The main differences between the Our Place Always Pan 2.0 and the GreenPan Rio ceramic fry pan are price, functionality, oven temperature rating, stovetop compatibility, and what comes in the box. The Always Pan 2.0 costs $135 and does ten things — it braises, steams, strains, sears, and fries, and it comes with a lid, steamer basket, and spatula. The GreenPan Rio costs $29.99, does one thing — fry — and does it decently well. That $105 gap is the whole story, honestly. Which one wins depends entirely on what you actually need.
Quick Verdict — Our Place Always Pan 2.0 vs GreenPan Rio
No time? Here’s the short version.
Feature
Always Pan 2.0 (10.5″)
GreenPan Rio (10″)
Price
$135.00
$29.99
Coating
Thermakind™ ceramic
Thermolon™ diamond-reinforced
Oven safe
450°F
350°F
Dishwasher safe
No
Yes
Induction compatible
Yes
Not confirmed
Accessories
Lid + steamer basket + spatula
None
Colors
6
4
Warranty
Not stated
Limited lifetime
Go with the Always Pan 2.0 if you cook a variety of meals, have an induction stovetop, and want one pan to handle most of your kitchen tasks. The accessories add real value if you’d be buying a lid and steamer separately.
Go with the GreenPan Rio if you want a no-fuss PFAS-free ceramic fry pan, want dishwasher convenience, and don’t need — or want to pay for — anything beyond a solid, affordable pan.
What Is the Our Place Always Pan 2.0 — And Is It Actually Worth $135?
Our Place launched as a direct-to-consumer brand with a very specific bet: that home cooks were tired of a cabinet stuffed with single-purpose cookware. The Always Pan is that bet made physical. It’s beautiful, it’s multi-functional, and it’s priced like a lifestyle product — because it is one. Whether the performance backs up the brand identity is the question worth asking.
The 2.0 version is an upgrade on the original — same iconic shape, but with a recycled aluminum body and an updated Thermakind™ ceramic nonstick coating. Six colors. Genuinely beautiful. The kind of pan people photograph.
Stovetops: Electric coil, gas, induction, smooth surface non-induction — all of them
Colors: Steam, Char, Blue Salt, Forget-Me-Not Blue, Sage, Spice
At 10.5″ with a 2.6 qt capacity, it’s genuinely versatile for a family of two to four. And the round shape with higher sides than a standard fry pan makes braising and simmering actually workable — not just a marketing claim.
Key Features
Here’s what separates this pan from every other ceramic fry pan in this comparison: it comes with stuff. Real, useful stuff.
Modular domed lid — locks in moisture, vents on command for steam release
Steamer basket that doubles as a colander — fits inside the pan perfectly
Nesting beechwood spatula — designed specifically for the pan’s surface
Thermakind™ ceramic nonstick (PTFE-free, PFAS-free, lead and cadmium free)
Oven safe to 450°F
Works on all stovetop types including induction
Made from recycled aluminum — notably the most eco-conscious construction in this comparison
Hand wash only
The non-toxic angle matters more than most people realize. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found PFAS in the blood of 97% of Americans. Switching to PFAS-free cookware is a meaningful, practical step. Both pans here skip PFAS entirely — but that’s still worth calling out.
Hand washing is mandatory. Not optional, not loosely suggested. Put this pan in the dishwasher and you’ll shorten its life considerably.
$135 is a lot for a ceramic pan — especially with no stated nonstick warranty
Hand wash only — the lid and steamer basket too
450°F oven rating is lower than some competitors
Some buyers report coating chipping with regular use
Not ideal for aggressive high-heat cooking or searing
Who Should Actually Buy the Always Pan 2.0?
Honestly? This pan is for you if you hate clutter and want one pan to do most of the heavy lifting in your kitchen. If you steam vegetables regularly, braise proteins, and want something that looks good sitting out on the stove — this is your pan. If you just want to fry an egg in the morning and move on with your life, you’re paying $105 too much.
What Is the GreenPan Rio — And Does Cheap Mean Bad?
GreenPan isn’t a new brand trying to capitalize on the non-toxic cookware trend. They’re one of the original brands that started it. GreenPan launched in 2007 and is credited with introducing the first PFAS-free ceramic nonstick coating — Thermolon™ — to the market. The Rio is their entry-level line. No frills. No accessories. Just a very affordable ceramic fry pan with a diamond-reinforced coating and a dishwasher-safe rating.
At $29.99 for a 10″ pan — yes, that price is real.
Stovetops: Electric coil, gas (induction not listed)
Colors: Black, Turquoise, Pink, Red
Weight: 1.7 lbs — one of the lightest ceramic fry pans you’ll find
Two sizes. Four colors. Flat-bottomed. Bakelite handle that stays cool on the stovetop. The look is approachable and functional rather than premium — which is fine, because the price matches the aesthetic.
