Our Place Always Pan Review (2026): Does It Really Replace 8 Pans?
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Verdict: Worth It
The Always Pan was one of the first viral cookware pieces on Instagram, promising to replace 8 traditional pieces with one pan. We tested whether that “one pan does everything” claim actually holds up in a real kitchen.
Options We Looked At
What the Always Pan Actually Is
The Always Pan 2.0 is a hybrid pan with sloped sides designed to function as a sauté pan, saucepan, steamer, and skillet in one piece. It ships with a steamer basket and a “spoon rest” lid design, and uses a ceramic non-stick coating similar to Caraway’s.
What We Liked
- Genuinely reduces pan-switching for weeknight cooking. One-pot pasta, sautéed vegetables, and simmering sauces all work well in the same pan.
- The built-in steamer basket is actually useful, not a throwaway accessory — we used it regularly for vegetables.
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver one-handed, even when full.
What We Didn’t Like
- Not a true skillet replacement. The sloped sides make it worse than a flat-sided skillet for searing meat with a hard crust.
- Ceramic coating wears the same as any other ceramic pan — the “Always” branding doesn’t mean it lasts longer than competitors.
- Premium pricing for a single pan. You’re paying for design and marketing as much as material.
Who This Is For
Small kitchens, apartment cooks, or anyone who wants to minimize the number of pans they own. Not ideal if you sear steaks often — pair it with a dedicated stainless or cast iron skillet for that instead.
FAQ
Can the Always Pan really replace 8 pieces of cookware?
It realistically replaces 3–4 pieces well (sauté pan, saucepan, steamer) but isn’t a true replacement for a dedicated skillet or stockpot.
Is the Always Pan better than Caraway?
They’re comparable in coating quality and durability. The Always Pan’s advantage is its multi-function shape; Caraway’s advantage is a more traditional pan shape better suited to searing. See our Caraway review for a direct look.
