bits stick than they used to. That being said, it\u2019s still my best pan for nonstick cooking, and a great way to ensure this remains true is by continuing to employ medium-low heat when cooking with it.\r\n

Oven Test<\/h3>\r\n\"Always\r\n\r\nMy all-time favorite performance by the pan, though, was the\u00a0upside-down banana cake<\/a>\u00a0that I made for my sister\u2019s birthday. For this Always Pan 2.0 review, I was set on exploring the pan\u2019s oven safety, and given the event for which I was baking, the stakes were high! The Always Pan 2.0 delivered. I\u2019d never even baked an upside-down cake, and the pan made the process simple.\r\n\r\nI caramelized the bananas directly in the pan and then poured the batter over top. After the cake baked at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes, I let it cool for another 10 minutes before running a knife around the edge and inverting it onto parchment.\r\n\r\nThe cake came out without much coaxing, and only three banana slices stuck to the bottom of the pan. I was easily able to reattach them to the top of the cake.\r\n\r\nThe cake was rich and moist and baked to perfection, and though I\u2019ll give myself some credit for that, the pan certainly deserves points, too.\r\n\r\nAnd despite the fact that the whole bottom of the pan had once been coated with goopy, golden-brown deliciousness, cleaning was a breeze. My basic sponge did the job.\r\n

Ceramic Cookware Test<\/h3>\r\nOur Product Testing Team has ample experience testing everything from the best toasters<\/a> to the best food processors<\/a>, so we enlisted their help to find the best cookware<\/a> of every type. We re-tested Our Place's ceramic cookware to see how it compares to competitors' ceramic cookware, using a sliding egg test (with and without oil), a searing test with chicken tenderloin and a crepe test to determine how evenly it cooks.\r\n\r\n[quote-card quote=\"If you're looking for a versatile frying pan with a lid and a large capacity, the Our Place Pan includes great features, like a steamer basket, that can multi-task for almost any type of mea.\" name=\"Sheri Kaz\" title=\"product tester\" \/]\r\n\r\nIn the Product Testing Team's evaluation, the pan performed very well in its nonstick and sear tests. It placed as the pan with the best ceramic cookware accessories for its steamer, which sets it apart from the other ceramic-coated cookware.\r\n

Searing Test<\/h3>\r\nThe Always Pan performs well in many cooking tasks but struggles with high-heat applications like searing meats. It lacks the heat retention needed for effective searing, and at very high temperatures, food tends to stick, leaving a burnt residue that's hard to clean. For cooking large cuts of meat at high temperatures, consider an option that handles extreme heat better, such as Our Place's Cast Iron Always Pan<\/a>.\r\n

Cleaning Test<\/h3>\r\n\"Always\r\n\r\nWhen cleaning, I let the pan fully cool. Previously, water pressure alone removed most egg residue, and a green and yellow dish sponge handled any remaining oil and particles. Now, scrubbing requires more effort, especially with the green scouring pad, to achieve a spotless finish, after which I air-dry the pan.\r\n\r\n(Note: After my first use, I noticed a chip in the paint on the rim where the lid and spatula rest, though I'm unsure of the cause.)\r\n\r\nThe pan performs well for recipes like broccoli-sausage orecchiette, pasta sauces and taco meat. However, ceramic cookware, including the Always Pan 2.0, requires slow heating and can't handle ultra-high temperatures, making it unsuitable for searing larger cuts of steak or chicken. In these cases, a cast iron or HexClad pan works better.\r\n\r\nSome users also report difficulty cleaning the lid, especially around the handle where food can accumulate. Although we didn't encounter this, cleaning the lid immediately after cooking helps prevent food buildup.\r\n

Nonstick Longevity<\/h3>\r\nOne common complaint about Our Place's Always Pan is its nonstick coating, which some find lacking. While we haven't experienced issues with it during testing, here are a few tips to help prolong the pan's nonstick lifespan.\r\n\r\nFirst, avoid spray oils on the Always Pan (or any nonstick pan). These sprays can create a sticky residue that diminishes the nonstick quality and may leave a brown, burnt appearance over time. Check out this helpful guide<\/a> for more details on when to use spray oils.\r\n\r\nSecond, clean the pan after each use. Allow it to cool first, but don\u2019t let excess oil or food residue sit too long, as this can degrade the nonstick coating. Use mild soap and nonabrasive sponges for cleaning, as abrasive products can wear down the coating over time.\r\n\r\nLastly, never use metal tools with the Always Pan. Metal utensils like spatulas or tongs can scratch the coating, accelerating its breakdown and potentially releasing harmful chemicals if the scratches are deep. We recommend sticking to wood or silicone utensils.\r\n

Pros<\/h3>\r\n