The Hestan Nanobond and Our Place Always Pan aim for different corners of the kitchen, one prioritizing professional-grade performance and the other all-in-one convenience. Hestan Nanobond cookware is a premium, investment-level product made with a proprietary bonded metal surface for extreme durability and high-heat tolerance, targeting serious chefs. The Our Place Always Pan is an affordable, stylish, multi-functional piece with an aluminum body and ceramic non-stick coating designed for the everyday home cook who values simplicity and aesthetics.
Here’s a detailed look at both options to help you decide which cookware best fits your kitchen and cooking style.
Hestan Nanobond Cookware
Hestan Nanobond represents the high end of cookware, built for discerning home chefs and professionals who demand exceptional performance and longevity. Using a proprietary technology that bonds thousands of nano-layers of titanium and stainless steel to a conductive aluminum core, Nanobond pieces are incredibly durable, scratch-resistant, and can withstand extremely high temperatures without warping or degrading, making them ideal for high-heat searing.
- What it is: A line of premium, professional-grade cookware featuring a proprietary Nanobond surface for superior durability and heat conduction.
- Key features: Extremely scratch- and stain-resistant surface, withstands oven temperatures up to 1050°F, ergonomic handles, lightweight for stainless steel.
- Price: Premium pricing, with a 10-inch fry pan costing around $200 and sets costing $500+.
- Style: Sleek, modern, and minimalist with polished stainless steel or matte black finishes that fit seamlessly into high-end kitchens.
- Materials/Construction: A tri-ply body with a conductive aluminum core bonded with layers of stainless steel and a proprietary Nanobond titanium-based surface.
- Pros: Unmatched durability and scratch resistance compared to traditional surfaces. Excellent heat distribution and control. Can be used with metal utensils. Incredibly high temperature tolerance for oven use and searing. Non-toxic surface.
- Cons: Comes with a significant price tag. Requires an upfront investment. Can have a learning curve for heat control compared to basic non-stick pans. Heavier than aluminum pans.
This cookware is for the passionate cook who sees their kitchen tools as a long-term investment and refuses to compromise on performance, especially when it comes to high-heat cooking.
Shop this product: hestan.com/collections/nanobond
Our Place Always Pan
The Always Pan from Our Place became an internet sensation for its clever design that aims to replace eight different pieces of cookware. It functions as a fry pan, sauté pan, steamer, skillet, saucepan, and non-stick pan, all while sporting a chic, minimalist design available in a wide array of trendy colors. It appeals to home cooks who value convenience, versatility, and kitchen tools that double as decor.
- What it is: A multi-functional, all-in-one aluminum pan with a ceramic non-stick surface, designed to simplify everyday cooking.
- Key features: Comes with a nesting steamer basket and a wooden spatula. Lightweight cast aluminum body for quick and even heating. Integrated spoon rest and easy-pour spouts.
- Price: Around $145 for the pan and included accessories.
- Style: Playful and modern, available in a wide spectrum of colors to match any kitchen aesthetic, from muted neutrals to bold, vibrant shades.
- Materials/Construction: Cast aluminum body with a non-toxic, ceramic non-stick coating.
- Pros: Excellent value with its multi-functional 8-in-1 design. Saves cabinet space. Lightweight and easy to handle. Exceptionally stylish design with many color options. The ceramic surface makes cleanup very easy.
- Cons: Not suitable for very high-heat searing. Ceramic coating will wear down over time and requires proper care (no metal utensils, handwashing recommended). Modest oven-safe temperature limit (450°F). Does not fully replace a large stockpot or a professional skillet.
The Always Pan is a perfect fit for a design-conscious cook with a smaller kitchen who wants a single, versatile pan for daily meals.
Shop this product: ourplace.com/products/always-pan
Hestan Nanobond vs. Our Place Comparison
Materials & Construction
The core difference between these two lies in their materials. Hestan's Nanobond technology uses a bonded fusion of stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium. This results in an incredibly hard surface that resists scratches even from metal utensils and conducts heat with professional precision. It's built for power, high-heat cooking, and decades of use.
The Our Place Always Pan uses a cast aluminum body, which is much lighter and heats up quickly. Its cooking surface is a non-toxic ceramic non-stick coating. This is excellent for low-to-medium heat cooking - like frying an egg or steaming vegetables - and makes for an effortless cleanup. However, it's not designed for the same level of abuse as the Hestan and the non-stick properties will degrade faster over time.
