Always Pan 2.0 Review: The Internet-Famous Cookware Just Got a Smart Upgrade
Updated: Sep. 12, 2023
In our Always Pan 2.0 review, one editor—and ceramic cookware fanatic—delves into the pan's upgrades and whether they really make a difference.
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The amount of pans I ruined in early adulthood is nothing short of astonishing. Between my abuse of aerosol cooking sprays and insistence on buying the cheapest pans around, I was struggling to keep my cookware in usable shape. It was about two years ago that I finally came to my senses and began investing in ceramic cookware—and quality cooking oil!
I now turn to my Caraway Dutch oven for soups, sauces and even homemade Rice Krispies treats. Plus, I lean on my Always Pan for eggs, taco meat and pasta dishes. The Green Pan was next to try—that is until Our Place announced the launch of the Always Pan 2.0, which immediately skyrocketed to the top of my list.
When I had the chance to get my hands on this new and improved piece of cookware, I was eager to see if it lived up to the hype. Here is my honest Always Pan 2.0 review.
What is the Always Pan 2.0?
The Always Pan 2.0 is a follow-up to Our Place’s ever-successful Always Pan 1.0. It has a recycled aluminum core and ceramic nonstick coating that’s free of toxins.
The kitchen workhorse is exceptionally multi-functional thanks to its masterful design. It’s fairly deep, with a 2.6-quart capacity and 2.8-inch sides. Additionally, it has a 10.5-inch diameter and weighs about 3 pounds.
Perhaps what has made the pan so popular, though, is its appearance and accessories. Like the 1.0 before it, the Always Pan 2.0 is an Instagram dream, with a matte exterior that comes in trendy colors with enticing names like Char, Spice or Steam. (See more social media products that are worth their salt!)
Moreover, the purchase doesn’t just get you the nonstick skillet. With the pretty pan comes add-ons, including a beechwood spatula, a domed lid and a steamer basket, making the three-figure purchase feel like a steal.
Always Pan 2.0 Features
In this Always Pan 2.0 review you’ll notice that it is similar to its predecessor—but with some key upgrades.
The 2.0 is touted as having 10 primary capabilities (compared to the 1.0’s eight). It fries, boils, roasts, strains, sautes, sears, braises, serves, bakes and roasts. The last two functions are the most noteworthy because the 1.0 cannot go in the oven.
In addition to being oven-safe up to 450 degrees, the Always Pan 2.0 is sustainably made. The aluminum core is now comprised of 100% certified post-consumer waste. (See more sustainable kitchen items.) Furthermore, the patented Thermakind nonstick ceramic coating is intended to last 50% longer than that of the 1.0. It’s made of toxin-free materials, including alcohol, water and a sand derivative.
The beloved details of the 1.0 that remained in this second version are the heatproof handle, built-in spoon rest, easy-to-use pour spout, steam-release lid, included beechwood spatula and steamer, and gorgeous colorways. As the saying goes, why fix what’s not broken?
How We Tested It
I’ve been cooking with the Always Pan 2.0 for about five months now. I wanted to get a real read on its performance in all capacities, so I’ve used it to make breakfast, dinner and, yes, dessert.
Stovetop Testing
I most often use the pan to make scrambled eggs—it’s almost a daily occurrence. Although there’s a nonstick coating, the directions recommend using a liquid oil, so I always turn to my trusty Kosterina olive oil to ready the surface for eggs. I heat the pan for about 90 seconds and swirl around the oil until it’s hot before pouring in the liquid.
I cook my eggs by constantly running a spatula, sometimes the provided wooden one and sometimes a rubber one, along the bottom of the pan until they’re solid. In the first couple of months, I ran into very little trouble with sticking. Of course. there were some crispy bits left behind, but I wasn’t wrestling with the eggs when trying to stir or flip them.
Lately, though, I’ve noticed the nonstick surface has weakened in some spots, so more egg bits stick than they used to. That being said, it’s still my best pan for nonstick cooking, and a great way to ensure this remains true is by continuing to employ medium-low heat when cooking with it.
Cleaning
When it comes to cleaning, I wait until the pan has had time to fully cool down. In the past, the mere water pressure of my faucet was enough to lift most of the egg residue, then I simply used my go-to green and yellow dish sponge to ensure all the oil and food particles were removed. Nowadays, I have to scrub considerably harder, especially with the green scouring pad, to get it sparkling. Then, I air-dry it.
(Note: While rinsing after my very first use, I noticed there was a chip in the paint on the rim of the pan where both the lid and spatula rest. What exactly contributed to this chip, I’m unsure.)
With other recipes, such as this broccoli-sausage orecchiette, or pasta sauces and taco meat, I’ve found great success. However, because ceramic cookware such as the Always Pan 2.0 needs to be heated slowly and can’t withstand ultra-high temperatures, it’s not the best for searing. When it comes to larger cuts of steak or chicken, look to your cast iron or HexClad.
