Victoria 4-Inch Cast Iron Skillet, Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Frying Pan with Long Handle, Made in Colombia

Lucky me, I purchased this 8 inch Victoria cast iron pan as an open box from Amazon Warehouse for about $10, and there was not a single flaw to be found. I enjoy good cookware, but am not fond of spending a ton for bare cast iron, which for my purposes is of limited utility in comparison to my higher end copper, enameled cast iron, and hard anodized aluminum pans. I own cast iron pans by Lodge (12-inch) and Griswold (6-inch), which I have used for a long time, and just received a new 10-inch Field, which I have not yet seasoned.This pan outshines the Lodge by far, and is comparable in functionality to the Griswold. The surface is not as smooth as the Griswold, and not remotely similar to the satin finish on the Field, but it its smoother than my Lodge, to my eye. It comes pre-seasoned with flaxseed oil, but I added another six coats in the oven using Sheryl Canter's technique (you'll have to Google it as Amazon removes my hyperlink). I previously used the same method with my Lodge and Griswold, both of which are now also additionally seasoned though frequent use.While I find the flaxseed technique reliable, I have never experienced anything like the Victoria's flawless performance immediately out of the oven. I didn't bother to strip the pan, but otherwise pretty much followed the instructions. From the first cook after seasoning (French fries), this Victoria pan equaled the cooking and nonstick performance of the well-seasoned Griswold and exceeded that of the Lodge. It was far better than the Lodge was when first seasoned, as that pan took quite some time even after oven seasoning to develop a nonstick surface. Heat distribution was average for cast iron. I forgot to take pictures of the fries, but I will try to upload shots of the next few dishes I cooked, mostly omelets, and even fish. Absolutely flawless cooking every time, entirely nonstick, and a breeze to clean.I will update this review when I have seasoned and used my new Field pan, but so far, I notice that this Victoria weighs the same as the comparable size by Field, which touts its lightweight pans. The dimensions are similar, though the Field pan's straighter sides and lack of spout makes for a larger cooking surface and, to my eye, a sleeker more appealing appearance. The Field is also shockingly smooth and has a built in heat ring on the bottom of the pan, which this one lacks. Field pans are roughly four to five times the price of comparably sized Victoria pans.Highly recommend trying out one of these pans if you enjoy cast iron and want to save some bucks. If mine is any gauge, they are stellar performers, at a far more reasonable price than comparably functioning vintage and contemporary pans.

Take your cast iron out of the kitchen and onto the grill. Less mess, less odors. And you can get that skillet really, really HOT, HOT, HOT!Heard so much about this brand of cast iron skillets that I had to come to this product page and check things out. But I already have wonderful vintage, well-seasoned cast iron skillets from 14" down to 10". So my eyes zoned in on the 8". And I started thinking about all the dishes for one or two people--that I could accomplish on my gas grill.Preheat the gas grill on high for 15 minutes, and preheat an empty cast iron skillet at the same time. I imagined it, I pictured it, and I planned on it--but I was still surprised by the magnificent, simply-seasoned, bone-in, skin-on, chicken thighs that I created. It was so easy, and it was quick, too. And the skin was as crispy as what we wished for. Inside was succulent and juicy. I don't think I'll ever do chicken thighs on the kitchen cook top again. The smaller surface area contains the minimum of rendered fat from the thighs, just enough fat to brown up a few veggies or fruit chunks along the edges.The 8" size means that I can always find room for it on any of my grills. And one 8" pan fits 3-4 thighs, or two leg-quarters, several pork chops or two pieces of fresh tuna. Pre-heating the pan ensures a terrific sear. It is just the right size for onion and peppers or onion and mushrooms, or shrimp or squid rings. Carrying the 8" is effortless, too. "Dragging" the pan out to the yard is a non-issue with the 8".These 8" pans are cute, too, and can make it to the table if you coddle it in some suitable towels to cover the bottom and the handles.And I've confirmed what I've read: The handles are comfortable, the pour spout is a welcome feature (especially on this 8" which is so easy to lift and maneuver). And, as Epicurious says in one of their articles, the pre-seasoning is very effective. Love my vintage pans, but I'm loving these new 8" pans, too.(And, I'm working on a recipe to make individual de-constructed gumbo in these 8" pans pre-heated on a hot gas grill: A chicken thigh, a small sausage link, ample cuts and chunks of onion, celery, green pepper, a few whole okra, and seasoning. Rice in the cooker, and a thawed freezer portion of gumbo broth/sauce heating up on a grill side burner.) Sounds like a good plan to me--my 6-month old Electrolux induction cook top is waiting on warranty repair--for the second time! And this second time is into its second month! So I'm getting creative and am taking my cooking outside more and more often. (Don't buy Electrolux!)

Victoria is my new favourite cast iron makers: the designs of the cookware is truly well thought out - the quality is unsurpassed by any other manufacturer 'out there'! Some of the features I particularly like are many of your skillets have a side handle which is fantastic idea...especially for people such as myself who have to deal with sore wrists and hands from arthritis (one of the 'joys' of getting older...) and so by having a side handle, the weight is evenly distributed! Another thing I really love about your cookware is the finish: it's so smooth and even! Victoria cookware surpasses anything any other cast iron company makes.

Excelente sarten de hierro fundido. Si ya tienes experiencia cocinando y dando mantenimiento a sartenes de hierro fundido, esta te va a durar muchisimos años.

Muy buen sartén!!

Muy bueno!!

Pentola spettacolare. Altissima qualità.