Vintage Gourmet Pre-seasoned solid cast iron round casserole dish for even distribution and retention of heat, Self-basting domed lid preserves moisture during cooking Suitable for use on induction, ceramic, electric and gas cooktops, as well as in the oven, on the stove, in the grill and on barbecues/campfires Compatible with metal, wood and silicone utensils Easy to wipe clean Loop handles are designed for ease of lifting when using oven mitts/gloves. Ideal for roasts, stews, casseroles and other dishes that require long, slow cooking,Ideal for roasts, stews, casseroles and other dishes that require long, slow cooking Also perfect for baking bread, cakes, biscuits, pies and other recipes that are prepared in conventional ovens Care and Use Instructions - Follow these to Ensure that Your Cast Iron Lasts a Lifetime! Care 1) Hand wash and dry immediately - even before the very first use. 2) Allow your cookware to cool naturally prior to cleaning (plunging hot cast iron into water may cause damage). 3) Rub a small amount of vegetable oil into the product after every wash. Use just enough to restore the sheen, without it becoming ‘sticky’. This reinforces the natural seasoning and protects the cast iron from moisture (which can lead to rusting). Use 1) It is safe to use metal, wood or silicone utensils with your cookware. 2) Some foods (especially eggs) may stick to some degree during initial usage. It is advisable to employ extra oil or butter until the seasoning has built-up. 3) Acidic foods such as tomatoes, beans and certain sauces can damage the seasoning and should be avoided until the natural non-stick layer has matured. 4) Cast iron rarely needs to be placed on an above-medium heat setting if adequately pre-heated. On occasions when a higher cooking temperature is required, elevate the heat gradually and apply oil just prior to adding the food in order to prevent sticking. 5) Holders/mitts are essential when using the handles. Protect countertops with trivets. Creates great tasting, restaurant style food whilst maintaining an important healthy aspect to your cooking, Cast iron provides the finest heat distribution and retention of any cookware metal. The heat spreads rapidly and evenly across both the bottom and sides of the material and stays hot for a prolonged period of time. It is also extremely versatile and can be used to sear, fry, sauté, grill, roast, bake, braise and broil - both indoors or out. Cast iron will tolerate any heat source (except microwaves) and is therefore suitable for induction, ceramic, electric and gas cooktops. It will perform effortlessly in the oven, on the stove, in the grill and even on barbecues/campfires. The material is also brutally durable to the point of being almost indestructible. In fact, amazingly, some of the very first skillets, griddles and Dutch ovens, produced more than 100 years ago, are still being used in kitchens today!