HexClad focuses on high-performance, durable hybrid cookware combining stainless steel and non-stick surfaces, built for serious home cooks who demand precision and longevity. In contrast, Our Place champions a design-forward, multifunctional approach with its colorful ceramic non-stick pans that aim to simplify cooking and storage for modern, style-conscious kitchens.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right cookware for your cooking style and needs.
HexClad: The High-Performance Hybrid Cookware
HexClad is a cookware brand known for its patented hybrid technology that merges the searing power of stainless steel with the convenience of a PFOA-free non-stick surface. The brand targets aspiring home chefs and culinary enthusiasts who want professional-grade tools without the typical drawbacks of either stainless steel or traditional non-stick pans. The signature hexagon design isn't just for looks - the stainless steel 'peaks' provide excellent browning, while the non-stick 'valleys' ensure easy food release.
- Product mix: Full range of cookware including frying pans, woks, sauté pans, saucepans, and complete sets. They also offer steak knives and other kitchen accessories.
- Style/vibe: Modern, industrial, and highly functional. The sleek stainless steel finish and geometric pattern feel at home in a high-end, contemporary kitchen.
- Price point: Mid-to-high range. A single 10-inch frying pan costs around $140, while a 7-piece cookware set is about $400. This places it in the premium consumer category.
- Quality & Materials: Features a tri-ply construction with an aluminum core for even heating, sandwiched between layers of stainless steel. The hybrid non-stick surface is PFOA-free, scratch-resistant, and metal-utensil safe.
- Key Features: Cookware is oven-safe up to 500°F, compatible with all cooktops (including induction), and dishwasher safe. A major benefit is its compatibility with metal utensils.
- Return policy: Offers a 30-day trial period for returns.
- Warranty: Comes with a lifetime warranty against manufacturer's defects.
HexClad is built for those who take cooking seriously, offering durability and high-heat performance that justifies its premium price tag.
Shop HexClad: hexclad.com
Our Place: The Stylish Multifunctional Cookware
Our Place gained massive popularity with its flagship product, a single piece of cookware designed to replace an eight-piece set: the Always Pan. The brand focuses on multifunctionality, minimalist design, and vibrant aesthetics, appealing to younger consumers, apartment dwellers, and anyone looking to declutter their kitchen. Their marketing emphasizes community, ease of use, and making cooking a more enjoyable, shared experience.
- Product mix: Primary focus is on multifunctional cookware like the Always Pan and the Perfect Pot. They also sell ovenware, tableware, and kitchen tools designed to complement their main products.
- Style/vibe: Trendy, minimalist, and very colorful. Available in a wide range of chic, muted, and bold colors that are meant to be displayed on a stovetop.
- Price point: Affordable to mid-range. The signature Always Pan retails for around $145, placing it in a sweet spot for those wanting a beautiful, versatile pan without a premium investment.
- Quality & Materials: Built with a lightweight aluminum body for fast heating and a non-toxic, ceramic non-stick coating that is free of PFOAs, PTFEs, lead, and cadmium.
- Key Features: The Always Pan is designed for frying, searing, steaming, straining, and more, complete with a nesting steamer basket and integrated spatula rest. It's compatible with all cooktops but requires gentle handling (no metal utensils).
- Return policy: Offers a generous 100-day trial for returns.
- Sustainability: Uses thoughtfully sourced packaging, avoids toxic coating materials, and promotes a less-waste lifestyle by offering one product to replace many.
- Sales: Frequently runs sales and bundle deals, especially around major holidays.
Our Place merges aesthetics and convenience, making it the perfect choice for everyday cooks who value simplicity and style in their kitchen tools.
Shop Our Place: ourplace.com
HexClad vs. Our Place Comparison
Price Comparison
The price difference is a major deciding factor between these two brands. HexClad operates in the premium cookware space. A single pan can cost as much as the entire Our Place Always Pan, and full sets can run from $400 to over $1,000. This is an investment intended for long-term, heavy use.
Our Place is significantly more budget-friendly. Their business model is built around single, do-it-all products like the $145 Always Pan. While they have expanded their line, the core value remains providing multifunctional pieces at an accessible price point. For a cook looking for one solid pan without a big financial commitment, Our Place offers clear value.
Style & Aesthetic
Style is where the brands fundamentally diverge. HexClad's aesthetic is professional, technical, and industrial. The gleaming stainless steel and embossed hexagonal pattern look like something you’d find in a high-end restaurant kitchen. It sends a message of serious performance and precision.
Our Place is all about visual appeal and personal expression. Their famous pans come in a curated palette of trendy colors like Spice, Blue Salt, and Sage. The design is soft, minimalist, and built for the Instagram era - this is cookware you leave out on your stove as a piece of decor. If your kitchen aesthetic leans more towards cozy and modern than professional chef, Our Place has the advantage.
