Our Place Always Pan Review (2026): Does It Really Replace 8 Pans?
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The Always Pan was one of the first viral cookware pieces, promising to replace eight traditional pans. Version 2.0 fixed the biggest complaint — it’s now oven-safe to 450°F. But can one pan really do it all?
≈ Depends The Always Pan 2.0 is a very good pan for one or two people in a small kitchen. It does not replace eight pans for a family: it’s too small for big batches and, like all ceramic nonstick, its coating wears over time.
At a glance
- The Always Pan: Our Place Always Pan 2.0 (10.5″)
- Better value bundle: Our Place Home Cook Duo (Always Pan 2.0 + Perfect Pot)
- Long-lasting alternative: Tramontina Signature Tri-Ply 12-Inch
What the Always Pan can and can’t replace
| Pan it claims to replace | Does it really? |
|---|---|
| Fry pan | Yes, for 1–2 people |
| Sauté pan | Yes |
| Steamer | Yes, with the included basket |
| Saucepan | Yes, for small amounts |
| Stock pot | No — 2.6 qt is too small |
| Skillet for searing steak | Not well — ceramic dislikes very high heat |
| Roasting pan | Only small portions (oven-safe to 450°F) |
How we judged these: we compared manufacturer specs, verified owner reviews and independent test data. We did not hands-on test every model — where a claim comes from the manufacturer, we say so. Product boxes show live Amazon prices. Our methodology →
Our picks
Our Place Always Pan 2.0 (10.5″)
Who should buy it: Small kitchens and new cooks who want one versatile nonstick pan.
- 10.5″, 2.6 qt
- Ceramic nonstick (Thermakind)
- Oven-safe to 450°F
- Induction compatible
- Steamer basket + spatula
What makes it different: It’s a deep sauté pan with a steamer/colander and a nesting spatula — one pan that can fry, steam, boil and braise small batches.
What we like
- Genuinely versatile for 1–2 people
- Coating made without PFAS (per Our Place)
- Version 2.0 is oven-safe to 450°F; the original wasn’t
Watch out for
- Doesn’t really replace 8 pans — it’s too small for family pasta or big sears
- Ceramic release fades over time
- Pricey for a single pan
Alternative: For a full kitchen, a Caraway set or stainless pans cover more jobs.
≈ DependsWorth it for small kitchens; not a full cookware replacement.
Check price on Amazon →
Our Place Home Cook Duo (Always Pan 2.0 + Perfect Pot)
Who should buy it: Buyers who like the Always Pan but need a pot for pasta, soup and braises.
- Always Pan 2.0 + Perfect Pot
- Ceramic nonstick
- Oven-safe
What makes it different: Adds a large pot, which covers the jobs the Always Pan is too small for.
What we like
- Covers most everyday cooking for 1–3 people
- Matching design
Watch out for
- Still coated cookware with a limited lifespan
✓ Worth ItThe Our Place purchase that makes the most sense.
Check price on Amazon →
Tramontina Signature Tri-Ply 12-Inch
Who should buy it: Anyone who would rather have a pan that lasts decades.
- 12″ stainless
- Oven-safe to 500°F
- Induction
- Lifetime warranty
What makes it different: No coating to wear out, and it sears far better than ceramic.
What we like
- Very durable
- Inexpensive
Watch out for
- Eggs stick without technique
✓ Worth ItThe better long-term buy.
Check price on Amazon →The verdict
Buy the Always Pan 2.0 if you cook for one or two in a small kitchen and want easy cleanup. Buy the Home Cook Duo if you also make pasta or soup. For a family, or for pans that last decades, stainless steel is the better investment.
Compare it with Caraway in Caraway vs Our Place.
What the Always Pan replaces — and what it does not
Our Place markets it as eight pieces in one. In practice it genuinely replaces three: a medium non-stick frying pan, a small sauté pan and a steamer insert. The sloped, deep sides mean you can fry, then add liquid and braise, then steam over the top without changing pan, and for a small kitchen that is a real gain.
What it does not replace: a stainless skillet for searing, a stockpot, a saucepan for anything you want to boil hard, and a cast iron pan for high-heat work. Anything that needs the hob above medium, or the grill, is outside what a ceramic pan should ever do.
The coating is the whole story
Ceramic non-stick releases beautifully when new and cannot be restored once it stops. Verified owner reports settle around two to three years of daily use before food starts to catch. Because the Always Pan is designed to be the pan you use every day, it wears at the fast end of that range — the flip side of buying one pan instead of five.
What extends it: medium heat or below, never preheating empty, no aerosol sprays, silicone or wood utensils only, and hand washing. What ends it early: the dishwasher, metal tools and a hot empty pan. None of this is unique to Our Place; it is true of every ceramic pan.
Heat and oven limits
Check your model’s stated oven rating before you put it in, and treat the hob limit as medium. The handle and the coating, not the body, are what set the ceramic limits. If you want a pan you can blast under a grill or sear a steak in, buy stainless or cast iron and keep this one for eggs and vegetables.
Who it is for
It suits a small kitchen, one or two people, and anyone replacing a tired non-stick pan who values the design and the storage. It does not suit a household that sears hard, cooks for five, or wants pans that last a decade. If you are weighing it against the obvious rival, read Caraway vs Our Place, and for the wider picture ceramic vs non-stick vs stainless.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Always Pan worth it?
For small households, yes — it is versatile and easy to clean. It is not a replacement for a full cookware set in a family kitchen.
Is the Always Pan 2.0 oven-safe?
Yes. Our Place rates the Always Pan 2.0 as oven-safe to 450°F. The original Always Pan was not oven-safe.
Is the Always Pan non-toxic?
Our Place says its Thermakind ceramic coating is made without PFAS, including PTFE and PFOA, lead and cadmium.
How long does the Always Pan last?
Like other ceramic nonstick pans, expect its best release for a few years of regular use. Low heat and hand-washing help.
Does the Always Pan really replace 8 pieces?
It genuinely replaces about three: a medium non-stick frying pan, a small sauté pan and a steamer. It does not replace a stainless skillet, a stockpot or a cast iron pan.
How long does the Always Pan coating last?
Around two to three years of daily use, and often at the faster end of that because it is designed to be used every day. Ceramic coatings cannot be restored once they stop releasing.
Can you sear a steak in the Always Pan?
No. Ceramic coatings should stay at medium heat or below. Searing belongs in stainless steel or cast iron.
