Unless you’ve been living under a proverbial rock, chances are high you’ve seen an ad or mention of the Always Pan 2.0 on your social feeds.
Gotta admit, it seems like it’s EVERYWHERE.
And gotta admit, that’s one good looking, scroll-stopping cookware.
Our Place, (the makers of the Always Pan) claim this is a 10-in-1 system that does it all.
Does it really? We set out to find out in this Always Pan 2.0 review.
Who or What is ‘Our Place’?
I love hearing about companies with a mission and this one is no exception. Our Place is one of the newer Direct to Customer cookware brands. It was founded by a couple of immigrants to the USA who found that home cooking and sharing food brings people together and creates a chosen family.
So they created ‘Our Place’, which feels like an open invitation and a celebration of the food of all cultures.
So far, so good.
What is The Always Pan 2.0?
The Always Pan 2.0 is the company’s most popular pan. It is an aluminum pan with a ceramic nonstick coating.
For this review, I’ll be focusing exclusively on the standard 10.5” size Always Pan 2.0. This is an updated version of their original Always Pan but now in an oven friendly version.
It also comes in 2 other sizes, mini in 8.5” and large in 12.5”
What’s included?
Here’s what you get when you buy an Always Pan 2.0:
- Always Pan 2.0
- Modular, steam-release lid
- Nesting Beechwood Spatula
- Steamer basket and colander
This one pan is supposed to be doing the job of 10 pieces of traditional cookware and I’m keen to find out exactly how it does that.
So how does it do the job of 10 pieces of cookware?
I really wanted to dig into this claim. I’m a minimalist at heart, a ‘cook because I have to’ person and any kind of efficiency in the kitchen speaks to my cooking heart.
So the question was, what are the 10 jobs and how does ONE pan do all of them?
Here’s what I found:
1. Braise
I wasn’t sure what braising is so I had to look it up.
Braising is simply a cooking method that involves browning meat or vegetables in oil, then cooking them in a small amount of liquid in a covered pan, either on the stovetop or in the oven. The long, slow cook time helps develop flavor and turn even the toughest of meat cuts fork-tender. Source: Better Homes & Gardens
So this means that braising needs a pan with a well fitting lid that locks in moisture and flavor. The Always Pan 2.0 comes with a domed-shaped lid that can lock in steam when you need it, making it ideal for braising.
2. Sear
This is interesting.
Usually, when it comes to searing meat, I think of stainless steel or cast iron, not necessarily a nonstick pan. Searing is a cooking technique and is also known as the Maillard reaction and caramelization. It’s a process that exposes meat to a high temperature (typically 425 F-500 F for meat) to create a crispy, brown exterior.
It’s important to understand a couple of features that are essential for searing and why the Always Pan 2.0 is suitable for it:
1. You need a sturdy pan that conducts and retains heat evenly.
2. You also need a pan where the coating won’t start disintegrating.
The Always Pan 2.0 is made of aluminum. If you’ve read my article on aluminum cookware, you’ll know that aluminum has one of the highest thermal conductivities when it comes to other metals. Meaning you get a pan that heats up quickly and evenly.
The Always Pan 2.0 also has a ceramic nonstick coating. Ceramic coatings don’t disintegrate at higher temperatures, unlike teflon-type coatings. Meaning this type of nonstick pan is great for searing.
3. Steam
For this you need a lid that can release steam.
The lid of the Always Pan 2.0 is modular, meaning it can lock in steam when you need it or release it when you don’t.
4. Strain
The Always Pan 2.0 comes with a steamer basket that doubles as a colander. I found this to be quite a unique and handy feature. Additionally, it has a generous pour spout which means you’re less likely to be left with a drippy mess.
5. Saute
Typically, a sauté pan is like a hybrid between a saucepan and a frying pan. Not as deep as a sauce pan but also not as flat as a fry pan. It also needs a lid.
The Always Pan 2.0 is 1.5 inches deeper than the average fry pan, making it a lot more versatile than just a fry pan. And of course, we’ve already discussed the modular lid that can keep the steam in or let it out, depending on what you’re cooking.
6. Fry
No brainer here. It’s like a deeper fry pan which means you can pan fry OR deep fry.
7. Boil
This is where the extra depth of the Always Pan 2.0 comes in handy. Not that I would necessarily use a pan this shape for boiling but that’s just an added versatility.
8. Bake
This pan is oven safe up to 450 F. As a rule of thumb, most baking, whether sweet or savory, takes place at a temperature between 325 F and 450 F.
What this means is that you can use the Always Pan 2.0 for dishes that start off on the stove and finish in the oven.
9. Serve
No denying this, this is a testament to the good looks of the pan.
10. Roast
Between the depth of the pan and the domed lid, there’s enough space to use this as a roasting pan.
But there’s more!
The cookware also comes with a wooden spatula which nests perfectly on the handle, which means it fulfills job #11: spoon rest!
And there’s still more. The company wasn’t kidding when they said this pan can take care of all your cooking needs.
The Always Pan 2.0 offers custom accessories that can transform this one pan into literally whatever you need. From a Moroccan tagine to a stacked steamer to a flipping platter. Check them out here.
What is it made of?
Both the body and lid of the Always Pan 2.0 are made of recycled aluminum. Since aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat, this means very quick and even heating.
Aluminum is also much lighter than other materials, which means that this is a light yet sturdy pan.
What about the handle?
The handle is made of stainless steel. It’s designed to stay cool though always be careful and use a pot holder if needed.
The handle also has a nesting groove so the included spatula can sit on it.
What about the nonstick coating?
The nonstick coating on the Always Pan 2.0 is a ceramic nonstick coating.
