My colleague WIRED Judges are some of the smartest people I know. Ask a member of the Gear team any question, whether it’s about zipper quality, grip feel, material durability, or whether a shade of blue is actually greener, and they’ll have an informed opinion (and the resources to back it up). So a few years ago, I was a little nervous when my late grandmother gifted me Pan Ma Always. WIRED contributor Joe Ray gave it a score of 3 out of 10.
But I loved my grandma, who was so excited to give me something stylish and useful, and the pan looked interesting. So I baked on it. And since then I have cooked 99% of my meals on it.
Our place heard customer and reviewer feedback. Ray wasn’t the only person on the internet who took issue with the first iteration of Always Pan. The version I received that is now for sale is the remake of Our Place Always Pan 2.0. Available in three sizes I have always used the standard size which is 10.5 inches. And I love it to pieces.
Photo: Lorraine Strompe
second chance
Negative feedback was valid in the first iteration of the pan. The device had quality control issues, such as an uneven surface on the bottom, inconsistent baking levels from pan to pan, and inconsistent coloring. It was also not oven safe. But I’m happy to report that in my experience with two separate Always Pan 2.0 models (the one I received as a gift and the one I called to compare), this pan is now nearly perfect. And that’s before you even consider any of the countless accessories available to complement it. It’s available in a variety of colors and each pan includes a lid, a steamer basket (which also doubles as a drainer) and a nesting skimmer.
I contacted the company to see what had changed from the original Pan to Always Pan 2.0. The newer pan has improved non-stick performance, better stain resistance, and an induction-friendly, oven-safe design. The form also had changes, such as a roomier assist handle and improved curvature. The company didn’t officially address the convex cooktops or chipped paint that Joe Ray had issues with, but my cooktops (on two pans) were fine and the paint on both pans looks great (even from near).
Photo: Lorraine Strompe
