While Our Place and HexClad both offer premium cookware with big promises, they cater to very different types of home cooks through their materials, design, and price. Our Place focuses on stylish, multifunctional ceramic non-stick cookware for the modern, space-conscious home, while HexClad offers a durable, professional-grade hybrid of stainless steel and non-stick for those who prioritize performance and longevity.
Here’s everything you need to know to decide which cookware brand is the right investment for your kitchen.
Our Place Cookware
Our Place is a direct-to-consumer brand famous for its aesthetic and the viral "Always Pan" - a piece designed to replace eight traditional pieces of cookware. The brand prioritizes a minimalist style, vibrant colors, and non-toxic materials, making it a favorite for young professionals, apartment dwellers, and anyone looking to simplify their kitchen lineup with a few versatile, good-looking pieces.
- What it is: A line of design-forward, multifunctional kitchenware featuring a signature ceramic non-stick coating.
- Key features: Non-toxic (PFOA/PTFE-free) ceramic non-stick surface, lightweight aluminum body for even heating, thoughtful design details like a built-in spatula rest, and a steamer basket.
- Price: The signature Always Pan is around $145. Other pieces and bundles range from $50 up to $500+.
- Style: Minimalist, modern, and very Instagram-friendly with a wide range of matte, muted colors like "Spice," "Sage," and "Blue Salt."
- Materials/Construction: Cast aluminum core with a proprietary ceramic non-stick coating. Lids are typically aluminum with a stay-cool knob.
- Pros: A single pan replaces multiple kitchen tools, saving space. Its stylish design means it can go from stove to table. Very easy to clean, and the non-toxic coating provides peace of mind.
- Cons: The ceramic non-stick coating can lose its effectiveness over time with heavy use or high heat. It's not ideal for aggressive, high-heat searing like you'd get from stainless steel or cast iron.
This brand is ideal for cooks who value aesthetics and convenience for everyday meals and have limited kitchen storage.
Shop this brand: ourplace.com
HexClad Cookware
HexClad markets itself as "the Michelin-star cookware," designed to bridge the gap between high-performance stainless steel and the convenience of non-stick. Its signature feature is a laser-etched hexagon pattern that creates a unique hybrid surface. This technology allows you to get a great sear and use metal utensils while still enjoying easy food release and cleanup, attracting serious home cooks and those looking for a long-term cookware investment.
- What it is: Premium, professional-grade cookware featuring a hybrid stainless steel and non-stick surface.
- Key features: Patented hexagon-etched surface, tri-ply construction (aluminum core between two layers of stainless steel), compatible with metal utensils, PFOA-free, and oven-safe up to 500°F.
- Price: Premium pricing. An 8" fry pan starts around $100, a 12" pan can be over $150, and sets range from $400 to over $1,000.
- Style: Sleek and industrial with a distinct, tech-forward hexagonal pattern. It looks and feels like professional restaurant cookware.
- Materials/Construction: The body is tri-ply stainless steel and aluminum. The non-stick coating sits in the "valleys" of the hexagon design, while the stainless steel "peaks" provide searing power and scratch resistance.
- Pros: Extremely durable and scratch-resistant. Combines the best of stainless steel searing with non-stick ease. Excellent heat distribution and retention. Backed by a lifetime warranty.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive than Our Place. Heavier than traditional non-stick pans. The textured surface can require a bit more effort to clean than a perfectly smooth non-stick pan.
This cookware is built for the passionate home chef who wants professional-level results, extreme durability, and is willing to invest in pieces that will last for years.
Shop this brand: hexclad.com
Our Place vs. HexClad Comparison
Materials & Construction
The primary difference lies in their core construction. Our Place uses a cast aluminum body with a sprayed-on ceramic non-stick cooking surface. This build makes it lightweight and a quick, even heater, but the coating is its weak point over the long term. It is best used with non-metal utensils and medium heat to preserve its lifespan.
HexClad's tri-ply stainless steel and aluminum construction is engineered for durability and superior heat control. The laser-etched hexagons protect the non-stick material in the recessed areas, allowing you to use metal utensils without scratching and achieve a hard sear on the raised steel, something a traditional non-stick pan can't do. HexClad's build is far more robust and designed to withstand heavy use.
Durability & Maintenance
HexClad has a clear advantage in durability. The stainless steel construction prevents warping, and the hybrid surface is scratch-resistant and backed by a lifetime warranty. While it's dishwasher safe, handwashing is often recommended to maintain its peak performance. The textured surface sometimes requires a scrub pad for stubborn food bits.
