Updated March 2026 | By Lily Clark
Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend cookware I personally test and cook with in my kitchen.
Our Place markets the Always Pan as the only pan you’ll ever need.
According to the brand, it replaces:
- a frying pan
• sauté pan
• steamer
• skillet
• saucier
• spatula rest
• and several other pieces of cookware.
It’s also one of the most recognizable cookware products on Instagram.
Soft colors. Minimalist design. Influencer kitchens.
But cookware performance isn’t determined by aesthetics.
It’s determined by:
- heat distribution
• coating durability
• how well proteins brown
• how eggs behave after weeks of real cooking
So the real question isn’t whether the Always Pan looks beautiful on a stovetop.
The real question is much simpler:
Does it actually perform like a serious piece of cookware?
This review evaluates the Our Place Always Pan using controlled cooking tests, heat measurements, and durability observations.
No influencer hype.
Just real kitchen results.
Quick Verdict
Price Range: ≈ $125–$145
Pan Size: 10.5 inches
Coating Type: Ceramic nonstick (sol-gel)
Best For: Eggs, vegetables, light sautéing
Not For: High-heat searing or heavy protein cooking
Heat Profile: Even heating but moderate retention
Induction Compatible: Yes
Overall Rating: 8.3 / 10
The Always Pan is well designed and enjoyable to cook with when used within its limits.
Eggs release easily, vegetables sauté well, and the pan heats evenly across the surface.
But the ceramic coating behaves like most ceramic cookware.
Excellent when new.
Gradually less slippery with repeated heat exposure.
If you want a stylish, multi-purpose everyday pan, it performs well.
If you expect restaurant-level searing or long-term nonstick durability, it has limitations.
Where the Always Pan Fits in the Nonstick Ecosystem
Before reviewing the Always Pan on its own, it helps to understand where it sits within the broader cookware landscape.
If your main goal is cooking eggs with perfect release, start here:
Eggs reveal nonstick performance faster than almost any other food.
Across modern cookware, nonstick pans typically fall into four categories.
Traditional PTFE nonstick pans
Extremely slick but sensitive to scratching and overheating.
Ceramic nonstick pans
PFAS-free coatings like those in the
→ Caraway Pan Review 2026: Is it Just Instagram Hype?
→ GreenPan Valencia Pro Review (2026): Is Thermolon Worth It?
Budget ceramic pans
Simpler coatings like those tested in the
→ Ozeri Stone Earth Review: Real Science Behind the Greblon C3+ Coating
Hybrid cookware
Mixed stainless/nonstick surfaces like those evaluated in the
→ HexClad Hybrid Pan Review
The Always Pan sits firmly in the ceramic lifestyle cookware category.
Its design prioritizes versatility and aesthetics rather than extreme cooking performance.
Understanding that positioning helps explain its strengths—and its limitations.
Testing Methodology
- Cooktop: Standard 120V electric cooktop
- Thermometers: ThermoPro TP19 + infrared thermometer
- Testing Period: 14 days
- Egg Tests Performed: 10
- Protein Tests: 5
- Stress Tests: High-heat + acidic cooking
Cooking tests included:
- Cold egg test (no oil)
- Three-egg omelet test
- Chicken sear test
- Vegetable sauté test
- Fried rice moisture test
- Tomato sauce simmer (15 minutes)
These tests reflect normal household cooking conditions, not laboratory demonstrations.
Build Quality & Construction
The Always Pan uses a die-cast aluminum body with a ceramic nonstick coating.
Key components include:
- Aluminum pan body
• Ceramic nonstick interior
• Stainless steel induction plate
• Riveted stainless handle
• Domed lid and steamer basket
The aluminum body is moderately thick and distributes heat evenly.
However, the pan is noticeably lighter than stainless tri-ply cookware or hybrid designs like HexClad.
The design also includes gently sloped sidewalls, which makes stirring comfortable but slightly reduces concentrated heat zones.
The handle remains cool during moderate cooking and feels secure in the hand.
From a construction standpoint, the Always Pan is well built but not particularly heavy-duty.
