The only reason why this doesn't get the last star, in my book, is because of its somewhat limited usefulness. However, if you live in an apartment or otherwise anywhere where grilling is impossible, this is the next best thing....like all other Le Creuset products this heats evenly and wonderfully and takes abuse. I got mine as part of a 6-piece set (along with a Dutch Oven, Baking Pan, and Casserole) and sorta at first saw this as a "filler" piece. However, to it's credit, this pan can do even easilly-burned items like tofu dogs and fake bacon WONDERFULLY, which shocked me--I was convinced that nothing could give a "grilled" effect to those items. I even got adventerous the first time I used it and grilled some apple rings. I panicked when some sugar seemed to be burnt on for good despite a good soaking, but after the pot had been dried and put away for 48 hours it flaked right off. Forget what you know about nonstick surfaces, btw, and banish those bad memories of cruddy, flaking Teflon from the 70's. Just treat this well (I only use wooden utensils on it) and it will treat you well. Follow the instructions and enjoy! Just be sure to use a potholder and realize that once this thing gets hot it STAYS hot for a LONG time.
Wow, I love this pan! I also live in an apartment, so this is a great substitute for outdoor grilling when you want a quick dinner. It's not as good as the outdoor charcoal grill, but this has some advantages. It's super easy. I use this pan several times a week. I pre-heat the pan, brush a little canola oil to the ribs, and while it warms up to the right temperature, I prepare the food. I cut some veggies (can use zucchini, squash, small eggplant, onions, bell pepper, etc), on the bias, so there's more surface area, toss with olive oil, salt & pepper, and grill. You may have to do several rounds of it if you have lots of veggies. After cooking until just tender, toss with a little balsamic vinegar and olive oil. DELICIOUS!! Also, we've been grilling some great local wild salmon on this pan. It is unbelievable. It is very quick, so don't overcook. Season with salt and pepper, and anything you like. Just practice a couple times, experiment with the temperature and your technique, and you'll see how easy and tasty it is. If you can get some homegrown or organic produce, it's so much more tasty. Simple grilling complements good ingredients.
Buy Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron 10 1/4 Inch Square Skillet Grills Now
(1) Where is it written, who decreed that skillets should be round? (2) Why has it taken me so long to discover the advantages of a square fry pan?
The answers are: nowhere that I know of, and because my mother always used a round skillet. She would have loved this enameled cast iron beauty that leaves appetizing sear marks on meat a char effect without the mess. The ribbed base captures grease allowing for healthier low fat cooking, and the surface is a satiny black enamel that cleans in a breeze.
It's compatible with all heating surfaces, and has an easy hold comfortable handle. We lightly applied vegetable oil to the ribs before our first use, and for several times thereafter. Since then there has been no need for the addition of oils. By heating the grill for a few minutes on medium heat (test with a drop of water and heat until water droplets sizzle) we've found the cooking surface primed for superior cooking.
This nifty item has such a plethora of uses it can be used in the oven (keep your oven glove at the ready) or even on a backyard barbecue.
Gail Cooke
Read Best Reviews of Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron 10 1/4 Inch Square Skillet Grills Here
Don't let the high price tag and the cast iron thing scare you away from this great product. It's not your mother's cast iron of stuck-on messes and rust in your food. It's very easy to season, and from there it works great. We've been able to cook everything from salmon, to buffalo, to pineapples with no sticking.
Unlike it's predecessor, the George Foreman grill, it cooks many kind of foods beautifully without drying it out or sticking. The key...temperature control. Since it works with your stove, you can control the amout of heat you need.
Also, having a wee kitchen, it's nice not to have another appliance taking up valuable counter space.
One of the best features is the lifetime warranty. And they mean it too. My friend had a Le Creuset teapot that rusted out and they sent her a replacement for free.
Sure it's pricey, but you get what you pay for with this pan.
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I live in the city, and don't have access to a grill. This pan makes perfect steakhouse grill lines on your pan. Just heat it really, really hot -to the point of smoking -on your stove first. Then turn on your broiler to High. Throw on a steak and shove it under the broiler. Two minutes later, rotate the steak 45 degrees. Flip steak and repeat. Professional gourmet steakhouse steakI swear.
But this pan will get oil splatters on it that will turn black under high heat circumstances. Are you going to spend 3 hours scrubbing every nook and cranny with baking soda and a scotch brite? No! I won't either. So I live with the black oil stains, and take them as badges of honor for all of the previous delicious meals past.
However, I'm slightly OCD and the black spots do bug me. I recommend this pan highly, just get the black color. You won't see any stains, and you'll just love this thing.
For panini fans: Get the panini press which fits with this perfectly.
The perfect San Francisco panini: Get a French roll, slice down the middle and slather the insides with olive oil. Lay on a few slices of prosciutto, a few roasted red peppers packed in water or oil (from your deli or condiments section of the grocery store), and a few generous slices of mozzarella. Sprinkle sandwich with a little salt. Grill in pan on medium heat until the first side is golden. Flip sandwich. Adjust heat so that when the second side turns golden, the mozzarella is just starting to melt. Bite into heaven.
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As other reviews stated.....all of the plates were shattered when they arrived at my house. The box itself was wrapped with a ton of bubble wrap. However, the only thing separating the plates inside the box is a small piece of corrugated cardboard. The company needs to do a better job of wrapping the plates inside of the box.
