The Always Pan, overall, is really really good. Top of my criteria when it comes to judging good cookware is whether it actually lives up to its non-stick claims, and the Always Pan definitely does. The non-stick ceramic coating is chemical-free, first of all (read: free of PFOAS or PTFES chemicals that can transmit into your food).
I cooked a few different meals in it: spag bol, scrambled eggs, stir fry… and I didn’t struggle with food burning to the bottom on any occasion. In fact, you don’t even need any oil to cook. The pan heats up quickly and evenly on my gas hob. As such, the pan was easy to wash up afterwards, and no rigorous scrubbing required if you’re on dish duty. Top marks.
Size-wise, it’s the perfect depth for searing, sautéing, and frying without any mess. I cooked enough broccoli for myself and three friends in a single layer with room to spare, as well as five portions of pasta in one go on another occasion. Sure, if I had six(+) people round (I never do – my flat is tiny), I might want to whack out another casserole dish… but for cooking for myself and a few others? The space offered is plentiful.
That takes me to the stainless steel steamer basket feature, which worked like a total dream. I steamed broccoli, carrots, green beans… the lot, and they were all cooked to perfection with a little bit of a crunch. If you want to mix things up, you can snap up the brand’s bamboo steamer, which has also been designed to fit comfortably inside the pan. I haven’t tried it myself, but the Our Place social media army isn’t disappointed.
Anything else to note? I rated the pour spouts on both sides of the pan, which enabled me to pour saucier dinners without any spills – the handle stayed cool at all times when on my stovetop. Oh, and on the note of aesthetics, the matte finish oozes Scandi appeal, and the pastel pink hue is very pleasing. I’m not at all surprised that Instagram is obsessed.
Any downsides?
Some reviewers reported that the original Always Pan lost its non-stick coating over time so, if you’re the proud owner of the AP first iteration, we’d recommend following the brand’s advice. That is: cooking on low-to-medium heat, as high heat over a long period of time can degrade the quality of the non-sticking coating – the occasional sear is fine.
The Always Pan 2.0, however, promises a 50% longer-lasting non-stick coating, with thanks to the all-new Thermakind™ technology. Watch this space, reader, we’ll be back in two flashes with our long-term Thermakind™ thoughts…
Does the Always Pan need to be seasoned?
In short, no. The original Always Pan and Always Pan 2.0 promise a nonstick coating from the moment you take them out the box, while its sister cast-iron iteration states explicitly on the brand’s website, “No seasoning required!”
For owners of the original Always Pan (AP 2.0 advice pending as above), in our experience, it only takes one mishap and an accidental burning of your evening meal to mar the glossy slickness of the Alway Pan’s ceramic coating. Uh oh.
In this eventuality, online advise suggests mixing the following, before boiling in your Always Pan for 10 minutes:
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp baking soda
- ½ cup white vinegar
After this, hand wash your pan as usual and rub olive oil into the ceramic to re-season any lost non-stick coating from your overheating accident.
Can the Always Pan go in the oven?
If you’re wondering whether the original Our Place Always Pan is oven-safe, it’s actually not. Or at least, iteration one of the Always Pan isn’t. If having something oven-safe is a priority, consider the Always Pan 2.0 or the Cast Iron pan, which are oven-safe up to 230°C and 215°C respectively. The latter boasts all the same qualities as the OG, just made from premium enamelled cast iron.
Can you deep fry in the Always Pan and Always Pan 2.0?
No, deep drying requires a minimum temperature of 350 Fahrenheit (176 Celsius), and the Always Pan shouldn’t exceed temperatures of 175 Celsius. In the AP 2.0, too, the brand recommends staying within a low-medium heat range to preserve the pan’s non-stick coating. We were hoping to see a deep-frying functionality in this newest iteration but, of course, that is the beauty of the brand’s cast-iron model.