Understanding the Always Pan’s Ceramic Coating
Like many modern PFAS-free pans, the Always Pan uses a sol-gel ceramic coating.
Ceramic coatings behave differently than traditional PTFE.
Instead of a flexible polymer layer, ceramic coatings form a glass-like surface bonded to aluminum.
Advantages:
- PFAS-free chemistry
• Strong initial slickness
• Higher heat tolerance than PTFE
Tradeoffs:
- Less elasticity than PTFE
• Glide gradually fades over time
• Overheating accelerates wear
These characteristics match what we observed in both the Caraway and GreenPan Valencia Pro reviews.
Ceramic cookware performs best with controlled medium heat cooking.
Heat Distribution Performance
The Always Pan heated from room temperature to 350°F in about 2 minutes 50 seconds.
Heat mapping across the cooking surface showed:
Center-to-edge variance: ≈18°F
This is respectable performance for an aluminum ceramic pan.
There were no dramatic hot spots, and vegetables browned evenly across the pan surface.
Compared to heavier stainless cookware, the Always Pan heats faster but retains slightly less heat when food is added.
Real Cooking Performance
Egg Test (Day 1 vs Day 14)
Eggs reveal nonstick performance faster than almost anything.
On day one, I dropped a cold egg into a dry pan at roughly 280°F surface temperature.
After about 40 seconds, the edges began to set.
When the pan was tilted, the egg slid freely with almost no resistance.
The release was excellent.
The omelet test showed similar results.
Three eggs cooked over medium-low heat folded cleanly with a small amount of butter.
The more interesting observation appeared two weeks later.
After 14 days of daily cooking and a controlled heat stress test, I repeated the same cold egg experiment.
The egg still released easily.
But the frictionless glide had softened slightly.
The egg required a gentle nudge from a spatula before sliding freely.
This behavior mirrors what we observed in other ceramic cookware.
The coating didn’t fail—but it lost a small amount of its original slickness.
Chicken Sear Test
The pan was preheated to 395°F surface temperature before adding oil.
When a refrigerated 7-ounce chicken breast hit the pan, the temperature dropped to about 315°F.
Recovery to 350°F occurred within roughly 85 seconds.
At about the two-minute mark, the edges of the chicken began developing visible browning along the pan surface.
By three minutes, a light golden fond started forming where the chicken made full contact with the aluminum base.
When flipped at roughly the four-minute mark, the crust was noticeably lighter than what we observed in hybrid cookware like the HexClad pan, which develops darker fond faster due to exposed steel ridges.
Compared with the Caraway ceramic pan, however, browning performance was very similar — both produced moderate crust formation without aggressive sticking.
Vegetable Sauté Test
The pan performs best when cooking vegetables.
At around 360°F surface temperature, onions and peppers sautéed evenly across the pan.
Because the sides are gently curved, stirring and tossing ingredients felt natural.
Moisture evaporated steadily, and vegetables developed light caramelization without sticking.
For everyday cooking—especially vegetables—the Always Pan is comfortable to use.
I also tested the included steamer basket using broccoli and dumplings. The basket fit securely inside the pan and allowed steam to circulate evenly when the lid was sealed. Because the basket sits slightly above the cooking surface, it didn’t noticeably affect heat distribution during sautéing once removed. While it doesn’t replace a dedicated bamboo steamer, it works well for small vegetable batches and quick dumpling steaming.
Fried Rice Test
Fried rice is a useful stress test for evaporation and heat recovery.
The pan was preheated to 390°F before adding oil and vegetables.
When cold rice entered the pan, the temperature dropped to around 320°F.
For about 45 seconds, visible steam formed across the surface.
As moisture evaporated, the rice began separating and browning.
Within roughly 90 seconds, the pan recovered enough heat to maintain proper stir-fry texture.
Compared with ceramic pans like Caraway, performance was very similar.
Compared with a carbon steel wok, evaporation speed was significantly slower.
Tomato Sauce Simmer Test
To evaluate acidic cooking performance, I simmered a simple tomato sauce for 15 minutes at medium-low heat.
The sauce maintained a steady simmer throughout the test.
Surface temperature oscillated within roughly ±20°F, which is typical behavior for a home cooktop.
