How to Use and Care for Ceramic Nonstick Cookware
Cooking with and caring for Our Place ceramic nonstick cookware
Ceramic nonstick cookware makes home-cooking simpler in so many ways, from morning eggs to slow Sunday braises. Food doesn’t stick to the pan, cleanup takes less time, and the lightweight aluminum body heats quickly and evenly for reliable performance.
At the center of our ceramic nonstick collection is Thermakind®, our exclusive coating made without PFAS, including PTFE and PFOA, as well as lead, cadmium, and microplastics. It pairs the easy release you want from nonstick with the thoughtful materials, considered design, and versatility you expect from Our Place.
This guide walks you through how to use, clean, maintain, and store your Our Place ceramic nonstick cookware. A few simple habits will help protect the cooking surface and keep it performing for years of breakfasts, dinners, and everything in between.
See Our Ceramic Nonstick Cookware in Action →
Meet Thermakind®
Thermakind® is our exclusive ceramic nonstick coating, composed mainly of a sand derivative, water, and alcohol. It’s made without PFAS, including PTFE and PFOA, lead, cadmium, and microplastics, so you can cook with greater confidence every time you turn on the stove.
The smooth surface releases food with very little oil, distributes heat evenly, and cleans up quickly with warm, soapy water. Because our ceramic cookware bodies are made from highly conductive aluminum, they also heat faster than many traditional cookware materials. Low-to-medium heat is usually all you need.
Many Shapes, One Remarkable Nonstick
From our original (and iconic) Always Pan to the wider Dual Handle Always Pan, every piece in our ceramic nonstick collection features the same high-performance, non-toxic Thermakind®.Â
The shape may change depending on what’s cooking, but the fundamentals of using and caring for the ceramic nonstick surface remain the same.
Signature Ceramic Nonstick Cookware
Ceramic Nonstick Always Pan 20 cm
Ceramic Nonstick Always Pan 26 cm
Ceramic Nonstick Always Pan 30 cm
Ceramic Nonstick Dual Handle Always Pan
Ceramic Nonstick Perfect Pot 2.5 L
Ceramic Nonstick Perfect Pot 6 L
Start With Low-to-Medium Heat
Our ceramic nonstick cookware heats quickly, so there’s rarely a reason to turn the burner all the way up. Preheat your pan or pot over low-to-medium heat for about 90 seconds before adding oil, butter, or another cooking fat.
Even with Thermakind® nonstick, a little oil helps food brown evenly and brings more flavor to whatever you’re making. Choose an oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado, olive, or grapeseed oil. Avoid aerosol cooking sprays, which can create a difficult-to-remove residue that affects the surface over time.
Never leave an empty pan or pot over heat for an extended period. Once your cookware is warm, add oil, liquid, or food and get cooking.
Choose the Right Utensils
Wood and food-grade silicone utensils are the best companions for ceramic nonstick cookware. They let you stir, turn, and serve without scratching or wearing down the coating.
Avoid metal utensils, sharp tools, and cutting directly inside the cookware. Our Utensil Essentials, Beechwood Spatulas, and Beechwood Spoons are all designed to work safely with the Thermakind® surface.
From the Stovetop to the Oven
Current-generation Our Place ceramic nonstick cookware bodies are oven-safe up to 232°C, giving you the flexibility to begin a recipe on the stove and finish it in the oven.
Glass lids, including the lid on the Dual Handle Always Pan and lids in the Essentials Collection, are oven-safe up to 218°C. Always remove any nested Beechwood utensils before placing your cookware in the oven.
Handles, knobs, and lids can become hot during cooking. Use oven mitts or Hot Grips when moving cookware from the stovetop or oven.
Daily Cleaning
Learning how to clean an Always Pan, Perfect Pot, or another piece of Our Place ceramic cookware comes down to three simple steps.
First, let the cookware cool completely. Running cold water over a hot pan can cause thermal shock, which may damage the coating or warp the cookware.
Next, hand wash it with warm, soapy water and a soft sponge. Thermakind® releases most food easily, so you shouldn’t need a dishwasher or much scrubbing.
Finally, dry the cookware thoroughly before storing it. Avoid bleach, steel wool, abrasive scouring pads, and harsh cleaning agents, all of which can damage the interior or exterior finish.
For any food that doesn’t rinse away easily, fill the cookware with warm, soapy water and let it soak for 15 to 30 minutes before washing again.
A Deeper Clean
Over time, a thin layer of oil or food residue can build up on the cooking surface and make the nonstick feel less slippery. That doesn’t necessarily mean the coating has worn away. It may simply need a more thorough cleaning.
Sprinkle baking soda across the interior, add a small amount of water to create a paste, and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Gently work the paste across the surface with a soft sponge, then rinse and dry completely.
For residue on the exterior, apply a paste of baking soda and water with a soft sponge. If needed, add a small amount of white vinegar. Wipe clean without using steel wool or abrasive tools.
Regularly removing this buildup will help preserve the release and performance of the Thermakind® surface.
How to Store Ceramic Nonstick Cookware
Ceramic nonstick performs best when its cooking surface is protected between uses. Whenever possible, store your Always Pan, Perfect Pot, or Dual Handle Always Pan side by side on a flat surface or upright in a cookware rack.
If you need to stack or nest your cookware, place a pan protector, soft cloth, or dish towel between each piece. Never place a lid, utensil, or another piece of cookware directly against the unprotected nonstick surface.
Our Essentials Cookware sets include a modular organizer that holds most pieces upright and keeps them within easy reach. The 7 qt. Essentials Stock Pot and its nesting strainer should be stored separately, as they do not fit in the organizer.
Some discoloration and signs of use are natural over time and will not necessarily affect how your cookware performs. Consider them a record of many good meals.
A Few Final Tips
Let your cookware cool completely before cleaning. Cook over low-to-medium heat, and always use a little oil, liquid, or fat. Choose wood or silicone utensils, match the burner to the size of the cookware base, and hand wash each piece with a soft sponge.
Those small habits make a meaningful difference. Treat the Thermakind® surface with care, and your ceramic nonstick cookware will be ready for countless eggs, braises, bowls of pasta, and whatever else is on the menu.
For more guidance, visit our Care & Use hub for tutorials and answers to frequently asked questions. Then show us what you’re making at @ourplace.
Happy cooking, from Our Place to yours.
