Our Place is worth it if you prioritize modern aesthetics and multi-functional design on a budget, but it is not worth it if you're looking for heirloom-quality cookware that will last for a decade. The brand's products, especially the viral Always Pan, offer good initial performance and look fantastic in any kitchen, making them a great fit for casual home cooks, apartment dwellers, and anyone who values style over rugged, long-term durability.
Put simply, Our Place sits in a sweet spot above entry-level brands like IKEA in terms of design and function, but well below premium brands like Made In or All-Clad in terms of construction and longevity. If you understand you might need to replace a pan in 2-3 years, you'll likely be very happy with your purchase.
How Is Our Place's Quality?
Our Place quality is best described as good for the price, successfully balancing trendy design with everyday functionality, though it's not built to last forever. Here's a detailed breakdown of what to expect:
- Cookware Materials: Their signature pans feature an aluminum body for even heating and a ceramic non-stick coating that is non-toxic. While the non-stick surface works very well for the first 1-2 years, many users report it degrades with regular use, especially if used on high heat or cleaned with abrasive materials.
- Construction & Craftsmanship: Pans feel lightweight yet sturdy, with securely riveted handles. However, some long-term reviews mention issues like handle loosening or mismatched lids. The manufacturing is consistent for the price point but lacks the heavy-duty feel of more expensive cookware.
- Furniture & Decor Materials: For items like shelving and storage, Our Place often uses engineered wood (particleboard or MDF). These materials are cost-effective and look clean, but they are highly susceptible to moisture damage and are not as durable as solid wood.
- Common Complaints: The most frequent issue raised by customers is the short lifespan of the non-stick coating. Other common complaints include plastics staining over time and furniture showing wear or instability after 1-3 years of use.
Is Our Place Good Value for the Price?
Our Place offers solid value, but it's heavily weighted toward aesthetic appeal and convenience rather than long-term durability. You are paying for a specific look and multi-functional design that simplifies cooking and looks great on Instagram.
Price Positioning
Our Place is positioned in the accessible mid-tier market. Their famous Always Pan costs around $145, while the Perfect Pot is about $80. This is more expensive than Target or IKEA cookware but significantly cheaper than premium brands like Caraway ($195 for their fry pan) or Made In, where a single piece can cost over $150. It’s an affordable step up for style-conscious consumers.
What You're Paying For
You're primarily paying for clever, space-saving design and a distinct, modern aesthetic. The multi-functionality of a pan that can sauté, steam, strain, and serve is a huge value proposition for those with small kitchens. You're also paying for the brand's direct-to-consumer convenience and millennial-friendly marketing.
Where You Get Good Value
- Multi-functional Cookware: For small kitchens or minimalist households, the value of one pan doing the job of several is immense. The Always Pan is a perfect example of this.
- Stylish Dinnerware: Their ceramic plates, bowls, and stacking glasses are durable for everyday use and bring a cohesive, modern look to your table at a reasonable price.
- Casual Home Cooks: If you cook a few times a week and follow the care instructions (no high heat, no metal utensils), you'll get great use and enjoyment from the products before they show wear.
Where You Don't Get Good Value
- Serious Home Chefs: If you cook daily, use high heat for searing, or need professional-grade performance, you'll find the non-stick coating deteriorates too quickly, making the cost-per-year high.
- Furniture for High-Traffic Areas: Their engineered wood pieces don't offer good long-term value as they are prone to water damage, chipping, and instability over a few years.
- Long-Term Investment Pieces: If your goal is to buy one set of pots and pans that will last 10+ years, this is not the brand for you. The longevity doesn't justify the price for buyers focused solely on durability.
Our Place Quality by Category
Quality can vary significantly between the hero cookware products and their other home goods. Here’s a look at what to expect from each line.
Cookware (Always Pan, Perfect Pot)
The core of the Our Place brand. These pieces feature a lightweight aluminum body with a non-toxic ceramic non-stick coating. They're excellent for a year or two of casual cooking, but the coating's lifespan is a known weakness. Verdict: Aesthetically pleasing and functional for short-term use, but not a durable investment.
