Is M&S’s £30 Pan Malta’s Best Budget Pick vs £125 Always Pan?
Comparing the Our Place Always Pan (£125) and the M&S All-in-One Saucepan (£30) reveals two versatile cookware options suited to different needs. The Always Pan stands out for its multifunctionality, eco-friendly materials, and compact design, making it ideal for health-conscious cooks in Malta who value sustainable living and space-saving tools. Its ceramic non-stick coating and oven-safe capability are perfect for preparing Mediterranean-inspired dishes with minimal oil. On the other hand, the M&S pan offers excellent value for money with its larger capacity, dishwasher-safe design, and ability to handle high heat, catering to families or those cooking in bulk. While the Always Pan excels in style and versatility, the M&S pan is a practical, budget-friendly choice for everyday cooking. Both options reflect Malta’s emphasis on nutritious, homemade meals inspired by its Mediterranean culinary heritage.
Title: "Comparing M&S’s Affordable £30 Pan to Our Place’s Viral £125 Always Pan: Which is Better for Your Healthy Cooking Needs?"
When it comes to equipping your kitchen with versatile cookware, the right pan can make all the difference—especially if you’re committed to preparing healthy, homemade meals. In Malta, where Mediterranean cuisine thrives and fresh, local ingredients like olive oil, vegetables, and seafood are abundant, having reliable kitchen tools is essential for crafting nutritious dishes. Today, we’re comparing two popular options: the viral Our Place Always Pan (£125) and the budget-friendly M&S All-in-One Saucepan (£30). Let’s see how they stack up for home cooks who prioritize health, efficiency, and style.
Why the Always Pan Has Taken the Internet by Storm
The Our Place Always Pan has achieved cult status since its launch, and it’s no wonder. This multifunctional pan is designed to handle nearly every cooking technique you can think of—sautéing, frying, searing, steaming, boiling, braising, and even baking. For those in Malta who value space-saving kitchen tools (especially in smaller apartments or homes), the Always Pan is a dream come true. Its sleek design and trendy color options make it a standout addition to any kitchen, particularly if you appreciate modern aesthetics.
Beyond its good looks, the Always Pan is made from post-consumer recycled aluminum and features a ceramic non-stick coating free from potentially harmful chemicals like PFA, lead, and cadmium. This aligns perfectly with Malta’s growing focus on sustainable living and healthier cooking practices. The pan’s oven-safe capability (up to 230°C) adds even more versatility, allowing you to prepare one-pot meals like roasted vegetables or braised fish—both staples of Mediterranean diets known for promoting heart health and longevity.
Enter the M&S All-in-One Saucepan: A Budget-Friendly Contender
Earlier this year, Marks & Spencer introduced its own take on multifunctional cookware: the All-in-One Saucepan. Retailing at just £30, this pan quickly garnered excellent reviews and sold out in both available color options—charcoal and natural. Designed for deep frying, steaming, searing, sautéing, and braising, the M&S pan offers great functionality at a fraction of the price of the Always Pan. For families in Malta who often prepare larger meals or batch-cook for the week, the M&S pan’s generous 4.2-litre capacity is a clear advantage compared to the Always Pan’s 2.4-litre limit.
However, the M&S pan is not oven-safe, as it features smooth plastic handles and a plastic lid knob. While this makes the pan easier to handle when hot, it does limit its versatility for recipes that require stove-to-oven cooking. For instance, dishes like Maltese-style baked rice or oven-roasted vegetables would be better suited to the Always Pan.
Performance and Practicality: How Do They Cook?
To truly compare these pans, it’s essential to evaluate their performance in everyday cooking scenarios. Over several months, both pans were tested with a variety of dishes—from simple recipes like fried eggs and steamed dumplings to more elaborate creations like braised cabbage and stir-fried vegetables.
Non-Stick Coating
The Always Pan’s ceramic non-stick coating excelled in every test. When frying eggs with minimal olive oil (a key ingredient in Mediterranean cooking), the egg glided effortlessly across the surface, achieving a slightly crisp edge without sticking. This makes it an excellent choice for health-conscious cooks who want to reduce oil usage without sacrificing flavor or texture. However, the pan does come with specific usage guidelines: it should only be used on low to medium heat, which limits its ability to sear foods like steak.
The M&S pan also offers an effective non-stick coating, although it doesn’t deliver the same crisp results as the Always Pan. On the plus side, it can handle higher temperatures, making it more suitable for quick frying and searing. This is a bonus for those who enjoy preparing traditional Maltese dishes like lampuki or rabbit stew, which often require higher heat for browning ingredients.
Steaming Function
Both pans come equipped with steamer baskets, which are ideal for preparing light, healthy meals like steamed fish or vegetables. The Always Pan has an edge here, thanks to its thoughtfully designed spout that allows excess water to be poured out with ease. This feature simplifies water management during steaming, ensuring your food retains its nutrients and flavor without becoming waterlogged. The M&S pan lacks this spout, making it slightly trickier to manage water levels, especially given its larger size.
Versatility and Capacity
For smaller households or those living in compact spaces, the Always Pan’s compact size is a major advantage. It’s perfect for preparing modest portions, whether you’re whipping up a hearty minestrone soup or a quick sauté of seasonal vegetables sourced from Malta’s farmers' markets. On the other hand, the M&S pan’s larger size and deeper design make it ideal for feeding bigger groups, whether you’re hosting a Sunday lunch with friends or meal-prepping for the week ahead.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The Always Pan requires hand washing, but its smooth surface makes cleanup easy and quick. For those who prefer the convenience of a dishwasher, the M&S pan is the better option—it’s dishwasher-safe and easy to clean, even after cooking messier dishes like stews or curries. However, its larger size might be cumbersome to wash in smaller sinks, which is worth considering if kitchen space is limited.
The Verdict: Which Pan is Right for You?
Choosing between the Our Place Always Pan and the M&S All-in-One Saucepan ultimately depends on your cooking habits, kitchen space, and budget.
If you’re a health-conscious cook living in Malta and enjoy experimenting with recipes that require multiple cooking techniques, the Always Pan is the clear winner. Its oven-safe design and sustainable materials make it a valuable investment for those who prioritize eco-friendly and versatile kitchenware. Plus, its compact size is ideal for smaller Maltese kitchens.
On the other hand, if you’re cooking for a larger household or need a reliable pan at an affordable price point, the M&S All-in-One Saucepan offers excellent value for money. Its large capacity, dishwasher-safe design, and ability to handle high heat make it a practical choice for busy families who want to prepare healthy, home-cooked meals without breaking the bank.
Final Thoughts
In Malta, where food is both a cultural treasure and a cornerstone of health, having the right tools in your kitchen can elevate your culinary experience. Whether you choose the Always Pan or the M&S All-in-One Saucepan, both options offer unique benefits that can help you create delicious, wholesome meals inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle. So, which pan will you choose to bring out the best in your cooking?