Review of our Cast Iron Pans Place Always

If you have never thought that a kitchen pan can be obtained hit Instagram statusyou have not met the original Our position is always rotating. Praised by the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Cameron DiazParis Hilton and more, the $145 nonstick tool from the Los Angeles-based kitchenware brand comes in eight beautiful colors that have sold out multiple times since its 2019 launch, and earned 4.6 out of 5 stars with over 26,310 reviews on the brand’s website.

So the fact that we put Our Place’s latest offersNew limited edition Always a cast iron panto check if it measured the charm of its old brother.

For those threatened by cast iron cooking, it’s time to get over it: Cast iron is super durable and naturally non-stick, and holds heat great and gets better with time. And while your grandma’s cast iron pan may have to be oiled after use, today’s versions are pre-seasoned and ready to go right out of the box.

Taking it a step further, the Our Place version is made of matte black enameled cast iron, which means no extra seasoning is needed – and, unlike regular cast iron, it can be used to cook delicate dishes. acid like a tomato-based stew. It can also scratch, so metal utensils should be avoided. And since you’re not intensifying the seasoning over time, you’ll need to use the right amount of oil, butter, or other cooking oils when cooking.

Our place touts that pans can be used as frying pans, wok, saute pans, grills, grilling, baking, braising and more, but that’s no different from other cast iron pans, compatible with all cooktops (we used on induction top). And, like the other versions, it can be used seamlessly from the stove to the oven (grill your steak on the stovetop, then transfer to the oven to finish it off) and it can reach the heat. temperature up to 500 degrees F, allowing you to stick it under the broiler.

Unlike most cast iron pans we’ve seen, this version comes with an oven-safe glass lid (up to 425 degrees F), which is handy when you want to add steam to a vegetable stir-fry. I have to admit, I was worried I was going to break it, and I didn’t use it for my cooking tests, but I can see it coming in handy for something like paella. .

The pan includes two silicone handles – one for the 6-inch handle and one for the opposite smaller helper handle (love these!) – as well as a wooden spoon, a convenient spoon rest, and a foam pad All natural sea to clean.

But this is a brand built on aesthetics. Billed as “heirloom quality”, the pan has a glossy finish and unlike the basic black color of most cast irons, it comes in six lovely shades: dusty pink, pale oatmeal, green tree, dusty green, charcoal and soft purple.

When it comes to cooking, our dishes turn out really well. Our eggs fried in butter are nice and crispy on the edges and flip easily, leaving only the slightest trace after we take them out of the pan. Our rib eye, marinated in a tablespoon of cooking oil, crusted over and didn’t fight when we flipped it a few times and pulled it out of the pan. And our tortillas are evenly golden and easy to pop out of the pan. It leaves a bit of crumbs stuck to the pan, but nothing can be easily removed with a stiff bristle brush.

Speaking of which, the cleanup is, overall, very easy. Contrary to popular belief, cast iron pans can be hand washed with a little dish soap when needed, and a stiff bristle brush or abrasive sponge helps remove any food or grease. into the bottom. Just be sure to dry the pan completely when you’re done to avoid any rust build-up, though the glaze helps with that, too.

What we don’t like about it

Now, one thing to know about cast iron is that it is very heavy. The Always Pan version weighs 6.9 pounds and measures 9.5 inches. That may come as a shock to fans of this 3-pound ceramic version of the original, but the glaze ensures a nice, smooth surface (better for more even heat distribution) with no cracks, pits, or marks. scratch. The 6-inch handle is pretty standard and comfortable enough to hold, but you really need to use the assist handle if you can to lift the pan without difficulty.

But how does it work, you ask? We put the Always Cast Iron Pan through the same test battery used to determine best cast iron skillet in 2022. We measured how long it took to heat up the oil, how evenly the heat was distributed across the pan, how comfortable it was to hold, and how easy it was to pour the oil into the Mason jar. We also use it to fry eggs, steaks, and toasted tortillas.

Cast iron is appreciated for its ability to retain heat, but not all pans heat evenly. We used an infrared thermometer gun to measure all areas of the pan and found inconsistent results, with the center of the pan measuring the hottest and the gauge on the right hotter than the left. It heats up oil more slowly than all cast iron pans we’ve tested before, and Always doesn’t include a spout, which is handy when you’re trying to remove oil or grease from a pan. We did notice some splashes when we tried to pour the oil from Always into the Mason jar.

Finally, there’s no specific warranty listed on the site, but the brand does note that it offers free exchanges or returns up to 30 days after the item has been shipped to your home.

Without a doubt, the Always Cast-Iron Pan pan looks great. The colors are soft and lovely – there’s a good reason it’s worth posting on Instagram. It’s really nice to look at and works well too, plus it’s easy to maintain.

But it’s also expensive. If you are simply looking for a great cast iron skillet with total machining, you will be better off with $49.95 12-Inch Skillet Hostel Chef Collection, the overall winner of our cast iron pan tests. At one-third the price of the Always model, it outshines most of its pricier competitors, has a comfortable long handle that makes it seem less heavy, includes two pouring spouts, and comes with lifetime warranty.

But if you are one of the diehard fans of the non-stick original Always rotateyou’re looking to add a colorful cast iron version to your collection, and you swear by Oprah’s Favorite Things, you won’t regret it if you choose Our Place in cast iron.