Our Place Always Pan
Named ceramic non-stick coating, with a brand PFAS statement we have not verified.
Our Place says its ceramic non-stick coating is made without PFAS, including Teflon-type coating and PFOA. We record that as an unverified brand claim. Its record describes a non-stick coating of unstated type, which is still counted.
Brand says: “Our Place says its ceramic non-stick coating is made without PFAS, including PTFE and PFOA.”
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Ceramic nonstick coating over aluminum core
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
Is Our Place Always Pan non-toxic? What it is made of
The Always Pan uses a ceramic nonstick coating applied to an aluminum core. Ceramic coatings avoid traditional Teflon-type coating (Teflon) but can wear faster and expose underlying aluminum with repeated use and acidic foods. Aluminum itself is generally recognized as safe at typical dietary exposure levels, but once a ceramic coating degrades, direct contact with acidic or prolonged heat may increase leaching. The brand claims PFAS-free formulation, though the specific ceramic chemistry has not been independently verified in public sources.
What’s concerning
Disclosed non-fluorinated coating
Coating is named and the brand states it is made without PFAS.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Aluminum leaching from coating degradation
Once ceramic nonstick wears through, bare aluminum may contact acidic foods (tomato, citrus, vinegar) or prolonged heat. Typical dietary aluminum exposure is not a material linked to PFAS, but localized high exposure from worn cookware is a recognized concern. Regular inspection and timely replacement mitigate this risk.
Ceramic coating chipping and microparticle ingestion
Ceramic nonstick coatings are inherently more brittle than Teflon-type coating and can chip with impact, scratching, or dishwasher use. Small ceramic fragments in food are unlikely to cause acute harm but are undesirable. Chips also expose the aluminum substrate, compounding leaching risk.
Coating adhesion and delamination over time
Consumer reports and reviews indicate that ceramic nonstick coatings on aluminum cookware can lose adhesion after months to years, leading to peeling or flaking. The Always Pan is subject to the same material-science limitation; quality of manufacturing and care practices determine longevity.
What’s reassuring
Brand-stated PFAS-free
The brand states this product is PFAS-free. We have not verified the claim.
Teflon-type coating fume risk
This product explicitly uses ceramic, not Teflon-type coating, so traditional Teflon decomposition fumes at high temperatures are not a concern. However, the brand has not published thermal stability data for the ceramic coating, so degradation behavior above normal cooking ranges remains uncharacterized.
Lead
No public recalls or test results indicate lead or cadmium contamination in Our Place ceramic coatings. However, independent lab testing of this specific product is not widely available, so unverified compliance to FDA limits cannot be confirmed here.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Our Place has positioned itself as a modern, design-forward cookware brand with an explicit PFAS-free positioning. The company has made public statements about avoiding PFAS in nonstick formulations, but independent third-party certification or testing results are not widely available in open sources. No major recalls or safety controversies have been established for this product line. Transparency on coating composition and durability testing would strengthen consumer confidence.
How it compares in its category
Ceramic nonstick cookware like the Always Pan occupies a middle ground, lower concern than legacy Teflon-type coating but potentially less durable and more prone to chipping than cast iron or stainless steel. Compared to traditional Teflon pans, ceramic avoids Teflon-type coating fume concerns, but lacks the longevity and performance history. It appeals to consumers seeking PFAS avoidance and aesthetic design, though durability and coating adhesion are common trade-offs in this emerging category.
If you buy it
Use on medium heat and avoid preheating empty; ceramic coatings can degrade faster under extreme temperatures. Hand wash when possible to preserve coating; dishwasher use accelerates wear. Inspect regularly for chips, cracks, or dull spots, and discontinue use if bare aluminum becomes exposed. Replace every 2-4 years depending on frequency of use, as coating degradation is the primary safety concern over time.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Our Place has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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More cookware grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.