Our Place Essentials Review by Chef Laura: Tried and Tested – Here’s My Expert Take
Chef-tested review! Find out if the new Our Place Essentials collection delivers non-toxic, nonstick performance at an affordable price. We break down the value, features, and durability compared to competitors.
When Our Place announced the launch of their new everyday Essentials cookware collection, I was intrigued. This is the brand behind the internet-famous Always Pan (now 2.0), the Original Wonder Oven, and the recently launched Wonder Oven Pro, so they’ve got a pretty great track record of churning out fan favorites. I was curious to see how they’d apply their thoughtful design approach to a more accessible price point for real people like you and me. Because, let’s be honest, high-quality non-toxic cookware is pricey and often out of reach for many home cooks.
On the other hand, the cheap ceramic nonstick cookware lines are, well, cheap — often flaming out in as little as 3 months (take it from someone who’s tried their fair share). And here’s what makes that even more frustrating: PFAS nonstick cookware already comes with serious health and environmental risks, even before you factor in the fact that their short lifespan has them piling up in landfills.
All things considered, the market could use another affordable, long-lasting, non-toxic nonstick contender. Enter: The Our Place Essentials Collection. It features the same PFAS-free Thermakind® coating you know and love from the Always Pan, but with savings of somewhere between 17-46% (depending on what set you buy) compared to pricier competitors. And after weeks of cooking with this collection, I have to say I’m genuinely impressed. Here’s what makes this cookware special, how it performed in my real-world cooking tests, and whether it’s the right fit for your kitchen.
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Table of contents
TL;DR
- The Our Place Essentials set offers non-toxic nonstick (with the same PFAS-free Thermakind® coating you know and love from the Always Pan) at a significantly more affordable price — 17-46% less than premium competitors
- Simplified, minimalist design with soft curved lines and eye-catching gold-toned handles
- This collection works on all stovetops including induction, and is oven-safe up to 450°F
- Custom storage racks are included to protect nonstick coating and extend cookware life
- Sold in multiple set options, from a 17-piece at $549.95, a 21-piece at $649.95, to smaller bundles starting at $169.95
- Like all nonstick, it does require proper care to extend its lifespan, from avoiding high heat to using wood or silicone utensils
Criteria Breakdown
I tested the Essentials Collection for everything from weeknight dinners to weekend batch cooking, plus several spontaneous recipe experiments. Here’s how it performed across the factors that matter most:
| Criteria | Rating | Key Factors |
| Performance & Functionality | 4.5/5 | Smooth release, even heating, flexible design |
| Durability & Longevity | 4/5 | Built strong; gentle care extends lifespan |
| Safety & Materials | 5/5 | Thermakind® coating, PFAS- and PTFE-free |
| Value for Money | 5/5 | Sets starting at $249, 17-46% savings vs competitors |
| Ease of Use & Maintenance | 4.5/5 | Lightweight, oven- and induction-ready |
| Design & Aesthetics | 5/5 | Clean, cohesive, clutter-free storage system |
What the Our Place Essentials Collection Is Best Known For
The Our Place Essentials Collection features the same PFAS-free Thermakind® nonstick coating as The Always Pan, a proprietary nonstick coating engineered without PFAS, PTFE, lead, cadmium, or microplastics. This coating is applied to an aluminum body (which is great for heat conduction), offering excellent release performance without any worry of off-gassing toxic fumes or ‘forever chemicals’ leaching into your food.
Here’s What Different About the Essentials
Upgraded Design Details
The collection features a clean, minimalist design aesthetic with soft curved lines and new gold-toned handles. If you’ve used the original Our Place Cookware set, you may notice a few key design differences. Gone are the square handles with the built-in spatula rest for nesting beechwood spatulas, and you won’t see the modular steam-release lids that are the signature multifunctional elements of the original Our Place Cookware Set collection.
The new gold curved handles are made from a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process that makes these types of handles durable and longer-lasting. Their ergonomic design fits comfortably in your hand, so you feel confident when moving pots and pans full of food around the kitchen. They’re also long enough to keep your hands safely away from the heat source (although I always say it’s best to be extra safe with hot pads).
The new transparent glass lids (included with the 8-piece frypan set and the 10’’ frypan in the larger 11-piece set) let you monitor your cooking without lifting and losing heat, and are oven safe up to 425°F. The opaque lids on the larger pieces offer a clean, sophisticated look, and are oven safe up to 450°F.
The larger cookware sets also come with a stainless steel strainer basket that’s ideal for large pasta nights. This kind of add-on is rarely (if ever!) included in cookware sets — it’s usually only sold as an optional add-on, so it feels like a real luxury to get one with some Essentials sets.