Ceramic nonstick coating is often referred to as non-toxic coating because it doesn’t contain any PTFE (aka teflon type) and PFOAs.
Personally I don’t take a stand either for or against ptfe but I think it’s good to be informed about what you are buying and if it makes sense for you or not. So if you’re someone who is trying to avoid the regular nonstick materials, then this is a good option for you.
The coating is a proprietary coating called Thermakind which the company claims is 50% longer lasting.
I want to stress on one thing here. If you’re in the market for a nonstick pan, be clear that sooner or later, it will break down and start sticking. No matter how many precautions you take. No matter how delicately you treat it. More on that later.
Is the nonstick coating on the Always Pan 2.0 safe?
I’ve written about ceramic nonstick coatings in depth here. In a nutshell, ceramic non-stick coatings are made of silicon and oxygen. Think sand or clay.
A special process called ‘sol gel’ is then used to coat the metal and form a non-stick surface on the cookware.
One of the biggest issues with teflon/ptfe coating non-stick pans is that the coating starts deteriorating at around 500F. As a matter of interest, it literally takes minutes for an empty pan to heat up to that level. If a teflon pan gets overheated, it releases fumes which are an irritant for humans and fatal for birds.
When it comes to a ceramic coated pan, even if you accidentally overheat it, it will not emit any toxic fumes. Nor will the coating break down. Which means it’s safe for humans and pets.
But at normal cooking temperatures under 500F, a ceramic coated non-stick pan is no more or less safe than a teflon type non-stick pan.
So long winded answer, yes the non-stick coating on the Always Pan 2.0 is safe.
Does it perform?
There’s 2 parts to this question.
The first part – does the pan conduct heat evenly and quickly and does it do the 10+ jobs that it claims to do? The answer is Yes! In the estimation of the Cookware Advisor, it seems to be able to do more than the advertised 10 jobs, whether on its own or with some accessories.
The second part – does the nonstick work as expected?
This one’s a bit tricky. All nonstick pans work amazingly well initially. So does the Always Pan 2.0 and most users are amazed at the quality of the nonstick. Most comments are along the lines of:
“I love how nothing sticks and everything slides right off!”
The question remains about the life of the nonstick.
Will the nonstick last?
So here’s where I come in with a healthy dose of reality.
ANY non-stick coating, whether its teflon/ptfe or ceramic based will eventually wear out, that’s a given. By that I mean that food will start to stick.
How long? Depends on a number of factors. It’s not just the quality of the nonstick but also the amount of use and abuse. Meaning its not just the nonstick material, it’s also YOU!
By some counts, a ceramic nonstick coating will last 6 times less than a ptfe nonstick.
The point here is, be prepared that at some point, the nonstick will wear out. And you will either be on the lookout for a new nonstick pan OR you will need to add extra fat while cooking to prevent the food from sticking.
We know the nonstick on the Always Pan 2.0 is a proprietary formula, designed to be 50% longer lasting. Some customers report the nonstick working really great even after 2 years of regular use, others find it starts sticking at around the 1 year mark.
Your experience could fall anywhere in the range.
What’s the deal with Selena Gomez and the Always Pan?
It’s a collaboration between Our Place and Selena Gomez who happens to be a great home cook.
Is the Always Pan 2.0 expensive?
And more importantly, is it worth it?
Here’s the blunt answer. It’s not cheap, at $150 USD at the time of writing this article.
But given that it does the job of 10 pieces of cookware (AND to boot, has designer good looks!), you’ll get a lot of years from this pan and a lot of multiple uses from it too. I think that makes it worth it.
What are people saying?
The Always Pan 2.0 has over 34k reviews on the companies’ website and an average rating of 4.6 stars!
Here are some snippets:
“This pan is the best investment you will ever make for your kitchen.“
“Fantastic and easy to clean!“
“Love the many uses for this pan.“
“This is the perfect pan for everything!“
“Heat is distributed evenly and clean up is a dream!“
Can I use the pan in the oven?
The Always Pan 2.0 is oven safe up to 450 F. This means you can use it for roasting, baking and for dishes that start on the stove and end in the oven.
Can I wash the Always Pan 2.0 in the dishwasher?
The company recommends handwashing, as does The Cookware Advisor. This applies to all your cookware, in particular your nonstick cookware. It’s just not designed to withstand the harsh environment of a dishwasher.
Can it be used with induction cooktops?
Yes, the Always Pan 2.0 works on induction stovetops.
What about the warranty?
Our Place offers a 1-year limited warranty on the purchase of the Always Pan 2.0.
Any negatives?
The only thing that comes up time and again is that the nonstick doesn’t last too long.
Now to be honest, this is not unique to the Always Pan. The reality is that no nonstick pan lasts forever and any and every pan will eventually start to stick. Even if you follow the care instructions to the letter.
If all you really want is a good nonstick pan, then get a basic Teflon pan. But if you want a solid pan that is multifunctional, then consider the Always Pan 2.0.
And the final verdict?
The Always Pan 2.0 gets a Buy It Now recommendation from The Cookware Advisor.
This is a versatile pan that also happens to look really good in your kitchen. And if, like me, you’re more about function over form, here’s what you need to know: It also works great, conducts heat evenly and is easy to maintain.
Take it from another happy customer who called it a ‘30-in-1’ pan!
Where can I buy it?
Always Pan 2.0 follows the direct to customer model. This means you wont find it in stores but on the company website or on Amazon. Buy it now from the marketplace of your choice.
Wondering how the Always Pan 2.0 compares to Caraway Cookware? Check out our side by side comparison here.
Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.