No staining or sticking occurred during cleanup.
After rinsing the pan, the interior wiped clean easily with a sponge.
Short-term acidic cooking did not appear to affect the ceramic coating.
Lily’s Lab Note: Ceramic vs Hybrid vs PTFE
Across recent ShopBirdy tests, I’ve evaluated three major nonstick technologies.
Ceramic coatings (Always Pan, Caraway, GreenPan)
Traditional PTFE coatings
Hybrid coatings like those used in HexClad.
Each behaves differently under heat stress.
Ceramic coatings
- Excellent initial release
- Gradually lose slickness with heat exposure
PTFE coatings
- The slickest surfaces available
- Most sensitive to scratching
Hybrid surfaces
- Less slippery
- Significantly more durable
The Always Pan follows the typical ceramic pattern.
Great performance early on—but longevity depends heavily on heat control.
In short-term testing, the Always Pan’s ceramic coating behaved almost identically to the Caraway pan and slightly more stable than the GreenPan Valencia Pro. After 14 days of repeated cooking and heat stress, the Always Pan retained slightly better egg glide than GreenPan but showed a similar reduction in slickness to Caraway.
This reinforces the broader pattern across ceramic cookware: excellent early performance, followed by gradual friction increase as the coating experiences repeated heat cycles.
Reality Check: What Real Users Experience
The Always Pan is one of the most polarizing cookware products online.
Some cooks love its versatility and aesthetics.
Others feel it prioritizes design over durability.
On cooking forums, opinions often fall into two camps.
Supporters say the pan simplifies everyday cooking and replaces several pieces of cookware.
Critics argue the ceramic coating doesn’t last long enough to justify the price.
Both perspectives contain some truth.
The Always Pan is not built for professional kitchens.
It’s built for comfortable everyday cooking in home kitchens.
When used at moderate heat and cleaned properly, it performs well.
But it isn’t designed to replace heavy stainless or cast iron cookware.
How the Always Pan Compares to Other Nonstick Pans
Pan | Coating Type |
| Induction | Durability | Egg Glide | Versatility |
Our Place Always Pan | Ceramic |
| Yes | Moderate | Very good | High (multi-use design) |
Caraway | Ceramic |
| Yes | Moderate | Very good | Moderate |
GreenPan Valencia Pro | Ceramic |
| Yes | Moderate | Very good | Moderate |
Ozeri Stone Earth | Ceramic |
| No | Moderate | Good | Low |
HexClad Hybrid | PTFE + steel hybrid |
| Yes | High | Moderate | Moderate |
The Always Pan’s biggest advantage isn’t raw cooking performance — it’s versatility. The integrated steamer basket, domed lid, and deep sauté shape make it more flexible for everyday meals than most ceramic skillets.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Ceramic cookware benefits from gentle care.
Recommended cleaning:
- hand wash with warm water and mild soap
• avoid abrasive scrubbers
• avoid metal utensils
If brown stains appear, they are usually carbonized oil buildup, not coating damage.
A damp melamine sponge (Magic Eraser) removes these easily.
Avoid prolonged empty heating, which can degrade ceramic coatings.
Long-Term Durability Expectations
After two weeks of testing:
- no coating flaking
• no discoloration
• slight reduction in egg glide after heat stress
Based on ceramic cookware behavior across brands, realistic expectations are:
1–3 years of strong nonstick performance with proper care.
The aluminum body itself should last significantly longer.
What This Pan Is NOT
Not a professional searing pan.
Not designed for high-heat steak cooking.
Not immune to ceramic wear over time.
Not a replacement for stainless steel or cast iron cookware.
It’s designed for everyday cooking convenience.
Best For / Avoid If
Buy the Always Pan if:
- You want a versatile everyday pan.
• You cook eggs and vegetables frequently.
• You prefer PFAS-free cookware.
• You appreciate thoughtful kitchen design.
Avoid it if:
- You cook steak regularly.
• You want maximum searing power.
• You expect 5+ years of nonstick performance.
• You prefer heavy professional cookware.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Always Pan worth the price compared to Caraway?