Quality & Construction
HexClad's tri-ply construction (stainless steel, aluminum, stainless steel) is the gold standard for even heat distribution and durability. Its key innovation is bonding a non-stick coating within a stainless-steel lattice. This protects the non-stick surface from scratches, allowing for use with metal utensils and aggressive cleaning, and contributes to its superb searing capabilities and impressive longevity backed by a lifetime warranty.
Our Place uses an aluminum body, which heats up very quickly but can be more prone to hot spots and warping than tri-ply pans. The surface is a slick ceramic non-stick coating. While effective and non-toxic, ceramic coatings are notoriously less durable than other non-stick types and require more care. You cannot use metal utensils, high heat is discouraged, and the surface will likely degrade faster over the years than HexClad's protected hybrid surface.
Performance & Durability
When it comes to raw performance, HexClad is in a different league. It can handle high heat up to 500°F, allowing you to get a deep, flavorful sear on a steak and then transfer the entire pan into the oven. Its durability is a core selling point - it’s designed to withstand daily, rigorous use for years, if not decades.
The Always Pan from Our Place is best suited for low-to-medium heat cooking: think scrambling eggs, sautéing vegetables, or simmering sauces. While it can sear, it’s not designed for the same level of high-heat cooking as HexClad. The ceramic non-stick surface is excellent when new, but it needs to be babied with non-abrasive cleaners and silicone or wood utensils to maintain its integrity.
Versatility & Clean-up
Our Place's entire identity is built around versatility. The Always Pan is designed to handle multiple cooking tasks in one vessel, reducing clutter. It comes with a steamer basket and a built-in spoon rest, touches that genuinely add convenience to the everyday cooking process. For clean-up, its slick ceramic surface makes wiping away most messes incredibly easy.
While HexClad pans don't come advertised as "10-in-1," they are inherently versatile due to their oven-safe and high-heat capabilities. The cleaning process for HexClad is straightforward thanks to the non-stick elements, but sometimes requires a bit more effort on the stainless steel parts than a pure non-stick pan, though it holds up well in the dishwasher.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice depends entirely on your cooking habits, priorities, and kitchen style. Both brands offer excellent products, but they are built for very different cooks.
Choose HexClad if:
- You're a serious home cook who values performance, precision, and durability above all else.
- You frequently cook with high heat to sear meats, fish, or vegetables.
- You want cookware that is oven-safe and can handle an occasional metal spatula.
- You see cookware as a long-term investment and are willing to pay for quality that lasts a lifetime.
Choose Our Place if:
- You want a stylish piece of cookware that looks great in your kitchen and on your table.
- You have a small kitchen and need a space-saving, multifunctional pan for everyday meals.
- You are a casual cook who prioritizes convenience and easy cleanup.
- You are conscious about using non-toxic coatings and prefer a more affordable, design-focused option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HexClad or Our Place cheaper?
Our Place is significantly cheaper. The Always Pan costs around $145, while a single frying pan from HexClad can run about the same price or more, with sets costing several hundred dollars.
Which cookware lasts longer?
HexClad is built for longevity. Its hybrid stainless steel and non-stick construction, along with its lifetime warranty, suggests it's designed to last for many years, even decades. Ceramic non-stick surfaces like the one on Our Place's pan generally have a shorter lifespan of a few years with regular use.
Can you use metal utensils on Our Place cookware?
No, you should not use metal utensils on Our Place's Always Pan. Doing so will scratch and damage the ceramic non-stick coating. It’s recommended to use wood or silicone utensils. In contrast, HexClad is designed to be metal-utensil safe.
Is HexClad and Our Place cookware oven-safe?
Yes, but to different degrees. HexClad cookware is oven-safe up to 500°F, making it suitable for a wide range of recipes that start on the stovetop and finish in the oven. The Our Place Always Pan is oven-safe up to 450°F (30-minutes max).
Which brand is better for a beginner cook?
Our Place is generally better for beginners. Its outstanding non-stick performance makes cooking foolproof, and the multifunctional design simplifies the process by reducing the number of tools needed. The straightforward care and stylish look can also make cooking more approachable and fun.
Are both brands non-toxic?
Yes, both brands prioritize safety. HexClad uses a PFOA-free non-stick coating. Our Place uses a ceramic non-stick that is free from PTFEs, PFOAs, lead, and cadmium.
Which is better for small apartments?
Our Place is the winner for small spaces. The Always Pan is specifically designed to replace multiple pieces of cookware, helping to declutter small kitchens and reduce the need for extensive storage.
Does HexClad require seasoning?
HexClad recommends a quick seasoning process before the first use and periodically thereafter to maintain its hybrid non-stick properties. You simply heat the pan over medium, add a tablespoon of oil, swirl it around for a couple of minutes, and then wipe it clean.
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