Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 stars11" enameled cast iron pan is excellent size for most needs, nice grill marks!
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2021
Looks like some folks have different pans that what is offered..some of which are for cast aluminum. I am reviewing a CAST IRON pan, 11" square.. I have the red square cast iron grill pan, and it meets my expectations. I have a gas stove top, and an electric wall oven. I want to start off with a salient point regarding the info on when/how to use it: So when a pan says that it should be used on a medium/medium low heat on the stove but can be used in an oven up to 450*f, that isn't an odd discrepancy. Direct heat, from a flame (and I will even stay from a coil burner) is different than heat in a oven, which is not direct on the pan. The heat issue is that a high heat directly applied to pan (flame touching pan, or even heat coil), is more apt to have the potential to damage the enamel versus the more dispersed, even, indirect heat an oven would offer. The main thing is to not put a cold pan on a suddenly hot hot flame. Let it come to temp, then go higher.
I have lots of cast iron cookware, including a square cast iron pan (slightly smaller than 11"). I also have a flat skillet, but I rarely use it as it has no handles. I have one copper non stick skillet--11"--exact same size as this, that I used for about a year until the non stick began to flake off. I was considering another, when this enameled cast iron pan came up as an option (never tried enameled before). It has the heft that I expect, the overall quality. functionality, and performance that cast iron offers. I have used it dry, and have used it lightly oiled. No problems. Cooks evenly (have only used it on stove top). I have allowed the pan to build up slowly in heat before turning it up high enough to sear. The main thing is to not put a cold pan on a suddenly hot hot flame. When I feel like heating up my kitchen, I will likely season this again myself. Any cast iron I buy, even if pre seasoned can always benefit from additional seasoning--anything to protect that shiny surface.
I'll be back to update if I experience anything negative, or otherwise worth sharing. If we could do half rating, I would go with 4.5 stars.
