Ilsa A1739021 Heat Diffuser, Cast Iron, Black

I saw this after looking at similar items made from stainless steel or even tin, and was doubtful they'd be able to withstand an open flame for any length of time. This, on the other hand, is made from the same material as the racks on gas cookers (or at least on mine), so while I've not used it yet, am pretty sure it'll not warp or bend. It's heavy, with a nice solid heft to it, and would think cast-iron is good at distributing heat evenly. It has little notches all around the ring on the bottom, so that it sits securely on the rack of my cooker. I think it should fit on any gas cooker, as the notches are evenly spaced all around the bottom. It raises the pan 1 cm above the normal height, and am intending to use it with a saucepan which is larger than 21 cm diameter, as it was largest I could find. The handle is quite basic, but does the job, feels secure when in place, and fits easily into the opening. It would've been nice to have a heat-proof handle, but with an oven glove or similar, it'll be fine. Mine was a Warehouse Deal (I always look out for them, good bargains!), so I didn't have to pay the postage, but would probably have paid it if necessary. Considering the weight of the item, it seems reasonable and the price is good, too. While it's over 2x the price of the stainless steel ones I saw, it's a different class, quality wise, and will doubtless last many years. As I'm always wishing I could turn the gas down further when simmering, I am sure this will be very handy for stews, soups, custard etc, so would recommend.

I really can't understand why diffusers of this quality aren't ubiquitous. The things you usually see are flimsy, unsatisfactory things that are of little use and no ornament. There's something very satisfying about this. It's cast iron, so if you have a kitchen with good quality items and appliances in, it fits your ethos and aesthetic. I have an Ilve Milano range and it could have been made for it, as it fits so snugly and feels so robust and stable. Usually, if you are trying to simmer something very slowly, there is a little bit in the middle that burns and the rest is uncooked. Not any more. I'm not usually so enthusiastic in my praise, but I am delighted with this.

This is much better than the Kitchen Craft version - more robust. It is enamelled so pans tend to slide about. It would have been better with a rougher finish - but then it wouldn't be so easy to clean.

I was really pleased to find this cast iron heat diffuser as I have tried many steel and aluminium versions in the past which have simply buckled when used. This one is a great success so far. It is ideal for longer, slower cooking where a steady, controlled hob heat is required, such as casseroles, pickles, chutneys, rice pudding, slow steaming and so on. Being cast iron, it retains the heat for a long time so I tend to switch the hob off about three quarters of the way through cooking and let the retained heat finish the cooking process.As it cools down, I then used it for keeping plates and dishes warm. For practical purposes, it has a removable metal handle which is simply inserted in a slot in the diffuser. The diffuser can be turned so that the slot is in the most convenient position for the user, e.g. left or right handed, other pans on the hob etc.Since I have started using it, nothing has yet burnt, stuck to the pan, boiled over or boiled dry. This is a real triumph for me as I have a fierce gas hob with poor control over the flame. I intend to buy another heat diffuser the same size (21cm) and a smaller one in due course in order to be able to optimise use of the hob.

So glad I opted for this over cheaper versions. Hard wearing enamel finish. It is heavy but as a result is really stable on the gas hob. It has little ridges in the back that slot over the gas hob bars. Reduces the fierceness of the gas rings so that I can properly simmer curries and stews etc without burning the centre of the pan. Added bonus - if you heat up the plate and then turn the gas off, this makes an excellent plate warmer - ie for resting meat. This morning I used it as a heating plate to melt butter & chocolate for brownies. Can't think how I did without it now. :)

not so much a heat diffuser, as a heat remover! Everything goes off the boil!

Bought this at what I thought was an eye-popping price to replace a cheap one I'd had previously. This one is really heavy and sturdy - it's brilliant. My last one had a handle which had come off within two weeks. The steel went rusty and disintegrated pretty fast. We persevered. When we cleaned the cooker we put it on the side and it made indelible rust marks on the kitchen surface.This one - very heavy - enamelled - brilliant. Perfect heat dissipation for slow simmer. It has a removable handle so that it doesn't get really hot. I think it will be with me for life. Odd to be so enthusiastic about a simmer ring, but it's SOOOOO much better than the last one.

Excellent - does what it says - do need to give it time to warm up though.NB it is the size of the pan which determines if you need the large or small diffuser so we use mainly the smaller one.Cook rice, stews or spanish omelettes without the food burning/sticking to the bottom of the pan.The removable handle is essential for these so you can start the pan off, heat this on another ring, and then place it under the pan when the diffuser has warmed up. Once heated the temperature of the diffuser adjusts fairly quickly.Does waste a little heat, but solves the problem of the too-large rings of modern gas cookers which can burn food.Easy to clean, I am fairly certain these are the best designed of all the heat diffusers. Other types can end up clogged with food.