Our Place · Cookware
Our Place Ceramic Nonstick Mini Always Pan
Ceramic nonstick is lower concern, but coating details unconfirmed.
Our Place markets this as ceramic nonstick, which typically avoids PFAS, but the brand provides no public PFAS disclosure or third-party testing. Ceramic cookware poses lower PFAS risk than traditional Teflon-type coating.
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Material
Ceramic nonstick coating over aluminum
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Non-stick, chemistry undisclosed
Marketed non-stick without stating the coating chemistry.
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Always Pan Mini uses a ceramic nonstick coating applied over an aluminum body. Ceramic coatings (typically silica-based) are chemically distinct from traditional Teflon-type coating (Teflon) and do not require PFOA or legacy PFAS fluorochemicals to function, which is why they are marketed as PFAS-free. However, the aluminum core presents a secondary concern: at high heat or with acidic foods, aluminum can leach into food, though the ceramic barrier reduces this risk when intact.
The brand's record and disclosure
Our Place does not publicly detail the specific chemical composition of its ceramic coating or provide third-party certification (e.g., GreenGuard, NSF). The brand markets the product as nonstick without Teflon-type coating but has not issued explicit statements confirming PFAS absence or the exact resin binders used in the coating. This silence on coating chemistry is typical of the direct-to-consumer cookware industry but limits transparency.
How it compares in its category
Ceramic nonstick cookware sits between traditional Teflon-type coating nonstick (higher PFAS exposure risk) and stainless steel or cast iron (no nonstick concern). The Always Pan Mini's ceramic approach is now common among health-conscious brands. However, ceramic coatings degrade faster than Teflon-type coating under normal use, meaning replacement cycles are shorter and durability claims should be verified against user experience.
If you buy it
Use on low to medium heat only; ceramic nonstick performs poorly at high temperatures and may off-gas or degrade faster. Hand-wash to preserve coating; dishwashers accelerate wear. Replace the pan if the coating visibly chips, flakes, or no longer repels water, as bare aluminum exposure increases risk. Avoid prolonged contact with acidic foods (tomato, citrus, vinegar) on low-quality coatings.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Aluminum leaching
Aluminum body is isolated by ceramic coating when intact, but coating degradation, high heat, and acidic foods can breach the barrier. No specific leach data for this product exists in public records.
Ceramic coating degradation and microchipping
Ceramic nonstick coatings are known to wear faster than Teflon-type coating. Small chips may be ingested; flaking reduces nonstick function and exposes aluminum. Lifespan reported by users typically 1-3 years with regular use.
Coating binder chemistry (unspecified)
The resin binders holding ceramic particles are not disclosed. Some ceramic coatings use epoxy or polyester resins that may off-gas at high heat or contain residual monomers; no public testing of this product found.
Heat-induced fume risk
Unlike Teflon-type coating, ceramic coatings are less studied for fume release. Overheating (above 400-450°F) may cause decomposition of binders or silica degradation; no established safety threshold for this brand's coating exists in literature.
Lead or heavy metals in glaze (ceramic source)
Modern ceramic cookware does not typically use lead-based glazes, and Our Place has not faced recall for heavy metal contamination. Industry standards now prohibit lead, but unverified third-party testing is unavailable for this specific product.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Cookware
Tramontina
Professional 12-Inch Ceramic Fry Pan
Ceramic nonstick coating
Ceramic cookware carries lower PFAS risk than Teflon-type coating, but verify coating origin.
⚠Risky category by default
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.