Starfrit 11 inch Light Cast Iron Fry Pan
by Starfrit USA
List Price:
Our Price: $38.17
You Save: $1.82 (5%)
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Category: Kitchen
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: Starfrit USABrand: Starfrit USA
Model: 32154-006-0000
Product features:
- Reinforced ceramic surface prevents rusting
- Retains and transmits heat quicky and evenly for perfect browning
- Riveted stainless steel handle stays cool to the touch
- Perfect for stovetop or oven use
- No harmful chemicals or toxic fumes
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Starfrit 11 inch Light Cast Iron Fry Pan
Customer Review: Buy The 11 or 12 Inch Pan, Don't Expect Teflon-Style No-Maintenance and Non-Stick, Expect a Good Pan
Summary: 5 Stars
I am reviewing this pan after nearly 8 months of regular, often daily use. My overall impression of the StarFrit Light Cast Iron is generally positive, although I came into this with measured expectations regarding the non-stick/anti-rust feature. I also found the 9-inch size to be a bit cramped for stir fries and similar tasks, so I would buy this again but in a bigger model. It is light, handy, well-built, attractive, heats up and cools down quickly, and an overall good choice if you know what you're in for. This 9-inch size is perfect for eggs but too small for anything else (unless you're cooking a single serving). Details below.
OK, first of, I just re-read the product description, and I am a little surprised and amused that there is no longer any mention of "non-stick" anywhere! When I originally purchased this, the ceramic coating was being advertised as an environmentally safe alternative to Teflon and other non-stick coatings, whereas now the only claim is that it "prevents rust with no PTFE, no PFOAs and no toxic fumes." I am not that shocked that the non-stick wording has been removed altogether. Frankly, I will not be that shocked if next time I check, the language regarding rust will be gone as well! (If you don't oil this pan, it absolutely WILL rust.)
The fact is that with normal use, the ceramic coating has limited usefulness and a short shelf life. I should mention that my idea of normal use might be different from yours. If you take care never to use metal utensils and promptly clean, dry, and lightly oil this pan after every use, you might get more mileage out of its non-stick and anti-rust properties. I had this goal in mind, but fell through the cracks. The pan fried an egg w/out oil (or almost w/out oil) right out of the box, but the non-stick (and even anti-rust, really) went downhill from there.
But that's exactly what I expected, and actually that's exactly why I bought this pan. I knew that there was no durable non-stick technology that didn't involve Teflon/PTFE/PFOA. So, the question was, what would I be left with after the coating inevitably wore off? If it was a lighter version of a cast iron pan, that didn't sound too bad. Overall, everything taken into account, it didn't disappoint.
A few notes on the light cast iron: this pan is much, much lighter than a regular, wrist-breaking cast iron pan, and that is a huge benefit when you are moving it around the kitchen, washing it, etc. I have used cast iron and its great but it is rather unwieldy. On the other hand, there is a sturdiness to regular cast iron that is absent here. This is a minor point, but I just cooked an omelette and had an impossible time flipping it. Partly it was because my recipe was a bit off, but it was also because the pan kept moving around on the burner! I had spatulas in both hands so I couldn't hold the handle of the pan, and it was simply not working. There is no way I would've ever had this problem with a regular cast iron pan.
The other difference is that, as others have noted, it doesn't heat up or maintain temperature like regular cast iron, which may or may not be a good thing for you. Personally, I like how much faster it heats up and how much faster it cools down. Others have talked about the unique heat distribution of regular cast iron, and I think there is something to that but I can't speak to it personally. I think you will like the way this pan handles heat, although you might have to adjust to it, especially if you're used to regular cast iron.
So, buy this pan - buy the 11/12 inch version, and expect to oil it regularly, both before cooking, to prevent sticking, and after, to prevent rust. Durable "eco-ceramic" technology is just not quite developed yet, neither by Starfrit or by other manufacturers, but that's OK.
Description of Starfrit 11 inch Light Cast Iron Fry Pan
Our new line of light cast iron pans are made in a metal mold, not a sand mold, so we are able to reduce the gauge and offer a pan that is 50% lighter than traditional cast iron pans on the market. The light cast iron has the same features as traditional cast iron, without any of the negatives. Our cast iron has a reinforced ceramic surface that prevents rust with no PTFE, no PFOAs and no toxic fumes, even when using high heat. The light cast iron retains and transmits heat quickly and evenly for perfect browning without needing to use a maximum heat setting. The riveted stainless steel handle stays cool to the touch on stovetop, yet still allows oven use.All Pans
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