Our Place · Non-Stick Kitchen Gadgets
Our Place Mini Always Pan 2.0
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
Non-stick ceramic coating, proprietary blend unspecified
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
Is Our Place Mini Always Pan 2.0 non-toxic? What it is made of
The Always Pan 2.0 Mini uses a proprietary ceramic non-stick coating rather than traditional Teflon-type coating (Teflon). Ceramic coatings avoid Teflon-type coating's thermal decomposition risk (fume release above 500F) and do not contain legacy PFOA. The exact composition is not fully disclosed by Our Place, but ceramic non-stick typically relies on inorganic mineral layers bonded to stainless steel or aluminum substrates. This approach eliminates several hazards tied to Teflon-family coating coatings while introducing different longevity and durability considerations.
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.
Ceramic coating degradation and substrate exposure
Ceramic non-stick coatings are thinner and more prone to chipping or peeling than Teflon-type coating under regular use. If the coating fails, underlying aluminum substrate may contact acidic or alkaline foods, leading to minor aluminum leaching; this is not a known acute hazard at trace levels but warrants replacement.
Coating binders or adhesives (unspecified chemistry)
The proprietary ceramic coating may contain organic binders, resins, or solvents used in the manufacturing process. Our Place does not disclose whether these include formaldehyde releasers, volatile organics, or other additives. Residual off-gassing is unlikely given the finished product is cured, but unspecified chemistry leaves a small transparency gap.
What’s reassuring
Brand-stated PFAS-free
The brand states this product is PFAS-free. We have not verified the claim.
Aluminum substrate leaching
The substrate is almost certainly aluminum given the product weight and brand design philosophy. Undamaged ceramic coating isolates this metal from food. No recalls or complaints linking this specific product to aluminum migration have been reported, and ceramic-coated aluminum cookware shows lower concern for aluminum migration if the coating is intact.
Lead
Modern ceramic cookware manufacturers in regulated markets (including Our Place, US-based) do not use lead or cadmium in non-stick coatings. No test data or recalls for this product suggest these heavy metals. Ceramic coatings are mineral-based and not historically a source of these contaminants in this product category.
Source, ATSDR ↗Fume release from thermal decomposition
Ceramic non-stick does not contain Teflon-family coating and does not decompose into toxic fumes at normal cookware temperatures. The primary advantage over Teflon-type coating is elimination of this specific hazard. No fume-related incidents are known for ceramic non-stick cookware.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Our Place has made explicit PFAS-free claims for this product line but has not published third-party test reports or detailed coating formulations for independent verification. The brand markets transparency as a value, though specifics on coating chemistry, binders, or manufacturing controls remain proprietary. No safety recalls or regulatory actions specific to this model are on public record. Absence of verification does not indicate a problem, but it means the claim rests on the brand's statement rather than audited evidence.
How it compares in its category
Ceramic non-stick cookware sits in the middle tier for safety profile. It avoids Teflon-type coating toxicity concerns but typically wears faster than traditional non-stick and requires gentler handling. Compared to cast iron or stainless steel, ceramic is more convenient but less durable. Compared to conventional Teflon-type coating non-stick, it sidesteps fluorochemical exposure at the cost of longevity. The Mini size and sealed design reduce surface area for potential coating degradation.
If you buy it
Hand wash only; dishwasher use accelerates coating wear. Do not heat empty or above medium-high heat (roughly 400F), and avoid metal utensils or abrasive scrubbers. Inspect the coating quarterly for visible cracks, discoloration, or peeling; replace the pan if the ceramic is visibly compromised to prevent substrate (likely aluminum) contact with acidic foods. Our Place offers replacement lids and accessories, making the pan repairable rather than single-use, which extends usable lifespan if coating remains intact.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% 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 non-stick kitchen gadgets 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.