Includes Storage
The Essentials collection comes with its own storage solution, making it highly functional. Proper storage helps protect the nonstick coating from scratches that come from stacking pots and pans when stored. This is a nice touch which helps extend the life of these ceramic-coated nonstick cookware.
Price Compared to Competitors
When you compare The Essentials cookware sets to competitors’, the new Our Place cookware line offers savings of somewhere between 17-46% (depending on which set you buy).
A Closer Look at the Our Place Essentials Collection
The Our Place Essentials Collection is designed to offer a complete foundation for everyday cooking. The lightweight pressed aluminum construction makes handling and moving these pots and pans around the kitchen during daily cooking sessions easy. That, combined with handles that comfortably fit into your hand, make it easy to flip your food if that’s your thing.
The aluminum core is what also makes them super responsive to temperature control and quick to heat up, which equals energy savings and faster meal prep. Aluminum isn’t great at retaining heat, which can be both a pro and a con. These pans will cool down quickly, so it’s worth keeping the food warm in the oven until you’re ready to serve, if needed.
When choosing an oil or fat for your pan, avoid using aerosol sprays — they have low smoke points and contain additives like lecithin that create a sticky residue buildup that ruins your nonstick coating over time. Instead, use high-smoke point oils like olive oil, grapeseed, or avocado oils.
The Essentials cookware set is compatible with all stovetops, including induction. They’re oven-safe up to 450°F, making it easy to finish dishes in the oven and keep them warm long after.
Choose from the same classic signature colors as the Always Pan: Cream, Terracotta, Blue Salt, and Char (note that the handles on the Char colorway come in black, which is really cool and dramatic).
Here’s What I Tested
I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to work with these pans. Everything just seemed to cook easily without a lot of effort or fuss.
I tested the stickiest of sticky foods — eggs, sunny side up, which slid easily around the pan and off onto a plate. My omelet also easily rolled off onto a plate. Fish, Brussels sprouts tossed with olive oil and sticky maple syrup.
Pro Tip:
Always follow these steps to preheat your pans, yes, even nonstick, it helps preserve the coating.
- Preheat your pan
- Then add your oil or fat, heat it through, until it shimmers
- Then add your food (this method ensures a nonstick surface, even when you aren’t cooking with nonstick cookware).
I also cooked proteins like sauteed chicken thighs and ground bison, both came out with an even golden brown and released easily from the pan.
I sauteed veggies like onions, garlic, celery, carrots, baby broccoli, and greens. Everything was super easy, cooked with a little oil over medium-low heat, and it came out delicious.
Pro tip:
Don’t go over medium for two reasons.
- These pots and pans heat very quickly.
- It preserves the nonstick coating. High heat degrades the coating.
I made chili and pasta in the Stock Pot. The stainless steel strainer came in handy when it came to sorting and rinsing the beans. I even tested a big pot of pasta, and I have to say that I love the ease of cooking pasta with that stainless steel strainer.
While testing this collection, friends and family came over for dinner several times, and, surprisingly, everyone commented on them, even my husband!
People love the beautiful modern design (they look really pretty on the stove!) and the gold handles. People picked up and handled the pots and pans to get a good feel. They even asked questions, which rarely happens!
The Clean Up
Even with the sticky stuff like maple syrup, eggs, or fish skin, the cleanup is easy. That’s the big convenience bonus of buying nonstick cookware. The downside is that it doesn’t last a lifetime and requires a little more maintenance. Remember, hand wash only — the dishwasher will only degrade the nonstick surface.
Frypans
The 8″, 10″, and 12″ frypans are everyday workhorses. The 8″ is incredibly useful for single servings and reheating smaller portions. The 10″ is a favorite for my morning eggs, and the 12” is excellent for weeknight dinners.
The Thermakind® coating delivers impressive food release, and the aluminum bodies provide even heat distribution. This gives me confidence that these pans have staying power, unlike your cheap starter pans that burn up and wear out in as little as three months.
What I appreciate is how lightweight these feel. One-handed maneuvering is easy, whether it’s tossing vegetables or transferring food to plates. The glass lids included with the 8-piece fry pan set are a nice touch if you like monitoring your cooking without lifting the lid.
Saucepans
True to this collection’s name, the 2-quart and 3-quart saucepans handle everyday essentials beautifully, like sauces, grains, soups, and this morning oatmeal recipe. The Thermakind® nonstick interior makes cleanup wonderfully easy.
In the 17-piece and 21-piece sets, the saucepans come with glass lids so you can check on your rice or quinoa without constantly lifting and losing heat. In the 11-piece set, the lids are opaque, which I find super streamlined and chic.
