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).

Our gas stovetop does not have round burner plates so this diffuser works fine, but has tendency to slip around on burner grate if not careful. Diffuser bottom (burner side) has a ridge around the outer edge to surround the gas burner or sit above a glass stovetop. I also use diffuser on a propane camping stove, and the diffuser sits on top of the burner grate and has a tendency to slide if not careful when putting on and taking off pans. Diffuser definitely helps spread the heat over full bottom of pan preventing hot spots so food heats evenly. ITEM WAS DELIVERED BY AMAZON CARRIER -- PAPER SHIPPING BAG WAS TORN -- ITEMS WERE IN OWN BOXES SO NOT DAMAGED.

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!

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。

Muy buena solución para fuego de gas pequeños que no alcanzan a toda la extensión de las paelleras. En mi caso, ahora puedo utilizar una paella para 5 raciones y el arroz queda igual de hecho en cualquier punto de la misma, pues la placa reparte perfectamente el calor. Lástima que no haya un modelo un poco más grande. Si se quiere limpiar, siempre en frío

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!

Je l'emploie pour "combler" la grille de mon insert et donc, en contact direct avec les braises ! Ce matin, aussi belle que lorsque je l'ai placée, bref, solidité incroyable, pour un prix aussi incroyable...