But I was skeptical. Surely it was an overhyped product, I thought. My pans worked just fine—what could possibly be so special about this one? Plus, many cooks argue that specialized pans make all the difference in the kitchen, so I thought the Always Pan’s multi-functionality would dilute its quality. But as a busy mom of three, I kept coming back to the Always Pan. Could this popular nontoxic pan with its overwhelmingly millennial vibe really be the answer to all my cooking prayers? And could it mean washing fewer dishes, which is a bonus no matter how you crack the egg in the pan? I decided to find out. Spoiler alert: I dare you to love this pan as much as I do! Here at Parade.com, we’re all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however, all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.
Always Pan At a Glance
Pros:
Multi-functional and easy to useSustainable and nontoxic Non-stick holds up over timeAffordable compared to buying multiple pans
Cons:
Could be bigger Moisture accumulates on the pan easilyThe initial sticker price of $145 can scare some away
What I Take Into Account When Purchasing a New Product
Not factoring in cost, logistics, shipping, etc., there are two overarching considerations I make when purchasing a new product. The first is sustainability—how does this product help or hurt the environment? The second is toxicity (or lack thereof)—what kind of chemicals/materials are in this product that could harm me, my family and the planet? After a lot of research, and given my general stance around a multi-use pan, I first purchased Caraway cooking products. They were beautiful, nontoxic and constructed with the planet in mind. When I first got them I thought I’d hit the jackpot, but fast forward a year, and they’re falling apart: They lost their nonstick. The coating is wearing off. The screws are coming loose. For the price and the promise, to say I was disappointed is an understatement. As much as I don’t want to be a sheep in my life in general, I started to think to myself that maybe there was something to the hype of the Always Pan after all. So I bit the bullet and made the purchase.
What Makes the Always Pan So Great
Now, every time anyone asks me if the Always Pan is worth it, I have one answer: Absolutely. It really can do so much, and it does it all quite well. The pan, frankly, looks brand new. The coating is holding up. I’ve steamed more vegetables since I got it. Cooking eggs in it is a dream. Our Place has also constructed countless add-ons to up your cooking game, including bun steamers, fry decks, tagines, and the list goes on and on. They have also been carefully and thoughtfully building out additional products with the planet, functionality and efficiency in mind. And they keep getting it right! Plus, Our Place is female AAPI-owned, making them a company I feel proud to support. And yes, owning the Always Pan also means washing fewer dishes and less storage space taken up in my cabinets. Our resident dish washer (thanks, husband!) is one grateful customer.
A Few Things to Note
While the Always Pan is worth the purchase, there are a few things about it that I wish were different—the first being the size. I need a bigger option! The 10-inch pan is perfect for meals for one or two people, but when I want to make larger meals that I can get leftovers out of, I find the pan limiting. Using the Our Place Dutch Oven option isn’t a solution, either, because I want a larger fry surface as opposed to higher “walls.” I make a “kitchen sink” pasta sauce where I dump in a jar of pasta sauce (thanks Rao) and the veggies hanging around in my fridge, and whenever I do this, my Always Pan brims over. Long story short: I’d love a 12-inch option! I’ve also noticed that because the surface is so nonstick, I have to be really mindful of the amount of liquid I add to the pan when I want a crispier finish. Moisture tends to accumulate, which can be a bit of a drag when a crunch is your goal Finally, I totally get it—the $145 price tag can seem steep compared to other 10-inch pans there. Only you can justify whether the $145 is worth the price, but when I consider its swiss army knife-like qualities, its commitment to the planet and to nontoxic ingredients, and the number of pans I now don’t need to buy, it’s an easy decision for me. No product is perfect, but the Always Pan comes pretty darn close. So if you’re looking for an efficient, nontoxic cooking device that will look great on your stove, I can promise you that the Always Pan—which is actually on sale for $99 through the end of the year—is a great investment. Next up: These 5 Exercises Have the Same Benefits As Running
