An Honest Our Place Cookware Review: Ft. Exclusive Q&A with the Founder
Our Place is more than a pretty face — these are the products you’ll find yourself whipping out just for the joy of cooking.
For most of us, it’s become second nature to put thought into where we source our food — farmer’s markets are a weekly excursion, and the organic section is our bread and butter. But it may not be quite as automatic for us to think about the effects of our cookware.
As evidence of the risks of nonstick cookware made with PTFE continues to stack up, it’s more important than ever to consider what surfaces you want coming into contact with your organic, grass-fed beef and the locally-sourced, veg and pastured eggs you’re having every day for breakfast. And this, explains Shiza Shahid, is exactly what motivated her to start Our Place in 2019.
“I started Our Place because I couldn’t find cookware that I truly trusted to use in my own kitchen, for my own family,” she explains. “I was looking for something that was non-toxic, beautifully designed, and high-performing, and it simply didn’t exist in one place.”
Shahid had already made a name for herself as an entrepreneur, educator, and social activist, notably co-founding the Malala Fund with Malala Yousafzai in 2013. As a busy CEO and a mom, she explains, “I don’t have extra time to second guess the tools I’m using. I need to know they are safe, reliable, and thoughtfully made.”
That trust became the foundation for Our Place, a collection of sustainable, multi-functional, and downright gorgeous kitchen products. At Organic Authority, we’ve long been fans of Our Place’s highly versatile cookware, bakeware, and even appliances. To give you a sense of exactly why, we’ll share our real life experience in this Our Place cookware review, along with our favorite products and their price points. Onwards!
TL;DR: The Our Place Difference
- Our Place was founded by Shiza Shahid after she struggled to find cookware that combined PFAS-free nonstick materials, strong performance, and thoughtful design
- The brand’s mission centers on creating PFAS-free cookware that feels safe, functional, and beautiful enough to become part of everyday life
- Our Place’s proprietary Thermakind® ceramic nonstick performs exceptionally well for daily cooking like eggs, vegetables, grains, sauces, and other medium-heat cooking tasks
- The solid cast aluminum construction avoids many of the hot spot issues commonly found in cheaper aluminum cookware, while still remaining easier to handle than cast iron or fully clad stainless steel
- The biggest trade-off we encountered in this Our Place cookware review was heat retention — like most aluminum cookware, it loses heat relatively quickly
What Makes Our Place Different?
Our Place is a mission-driven, non-toxic cookware brand cultivating a holistic approach to health and wellness.
“Removing PFAS is only part of the equation. We often say we are working toward creating some of the healthiest cookware options available, not just by what we remove, but by how thoughtfully we engineer what replaces it.”
Shiza Shahid, Founder of Our Place
“The kitchen is one of the most intimate spaces in our lives. It’s where we nourish ourselves and our families, so what we cook with truly matters,” explains Shahid. “We’ve built Our Place around the belief that non-toxic materials, thoughtful design, and high performance shouldn’t be mutually exclusive.”
The range of cookware includes pots, pans, and sets made with intention — and without forever chemicals. “From day one, we made the decision to be PFAS-free, not as a trend, but as a principle,” says Shahid.
To do this, Shahid explains that the brand has invested deeply in developing both ceramic coatings and coating-free nonstick constructions that are as high-performing as they are non-toxic. “We want our customers to feel confident not just in what’s not in our products, but in how well they perform every single day,” she says.
To that end, the brand relies on their proprietary nonstick technology, from their Thermakind® ceramic coating to their patented NoCo™ hydrophobic nonstick technology. These methods deliberately avoid both toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” and other PFAS alternatives, whose safety has come into question.
“Removing PFAS is only part of the equation,” says Shahid. “We often say we are working toward creating some of the healthiest cookware options available, not just by what we remove, but by how thoughtfully we engineer what replaces it.”
Our Place Isn’t Just Good For Us — It’s Good for the Planet
It’s one thing to create a cookware line that doesn’t leach dangerous forever chemicals into your food; it’s another to do so in a way that also reduces the environmental impact of creating these kitchen essentials. And at Our Place, the impact of cookware is at the heart of their mission. “Sustainability is not a single initiative for us,” says Shahid. “It’s a lens we apply to every part of the business.”