Sauté Pan
The Our Place Essentials 4-quart sauté pan is where this collection really shines for one-pan meals. The wide base and high sides help prevent splattering and spills, giving you great flexibility for larger dishes that require sauces. It comes with a helper handle which is ideal for moving larger pots around the kitchen, like from stovetop to oven.
The size hits a sweet spot for most recipes — it’s generous enough for family meals but not so large that it’s awkward to handle or store.
Stockpot & Strainer Insert
The 7-quart stockpot handles big-batch cooking with ease. Pasta for the family, weekend soups, and batch cooking for the week ahead, it can do it all. The stainless steel strainer insert is brilliantly practical. Instead of carrying a heavy pot of boiling water to the sink, you simply lift the insert and let it drain — it’s one of those features that makes cooking feel more effortless.
The opaque lid has its own built-in strainer and the pot itself has a pour spout, which are thoughtful touches that other brands miss.
The Thermakind® interior prevents sticking even when cooking with starches, and the lightweight build makes handling comfortable even when the pot is full.
Griddles
I love griddles. I use them for all kinds of things, like weekend pancakes, eggs, black bean burgers, buns, quesadillas, grilled sandwiches, warming homemade tortillas — you name it. The flat, wide surface gives you extra cooking surface area, which is a big reason why I love these.
The 4-Piece Griddle Set comes with one Large Griddle (17.71” x 11.81”) and one Small Griddle (11.84” x 8.99”), plus two Silicone Mats (Small + Large) that perfectly fit each griddle size to offer an alternative to parchment paper and other linings.
Depending on the size of the distance between your burners, the Large may fit over two burners, effectively giving you three cooking zones: one zone over each burner and a third cooler zone in the middle, where you can move cooked food to keep it warm.
The set can be purchased on its own or enjoyed as part of the 21-piece set.
Storage Racks
These Our Place Essentials custom storage racks are a must for nonstick cookware. They hold each piece upright, protecting the nonstick coating from scratches that typically come from stacking pans on top of one another in a tight drawer or cupboard. It’s a simple, elegant solution — the nonstick coating is protected, you can see exactly what you need at a glance, and your cabinets look neat and organized.
Purchasing Options
Our Place designed these bundles to meet different needs and budgets, whether you’re setting up your first kitchen, getting rid of old, dinged-up PFAS nonstick cookware, or just upgrading to safer and healthier cookware. Every Our Place Essentials set features the same Thermakind® non-stick ceramic coating, lightweight durability, and space-saving storage.
The 17-piece set is ideal for most home cooks, while the 21-piece set includes griddles for weekend breakfasts, brunches, burger nights, taco nights, and more cooking flexibility overall.
21-Piece Cookware + Griddle Set ($649.95 at time of publish)
This set offers a truly complete kitchen overhaul. It includes 8″, 10″, and 12″ frypans with glass lids, 2-quart and 3-quart saucepans with glass lids, 4-quart sauté pan with glass lid, 7-quart stockpot with glass lid, stainless steel strainer insert, small and large griddles, two silicone mats, and storage racks.
17-Piece Complete Cookware Set ($549.95 at time of publish)
Excellent value for everyday cooking, covering all the essentials.
It includes 8″, 10″, and 12″ frypans with glass lids, 2-quart and 3-quart saucepans with glass lids, 4-quart sauté pan with glass lid, 7-quart stockpot with glass lid, stainless steel strainer insert, and storage racks.
11-Piece Cookware Set ($349.95 at time of publish)
Thoughtfully scaled for home cooks that want to start with foundational pieces. It includes the 10″ frypan with glass lid, 3-quart saucepan with opaque lid, 4-quart sauté pan with opaque lid, 7-quart stockpot with opaque lid, stainless steel strainer insert, and storage racks.
8-Piece Pan Trio Set ($249.95 at time of publish)
Perfect if you primarily need pans. It includes 8″, 10″, and 12″ frypans with glass lids and storage racks.
4-Piece Griddle Pan Set ($169.95 at time of publish)
If you’re just after griddles to upgrade your burger nights or camping trips, this includes a small griddle, large griddle, and two silicone mats.
An Expert’s Take After Testing Our Place Essentials Cookware
After weeks of thorough testing of weeknight dinners, batch cooking, and different techniques, I’m happy to report that the Our Place Essentials Collection delivers on its promises. With this collection, you get Our Place’s non-toxic Thermakind® coating at a more accessible price point, featuring thoughtful design that works for real, everyday cooking.