Key Features
The Thermolon™ coating is the real story here. GreenPan was founded specifically to create this coating as a safe alternative to PTFE. According to GreenPan’s own product safety documentation, Thermolon™ coatings are confirmed by independent accredited laboratories to not emit any toxic fumes even if heated to 850°F — a safety margin that’s genuinely impressive and notably broader than what most competitors claim.
Thermolon™ diamond-reinforced ceramic nonstick — scratch resistance is a practical advantage
PFAS-free, PFOA-free, lead-free, cadmium-free
Heavy-gauge aluminum for even heat distribution
Oven safe to 350°F
Dishwasher safe — rare at this price point
Stay-cool Bakelite handle
Limited lifetime warranty
The diamond reinforcement is worth noting. It adds scratch resistance to what is otherwise standard ceramic — not a titanium-level upgrade, but a real one. And the dishwasher-safe rating at $29.99 is genuinely uncommon in ceramic cookware.
GreenPan Rio Price
10″ — $29.99
12″ — $34.99
Pros and Cons
Pros
$29.99. That’s the whole case for this pan right there
Dishwasher safe — very rare in ceramic pans at any price
Diamond-reinforced Thermolon™ for better scratch resistance than standard ceramic
Won’t emit toxic fumes even if accidentally overheated — a meaningful safety claim
Heavy-gauge construction for even heat
Limited lifetime warranty
1.7 lbs — genuinely lightweight
Cons
350°F oven rating is the lowest in this comparison — real limitation
Induction compatibility not confirmed — if you have induction, verify before buying
Mixed nonstick reviews — some users report sticking and deep scratches with regular use
Bakelite handle rather than stainless steel
Only two sizes available
No accessories, no lid, nothing extra — just the pan
Some coating chipping reported by users
Who Should Buy the GreenPan Rio?
You want a ceramic fry pan without the premium price. You cook on gas or electric. You want the dishwasher to do the cleanup. You’re new to ceramic nonstick and want to try the category before investing more. Or honestly, you just want a solid everyday pan for under $30. The GreenPan Rio covers all of that — no drama.
Our Place Always Pan 2.0 vs GreenPan Rio — Head to Head
Coating Technology: Thermakind™ vs Thermolon™ Diamond
Both coatings are PFAS-free, PTFE-free, and free of lead and cadmium. That’s the baseline. Beyond that, they’re meaningfully different.
Thermolon™ has been around since 2007. It’s the more established coating with a longer track record — GreenPan’s been refining it for nearly two decades and they’re now on their ninth generation. The Rio runs a diamond-reinforced version, which adds scratch resistance to the base ceramic.
Thermakind™ is Our Place’s coating — newer, less publicly documented. The recycled aluminum base is an eco-conscious touch. But the coating lacks the heritage and independent safety testing track record that Thermolon™ has accumulated.
On the health angle: research by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that an estimated 98% of the U.S. population has detectable concentrations of PFAS in their blood, and that even low concentrations can impact the reproductive system, increase cancer risk, and raise cholesterol levels. Both pans skip PFAS entirely — that matters no matter which one you choose.
Nonstick Performance — Daily Cooking Reality
Always Pan 2.0 performs well for everyday cooking — eggs, sautéed vegetables, general stovetop meals. The beechwood spatula included is designed specifically for the surface and signals the correct way to use it: non-metal utensils, low to medium heat.
GreenPan Rio is reliable for the same cooking tasks early on. Mixed reviews on longevity — some users report eggs sticking after the initial use period. Per a comprehensive review and safety guide for GreenPan cookware, the nonstick performance of Thermolon typically lasts one to three years with proper care, with misuse — especially high heat or cooking sprays — shortening that considerably.
Both pans share the same ceiling. Ceramic cookware doesn’t last forever. Use low to medium heat, use oil, use non-metal utensils, and you’ll get the best out of either one.
Multi-Functionality — The Biggest Differentiator in This Comparison
This is where the comparison isn’t even close.
Always Pan 2.0: Braise. Sear. Steam. Strain. Sauté. Fry. Boil. Bake. Roast. Serve. Lid included. Steamer basket included. Spatula included. One pan genuinely replaces a fry pan, sauté pan, steamer, and colander.
If reducing cookware clutter is the goal, the Always Pan 2.0 makes a compelling case for the price difference. If you already have a sauté pan, a steamer, and a colander and just need a ceramic fry pan — you’re paying for functionality you don’t need.
Oven Compatibility
Always Pan 2.0: 450°F. GreenPan Rio: 350°F. A 100°F gap — meaningful for finishing frittatas, roasting vegetables, or any cooking that moves from stovetop to oven.
Neither pan is broil-rated. But the Always Pan 2.0 gives you significantly more range in the oven.
