Cuisinel Cast Iron Skillets Set - 12" + 10" + 8"-Inch Pre-Seasoned Frying Pans + Silicone Handle Grip Covers - Use Indoor/Outdoor, Oven, Grill, Stove, BBQ, Camp Fire, Induction Kitchen Cookware

So the pan itself as far as structural integrity is great. I mean, it's a cast pan. It came in one piece so no problems there. What I did have a problem with is that the pans came with some type of black varnish or coating on them. I tried to season them in the oven as I have other pans. Set the oven at 450°, lightly oil the entire pan, bake for an hour, oil again after the bake.When I took the pans out of the oven after an hour there was a crinkled skin of black varnish that flaked off with a spatula. The oil I had applied had lifted it off the surface of the pan in the oven. So I broke out the angle grinder and a wire wheel to take the rest of the finish off. Took about 20 minutes to get it to ACTUAL raw bare steel.I bought these pans to avoid coatings. They came coated. Luckily I have metal working tools and know how to use them. If you don't I wouldn't buy these pans.

I never had a cast iron skillet before, but I've had fun with several recipes - potato pancakes (latkes), whiskey chicken with Pecan crust and a vegetable dish with zucchini, yellow squash, chinese eggplant, etc. Cooks nicely, cleans nicely. When I first got these pans I seasoned them even though it supposedly came preconditioned. Some reviews complained that they had problems with cooking at first. But I did 3 reps in the oven using Canola oil and they are fine. I did learn that cooking with Canola oil can be a problem indoors because the pans get hot and the oil smokes. So I bought grapeseed oil and avocado oil. I haven't tried them yet but they have some of the highest smoke points.I have also cooked with olive oil although it wasn't long on the stove top. But it worked fine. I'm still experimenting with this. Anyway, I'd recommend these pans! A little more work after use (wash with water only and stainless steel chainmail scrubber, heat pan about 20 minutes to drive off the water, then coat with oil and let cool).

So, I wanted to update. I have had these pans awhile now and the longer i have then the more i like them. I use them every day. They are smooth now. I seasoned them when i first got them and again a few months ago. They are awesome. I love them. I highly recommend them!!! I have only owned lodge cast iron but I wanted a set and this was a good price. Lodge cast iron is always seasoned and smooth when you get it but these had a really rough finish. I liked what another poster said. They sanded and seasoned before using. I didn’t have sandpaper so I used steel wool and seasoned. So you never use steel wool to clean cast iron unless you are going to season the pans. I used avacado oil because it is good in high heat and thick. I pour some in the pan, wipe it really good on both sides covering everything. And then go over with another paper towel so that it is a thin coating. This will make it nonstick, thick will make it stick. Season your cast iron with love. Take time to get the oil everywhere. Remember how many meals, deserts, breads it will be used for. Lots of memories and love.Everything tastes better cooked in cast iron.

I bought these to supplement my main Lodge pan. I gave them a quick oil seasoning when I first got them and they have been rockstars since. The 10" pan is a good size to do a 1.25lb ribeye, and the 8" is a great breakfast pan. The included handle covers are a nice touch too. I have cleaned them several times since, and they haven't degraded in any way that would reflect poor craftmanship. If you're looking for a cheap set of good cast iron, this is what you're looking for.

UPDATE: Since writing my initial review a few months ago (still visible below) with the goal to help buyers make good decisions about products, this company has reached out no less than 20 times offering anywhere between $25-$45 to REMOVE my review. They did NOT offer to replace their poorly constructed product, nor did they offer to refund the entire amount of the purchase. The letters are in poorly translated English but use English/American names to trick customers. My suggestion to this company - you claim to be a small company that relies on reviewers; then MAKE A BETTER PRODUCT and good reviews will miraculously follow. I've never had a cast iron pan rust after one use - clearly other companies have discovered how to make a durable cast iron pan.I strongly suggest to not buy from this company as their methods are nefarious and Amazon should review the product and remove it if they continue to bribe their way into positive reviews, which is unfair to other buyers.Original ReviewAfter one use the pan had burnt on food that would not clean. I tried soap, a rubber scraper, light bristled brush, tried options suggestions I found online...no success.After giving up and rinsing and drying immediately, rust appeared all along the sides.Washing instructions included by the company are basic and do not include hints for caked on food. They make it sound like an easy item to clean; it absolutely is not!Incredibly disappointed in this item.

I have been using cast iron for nearly 50 years and have NEVER had a surface so rough as these pans that were sent to me. .They could litterly shread napkins to pieces by rubbing them on the cooking surface. Sent both pans back. Would never recommend this company to my worst friend and def. not my best.

Really solid and durable feeling. Great sears and an even cook.

I have used Cast Iron pans for fifty years. Well cast pans have a smooth cooking surface which precludes sticking. These do not have a smooth cooking surface and therefore even when well seasoned, food sticks. I suspected the price was too low for quality cast iron, but took a chance. I have relegated these cast iron pans to baking for the foreseeable future; until I can sand the cooking surfaces smooth and re-season the pans.It is months later. I fixed the rough 12 inch pan surface by careful sanding and re-seasoned the pan. However, I am still unsatisfied with the pans. One of the major advantages of good cast iron is even heat. Unfortunately, these pans do not distribute heat evenly. I have relegated these pans to baking only and will be buying better cast iron.

Like all cast iron pans, regardless if it is preseasoned or not, I always season the pans with some animal fat (like rendered bacon fat or chicken/duck fat) and bake upside down in a 400F oven for an hour and repeat about 4 times. With this set of pans, I did the same thing and they are quite non-stick but will need a few uses to be perfect. Fried some eggs for the first cook and the eggs needed a little bit of help with my spatula. It is on its way to be a great pan.

The media could not be loaded.  This is an excellent set of pounds. Well-made, should last decades. I love the idea of the silicon handles as well which can go in the oven. Like any cast iron cookware they are very heavy. The instructions are excellent and one just needs to follow them to make sure they don’t go rusty. Nothing chemically bad about these and a big improvement on the dreadful chemicals in Teflon

These are good solid pans and the removeable silicon rubber handle covers are easily fitted, even when hot. I didn't find that they were non-stick and the pre-seasoning needs continued work as I use them more; not sure if my new induction hob has anything to do with this - I'm still learning how it works. I'm very happy with the quality but marked it down one star as they aren't non stick ...yet!

These are so very heavy & get really hot, can't even pick them up with the handle guards on to hot.Only used couple of times still trying to get used to them, cook the food really quickly. I clean them straight away & then rub all over with vegetable oil & put away they don't seem to be rusting so I must be doing something right.

Great quality pans. Spouse has used the pans since the delivery and have had no complaints. The pans were already seasoned so with proper use and cleaning, we have had no issues regarding rust or damage to the pans. The rubber handle covers are a very convenient addition which was included as advertised.