Fresh Australian Kitchen 12" Cast Iron Skillets Nonstick - Pre Seasoned Frying Pan Cookware Pan for Cooking

The last time I used a cast iron skillet was 40 years ago. I also have not used aluminum in years due to the current research on aluminum and Alzheimer's. I have used ceramic, ceramic enamel and copper. But my brother is also very concerned about Alzheimer's and I convinced him to try a cast iron skillet. He bought one, seasoned it and has been extremely happy with the results after some initial problems with seasoning the pan. Meanwhile, my current skillet began showing signs of wear, and since copper skillets have an aluminum core, I decided to try this cast iron skillet. I selected this one because it looked sturdier than the newer ones, which were pretty light weight. Once upon a time, you used only lard or bacon fat to season a skillet. Be warned if you use standard vegetable oil, you will probably be unhappy with the result, which is what my brother did. There are numerous articles on the web that will give you instructions on how to season a pan, and excellent instructions came with this pan. If you are vegetarian, try hard Crisco shortening because even though it is a vegetable based, its consistency allows it to seep through the porous surface of the pan. You can also use grape seed oil with equal success. However, standard vegetable oil cannot seep through the surface of the pan and what you end up having to do is re-season the pan. Pre-seasoned does not mean the surface of the pan is ready for cooking. Your food will stick if you try the pan without properly seasoning it first and the instructions that come with this pan tell you that. So I used bacon fat and then followed the rest of the instructions that Fresh Australian Kitchen provided. It takes 2 to 3 hours to properly season this pan, so plan it for a rainy afternoon or a time when you aren't doing anything else important. Remember that you are placing a pan upside down in a hot (500 degrees) oven for two hours. Remember to put aluminum foil or a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil underneath it because as the oil heats and drips there is always the possibility of an oven fire. If you catch that grease you probably won't have any problems. Also be aware that the pan will smoke as it seasons. If you have super sensitive fire alarms, ensure you have the hood fan on before you start the oven. In another place where I lived, I absolutely guaranty that if you seasoned a pan, the fire alarm would go off, whether the hood fan was on or not. Cast iron retains heat for a surprisingly long time. Leave the pan in the oven for two hours and do not remove it until the pan and the oven are both completely cool. This will also give the grease you heated time to harden. During the first use, you will find that you will have to adjust cooking time if you are used to using other surfaces. The heating time is slower but the cooking time is faster due to the thickness of the iron, which retains more heat than other surfaces. It also takes a long time for the pan to become cool enough for you to clean it. I recommend using an ove glove, a mitt or silicon handle holders to protect yourself from burns because that handle gets really hot. Follow the instructions on cleaning from Fresh Australian Kitchen. Do not use soap or you will have to re-season your pan, which can become a royal pain in the neck. Make sure you dry the pan thoroughly after cleaning or using liquids with it. Iron rusts. Then you will really have to start from scratch on getting the rust out and re-seasoning the pan. Once your pan is correctly seasoned, the more you use it, the smoother and more non-stick the surface will become. I think you will really be pleased with it and the fact that you are not ingesting chemicals like Teflon or metals like aluminum. The good news is that there is some transfer of iron. If you tend to be anemic, as many women are, seriously consider cast iron.

This cast iron pan is a must for making steaks. They come out perfect. Pan can be used on the stove top and in the oven.

Great cast iron skillet. Works as good as more expensive brands. Be sure to follow directions to get it ready to use. It is heavy

I’ll keep it short and to the point. It is a great pan and very versatile. It is also pretty light for a cast iron. The cons, I had to do a lot of TLC to this cast iron. I had to use 60 grit sandpaper to really smooth it out and season it 2-3 times. I put in a lot of work because I know this cast iron will last a lifetime as long as you care for it. Since October of 2024, I have been cooking on this thing daily. I highly recommend it if you are willing to put a little TLC in it.

I love this skillet. I’ve had it for 12 years now. I agree with everyone else to do your own skillet seasoning upon getting it. I made a Dutch baby this morning and as you can see, not a crumb stuck to it… I’ll just wipe it clean with a paper towel. When I do meat, I do tend to have to give it a good scrub, straight into a hot oven, then wipe it down with avocado oil to prepare it for my next use.

I love this cast iron. Please read the reviews carefully. Those that have rust in their cast iron didnt season it, the either washed it in the dishwasher or washed it with soap and water and left it on the counter to dry. CAST IRON MUST BE SEASONED AND COOKED or it will looked like in the pictures. I use this cast iron almost everyday and yes it's a chore to clean it but oh so worthy. There are other ways of cleaning cast iron (foil costs too much) so if the one above is too much then search online. I'll be buying myself another cast iron from here as well as getting my sister the 12 inch on. Cast irons are amazing it's just a chore to clean properly.

Love this cast iron - comes with instructions for those who are new to cast irons and how to care for them. Seasoning it to help get the coating stronger was a breeze, followed their instructions and now this is my go to cast iron skillent for all meal preps. Amazing cast iron skillet!

I have recently purchased a Gozney Dome and, wanting to do more than pizza, bought this 32cm skillet. At a third of the cost of a similar-sized Lodge, I have to say it is excellent value. Although it came preseasoned, I gave it a quick wash and another coat of oil before popping it back into the oven. This barramundi and potatoes is one of the first things I roasted and it came out beautifully. Nothing stuck to the bottom and clean up was a breeze.

Excellent product that should outlast me. This is not a pan, you thrown in the dishwasher, or attack with metal scourers. You need to treat it with respect and love. Take your time seasoning it, and wash with clean water only and a cloth and it will over time build up a lovely non stick surface. No more dodgy Teflon coatings for me. Would definitely recommend and it cooks a perfect steak. So season, wash, and oil correctly, and you won't get any rust and it will last forever.

Short handle that gets very hot. I love it though. No non-stick spray or treatment, which means no chemicals. Easy to clean, but beware, you need to oil it after the clean. It's iron and it will rust. It's not much heavier than a normal pan that size. This will outlast you.

I bought the Double Dutch Oven Casserole Pot and 30 cm cast iron skillet, I've used the skillet so far twice in the week since receiving it. Delivery was quick I didn't expect them so soon but it was a good surprise. It doesn't take long for the skillet to heat up, it's fairly thick and for the money, it's a great value. The 30 cm skillet holds a decent amount of food and the first thing I made was smoked scalloped potatoes and they turned out great. I've yet to use the dutch oven but looking forward to it because of the quality, I'm sure the results will be the same.

Enjoy using this " Fresh Australian Kitchen" product so much so that I think I may purchase one for each of my children that have moved out of home. Great size and once hot - its great, keeps the heat and nothing sticks ! Only negative, would be that the handle also heats up - perhaps a wooden handle would be better