Tableware & Utensils
Our Place offers beautifully designed dinnerware, glasses, and utensils often made from durable melamine or chic ceramics. Their plates and bowls are sturdy and dishwasher-safe, offering great style for the price. Silicone and wood utensils are designed to prevent scratching the non-stick cookware. Verdict: Great value, a stylish and durable choice for everyday use.
Kitchen Furniture & Storage
The brand's expansion into small furniture includes items like kitchen carts and shelves, typically made from engineered wood. Assembly is simple and the minimalist designs are appealing, but the materials are not built for longevity and are vulnerable to moisture. Verdict: An affordable but temporary solution best suited for light use in dry spaces.
Soft Goods (Dish Towels, Aprons)
Made from functional cotton blends, Our Place's textiles are designed to match their cookware aesthetic. They hold up reasonably well in the laundry, though they are not as thick or absorbent as premium kitchen linens from brands like Williams Sonoma. Verdict: A decent add-on purchase to complete the look, but not a standout product on its own.
Our Verdict: Is Our Place Worth It?
Our Place is a solid choice for a specific type of consumer: one who prizes style, smart design, and affordability over lifelong durability. It’s perfect for equipping a first apartment, adding a pop of color to your kitchen, or consolidating clutter with multi-functional tools. However, buyers seeking pro-level performance should look elsewhere.
Quality Grade: B-
Our Place earns a B- for quality because its products deliver on their aesthetic and functional promises for a reasonable period, but they are held back by longevity issues. The design and materials are thoughtfully chosen for the price point, but the notorious degradation of the non-stick coating and the use of engineered wood in furniture prevent a higher grade. They meet - but do not exceed - the quality expectations for being a trendy, mid-tier brand.
Value Grade: B
For value, Our Place scores a B. It's not a value leader in terms of durability, but the price-to-style ratio is excellent. When you factor in the multi-functionality that allows you to buy fewer items, the value proposition is strong for space-conscious or budget-conscious decorators. Regular sales and promotions further enhance this, making their stylish pieces highly accessible.
Better Alternatives to Our Place
If you're concerned about longevity or want a different balance of price and performance, consider these alternatives.
Caraway
Caraway offers ceramic-coated cookware with a similar non-toxic, design-forward appeal but with higher durability. Their heavy-gauge aluminum pans are more robust, and their coating tends to last longer (3-5 years) than Our Place's, though they come at a higher price point.
Shop now at carawayhome.com
Made In
Targeted at serious home chefs, Made In offers professional-grade stainless clad and non-stick cookware. While significantly more expensive, pieces from Made In are built to last 5+ years with heavy use and offer superior cooking performance, making it a true long-term investment.
Shop now at madeincookware.com
IKEA
If budget is your sole driver, IKEA offers simple, functional cookware and durable storage solutions at a fraction of the price. You'll sacrifice the trendy colors and integrated tech of Our Place, but a basic stainless steel pan from IKEA delivers reliable performance and great value.
Shop now at ikea.com
Crate & Barrel
As a step up in both quality and price, Crate & Barrel offers kitchenware and furniture with a modern aesthetic but better construction. You can expect higher-grade materials like solid wood and more durable metal finishes that justify the moderately higher cost.
Shop now at crateandbarrel.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Always Pan non-stick coating last?
With proper care - hand washing, using low to medium heat, and avoiding metal utensils - the Always Pan's non-stick surface generally performs well for about 1-2 years of regular use. After this period, many users report a gradual decline in its non-stick properties.
Is Our Place cookware non-toxic and safe?
Yes, Our Place cookware is safe. It uses a ceramic non-stick coating that is free from potentially toxic materials like PFOAs, PTFEs, other PFAS, lead, and cadmium. Their related kitchen products, such as storage containers, are made from BPA-free plastics.
Can you put Our Place pans in the dishwasher?
While some product pages might suggest otherwise, Our Place strongly recommends hand washing their pans with a soft sponge and dish soap. The high heat and harsh detergents used in a dishwasher will rapidly degrade the ceramic non-stick coating and shorten the life of the pan.
Is Our Place better than Caraway?
They serve different needs. Our Place's strength is its innovative multi-functionality at a more accessible price point. Caraway focuses on superior durability and longevity, with a higher-quality non-stick coating that typically lasts longer but comes at a premium price.
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