“We don’t claim to be perfect, but we are committed to continuous improvement and transparency.”
Shiza Shahid
The first cornerstone of this mission is simple: Design products that last. While no ceramic-coated cookware will last forever, Our Place’s products make a valiant effort — and they offer extensive warranties to back up their longevity. Unlike other nonstick cookware, which can end up in the landfill in as little as a couple years (or even months), Our Place’s pots and pans are an investment in the future of your kitchen.
From there, Shahid and her team go the extra mile in the name of our planet. “We’ve built programs like our recycling initiative to extend the life cycle of cookware and keep materials out of landfills,” she says. “We’re also thoughtful about packaging, supply chain efficiency, and minimizing waste at every stage.”
To double down on these commitments, Our Place makes sure to partner with manufacturers who share their commitment to safety, quality, and responsible practices. To confirm this commitment, every product goes through rigorous third-party testing and independent verification to meet global standards.
Beyond materials, the brand also focuses on building long-term relationships with their partners and continuously improving sourcing, design, and production steps.
“We don’t claim to be perfect, but we are committed to continuous improvement and transparency,” she says. “For us, sustainability is about making better choices today, while building systems that allow us to do even better tomorrow.”
Aesthetics At the Heart of the Brand
It’s worth making clear in this Our Place review that their claim to fame isn’t all about sustainable cookware, however. In fact, a large part of the brand’s cult following and rise to fame on social media is likely to do with how pretty the cookware is. And this beauty wasn’t just an afterthought or a bonus — for Shahid, part and parcel of creating cookware people fall in love with is making it easy, functional, and beautiful to use.
“Our products are not meant to be hidden away in cupboards. They live on your stovetop, on your table, as part of your home.”
Shiza Shahid
“It’s similar to how a great pair of yoga pants makes you want to go to the gym,” she explains. “When something is beautiful and thoughtfully designed, it invites you to cook more, to gather more, to connect more.”
Their classic Always Pan is designed with a unique rounded shape that makes them look almost like works of art, and it’s available in six different colorways: from a dusty rose to a bright and sunny forget-me-not blue. Simple touches like these help these pans suit your personal aesthetic, slotting seamlessly from the box to a permanent place in your kitchen.
“Our products are not meant to be hidden away in cupboards,” says Shahid. “They live on your stovetop, on your table, as part of your home.”
Beyond Classic Cookware
Our Place cookware has also moved beyond the more expected categories with its Traditionware® Collections, an innovative offering of limited-edition cookware sets crafted to honor specific cultural traditions and celebrations around the table.
“Traditionware came from a deeply personal place,” Shahid explains. “I didn’t see my own traditions reflected in the mainstream, and I knew so many others felt the same. Celebrations like Eid, Shabbat, Nowruz, and Lunar New Year are observed by millions of Americans, yet they’ve historically been underrepresented in the products and stories we see every day.”
The Traditionware collections seek to correct this with a wide array of thoughtfully designed pieces like the Lunar New Year Spruce Steamer Basket, or the ceramic Flipping Platter that’s perfect fortahdig (crispy Persian rice). Both of these pieces were designed to fit the brand’s aptly named cornerstone Always Pan, enhancing its versatility and making it easier for you to honor family traditions.
In addition to these staples, the brand works with artisans on an ad hoc basis to design new seasonal pieces, like this Olive & Clay Tagine designed by Tangier-based Palestinian artist Nina Mohammed.
“We work closely with chefs, home cooks, and cultural experts from each community to ensure these pieces are both authentic and functional,” explains Shahid. “Because what makes our food culture so vibrant is the richness of our differences, the people, the rituals, and the histories that shape how we gather. Traditionware is our way of honoring that, and creating space for more people to feel seen in their kitchens.”
The Always Pan: What Makes It Unique
If you’re ready to start cooking with Our Place cookware, Shahid recommends beginning with the Always Pan, which she says is “still the best introduction to what we do.” Most Our Place reviews are centered around this true staple piece, which can handle pretty much all the medium-heat tasks you throw at it. Plus, since it’s oven-safe up to 450ºF, it’ll go where most nonstick won’t.
