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My friend WIRED reviewers are the smartest people I know. Ask a member of the Gear team any question about zipper quality, button feel, material durability, or whether blue is actually greener, and they’ll have an informed opinion (and the resources to back it up). So, when my late grandmother gifted me the Our Place Always Pan a few years ago, I was a little nervous. WIRED’s Joe Ray gave it a 3 out of 10.
But I loved my grandma, who was thrilled to give me something stylish and useful, and the pan looked cool. So I cooked it. And since then, I’ve cooked 99 percent of my meals on it.
Our place has heard customer and reviewer feedback. Ray wasn’t the only one on the internet who had trouble with the first iteration of Always Pan. The updated Our Place Always Pan 2.0 that I bought and is currently on sale. Available in three sizes. I have always used the standard size of 10.5 inches. And I love it to bits.
Photo: Louryn Strampe
Second Chance
The negative feedback about the first iteration of the pan was valid. There were quality control issues such as an uneven bottom surface, inconsistent pan-to-pan cooking surfaces, and inconsistent paint jobs. It was also not oven safe. But in my experience with two separate Always Pan 2.0 models (the gift I received and the other I called to compare), I’m happy to report that this pan is now nearly perfect. And that’s before counting any of the countless accessories available to complement it. It’s available in a bunch of colors, and each pan includes a lid, a steam basket (which doubles as a strainer), and a slotted spatula.
I reached out to the company to see what has changed from the original pan to Always Pan 2.0. The newer pan has improved non-stick performance, better stain resistance and an induction-friendly, oven-safe design. There are also some changes to the shape, such as a wider assist grip and curvature improvements. The company hasn’t officially addressed the bumpy cooktops or chipped paint that Joe Ray had issues with, but my cooktops (on two pans) were fine and the paint on both pans looks great (even up close).
Photo: Louryn Strampe
