There are a lot of products that are raved about on social media and although they can look amazing, sometimes the reality is anything but. One such product that has been a huge hit on the likes of Instagram and TikTok is the Always Pan, a creation from LA-based brand Our Place. We put the popular non-stick pan to the test.
How good can a pan be? you might be wondering. Well as well as looking gorgeous (and being available in nine different colours), the non-toxic, non-stick Always Pan promises to replace your frying pan, saute pan, steamer, skillet, saucier and saucepan. It comes equipped with a nesting steamer basket/colander plus beechwood spatula.
Buy the Always Pan
fromourplace.co.uk
Product specifications:
• Exclusive non-toxic, nonstick ceramic coating made without potentially toxic materials like PFOAs, PTFEs, other PFAs, lead, cadmium, toxic metals, and nanoparticles.
• Compatible with all cooktops, including induction
• Nesting beechwood spatula with integrated spoon rest
• Custom stainless steel steamer basket
• Sturdy aluminium body for fast, even heat
• Lightweight construction (1.36 kg body)
• A modular lid to let off steam when you want to and lock it in when you don’t
• Pour spouts
• 25.4 cm diameter, 6.86 cm depth, 2.46 litre capacity
Using the Always Pan
When the well-packaged Always Pan first arrived in our home, my partner struggled to understand the hype, especially when I told him the price. "But...it's just a pan?"
And then he used it to make pancakes. He marvelled at how easily he was able to flip the pancakes before sliding them effortlessly onto his plate. "It's like it hasn't even been used!" he said, studying the spotless interior.
Cooking more complicated dishes proved to be a similar experience. It even distributes heat and sautéing is a dream in the Always Pan thanks to the non-stick surface and I really like that you don't need much oil at all. As a result of the pan's impressive non-stick surface, washing up the pan was super easy.
Because of the generous depth of the pan, I was able to cook a stir fry a mixture of ingredients with ease without any escapee noodles or spillages although I do think families of more than two people might require a bigger pan.
The included stainless steel steamer basket sits smartly inside the Always Pan and was an addition I hadn't seen before. Although it doubles up as a sieve, we found it most useful when steaming vegetables. Because it sits quite low in the pan, you can't use a lot of water however.
Although some would argue it's one of the least important parts, the aesthetic of the Always Pan is beautiful and most definitely one of the reasons it's been such a hit on social media. We have the Always Pan in the colour 'spice' but I spent a good few minutes umming and ahhing between the eight other colours which range from lavender to sage. We've taken to leaving our Always Pan out on display - it's simply too attractive to be tucked away in a cupboard.
The design is really functional and versatile too with a modular lid to release and trap steam, two easy-pour spouts and a heatproof handle. The beechwood spatula which rests neatly in the built-in spoon rest is a really nice little addition.
It's also lightweight which is handy if you're like me and have (depressingly) little arm strength.
What are the downsides?
The price is always going to be the biggest downside with the Always Pan. For a lot of people, spending so much on one piece of cookware (despite how much it can do) is going to be a big fat no right from the outset.
I would have absolutely loved the Always Pan to be oven safe but sadly, it's not. Similarly, the 'helper handle' on the far side of the pan (while useful for using two hands to lift the pan when full) isn't heat-proof like the main pan handle which was disappointing.
As a household whose dishwasher is essentially an extra family member, it would have been nice to be able to pop the Always Pan in with our other kitchenware but it's really not a hassle cleaning it by hand (you even get an abrasive sponge included with your pan), especially as this preserves the non-stick.
Speaking of which, many of the reviews of the Always Pan have found that after around six months, the non-stick coating begins to wear off. Although I haven't been using the pan long enough to confirm whether or not this is true (and it's worth pointing out a lot of people don't have this experience), it's certainly something to bear in mind. For now, we're looking after the pan as best as we can (and as recommended by Our Place) - not using it over a high heat, not heating it up empty, steering clear of metal cooking utensils and hand-washing.
Would you recommend the Always Pan?
This entirely depends on the type of person you are. If you are someone that likes spending time in the kitchen and gets enjoyment from attractive cookware with some nifty features thrown in, then you'll love the Always Pan. and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
It's a really nice bit of kit that is certainly multi-functional but there are plenty of cheaper alternatives if you just want a bog-standard pan that won't cost too much - they just aren't half as pretty.