This is the most common dilemma for buyers in the ceramic space. While both pans share similar sol-gel ceramic technology, the decision comes down to Versatility vs. Surface Area. The Always Pan is a “deep-dish” hybrid; its 2.7-inch depth and included steamer basket make it better for one-pot meals, steaming, and saucy dishes.
Caraway’s Fry Pan, however, offers a wider cooking surface (10.5 inches vs. the Always Pan’s slightly more tapered base), which is superior for searing multiple chicken breasts or flipping large pancakes. If you want a “do-it-all” kitchen tool, choose Always; if you want a dedicated high-performance skillet, Caraway wins on raw surface area.
Does the Always Pan work on induction?
Yes. The Always Pan features a magnetic stainless steel induction plate bonded to its die-cast aluminum base. In our 2026 tests, it performed reliably on induction, gas, and electric glass-top stoves.
One “Lily’s Lab Note” for induction users: because the pan is aluminum, it heats up much faster than traditional cast iron. Avoid using the “Power Boost” or “Max” setting on your induction range, as the rapid thermal surge can cause the ceramic coating to “shock” and lose its nonstick properties prematurely.
Does the Always Pan actually replace 8 pieces of cookware?
The “8-in-1” claim is clever marketing, but the reality is more nuanced. While it successfully replaces a frying pan, sauté pan, and steamer (thanks to the included basket), it is not a true replacement for a saucier or a deep stockpot.
The sloped sides are great for flipping, but the pan isn’t deep enough for significant liquid volumes or deep frying. It’s better to think of it as a “High-Performance Generalist”—it does several things well, but it won’t outperform a dedicated specialist like a cast iron skillet for steaks or a stainless pot for pasta.
Why do some users say the nonstick “dies” after six months?
This is almost always a result of Heat Creep. Because the Always Pan is made of die-cast aluminum, it is highly conductive. Home cooks often use “High” heat to speed up preheating, which causes the ceramic sol-gel to undergo thermal shock.
Once those microscopic “pores” are damaged, oil gets trapped and carbonizes, creating a sticky surface. If you never take this pan above “Medium,” you will likely get 2+ years of life out of it. If you use it for high-heat searing, you will see a performance drop-off much sooner.
Can you use the Always Pan in the oven?
This depends on which version you own. The Original Always Pan is NOT oven-safe because of its handle construction. However, the newer Always Pan 2.0 (released mid-2023 and the current standard for 2026) is oven-safe up to 450°F.
This was a major upgrade that allows you to finish dishes like frittatas or cobblers under the broiler. If you are buying new today, you are likely getting the 2.0, but always check the bottom of the pan for the “Oven Safe” stamp before sliding it into the heat.
How do I clean the steamer basket and built-in spatula?
The nesting steamer basket is stainless steel and can be a magnet for stuck-on vegetable fibers. While the pan itself should never see a dishwasher, the steamer basket is dishwasher-safe. For the spatula, be careful: while it’s designed to “nest” on the handle, leaving it there while cooking over a high gas flame can cause the wood or silicone to singe.
We recommend a quick hand-wash for the spatula to prevent the wood from drying out and cracking over time.
Final Verdict
The Always Pan isn’t revolutionary cookware.
But it is a thoughtfully designed ceramic skillet that performs well within its intended role.
It heats evenly, releases eggs easily, and handles everyday cooking tasks comfortably.
Its biggest limitation is the same one shared by most ceramic cookware:
Long-term coating durability.
Used carefully, it’s a pleasant and versatile pan.
Used aggressively, the nonstick performance will fade faster.
The Always Pan is for cooks who want one beautiful pan that handles everyday meals without overthinking cookware choices.
Legal Information
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About the Author
Lily Clark has spent years testing cookware and kitchen appliances the way most people actually use them — on a home circuit, in a real kitchen, cooking real meals.
At ShopBirdy, she applies a structured methodology to every product she tests: tracking heat distribution, pressure stability, coating integrity, and long-term build quality across repeated use cycles. She cares less about features listed on the box and more about what happens after six months on your counter. Her reviews are written for people who want to buy once and cook well.
