Caraway Sauté Pan vs. Our Place Always Pan: Which Popular Skillet Is Right for You?

I cooked with and cleaned the skillets over the course of a month to see how well they held up to regular use and to find out if the brands’ claims (like the pans’ versatility and nonstick capabilities) were true. After cooking with them many times, I rated the pans based on the following five factors:

• Value: Is the skillet worth the cost considering its quality and capabilities?
• Functionality: Does the skillet do what it’s supposed to do? Is it easy to use?
• Quality: Is the skillet made with high-quality materials? Is it durable?
• Aesthetics: Does the skillet have an attractive appearance?
• Versatility: How much can the skillet do? Can you tackle many different cooking techniques and recipes with it or is it a one-trick pony?

Both brands are known for their cookware’s eye-catching design, which marry form and function (sharp aesthetics paired with nontoxic, nonstick surfaces). These skillets are both ceramic-coated, stovetop agnostic and oven-safe, unlike many nonstick pans on the market. Because of their nonstick coatings, they’re both supposed to be used only over low or medium heat and with minimal oil or butter.

Another similarity between the two: You should avoid using metal utensils and abrasive sponges on both and keep them out of the dishwasher to preserve their nonstick capabilities for as long as possible. Both pans’ handles and lids also get hot with prolonged use (we found that on the stove, the Always Pan’s handle heats up faster).

The pan’s size is a pro and con alike in our book: It’s lightweight and easy to maneuver, but it’s also not as roomy as the Caraway Sauté Pan, which may be an issue if you’re usually cooking for a crowd or meal prepping for the week. (We didn’t put Our Place’s claim that the pan is “deep enough to roast a chicken” to the test, but we’re skeptical.) While it was designed with multifunctionality in mind (we love you, nested spoon rest), senior food editor Katherine Gillen argues that the pan isn’t exactly compact. “It’s not a very sleek design; it’s sort of chunky and hard to store, and not very ergonomic.” On the plus side, it does come in a rainbow of chic colors.

Fast Facts

• Cooking Surface: ceramic nonstick coating
• Oven-Safe Temperature: 450°F
• Induction Compatible: yes
• Color Options: sage, spice, char, steam, blue salt, lavender, turmeric, rosa, azul, cielo, tierra
• Price: $150

Eighteen months into testing, Gillen claims that her pan only suffered a few minor scratches from metal utensils and some discoloration at the bottom of the pan. She also likes that the lid is flat for easy storage, as opposed to the Always Pan’s more bulbous lid (which also may keep it from sliding easily into your oven, depending on how the racks are spaced out).

We also love that it’s oven-safe up to 550°F. For tasks like reverse searing a steak, cast iron or stainless steel are better options overall, but Caraway wins this face-off because it can handle higher heat and offer better results.

Fast Facts

• Cooking Surface: ceramic nonstick coating
• Oven-Safe Temperature: 550°F
• Induction Compatible: yes
• Color Options: cream, navy, gray, sage, perracotta, marigold, black, white
• Price: $145

Despite their many similarities, these two pans have a few key differences:

• Caraway’s Sauté Pan has a higher oven-safe temperature
• The Always Pan 2.0 comes with accessories and a built-in spoon rest
• The Sauté Pan is heavier and larger than the Always Pan 2.0 and takes longer to heat up
• The Sauté Pan has a flat lid, while the Always Pan 2.0 has a domed lid
• In our testing, we found that the Sauté Pan was slightly easier to clean and generally more nonstick than the Always Pan 2.0

The Bottom Line

Listen, both pans are fine buys. If you really love the look of the Always Pan 2.0, go ahead and add it to your cart—you won’t be disappointed. But if you’re typically cooking for a crowd or big-batch prepping, the larger Sauté Pan may be the smarter choice.

That being said, you should still have a cast iron or stainless steel skillet that can handle high heat and plenty of time in the oven for tasks that require browning or searing. But if you’re specifically looking for a nontoxic, nonstick pan that will look cute on your stovetop, you can’t go wrong with either of these.