Ilsa Heat Diffuser, Made in Italy from Cast Iron, Flame Guard for Simmering, 7-inches

The Ilsa 7-Inch Cast Iron Heat Diffuser appears to work very well. I ordered two, based on other reviews, and they arrived today in time to use in cooking two meals. I love the convenience of not needing to worry about food burning and sticking and not having to "fine tune" the flame height. Also, the burner most convenient to use, based on its location on the cooktop, is the second most powerful burner, but now we can use it without worries of over heating the pan. When searching for this item on Amazon I couldn't remember exactly what it was called. Since we had a Dacor "dual fuel" stove in our previous house (electric oven, gas cooktop) and had the Dacor plate that came with the oven, I went to the Dacor web site where I was reminded it is called a simmer plate. I was amazed that Dacor wants about $85 for a simmer plate when the Ilsa is $15. Although the Dacor simmer plate was probably 8 inches and the Ilsa is 7 inches, the main difference is in heft. The Dacor plate is much heavier. But not $70 heavier! The 7 inch Ilsa simmer plate is much better for us than a larger size, due to the configuration of our gas range. It is a 5-burner with two medium sized burners on the left side, a large burner in the center, a medium large burner at the lower right and a small burner at the upper left. If we had gotten a larger diameter it would not have allowed us to use two adjacent burners simultaneously, so the 7 inch model is the perfect size for our range. Even though I've only used the simmer plates twice, I am already very pleased with it. Since they are new, for me durability is still an open question, but I would guess that they will last plenty long enough. (I eventually had to wire brush the $85 Dacor simmer plate and repaint it, so that sort of thing is probably inevitable with any similarly constructed simmer plate.) Out of the box, the Ilsa simmer plate is great. I think if you put the correct side up (the side with the little "feet") the chance of it blistering as shown in another review would be near zero. Also, I would never put the burner on the highest setting when using a simmer plate. If you need that much heat to start with then start without using the simmer plate and when you are ready to turn the heat down then slip the simmer plate under the pot. So, yes, I highly recommend this simmer plate. The risk/reward ratio is very favorable -- big reward (utility, better cooked food, etc.) for very little risk (the $15).

I have a gas stove, and even the smallest burner turned down low is sometimes too much heat for simmering. I bought two of these diffusers to use when I make apple, peach or pear butter, or when I can tomato sauce. These foods need to be simmered and reduced for hours at a very low temperature to prevent scorching. Before I bought the diffusers, I had to stir almost constantly to prevent burning. I just made peach butter this last weekend, and I'm happy to say that my diffusers worked like a charm! I brought my puree to a boil, stirred it well, then set it on the smallest burner turned down low, on top of the diffuser. It simmered nicely an entire day, and I only had to stir it 4-5 times. I've also used it to cook down tomato sauce from our garden tomatoes. It worked just as well as before - the sauce simmered gently without splashing all over the stove or scorching on the bottom. I'm a big fan of cast iron cookware (and now I'm a fan of this diffuser) - it lasts for generations, it becomes non-stick after seasoning with oil, it doesn't warp from heat, and it evenly disperses heat to prevent burning. The painted side of this diffuser washed easily and didn't get flaky or bubble like some reviewers have said theirs did. I don't recommend putting this diffuser in the dishwasher or even soaking it in the sink, as cast iron will rust. After I wiped mine down with a damp sponge, I dried it and wiped a little bit of oil cooking on the unpainted side (then wiped off the excess) to protect and season it. I also don't recommend using this on a glass-topped stove, as it will almost certainly scratch the surface. A side note: the handle shown in the photo is removable. You only need to use it when you are removing the still warm diffuser from the stove top. You don't leave it attached when you're cooking on it. I look forward to using this diffuser for decades. I love it!

I bought two of these. They come shiny, which I was surprised at. After using them a couple of times, the shiny coating began cracking and peeling off. I think this might have been my fault because I used them on too high heat. Never the less, I still like them and continue to use them since they still work fine without the shiny coating. I have a tendency to use too high of a heat and using these at a medium heat is more efficient as they disperse the heat evenly around the pot.

We bought a new Samsung gas range about a year ago. We actually have propane, not natural gas, and it is my understanding that it burns hotter than gas. Well, I've been burning food ever since! Even on the lowest settings we have hotspots in the pans and I have burned spaghetti noodles while boiling them (they stick to the bottom of the pan)! This was driving me crazy. Recently I was looking at a recipe on the NY Times Recipe site and someone commented about using a diffuser on their gas range (the recipe was about braising in the oven and mentioned how cooking atop a gas range made it impossible to cook at low enough heat which is why oven braising came about). Well, I'm so glad I read that comment and the ones from other people who said they use one too, because I'd never heard of a diffuser for my gas burners and this gadget has changed the way we cook on this gas stove top! I cannot compare this particular diffuser to any others because it's my first but for us, this one has worked great. The one thing I might wish was different is the finish on the top. It is smooth and with some of my pans it's easier for them to move around, so maybe a textured finish would be better but it's not like my pans are slipping off; that has not happened. The handle is removable (squeeze the two sides together to compress it and pull out of the hole, reverse to re-insert it into the hole when needed). I keep the handle in the drawer next to my stove because I leave the diffuser on my second hottest burn all the time. I actually want to buy a couple more but I'd like one bigger one for my hottest burner and I don't think this company makes a larger one. I'll check and if not will buy another brand for that one, but I do plan to get one more 7" diffuser for one of my back (lower heat) burners. I don't use them much so I'll share one between them. Anyhow, this find allowed me to love our new stove now. The oven is great but I really thought the stove was never going to work out. This diffuser made the difference.

