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There's a meme about how being a mom just means answering, what's for dinner? on repeat for 18 years. I have never related to anything so much in my life.
When 5:30pm rolls around, you will almost always find me staring at the contents of my fridge, trying to come up with something (quickly!) that my kids will actually eat. It’s like a busy parent’s version of Groundhog Day.
The only thing — besides takeout pizza — that has made mealtime easier is having the right tools at my disposal. That’s why Our Place's Wonder Oven and Ceramic Cookware Duo have both earned a permanent spot in my kitchen.
Together, they've become my secret weapon for getting dinner on the table faster, with less cleanup and fewer pans to juggle. Here's why Our Place is an investment that makes sense for any parent who craves an easier, stress-free mealtime.
We like
- Both products are multi-functional, replacing multiple appliances and cookware
- Our Place products are non-stick and totally non-toxic, made without PFAS, PFOA, lead or cadmium.
- Visually designed to actually look good on a counter — available in a range of considered, muted colorways
- Unique steam infusion technology in the Wonder Oven, which delivers enhanced results, better than a standard air fryer
- Perfect Pot is a third of the weight of a traditional Dutch oven, while providing the same benefits
- 100 Day trial and 1-year limited warranty
- Free shipping and returns
We don't like
- Must remember to use low to medium heat with the Cookware Duo
- The Our Place pan is not oven safe
- All products not dishwasher safe
Two Must-Haves for Busy Parents
We recently moved into a new house with limited counter space and even more limited under-cabinet storage. What isn't taken up by math worksheets and spelling tests is coveted real estate, which means every appliance on my counter has to prove its worth.
The Wonder Oven and Ceramic Cookware Duo unequivocally do – so much so that I've already ditched our years-old eyesore of a toaster oven and a set of pots with peeling "non-stick" coating that I should’ve let go of ages ago.
And unlike most kitchen appliances that are drab black or grey, Our Place products are actually nice to look at. Both come in Our Place's signature colorways, from the limited-edition Vanilla Bean to Blue Salt to Butter Yellow. The gorgeous aesthetics and colorways are a preview to the considered materials underneath.
Our Place's proprietary ceramic non-stick coating is always made without PFAS, PFOA, lead, or cadmium. With Our Place, I don’t have to worry about forever chemicals leaching into food, as their entire line is made with non-toxic materials. I tend to read nutrition labels religiously, so it was only natural that I apply the same standards to what I’m actually cooking with.
Part of Austin’s “healthifying” routine often involves her air fryer. She loves the Our Place Wonder Oven, which has the look of a chic ’50’s-era appliance but works like a modern-day air fryer with 6 cooking modes for crisping things up without tons of oil.
We like
We don't like
A Wonder Oven That Lives Up to Its Name
Before the Wonder Oven, I had a decades old toaster oven and an air fryer. I loved the air fryer, but it was about the size of a small child and was good for air frying exclusively.
The Wonder Oven miraculously replaced both. I tell everyone who will listen that it’s like the Swiss Army knife of kitchen appliances: a 6-in-1 that air fries, bakes, roasts, toasts, broils, and reheats. It's compact enough to actually fit on my counter, and intuitive enough that my 6-year-old can make his own toast in the morning (new parenting level unlocked).
While I have enjoyed the Wonder Oven’s many features, the steam infusion deserves a special moment. One to two teaspoons of water added to the tray creates crispy outsides and juicy insides that my older, standard air fryer simply couldn’t pull off. It makes a huge difference when reheating leftovers, which I do often. Bravo.
Why I’m a Ceramic Cookware Convert
Just like I couldn’t bear to give away some of my kids’ beloved baby clothes, I held onto my old pots longer than I should have. The non-stick coating was visibly peeling, but I just never prioritized replacing them. I wish I had tried Our Place’s Ceramic Cookware Duo sooner.
The duo features two longtime Our Place favorites: the Always Pan and the Perfect Pot. You’ve probably heard of the mega-viral Always Pan before. It’s designed to replace eight separate tools – a frying pan, sauté pan, steamer, skillet, saucier, saucepan, non-stick pan, and spoon rest – and has garnered a lot of praise for its functionality and minimalism.
The Perfect Pot is also multi-functional. At a third of the weight of a traditional Dutch oven, it moves easily from stovetop to oven to table, making it more versatile and easier to manage than most of the pots taking up space in the average kitchen cabinet.
Putting Them to the Test
Before having kids, I used to make elaborate dishes. Now, my process is much simpler (the meltdown-averse moms get it). These tools have reminded me of the joys of cooking, and I’ve been using them constantly:
Wonder Oven
- Breakfast: On the days we aren't doing cereal, my kids make their own toast in the Wonder Oven (it's that easy to use). And, I’ll often make big batches of pumpkin waffles on Sundays, which they reheat themselves during the week — a life saver when we’re running out the door.
- Lunch: From grilled cheese to heated up leftovers, the Wonder Oven makes for a pan-free (and therefore mess-free) lunchtime. The knobs and settings are intuitive and I can see a day very soon where my kids are able to completely make lunches themselves (hallelujah!).
- Dinner: On our regular rotation: Air-fried sweet potatoes on DIY burrito night, broiled salmon, marinated chicken with a perfectly crispy exterior. All of my family’s go-to meals are made easier thanks to the Wonder Oven. On nights where reheating is the plan, the steam infusion feature means dinner doesn’t take like soggy second-hand leftovers.
I barely turn my oven on anymore. And the fact that my kids can use it solo has been an unexpected, but welcome perk.
Ceramic Cookware Duo
- Breakfast: We recently got into scrambled eggs, which I used to dread making because they'd inevitably weld themselves to my "non-stick" pan. With the Always Pan, cleanup takes about 20 seconds. On the mornings we aren't rushing out the door, I'll have eggs going on the stovetop while toast finishes in the Wonder Oven. My husband has also claimed the Always Pan for his weekend pancake speciality, which I am fully supportive of.
- Lunch: Quesadillas are a staple and the Always Pan gets them perfectly crispy without any oil. I also love the steamer function to heat up frozen dumplings quickly.
- Dinner: I use this duo the most at dinnertime. I can steam vegetables and boil water for butter noodles simultaneously, which if you have kids who are hungry the minute they walk through the door, is a meaningful efficiency. We’ve also recently been on a tofu kick. I lightly coat and pan-fry it in the Always Pan until it's golden and crispy on the outside. The ceramic coating handles it without sticking, and cleanup is genuinely no hassle. If I’m in a rush I’ll sometimes just take a wet paper towel for a quick wipe down. For heavier duty cleaning, I’ve heard that Bar Keeper’s Friend is a must-have to clean any Our Place products.
Meals Made Easier
I know that getting dinner on the table is never going to be effortless, but having the right tools sure makes it a whole lot easier and approachable for families like mine.
Between the Wonder Oven and Ceramic Cookware Duo, I have everything I need to get a full meal on the table, without extra appliances or tools cluttering up my counter in the process.
Turns out the secret to easier weeknight dinners isn't a better recipe or more meal planning – it's better, more efficient tools.
Simplify Your Kitchen and Your Mealtime Routine with Our Place’s Wonder Oven and Ceramic Cookware Set.