Our Place is less durable by design. The ceramic non-stick coating requires careful handling - no metal utensils, no extreme temperature changes, and no dishwasher. Over time, the coating will naturally degrade, which is a common characteristic of most ceramic non-stick pans. Cleaning is initially effortless, but as the coating wears, it can become more difficult.
Style & Aesthetics
This is Our Place's strongest category. Their pans are beautifully designed with an eye-pleasing silhouette and are available in a curated palette of chic, modern colors. They are made to be seen, whether on your stove, your dining table, or your kitchen shelf. The aesthetic is warm, inviting, and lifestyle-focused.
HexClad has a professional, high-performance aesthetic. The polished steel handles and sleek black hexagonal pattern look like something you’d find in a high-end restaurant kitchen. The style communicates function and precision rather than cozy, decorative appeal. It works best in modern, transitional, or industrial-style kitchens.
Price & Value
Our Place offers a great value proposition for what it is: a beautiful, multifunctional piece for casual cooking at a mid-range price point of around $145. However, because its lifespan is inherently limited by the non-stick coating, it may need to be replaced sooner, impacting its long-term value.
HexClad is a significant upfront investment. While much more expensive, its lifetime warranty and durable construction mean it could be the last set of pans you buy. For serious cooks, the value comes from its longevity and superior performance, justifying the premium price.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both brands offer great products, but they are built for entirely different priorities and cooking styles.
Choose Our Place if:
- Aesthetics are a top priority, and you want cookware that doubles as serveware.
- You live in a small apartment or have minimal kitchen storage.
- You primarily cook simple, everyday meals like eggs, stir-fries, and pasta.
- You are careful with your cookware and avoid using metal utensils or high heat.
- You are looking for an affordable, stylish entry into quality cookware.
Choose HexClad if:
- Durability and long-term performance are your main concerns.
- You enjoy searing meat, fish, and vegetables at high heat.
- You want the flexibility to use metal utensils without fear of scratching.
- You're an enthusiastic home cook looking for professional-grade results.
- You view your cookware as a long-term investment and are willing to pay for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Our Place and HexClad?
The main difference is the material and intended use. Our Place uses a standard aluminum pan with a smooth ceramic non-stick coating designed for style and convenience in everyday cooking. HexClad uses a hybrid of stainless steel and non-stick on a durable tri-ply body for high-performance searing and long-term durability.
Can you use metal utensils on Our Place and HexClad pans?
No, you should never use metal utensils on Our Place pans, as it will scratch and ruin the ceramic non-stick coating. In contrast, HexClad is explicitly designed to be metal-utensil safe due to its stainless steel peaks that protect the recessed non-stick layer.
Which pan is easier to clean?
Initially, an Our Place pan is incredibly easy to clean because of its smooth, slick surface. However, as the coating wears, it can become less non-stick. HexClad is also easy to clean, but its textured surface can take slightly more effort for certain foods than a brand-new ceramic non-stick.
Are Our Place and HexClad cookware oven-safe?
HexClad cookware is oven-safe up to 500°F, making it very versatile for searing a dish on the stovetop and then finishing it in the oven. The Our Place Always Pan is not designed for oven use.
Which brand is better for a beginner cook?
Our Place is more beginner-friendly due to its simple, fully non-stick surface, which is forgiving for delicate foods like eggs and fish. Its multifunctionality also simplifies the cooking process for someone just starting to build their kitchen toolkit.
Which is more durable in the long run?
HexClad is significantly more durable. Its tri-ply stainless steel construction and scratch-resistant hybrid surface are designed to last a lifetime, which is supported by their warranty. An Our Place pan's lifespan is tied to its ceramic coating, which will degrade over a few years of regular use.
Is the non-stick coating safe on both brands?
Yes, both brands use coatings that are free from PFOA, PFOS, and other harmful chemicals. Our Place uses a ceramic-based non-stick surface, while HexClad's non-stick material is PFOA-free inside its hybrid design.
Which brand is better for searing a steak?
HexClad is far superior for searing. The stainless steel component of its hybrid surface allows it to get incredibly hot and create the perfect crust on meats and vegetables, something a ceramic non-stick surface like the one on the Always Pan cannot achieve without potential long-term damage to the coating.
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