Our Place Unveils First Nonstick Pan With No Coating

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Pros:

✅ No coating

✅ Sears well

✅ Dishwasher-safe

✅ Metal utensil safe

Cons:

❎ Requires oil to release foods

❎ Heavy

Our Place launches the first-ever nonstick pan with no coating and a lifetime guarantee. We tried it

Nonstick cookware has had its fair share of scandals. With the billion dollar settlements that came from the downfall of Teflon, and the continuous longevity issues with nonstick coating (including trendy ceramic), many consumers are looking for alternative cooking materials that are durable and easy to use. But tried-and-true materials like stainless steel and cast iron come with their own learning curves and limitations. Enter the Titanium Always Pan Pro (available at Amazon for $175.00) , the latest design from the iconic Our Place brand that promises the benefits of nonstick, stainless steel, and cast iron all in one. This titanium, all-clad pan has a lifetime guarantee, and it's designed to work like a nonstick pan with absolutely no coating or additives. Sound too good to be true? That's what we thought, too—until we tried it. It does come with a higher price tag, so for a more affordable (albeit PTFE-coated) long-lasting nonstick pan option, check out the Circulon ScratchDefense pan. Or opt for the traditional ceramic-coated Always Pan for a multipurpose piece of cookware.

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 tested this pan like any other nonstick cookware, checking how well it handled delicate foods like eggs and pancakes without sticking.

Next, we put its stainless steel and cast iron claims to the test by searing steak and tofu, observing whether it browned evenly and created a proper fond. We also used metal utensils throughout to see if the interior could withstand scratches or damage.

For cleaning, we followed the manufacturer’s care instructions—scrubbing with a sponge and running it through multiple dishwasher cycles to assess its durability and ease of maintenance.

What we like#

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

The first thing to note is that this pan truly delivers on its nonstick promise—surpassing our expectations.

We successfully cooked delicate foods like eggs and pancakes using just a small amount of oil or butter and a short preheat time. Even when pancake batter stuck to the ungreased sides, it released easily with minimal effort.

Unlike traditional stainless steel pans, which require more skill and technique, this pan makes cooking simpler and more beginner-friendly.

However, keep in mind that this pan has no coating, so it won’t behave exactly like Teflon or ceramic nonstick pans. You can’t expect an egg to slide around effortlessly without any added fat.

According to the user manual, preheating the pan for at least 90 seconds and adding about a teaspoon of oil helps activate its nonstick properties. When we followed these steps, the results were excellent.

It sears food evenly#

One common downside of nonstick pans is their poor performance when it comes to high-heat searing.

However, the Always Pan Pro features a titanium interior, which excels at heat conduction—reaching high temperatures quickly and distributing heat evenly across the surface.

When we cooked steaks in this pan, we achieved a beautifully crisp sear with even browning across all three cuts. It also developed a flavorful fond, ideal for deglazing, yet surprisingly easy to clean with minimal scrubbing.

We also pan-seared tofu squares, and the results were equally impressive—an evenly browned batch that released cleanly without sticking or mess. (This is a recipe we often cook in our Cast Iron Always Pan, which tends to stick more and requires more effort to clean.)

It's impressively durable#

Titanium was selected for its ultra-durable design, making it the perfect complement to Our Place’s unique lotus leaf-inspired surface. In fact, it’s up to 300% harder than stainless steel, offering unmatched strength and longevity.

Our Place recommends using this pan for high-heat cooking tasks like searing, baking, or even flambéing—it’s built to withstand intense temperatures with ease.

Additionally, this pan is dishwasher-safe and compatible with metal utensils, meaning it doesn’t require the delicate care typically needed for traditional nonstick cookware. As Shahid puts it, this is a pan designed to last a lifetime.

The chemical-free interior comes with peace of mind#

It’s rare to find a pan that both releases food easily and is built to stand the test of time.

While we still appreciate nonstick options from brands like GreenPan, OXO, and even the original ceramic Always Pan—for tasks like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and delicate fish—these types of cookware are generally expected to have a limited lifespan. Over time, the coating wears down, and replacement becomes inevitable.

Long-lasting alternatives, such as stainless steel and cast iron, are more durable but come with a steeper learning curve. Although they offer natural materials and chemical-free cooking, they typically require more technique and don’t release food as effortlessly.

The Always Pan Pro aims to bridge that gap. While it may not be as slick as traditional nonstick coatings, it delivers the durability and safety benefits of long-lasting cookware—without added chemicals or coatings.

What we don’t like#

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

Once we realized just how versatile this pan is—and how effortless it is to clean in the dishwasher—we found ourselves reaching for it constantly. However, it's not the most convenient piece to move in and out of storage compared to lighter cookware.

Weighing 3.4 pounds, it’s significantly lighter than traditional cast iron but still heavier than standard stainless steel or nonstick skillets.

With a 10.5-inch diameter and included lid, it does take up a bit more space in your kitchen drawers or cabinets—unless you choose to leave it out on the stovetop, which wouldn’t be a bad idea considering its sleek, modern design.

Thankfully, the pan comes with a helper handle that makes it easier to lift and carry, whether you're moving it from cabinet to stovetop or from oven to table. Just note that the handle gets hot during cooking, so it’s worth considering a pair of Our Place Hot Grips for added safety.

The ridged interior may show up on some foods#

After cooking a batch of pancakes in this pan, we were surprised to see that the etched interior—designed to retain oil and fat in tiny pockets—left a subtle imprint on each pancake.

While it’s not a major issue (and didn’t happen when we cooked foods like steak or tofu), the markings were clearly visible on the surface of the pancakes. It’s a small quirk, but something to keep in mind if you’re particular about presentation. Then again, it could be a fun conversation starter at the breakfast table!

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. A nonstick pan without any coating sounded too good to be true—and we weren’t sure it would deliver on its promises. But after watching it handle everything from sticky pancakes to perfectly seared steaks with ease, we were genuinely impressed.

Thanks to its innovative, coating-free technology, this pan releases food effortlessly—without the need for sprays or harmful chemicals. It feels like a glimpse into the future of cookware.

Of course, this level of innovation comes with a premium price tag, and the 10.5-inch size may not suit every kitchen task. But with a lifetime guarantee and a focus on sustainability, we believe it’s a worthy investment for anyone looking to move away from traditional nonstick pans.

If you’re not ready to make the leap, you might consider the original Always Pan 2.0—oven-safe, PTFE-free, and still a solid, chemical-free alternative.