“It was designed to replace multiple pieces of traditional cookware, combining versatility, ease of use, and a non-toxic nonstick in one thoughtful product,” she says. “It reflects our core philosophy that everyday tools should simplify your life while being safe and beautiful enough to live on your stovetop.”
The Titanium Always Pan Pro Cookware
If you want to level up with Our Place cookware, Shahid recommends checking out the Titanium Always Pan Pro next. It was made, she says, according to “the next breakthrough innovation in non-toxic nonstick.”
So what does this mean? Well, the nonstick properties are constructed — not coated — thanks to the brand’s NoCo non-toxic interior. Coupled with the professional-grade titanium core and fully-clad tri-ply construction, the pan is “virtually indestructible,” even when pitted against dishwashers, metal utensils, and temperatures of up to 1000 ºF.
“It is a great option for someone who wants maximum performance without compromising on materials, and it speaks to our commitment to continuing to innovate,” explains Shahid. If you’re someone who’s searching for something more durable than your typical coated pan (but still wants the ease of non-toxic nonstick), the Titanium Pro has you covered.
The Wonder Oven
More of a baker and an air fryer than a classic home cook? Our Place cookware has something for you, too. For everything from chocolate chip cookies to roasted vegetables and air-fried fish, there’s nothing better than the Wonder Oven.
The Wonder Oven is a compact tabletop toaster bringing Our Place’s gorgeous aesthetic into a new category. With six unique functions including steam infusion technology for fluffier bakes and ultra crispy, ultra moist air fries, this tabletop appliance knocks clunkier options out of the park — and we guarantee you’ve never seen a kitchen appliance so cute (at least, not since your childhood adventures with an Easy-Bake Oven).
“It is compact, efficient, and thoughtfully designed for modern kitchens, especially for people who want to cook well without needing a full suite of large appliances,” says Shahid. “It allows you to roast, toast, bake, and air fry in one beautifully designed piece, making it easier to prepare real meals at home.”
If you’re craving even more functionality, the Wonder Oven Pro takes things to the next level with its 8-in-1 capabilities, its digital display, and 30L capacity. Our founder and professionally trained chef Laura Klein tested both the classic Wonder Oven and their Wonder Oven Pro with great results, serving up perfectly crispy wings, airy brioche loaf, and even a small whole roasted chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions
In many ways, yes, but that’s not necessarily a criticism. Our Place cookware prioritizes convenience, approachable handling, and easy cleanup over power, restaurant-style cooking performance, and extreme heat retention. For most households, this trade-off aligns better with how you’ll actually cook every day.
Yes! Our Place is a lifesaver for apartment kitchens and smaller households. One of the brand’s biggest strengths is reducing how many separate cookware pieces people feel they need for everyday cooking. The multifunction approach works particularly well for sautéing, simmering, steaming, reheating, boiling grains, and one-pan meals, making it a space-saver and a kitchen upgrade in one. That said, serious home cooks may still want specialized cookware for tasks like high-heat searing or baking.
Ceramic nonstick cookware generally performs best at medium to medium-low heat because excessive heat can shorten the coating lifespan and reduce the long-term nonstick performance.
Surprisingly, yes. While heavy cookware has its place, it can create small daily friction points that make cooking feel more demanding — especially during easy weeknight meals or quick cleanup routines.
Lighter cookware tends to feel easier to grab, wash, store, and maneuver. Over time, that convenience can subtly encourage more frequent home cooking because the process feels less physically tiring and less time-consuming.
The Everyday Appeal of Our Place Cookware
Our Place cookware offers an approachable, lower-friction cooking experience that perfectly slots into everyday life. The lightweight cast aluminum construction heats evenly and the nonstick surface cleans easily, combining convenience with modern design.
Of course, this wouldn’t be an honest Our Place review if we ignored that there are trade-offs — the cookware performs best at moderate heat, and all ceramic coatings require proper care. But overall, Our Place has earned its place as a great ceramic cookware brand with safety, functionality, and cultural awareness as its cornerstone principles.
“We think a lot about the small, everyday moments,” says Shahid, “cooking a simple meal, sharing food with people you love, building rituals that ground you. Our goal is to create tools that support those moments in a way that feels safe, and deeply considered, so you can focus less on what you’re cooking with, and more on how you’re living.”