Oven Testing
My all-time favorite performance by the pan, though, was the upside-down banana cake that I made for my sister’s birthday. For this Always Pan 2.0 review, I was set on exploring the pan’s oven safety, and given the event for which I was baking, the stakes were high! The Always Pan 2.0 delivered. I’d never even baked an upside-down cake, and the pan made the process simple.
I caramelized the bananas directly in the pan and then poured the batter over top. After the cake baked at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes, I let it cool for another 10 minutes before running a knife around the edge and inverting it onto parchment.
The cake came out without much coaxing, and only three banana slices stuck to the bottom of the pan. I was easily able to reattach them to the top of the cake.
The cake was rich and moist and baked to perfection, and though I’ll give myself some credit for that, the pan certainly deserves points, too.
And despite the fact that the whole bottom of the pan had once been coated with goopy, golden-brown deliciousness, cleaning was a breeze. My basic sponge did the job.
Pros
- 10 functions in one pan
- Visually appealing
- Oven-safe
- Sustainably made
- Nonstick surface
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Not dishwasher-safe
- Doesn’t come with a scrub brush, unlike the Always Pan 1.0
- Higher price point
- Slight paint chip around the rim after the first use
FAQ
Can the Always Pan go in the oven?
The Always Pan 1.0 cannot go in the oven, whereas the Always Pan 2.0 (as well as the lid) may go in an oven up to 450 degrees. This means the latter is able to bake, roast and, in some ovens, broil your favorite dishes.
Which Always Pan lasts the longest?
The Always Pan 2.0 is too new for us to know for certain, but according to Our Place, the nonstick surface of the 2.0 is meant to last 50% longer than that of the 1.0. If this proves true, then the 2.0 is the longer-lasting pan.
What oil do you use on the Always Pan?
Users should rely on 1-2 Tbsp. of liquid oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado, canola, peanut or sesame oil. This oil should be heated over medium-low heat for 1-2 minutes.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
Since its release, the Always Pan 2.0 has racked up many a rave review.
Customer Maggie T. and her husband are seriously smitten and have found the Always Pan 2.0 slowly becoming their number one kitchen staple. “I love this pan! We use it for everything!” she says. “My husband was dead set on still using our cast irons, but this pan is perfect for everything; he has been using it more and more. Can’t wait to get the whole set.”
The fact that it’s functional and beautiful is what makes it so beloved among other reviewers. Buyer Jennifer K. says, “I now have an Always Pan and the Mini Always Pot, and they live on my stovetop—because they are so pretty to look at and always ready to go.”
Others still have pledged to stick to Our Place pans exclusively going forward—and that’s really saying something! Roxie M. remarks, “I absolutely love these pans. I will not use or purchase any others.”
Product Comparison
Take it from someone who’s tried multiple pretty pans! Between Caraway and Our Place, I’ve long considered myself partial to the former. But after this Always Pan 2.0 review, I can confirm Our Place’s offerings are entirely comparable in quality.
That being said, the Always Pan 2.0 is about $50 more expensive than the Caraway pan of the same size, but it is intended to be more versatile. Plus, the Always Pan comes with a lid, steamer basket and spatula. And you can always try to snag it while on sale.
In terms of how the Always Pan 2.0 compares to the 1.0, the advancements are apparent and successful. The fact that it’s oven-safe alone makes it worth the splurge. And, of course, the eco-friendliness doesn’t hurt either.
Interestingly, though, Our Place is in the process of phasing out the Always Pan 1.0, so if you weren’t sure which to choose, you don’t have to! With this Always Pan 2.0 review, consider yourself spared some indecision.
Final Verdict
When dinnertime rolls around, the pan I reach for from my unsightly stack is always the Always Pan 2.0. And if that doesn’t spell out my sentiments, then I’m not sure what will!
The pan has universal appeal and applications. It’s trendy and compact enough for single young renters like myself. It’s large and multi-functional enough for families. And it’s high-performing enough as a nonstick solution for hard-to-impress kitchen veterans.
I strongly suggest using oils with a high smoke point, heating over medium-low heat, avoiding metal utensils and hand-washing in order to bolster its longevity. And maintain realistic expectations. It won’t stay as pretty as the day you got it and the nonstick surface might weaken over time, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a worthwhile kitchen staple with a significant lifespan.
Next, I just have to try the Our Place Wonder Oven!
Where to Buy the Always Pan 2.0
The Always Pan 2.0 is available for purchase on the Our Place website for $150. Snag this bestseller ASAP because, from where we’re standing (i.e., over the stovetop), the all-in-one pan has earned its reputation.
Originally Published: May 09, 2023
