Founded in 2019 by Kate, Levi and Joe aimed to create a sustainable product that would be a return to beautiful craft and traditional techniques. In an era of disposable stuff, the team wanted to create a product that would last for generations.

The only cast iron cookware made in New Zealand and certainly the only cast iron pans that are designed to last so long, they're confident to offer a 100 year guarantee. What's more beautiful than passing on family recipes, together with the pans that have been used to make these special dishes for decades?

 

 

Hand-poured to order, every Legacy Pan is as unique as the family recipes it will prepare. They are passionate about leaving a better planet too, so all Ironclad Cookware arrives fresh from the foundry unseasoned - unseasoned means no chemicals, dyes or enamels where they shouldn't be. Better for you and the planet. The material we use is a raw high-grade recycled iron. It’s lighter, but still tough as. The iron is certified, and the design built to last. But like all good things, a little preparation is required.

You can use the Ironclad pans on induction, electric, gas and ceramic stoves, and of course in the oven, on the BBQ and why not take it camping? Cast iron cooking and campfires are a perfect match due to the durability of cast iron and its even heating properties.  

 

When your pan arrives, the box will include a bottle of Marlborough Grape Seed Seasoning Oil, an Ironclad cotton storage bag, printed care instructions, and a hand-signed Three Generation Guarantee™. Every Legacy and Lil’ Legacy also comes with free access to the Ironclad Family Recipe Vault - a closed social platform designed to store, share and save your family recipes for generations to come.

If you’re new to the world of cast iron skillet cooking, the first and most crucial step is called “Pre-Seasoning”. It takes a little time, but you only have to do it once. Do it right and your great-great grandchildren will thank you.

PRE (OR RE) SEASONING

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• Steel wool or coarse scrubbing brush
• Dish soap. Running water
• An oven
• Grapeseed oil
• A dry cloth
• Elbow grease

 

1. WASH Give your cookware a thorough once over scrub with soap and hot water. This should be the only time you’ll ever need to use soap, a scourer and real elbow grease on your Ironclad Legacy Cookware.  

2. RINSE AND DRY THOROUGHLY Rinse with cold water, then dry. We mean bone-dry. Some grey residue may still show on the cloth here.

3. PRE-HEAT Set your oven to 100°C. At full heat, place your cookware in the oven for 10 minutes. Pre-heating in this way ensures it’s completely dry and opens the iron’s pores to better soak up seasoning.

4. OIL Using a clean cloth or paper towel, rub about one tablespoon of grapeseed oil (or conditioning balm) over the entire surface, inside and out, including the base. You’re rubbing oil into the surface, not onto it. Wipe off any excess. The end result should be a thin coat of oil, giving a dull matte finish and dry appearance.

5. BAKE Turn the heat up to 180°C. Place upside-down in the middle of your oven. Bake for another 10 minutes before removing to wipe off any excess oil again.

6. CRANK THE HEAT Return your cookware upside-down to the middle of your oven. Turn up the heat to 220°C and leave it to bake for at least an hour.  

7. COOL Turn off the heat and allow to cool completely in the oven - ideally overnight. Then you’re ready to go!

 

DAILY USE & CARE

Once your Ironclad Legacy Cookware has been pre-seasoned, it’s simple to care for—no dishwasher required and preferably no soap. Easy-peasy.

1. WIPE/WASH When possible, simply wipe out with a dry paper towel. Otherwise rinse with hot water, ideally when still warm from cooking. For any hard to remove food, use a scrubbing brush or wooden spatula.

2. DRY Ensure your cookware is dried thoroughly after each use.

3. OIL Before putting away, apply a teaspoon of your chosen oil or conditioning balm to the entire surface with a dry cloth or paper towel.

 

 

 

A FEW TIPS

KEEP THE HEAT LOW TO START WITH

In the early life of a cast iron skillet, your food may stick a little. It is a good idea to be generous with your cooking oils and fats to build up a non-stick base. Keep the heat to low or medium as your initial layers of seasoning develop. Some dishes are better to break your skillet in with; caramelising onions or frying chicken.

AVOID ACIDIC OR LONG SIMMERED FOODS IN THE BEGINNING

Acidic foods like tomatoes, wine, citrus, and vinegar can eat away at the skillet’s seasoning. So until your Ironclad Pan is better established, it’s best to avoid heavily tomato based sauces. You’ll know your skillet is broken in once your layer of seasoning has become reliably non-stick. Then a little acid here and there isn’t an issue.

 

They have also partnered with their leather-smith friends at Coast Craft in Christchurch to protect your hands from hot handles, creating a limited run of skillet handle sleeves made using leather from Whanganui and designed to fit snug on all Ironclad Pan handles.

View the full Ironclad collection or visit the showroom to see them in real!

Thanks,

The Outdoor Concepts Team