Durability & Performance
When it comes to durability, there's no contest: Hestan Nanobond is one of the most durable consumer cookware lines available. It's designed to withstand thermal shock, oven temps over 1000°F, and aggressive use. Performance-wise, it gives you the ability to get a hard sear on a steak and will last for many years, justifying its price.
The Always Pan performs wonderfully for what it is designed for: everyday cooking. It's a workhorse for sautéing, steaming, and one-pot meals. However, its ceramic non-stick surface is its weak point in terms of longevity. High heat is a no-go, and over time, even with perfect care, the non-stick coating will eventually lose its effectiveness. It's a great performer for a few years, not a few decades like Hestan.
Style & Versatility
Our Place wins handily on style for the average consumer. Its expansive color palette and thoughtful aesthetic details have made the Always Pan a statement piece in modern kitchens. Its versatility comes from the built-in functions, the included steamer basket and integrated spatula rest are genuinely useful features that reduce kitchen clutter.
Hestan's style is one of understated professional luxury. Its polished and sleek look is timeless and signals a kitchen that prioritizes function over fashion. Its versatility is performance-based: it can go from the stovetop to a high-temp oven to the broiler without issue, something the Always Pan can't do.
Price & Value
At approximately $145, the Our Place Always Pan offers outstanding initial value. For less than the price of a single Hestan skillet, you get a pan that replaces multiple pieces of cookware. It’s an accessible price point for anyone setting up a kitchen for the first time or looking for a convenient upgrade.
A single Hestan Nanobond pan can cost $200 or more, making it a clear investment. The value here is in the total cost of ownership over a lifetime. You may never need to replace it. A serious home chef who frequently sears meat or uses demanding techniques will get immense value from Hestan's performance and durability over the long run.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both cookware options are excellent, but they are built for entirely different priorities and cooks.
Choose Hestan Nanobond if:
- You are a passionate and serious home cook who needs professional-level performance.
- Longevity is your primary concern, you want cookware that will last decades.
- You frequently cook with high heat for searing steaks, vegetables, or finishing dishes in the oven.
- You are willing to make a significant upfront investment for top-tier quality and durability.
Choose the Our Place Always Pan if:
- You prioritize convenience and want a single pan for multiple everyday cooking tasks.
- Kitchen aesthetics are important to you, and you want cookware in stylish colors.
- You live in a smaller space and need to maximize cabinet storage.
- Your budget is under $150, and you're looking for great value and versatility for daily use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Hestan Nanobond and Our Place?
The main difference is in the materials and target audience. Hestan Nanobond is premium, stainless-steel-based cookware for serious chefs focused on performance and longevity. Our Place's Always Pan is style-focused, affordable cookware for everyday home cooks who value all-in-one convenience.
Is Hestan Nanobond cookware truly non-stick?
It's not non-stick in the same way as a coated pan like the Our Place Always Pan. However, its exceptionally smooth surface offers fantastic food release, especially when properly heated with oil. It is highly resistant to sticking but requires proper cooking technique, unlike true non-stick surfaces.
Can you put the Our Place Always Pan in the oven?
Yes, but with limitations. The Always Pan is oven-safe up to 450°F. The Hestan Nanobond, in contrast, is oven and broiler safe up to 1050°F, offering far more versatility for high-heat cooking.
Which pan is more durable?
Hestan Nanobond is significantly more durable. Its titanium-reinforced surface is designed to resist scratches, warping, and stains for decades. The Always Pan’s ceramic coating is prone to scratching and will naturally wear down faster over several years of use.
Is Hestan cookware worth the price?
For a passionate home cook or culinary professional who wants exceptional-performance cookware that will last a lifetime, yes. The price reflects its advanced materials, craftsmanship, and extreme durability. For the casual cook, the cost is likely not justifiable compared to more practical options.
How do you clean the Our Place Always Pan?
To preserve its ceramic non-stick coating, it's best to let the pan cool completely and then wash by hand with a soft sponge and mild soap. The makers of Our Place recommend avoiding the dishwasher and abrasive scrubs.
Can you use metal utensils on Hestan Nanobond cookware?
Yes, the Nanobond surface is highly scratch-resistant and designed to withstand the use of metal utensils, which is a major advantage over any coated non-stick pan.
Which cooking surface is safer?
Both are considered very safe. The Hestan Nanobond surface is made of non-reactive metals like titanium and stainless steel. The Our Place Always Pan uses a ceramic non-stick coating free of PFOAs, PTFEs, and other common chemicals found in traditional non-stick pans.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.
