Is M&S’s €35 Pan Malta’s Budget Answer to the €145 Always Pan?
For Maltese home cooks, choosing the right kitchen tools is essential for creating nutritious, Mediterranean-inspired meals. This article compares two popular options: the €145 Our Place Always Pan and the €35 M&S All-in-One Saucepan. The Always Pan impresses with its sleek design, multifunctionality, and non-toxic ceramic coating, making it ideal for compact kitchens and creative cooking techniques like stovetop-to-oven transitions. Meanwhile, the M&S pan offers affordability, a larger capacity, and dishwasher-safe convenience, making it perfect for families or meal preppers. Both pans excel in non-stick performance, supporting healthier cooking with minimal oil. Ultimately, the choice depends on priorities—versatility and style versus practicality and value—helping Maltese food lovers prepare vibrant, nutrient-rich meals inspired by local culinary traditions.
Is M&S’s €35 Pan as Good as Our Place’s Viral €145 Always Pan? We Put Them to the Test
For food lovers in Malta, the kitchen is more than just a place to cook—it’s the heart of the home. Whether you’re whipping up a quick Mediterranean-inspired meal or preparing a healthy feast for friends and family, having the right tools is essential. One of the most talked-about kitchen tools in recent years has been the Our Place Always Pan, a multi-functional kitchen companion that has taken social media by storm. But is it worth the €145 price tag? Marks & Spencer (M&S) has entered the game with its own budget-friendly alternative, the All-in-One Saucepan, priced at just €35. Could this be a better option for those of us who value practicality and affordability without sacrificing quality? After months of testing, here’s what we found—and how these pans might fit into your healthy cooking routine in Malta.
The Our Place Always Pan: Sleek, Versatile, and Perfect for Compact Kitchens
The Our Place Always Pan earned its bestseller status for good reason. This pan is a multitasking powerhouse, capable of sautéing, frying, steaming, boiling, braising, and even baking or roasting. Its oven-safe design adds incredible versatility, especially for dishes requiring a stovetop-to-oven transition. Imagine preparing a baked eggplant parmigiana or a seared fish fillet that finishes roasting in the oven—this pan makes it seamless.
The Always Pan’s design is as striking as its functionality. With a modern matte finish and color options that could complement the most stylish Sliema apartment or a cozy Gozo farmhouse, it’s as much a statement piece as it is a cooking tool. But its beauty isn’t just skin-deep; the thoughtful design includes a notch on the handle to rest its beechwood spatula, keeping your counters clean.
When it comes to healthy cooking, the Always Pan shines. Its ceramic non-stick coating, made without harmful chemicals like PFA, lead, or cadmium, ensures your food stays free from toxins. Plus, the non-stick surface requires minimal oil, making it ideal for those aiming to reduce fat in their diet. Whether you're frying eggs for a protein-packed breakfast or sautéing fresh, seasonal Maltese vegetables like zucchini and cherry tomatoes, this pan performs beautifully. However, it does come with limitations—Our Place recommends using it only on low to medium heat, so high-heat searing (e.g., steak) is off the table.
At 26.7cm in diameter and 7cm deep, the Always Pan is compact, making it perfect for smaller kitchens in urban Maltese homes. While its 2.4L capacity may not suit large families, it’s ideal for couples or individuals focused on fresh, portion-controlled meals.
The M&S All-in-One Saucepan: Affordable, Spacious, and Family-Friendly
Enter the M&S All-in-One Saucepan. At just €35, this pan offers a budget-friendly alternative with plenty of features to love. Its larger size (28cm in diameter and 22cm deep) and generous 4.2L capacity make it a great choice for preparing family-sized meals or batch cooking for the week ahead. Think hearty minestrone soup, a Maltese lampuki stew, or a big batch of quinoa and roasted veggies for meal prep—it’s got you covered.
While it doesn’t have the oven-to-stovetop versatility of the Always Pan, the M&S option excels in other areas. Its plastic handles stay cool to the touch, making it safe and easy to handle while cooking. This is especially handy for multitasking parents cooking for kids or hosting a casual dinner party. The pan’s ergonomic design includes a smaller helper handle, making it easier to lift even when filled to capacity.
The non-stick coating on the M&S pan is impressive for its price point, allowing you to cook healthier meals with less oil. Frying an egg, sautéing fish, or stir-frying nutrient-packed greens like kale or Swiss chard is a breeze. And while it may not crisp up food as well as the Always Pan, it’s still a solid performer for everyday cooking.
One of the standout features for busy families or anyone living a fast-paced lifestyle is that the M&S pan is dishwasher-safe—a rarity at this price point. However, its larger size can make it awkward to clean by hand in a smaller sink, something to consider if you’re working with limited kitchen space.
Comparing Key Features: Which Pan Wins?
Multifunctionality
The Always Pan’s ability to go from stovetop to oven is a game-changer for Maltese foodies who love experimenting with recipes. Whether it’s roasting local potatoes with rosemary or braising a fennel dish, this pan supports more advanced cooking techniques. On the other hand, the M&S pan’s larger size and deeper capacity make it better suited for big families or meal preppers.
Non-Stick Performance
Both pans excel in non-stick performance, making them great for healthy cooking. However, the Always Pan’s proprietary ceramic coating felt slightly more durable and performed better in low-oil cooking. That said, the M&S pan’s coating gets the job done effectively for a fraction of the price.
Ease of Cleaning
The M&S pan wins here with its dishwasher-safe design, perfect for those who dread scrubbing pots and pans. While the Always Pan requires handwashing, its smooth surface makes cleanup relatively quick.
Price Point
Let’s face it—€145 for the Always Pan is a serious investment, particularly when compared to the €35 M&S pan. If you’re equipping your kitchen on a budget, the M&S option is hard to beat for value.
Our Verdict: Which Pan is Right for You?
The Our Place Always Pan ultimately takes the crown for its versatility and design, especially for those with smaller kitchens or a passion for creative cooking. However, its higher price may be off-putting for some. If affordability and capacity are your top priorities—perhaps you’re cooking for a family of five or love hosting Sunday lunches—the M&S All-in-One Saucepan is a fantastic option.
For Maltese home cooks embracing a healthy lifestyle, both pans offer excellent tools for creating nutritious meals. Whether you’re preparing fresh fish from Marsaxlokk market, locally grown vegetables, or hearty Mediterranean soups, these pans prove that healthy cooking can be both stylish and practical.
How We Tested
Over four months, we tested these pans extensively, cooking a variety of dishes inspired by the flavors of Malta and the Mediterranean. From frying eggs and steaming dumplings to braising cabbage and boiling pasta, we explored how each pan performed under different conditions. We also considered how their features aligned with the needs of health-conscious home cooks, such as non-toxic materials and ease of use.
Final Thoughts: Tools for a Healthy Maltese Kitchen
Healthy eating starts with the right tools, and both the Always Pan and M&S All-in-One Saucepan have plenty to offer. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a crowd, these pans can help you prepare delicious, nutrient-rich meals that celebrate Malta’s vibrant culinary heritage.