Though ceramic nonstick is tougher than traditional nonstick, it’s still not anything like steel or iron, so you’ll want to take some special care. As this pan is priced at $145, you’d likely want it to stick with you (literally and figuratively) for quite a bit longer than that, which makes this coating a better choice. Traditional nonstick cookware coating deteriorates fairly quickly - sometimes in as little as a year, depending on usage. Having said that, I think for what this pan aims to be - a supremely versatile, easy-to-clean fry pan for all those quick daily jobs - they’ve probably selected the right material. So while it’s an excellent pan for cooking vegetables, eggs, and shellfish, trying to get caramelized burgers, steaks, or scallops is not easy. No matter how hot I revved the burner under my Always Pan, it never quite imparted a real sear like cast iron, carbon steel, or stainless steel consistently do. While it’s quite possibly the easiest surface to clean, extremely nonstick (honestly, nothing ever stuck to this pan), and non-toxic, it’s also somewhat limiting. This unique cooking surface is a bit of a double-edged sword. It’s another feature I’ve used regularly - one that had me wondering, “Why doesn’t every frying pan come with one?” (It can’t possibly be too costly to produce.)ĭespite its many advantages, the Always Pan isn’t perfect. Speaking of steaming, this form of cooking is super fast and easy in a skillet, so it makes sense that a steamer basket should fit snugly in the pan. But, as mentioned above, its sides are amply high for less spillage, and it has plenty of vertical berth for steam to build for fish and veggies. If I were running a household of four or more, I might feel the Always Pan is on the small side. There are plenty of 10-inch frying pans, so this wasn’t a revelation, but for a single fellow like me, or even when cooking for myself and a guest, this pan is an ideal size to use for almost anything from meats to vegetables, sides, and more. But when you need a quick second to grab other ingredients or tend to another pot or pan, it’s very nice to have. I assume, over time, the heat might damage the wood if left there for extended periods.

One potential downside here, though: the spoon does jut out over the base of the pan. The pan’s handle, which features a notch to hold the specially designed wooden spatula, serves as both storage and a temporary spoon rest while you’re cooking. Not so with the Always Pan! It allows you to do much more than your typical frying pan, including safely making sauces or even soups (with a depth of nearly 3 inches), or steaming foods like fish and vegetables with a custom insert. Though you can do a lot more than just fry with frying pans, most aren’t crafted with multiple cooking methods in mind. It’s also light and easy to handle, but feels solid and well-constructed - so I wouldn’t worry about it breaking. You could absolutely keep this pan out on the stovetop with the lid on and it wouldn’t look out of place. It sports an understated, modern shape and is available in multiple warm hues, from “blue salt” (a dusty gray-blue) to “rosa” (a lush berry pink).

Its aesthetics, I’m sure, account for a healthy portion of its popularity. What’s hard not to notice about this pan is how darn good it looks. Here are some of the pros that impressed me. Not gonna lie, the Always Pan has a lot going for it.

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