Even if you don't know its name, you've probably seen the Always Pan online. Described as "Le Creuset for millennials," the nonstick pan famously claims to be able to replace 10 utensils thanks to its high edges, compatible steaming basket, and built-in spoon rest. But in a development that even a cooking enthusiast like myself did not see coming, Our Place has introduced the new and improved Always Pan Pro.

The Always Pan Pro does away with the non-stick coating and instead uses the brand's new "NoCo" technology. This promises "the convenience of a non-stick effect and the high heat searing benefits of stainless steel or cast iron" by pressing a pattern into the pan's titanium interior.

Distinct from the somewhat maintenance-intensive OG Always Pan, the Always Pan Pro can be placed in top-of-the-line dishwashers, can be exposed to heat up to 1000°F, and can be used with metal utensils during cooking. The classic wooden spoon that comes with every Always Pan can be stored in the convenient spoon rest. Plus, they come with a lifetime warranty and will last as long as the best cast iron skillets.

The Always Pan has developed a cult following, but my main complaint when I first tried it was that it was hard to maintain. The original Always Pan could not be put in the oven or dishwasher, and the brand recommended using it on low heat.

My concerns were somewhat addressed when Our Place launched Always Pan 2.0. However, Our Place's latest release may be its most innovative to date. Billed as "virtually indestructible," the Always Pan Pro completely eschews non-stick coatings and pastel-colored exteriors, and instead uses timeless three-layer stainless steel. Its interior features new "NoCo™" technology, which promises "non-stick stainless steel searing power."

My first impression of the Always Pan Pro was that this is what happens when Always Pan and HexClad frying pans have a baby. Instead of coating the pan with a nonstick layer, Always Pan Pro features a geometric and natural nonstick construction. 11]

According to the brand, "the pattern pressed into the titanium makes the surface naturally hydrophobic, thus creating a non-stick effect."

The non-stick layer is then applied to the pan, which is then used to coat the pan with a non-stick layer.

The Always Pan Pro makes a lot of impressive claims, but as someone who has tested some of the top performing cookware on the market, I was a bit skeptical about its performance. My first impression upon taking it out of the box was that it felt a bit flimsy. The lid doesn't have the weight that is generally associated with a high quality frying pan, and it wouldn't be an all-ways pan without the classic spoon rest, but I was still concerned about it hanging over the edge of the handle. Eliminating the wooden spoon would have made this a more upscale frying pan.

Complaints aside, I would definitely add the Always Pan Pro to my regular rotation; to get an idea of how well the NoCo technology works, I pan-fried some marinated chicken and was utterly amazed. Past the honeycomb pattern left by the grooves in the pan, the chicken was still nicely charred, and the charred marinade flaked off the inside of the pan without any effort.

I'll continue testing the "Always Pan Pro" before a detailed review, but if you want to order one before it sells out, here's my tentative endorsement.