As a trained chef, I appreciate that the Essentials Collection focuses on fundamentals rather than bells and whistles. Every aspect of the simplified design — those soft curved handles, the streamlined aesthetic, the mix of glass and opaque lids — feels intentional, and it really works. And of course, I love that the Thermakind® coating provides genuine peace of mind, free from the risks of PFAS.
Worth Considering: These pieces require the same care as the original Our Place Cookware collection — low to medium heat, hand washing, and using wood or silicone utensils only. If you’re someone who tends to crank the heat high or wants dishwasher-safe convenience, you may want to reconsider these (stainless steel might be a better fit for you). The coating will eventually wear with regular use — that’s true of any nonstick surface — but proper care can extend its life to 3-5 years, which is solid for this price range.
The Bottom Line: The Essentials Collection successfully gives Our Place’s non-toxic cookware a more approachable price tag. The minimalist design is as beautiful as it is functional, the performance is solid for everyday cooking, and the storage solution actually protects your investment. If you’re looking for reliable PFAS-free cookware at a price that makes sense — and you’re willing to give it the care it needs — this line is worth serious consideration.
FAQs
The Our Place Essentials Collection meets a wide range of needs. Families will find the 17- and 21-piece sets perfect for covering everything from weeknight cooking to weekend gatherings. Non-toxic cooks will love that the Thermakind® coating eliminates forever chemicals, providing peace of mind with every meal.
Those with compact kitchens will appreciate how the storage racks maximize space efficiency while protecting the cookware. Design-minded buyers will love the minimalist aesthetic with those soft curved lines, trendy pastel color options, and gold-toned handles. Finally, budget-conscious cooks will celebrate the ability to buy sets starting at $249.95.
Whether you’re setting up a first kitchen, upgrading old cookware, or prioritizing healthier materials at an accessible price, this collection is honestly for everyone.
The Thermakind® coating performs best with gentle care. Following the below steps will help you get as many years from your cookware as possible:
-Use low to medium heat, as high heat can shorten the coating’s life
-Hand wash with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft sponge (avoid abrasive scrubbers)
-Let pans cool before washing to prevent thermal shock
-Skip cooking sprays entirely — they leave sticky residues that affect nonstick performance over time
-Use only silicone, wood, or nylon utensils — metal will damage the coating
-Store pans upright in the provided racks to prevent scratches
The racks are designed to protect your investment. Stacking pans creates friction that scratches the Thermakind® coating, potentially shortening its lifespan and affecting that smooth nonstick performance. Since the coating’s condition directly impacts how long your cookware lasts, the racks serve a practical purpose beyond just keeping your kitchen organized.
They keep everything upright, minimize surface contact, and actually save cabinet space compared to traditional stacking. Organized storage also means quicker access when you’re cooking. They’re genuinely valuable, not just aesthetic (although they’re that, too!).
Each material brings unique strengths. The Essentials Collection offers easier cleanup than stainless steel, lighter handling than cast iron, and genuinely PFAS-free, non-toxic, nonstick that both other options don’t have.
Essentials vs. Stainless Steel: Essentials excels at easy cleanup and offers a comfortable weight, while stainless steel offers exceptional high-heat searing and remarkable durability. Stainless doesn’t have coating lifespan considerations, though it does come with a learning curve to learn the right cooking techniques to prevent sticking.
Essentials vs. Cast Iron: Essentials pans are lighter and ready to use immediately (no seasoning needed), while cast iron provides unmatched heat retention and can last for generations. Cast iron handles any oven temperature, while Essentials are oven-safe to 450°F.
What They Share: All three are oven-safe, versatile, and excellent for serious home cooking. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize ease and non-toxic nonstick (Essentials), professional searing and resilience (stainless steel), or heritage durability and heat retention (cast iron).
Many cooks enjoy having different materials for different tasks. For more on comparing different cookware materials, check out our article on carbon steel vs. stainless steel vs. cast iron.
With proper care, you can expect 3-5 years of regular use. That’s notably better than budget nonstick (which often shows wear in as little as three months) and comparable to mid-tier premium sets. The coating will naturally wear over time, but that’s inherent to all nonstick surfaces.
Final Thoughts: Why the Our Place Essentials Collection Stands Out to Me
The Our Place Essentials Collection proves that PFAS-free, non-toxic cookware doesn’t need to carry a luxury price tag. This collection is built for real homes and real budgets, and features like the Thermakind coating and protective storage racks show you don’t have to sacrifice functionality for affordability.
The minimalist design feels like a thoughtful evolution of Our Place’s original line — simpler, yes, but with purpose: making non-toxic cookware accessible without compromising on safe materials.
In a market where safe cookware often feels financially out of reach, that focused, accessible approach is exactly what many home cooks need.