Since buying a very expensive and "powerful" gas stove a year ago, I have had a very difficult time simmering things. Even on the lowest setting, foods were either burning or not cooking properly. After some research, I purchased this particular heat diffuser and let me say that I am sooooo thankful that I did. On the first use, it was obvious this diffuser was going to improve the way food cooks on my stove. I made a pasta dish with cheese and normally I cannot let it sit to keep warm until served. For the first time, my pasta dish sat for twenty minutes without stirring and did not burn!!! Even though this is a small diffuser, I used it to place under my 12 inch pan to make Sole Meunière. Normally, several pieces of fish do not cook evenly when used in my 12 inch. Though there were still a few tiny trouble spots, the fish cooked more evenly than usual, so I was very happy. We have tested this out under several conditions and find this works best (on our stove) when simmering, keeping things warm or allowing ample time for both the diffuser and pan to heat properly. My daughter thought she could use a pan on the diffuser to scramble an egg. She didn't wait for things to heat and, of course, the egg took forever to cook. Understandably, the diffuser was not best in this cooking situation. It also didn't help water boil faster. As noted in a few other reviews, the diffuser has a tendency to move around on stove grates. For me, this was only a problem with hard stirring. Other than that, I haven't had issues. Very happy and glad I made this purchase.

I have a Visions Glass Pot that overheats and causes burning on the stove. This product diffuses the heat as promised. The product is solid and seems to have an enamel coating on the top. Underneath you can see the cast iron and it does not have the same coating. It is made in Italy and mine came with a metal hook that I assume is used to lift the item off the stove. The first time I used it, I noticed some kind of smell after heating which kicked my air purifier on. Be careful when using pots that are not dry. I had just washed my pot and set it on the diffuser without drying. After coming up to temperature, the water between the pot and diffuser started to boil. There is very little space between the two items and the water started to sputter and spit, getting on my skin and slightly burning me like hot splattering oil would. Of course this can be avoided by drying your pot beforehand. But this could also occur if you what I do sometimes and pour something out of the pot and re-place it on the stove leaving liquid dripping down the side and in between the diffuser and pot. I also have gas burner grates that don't seem to be completely flat and this causes my 1920s cast iron skillet with heat ring to be a bit tippy. The diffuser solves this problem! EDITED to add text from product box: Heat diffuser Cast iron enamelled. Made in Italy. In compliance with E.E.C. regulation 89/109. The Heat Diffuser placed between the heat source and saucepan, eliminates the need to mix foods while cooking because it distributes the heat in a uniform and constant manner. When in use, foods neither burn nor stick, retaining intact all their vitamin, mineral, and protein properties. The Heat Diffuser also prevents the external blackening caused by the flame on the pans, preserving them so shining they sparkle like new. It is suitable for all types of pots and pans, fits all burners, is ideal for pans lacking a double radiant bottom and it is indispensible for those in Pyrex and Terracotta. The Heat Diffuser is supplied with a very practical handle.

If I could give it more than five stars I would! Such a simple item and it works so well. It’s sturdily constructed of light weight but not flimsy cast iron. My new gas stove has a “simmer” burner but even at its lowest setting things boil and scorch. This is a sturdy cast iron plate with shiny enamel paint and a detachable handle so you can remove it even when it’s still hot. Good price point and not made in Asia. I love it!

Quality looked fine, however it didn't work for my needs, as a heat transfer for an induction stove top to a non magnetic pot. I understand that it was intended for other uses.

Je ne connaissais pas du tout ce produit. Puis j’en ai entendu parler lors ce que j’ai voulu faire l’acquisition d’un tajine en terre cuite. Si au début j’ai acheté ce produit uniquement pour l’utiliser avec mon tajine je me suis très vite rendu compte qu’il pouvait aussi me servir avec mes casseroles, poêles et wok que j’utilisais habituellement Pas trop lourd mais tout de même juste ce qu’il faut pour rester en place sur le feu, il ne bougera pas. 18 cm c’est parfait même pour un feu de grande taille sur une gazinière standard. Pas besoin que le diffuseur fasse la taille de votre poêle J’ai vraiment adoré la poignée amovible ! C’est Tip top ! Vous mettez votre diffuseur en place et vous retirer la poignée vous poser ensuite votre casserole ( ou autre ). C’est super discret et on ne sait même pas qu’il y a un diffuseur. Il n’y a pas de poignée disgracieuse voir même dangereuse qui dépasse Le revêtement supérieur et brillant, c’est très pratique pour le nettoyer avec un peu d’eau chaude et de produits vaisselle. Ça ne fait pas de taches de gras Franchement j’en suis ultra satisfaite. Je l’ai utilisé plusieurs fois et il tient très bien. Je constate vraiment que ma cuisson est beaucoup plus douce. Très pratique pour faire revenir doucement des choses dans une poêle sur une gazinière où la cuisson est parfois un peu trop vive Si vous avez apprécié mon commentaire, si celui-ci vous a été utile, faites-le-moi savoir en cliquant ci-dessous

serve the purpose

The item matches exactly what ordered.

マキネッタや炊飯の時に使っています。取っ手は簡単に外せます。重くて安定していること、汚れが付きにくく、付いてもすぐに落とせることが気に入っています。

This is a wonderful heat diffuser. No more burnt pans. No more having to stir them every two minutes! Little bit expensive with the import duties but worth every rupee! I shall buy one more!