Titanium Always Pan Pro Review

About the Titanium Always Pan Pro

What if nonstick properties could be engineered, not sprayed on with chemicals? That's what the Our Place research and development team asked before designing the Always Pan Pro with unique patent-pending NoCo interior.

We talked to Shiza Shahid, founder of Our Place, who explained that the original Always Pan—just like all nonstick cookware—has fundamental limitations that called for the need of a new material.

"The moonshot [idea] was, let's make the first nonstick pan with zero coating," Shahid says. "And that's what this product is. You can light it on fire, you can scrub it with metal, you can put it in the dishwasher…it will last forever."

The secret is in its engineering. The interior of the pan is made with titanium, chosen for its ultra-hard qualities (and—bonus—is great for retaining micronutrients). Not a naturally nonstick material, titanium only becomes nonstick when formed with these patent-pending microstructures that mimic the hydrophobic qualities of a lotus leaf.

"It's similar to when you see a drop of water fall on a leaf and it sits on top of that leaf; it doesn't get sucked in. It creates what's called the lotus effect," Shahid explains. "And the reason that's happening is because a leaf has these microstructures that are invisible to the naked eye."

Our Place replicated those microstructures in the ultra-hard titanium interior, which prevents food from sticking without added chemicals or sprays.

Just like past Always Pans, the Always Pan Pro comes with a matching lid and beechwood spatula. It's also available in two finishes: Chrome ($195) and Chrome Gold ($225).

How we tested the Titanium Always Pan Pro

We treated this pan just like any other nonstick pan we've tested, evaluating whether it was able to cook delicate foods like eggs and pancakes without sticking.

We then tested the stainless steel and cast iron claims of the pan, searing foods like steak and tofu in it to see whether it browned foods evenly and was able to produce a fond. We also cooked with metal utensils throughout, to see whether the interior would be affected.

When it came to clean-up, we followed manufacturer instructions, scrubbing with a sponge and tossing it in the dishwasher several times to ensure it could stand up to the wear and tear.

What we like

It's genuinely nonstick (with a slight learning curve)

The first thing we'll say is that this pan is decidedly nonstick—and it's better than we expected.

We were able to cook delicate foods like eggs and pancakes in it with just a small amount of oil or butter and a short preheat time. Even when pancake batter got stuck to the sides of the pan (which had no oil), we were able to scrape it off easily and it released with minimal effort.

It's nothing like using stainless steel, which requires much more skill, patience, and technique in order to achieve the same results.

All of that said, be wary that this pan has no coating, and therefore will not perform like the Teflon or ceramic nonstick pans you're used to. You can't cook an egg in it with no added fat and expect it to slide around effortlessly.

The manual that comes with it recommends users preheat the pan for at least 90 seconds and add a teaspoon of oil before beginning the cooking process, in order to activate its nonstick qualities. When we followed these directions, we were able to achieve great results.

It sears food evenly

Another downfall of nonstick pans is that they're not ideal for searing, especially with high heat.

But given that the interior of the Always Pan Pro is made of titanium, it conducts heat excellently, able to reach high temperatures and distribute heat evenly across the surface.

We cooked steaks in the pan and were able to achieve a crispy sear that was evenly brown across all three cuts of meat. We were also able to produce a fond in the pan, which was perfect for deglazing but could also be scrubbed pretty easily without much elbow grease.

We also pan-seared a batch of tofu squares, which resulted in an evenly browned batch that released from the pan with zero mess. (This is a recipe we often make in our Cast Iron Always Pan, which we find typically sticks more and suffers from a more difficult clean-up process.)

It's impressively durable

Titanium was chosen for its ultra-hard design, which not only makes it a great match for Our Place's unique lotus leaf structure, but also for its impressive durability. More specifically, it's 300% harder than stainless steel.

Our Place recommends reaching for this pan particularly when you want to sear or bake something with high heat, or even when flambéing—it can handle the fire.

This pan is also dishwasher-safe and safe to use with metal utensils, which means it doesn't require the extra TLC we're used to with our delicate nonstick pans. As Shahid describes, this pan should last a lifetime.

The chemical-free interior comes with peace of mind

We have yet to come across a pan that both releases food easily and is designed to last a long time.

We still love nonstick pans from brands like GreenPan and OXO (and even the original ceramic nonstick Always Pan for certain delicate tasks like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fish.

But cookware like this is generally purchased with the prenotion that it won't last you more than a few years, and that it should be used sparingly in the kitchen. The nonstick coating will eventually deteriorate, and replacement is inevitable.

Cookware that lasts longer—like stainless steel and cast iron—typically has a much steeper learning curve. Although they come with the added benefit of natural materials and no harmful chemicals, they don't release foods easily or require more skill on the user's end to achieve the best results.

The Always Pan Pro seems to combine these benefits. Although the nonstick interior isn't as slippery as coated pans, it comes with the added benefit of longevity and zero added chemicals.

What we don’t like

It's heavier than we'd like for some tasks

Once we learned how truly versatile this pan can be—and how easy it is to toss it in the dishwasher again and again—we wanted to use it for everything. But it's not as convenient to lug in and out of storage as other cookware.

The pan weighs 3.4 pounds. It's much lighter than a heavy cast iron pan, for example, but still heavier than a traditional stainless steel or nonstick skillet.

And its 10.5-inch size (plus the lid) means you'll have to find room for it in your drawer or cabinet (unless you'd prefer to leave it out on your stove, given its design).

Luckily, this pan features a helper handle, which makes it easier to carry from storage to stovetop to oven—especially when it's full of food. But keep in mind that that helper handle gets pretty hot during cooking, so you may want to invest in a set of Our Place Hot Grips.

The ridged interior may show up on some foods

After making a batch of pancakes in this pan, we were surprised to find that the etched interior—which is designed to hold oil and fat within the pockets—imprinted a design on each one.

This obviously isn't a huge deal, especially because it didn't show up when we cooked other food like steak and tofu. But we were surprised to find the markings so clearly etched on the exterior of the food, and can only assume it may show up in other instances as well. (Consider it a conversation starter?)

Should you buy the Titanium Always Pan Pro?

Yes! Especially if you're willing to invest in a durable nonstick pan that should last forever

Before testing this pan, we were skeptical. We had never seen a nonstick pan without coating before, and we weren't sure that it would live up to our expectations. But after witnessing how it churned out everything from sticking-prone pancakes to beautifully seared steaks so effortlessly, we were convinced.

With the ability to release foods thanks to groundbreaking technology—and no sprays or added chemicals—this pan has the ability to change the cookware industry going forward.

This kind of technology currently comes with a premium price tag, especially given that its size makes it only suitable for certain kitchen tasks. But given its lifetime guarantee, we think it's worth the plunge for anyone looking for a more sustainable alternative to nonstick cookware. (And we're excited to see how Our Place decides to use this technology next.)

Alternatively, check out the original Always Pan 2.0, which is oven-safe and free from PTFE and other toxic chemicals.