Stovetop Compatibility
Always Pan 2.0 works on every stovetop — gas, electric, induction, smooth surface. Full stop.
GreenPan Rio lists electric coil and gas. Induction compatibility is not confirmed in the product specs. If you cook on induction — and more people do every year — verify before buying the Rio.
Cleaning — Dishwasher vs Hand Wash
GreenPan Rio: dishwasher safe. The Always Pan 2.0: hand wash only — and that applies to the lid, steamer basket, and spatula too. If you’re someone who relies on the dishwasher after cooking, this is a significant practical difference.
Winner here: GreenPan Rio, without question.
Weight and Handling
GreenPan Rio at 1.7 lbs is one of the lightest ceramic fry pans on the market. The Always Pan 2.0 doesn’t publish a weight, but the recycled aluminum construction keeps it in the lightweight category too. Both handle well. The stay-cool Bakelite handle on the Rio is comfortable and practical. The stainless steel handle on the Always Pan 2.0 is more durable long term — stainless won’t degrade the way plastic-based handles eventually can.
Price — The Number That Tells the Story
Pan
Price
Always Pan 2.0 (10.5″)
$135.00
GreenPan Rio (10″)
$29.99
Difference
$105.01
The Always Pan 2.0 is 4.5 times the price of the GreenPan Rio. For that premium you get: multi-functionality, a lid, a steamer basket, a spatula, induction compatibility, a higher oven rating, recycled aluminum construction, and six color options. If you’d use all of that — the price makes sense. If you just want a ceramic fry pan, it absolutely does not.
Design and Aesthetics
Our Place: Steam, Char, Blue Salt, Forget-Me-Not Blue, Sage, Spice. Iconic silhouette. A pan that photographs well and looks intentional sitting on any stove. It’s a lifestyle product and it looks like one.
GreenPan Rio: Black, Turquoise, Pink, Red. Cheerful and approachable. Not premium looking. But at $29.99, no one is buying it for the aesthetic.
Always Pan 2.0 wins on design. Decisively.
What Customers Actually Say About Both Pans
Our Place Always Pan 2.0 — 3,169 Amazon Ratings, 4.3 Stars
What buyers love:
Looks exactly as beautiful in person as it does in photos — mentioned constantly
Cooks evenly, eggs release well right out of the box
Steamer basket and lid are genuinely useful additions, not gimmicks
Feels premium, well-made, worth displaying
What frustrates them:
Some coating chipping reported with regular use — a meaningful concern at $135
Hand wash requirement is inconvenient for everyday use
A few buyers feel it’s overpriced for aluminum construction without a nonstick warranty
Not for high-heat cooking — performs poorly if you push it
GreenPan Rio — 7,996 Amazon Ratings, 4.4 Stars
That’s a lot of reviews. And 4.4 stars at $29.99 is genuinely impressive.
What buyers love:
Value for money is mentioned almost universally in positive reviews
Heats evenly, food releases cleanly in the early period of use
Dishwasher convenience — buyers really appreciate this
Lightweight and easy to handle daily
What frustrates them:
Eggs sticking is the most common complaint — often linked to improper heat management
Deep scratches on the surface reported by multiple buyers (metal utensil use, likely)
Coating chipping reported by some
Nonstick performance inconsistency over time
A note on ceramic cookware longevity — relevant to both pans. A 2024 study published in Medical News Today found that ceramic-coated cookware showed fewer signs of wear compared to PTFE-coated cookware at similar temperature exposure — but prolonged heating above 482°F affected the internal structures of all tested pans. Both pans here perform best kept well below that threshold.
Our Place Always Pan 2.0 vs GreenPan Rio — Final Verdict by Category
Best for Multi-Functionality → Always Pan 2.0
Nothing in this comparison touches it. Ten cooking functions, lid, steamer basket, spatula — if you want one pan to do most of your cooking, this is it.
Best Value Ceramic Fry Pan → GreenPan Rio
$29.99 with a diamond-reinforced coating, dishwasher compatibility, and a lifetime warranty. The value is hard to argue with.
Best for Oven Use → Always Pan 2.0
450°F versus 350°F. Clear win for anything that finishes in the oven.
Best for Induction Stovetops → Always Pan 2.0
Confirmed induction compatible. GreenPan Rio doesn’t confirm this — don’t assume.
Best for Dishwasher Convenience → GreenPan Rio
Dishwasher safe at $29.99. The Always Pan 2.0 is hand wash only. No contest.
Best Aesthetics → Always Pan 2.0
Six colorways, iconic silhouette, premium lifestyle brand presence. It’s not close.
Best for Simple Daily Frying → GreenPan Rio
No accessories to manage, no hand washing requirement, no premium price. Just a reliable ceramic pan that does the job.
