If you don’t know him by name, you’ll have seen Always Pan online. Described as “Le Creuset for millennials,” the nonstick skillet claims it can replace 10 pieces of inpidual cookware with its high edges, compatible steaming basket, and built-in spoon rest. But, in a twist that even cooking enthusiasts like me didn’t see coming, Our Place has released a new and improved Always Pan Pro, and it’s made from “virtually indestructible” stainless steel.
The Always Pan Pro eliminates the non-stick coating and uses the brand’s new “NoCo” technology. This promises “the benefits of high-temperature stainless steel or cast iron with the convenience of a nonstick effect” by pressing a pattern into the pan’s titanium interior.
A far cry from the low-maintenance OG Always Pan, you can put the Always Pan Pro in any of the best dishwashers, subject it to temperatures up to 1000°F, and even use metal utensils while cooking. Although you’ll still get the classic wooden spoon included with every Always Pan to place in the handy built-in spoon rest. Plus, it’s backed by a lifetime warranty, meaning it could last as long as some of the best cast iron skillets.
My first look at the Always Pan Pro
Although Always Pan has gained a cult following, my main complaint when I first tried it was the high maintenance it requires. The original Always Pan couldn’t be put in the oven or dishwasher, and the brand even recommended using it on low heat, which isn’t ideal for cooking a steak.
My concerns were somewhat resolved when Our Place released Always Pan 2.0, a sturdier upgrade with a new oven-safe design and improved nonstick coating. But Our Place’s latest release might be its most innovative yet. Claiming to be “virtually indestructible,” the Always Pan Pro completely ditches nonstick coatings and pastel exteriors and instead comes in timeless three-ply stainless steel. Inside, its new “NoCo™” technology makes the big promise of the “scorching power of stainless steel with the ease of nonstick.”
My first impression was that Always Pan Pro is what you would get if your Always Pan and HexClad had a baby.
My first impression was that Always Pan Pro is what you would get if your Always Pan and HexClad had a baby. Instead of coating the pan with a non-stick coating, Always Pan Pro features a geometric and naturally non-stick construction.
According to the brand, “the pattern printed on the titanium makes the surface naturally hydrophobic, which in turn creates a non-stick effect.”
Is the Always Pan Pro good?
The Always Pan Pro makes a lot of impressive claims, but as someone who has tested some of the best-performing cookware on the market, I was a little skeptical about its performance. My first impression out of the box was that it felt a little flimsy. The lid lacks the weight you’d normally associate with a premium pan, and while you could argue it wouldn’t be an Always Pan without the classic spoon rest, it still bothers me that it hangs off the edge of the handle. The pan would feel more luxurious if Our Place had eliminated the wooden spoon.
Complaints aside, I will definitely be adding the Always Pan Pro to my regular rotation. I grilled some marinated chicken to get an idea of how well their NoCo technology works, and I was totally wowed. My chicken still had a nice char once I got past the honeycomb pattern left by the pan’s grooves, and the burnt marinade came off the inside of the pan without any difficulty.
I’ll continue testing the Always Pan Pro before my full review, but if you want to place your order before it (inevitably) sells out, you’ll get my tentative seal of approval.
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